Wish You Could Downgrade iOS 26? Here’s Why You Can’t—and What You Can Do Instead

Can’t Downgrade from iOS 26? Here’s Why—And What You Can Still Do

Regretting the iOS 26 Update?

Have you updated your iPhone to iOS 26 only to find it slower, glitchier, or just not what you expected? You’re not alone. Reports of sluggish animations, reduced battery life, and a confusing new UI have many users asking the same question:

“Can I go back to iOS 18?”

Unfortunately, you can’t. And this article explains exactly why that’s the case—and what you can still do to improve your experience.

The Short Answer: You Can’t Downgrade from iOS 26

Once you’ve updated to iOS 26, Apple no longer allows you to reinstall earlier versions like iOS 18.6.2. Here’s the technical reason:

• Every iOS installation is verified by Apple using a signature system.
• After iOS 26 was released, Apple stopped signing iOS 18.6.2 just days later.
• Once a version is “unsigned,” you can no longer install or restore it via iTunes or Finder.

📌 MacRumors and Notebookcheck both reported that iOS 18.6.2 was unsigned within a week of iOS 26’s release, effectively blocking downgrades.
(macrumors.com)
(notebookcheck.net)

This is not a bug. It’s Apple’s intentional policy.

Why Apple Doesn’t Let You Roll Back

Apple has strong incentives to prevent downgrading:

To Apple, preventing rollback is about stability and safety. But for users, it feels like a loss of control.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Technically, a few rare workarounds exist—but they don’t apply to most users:

1. If the old version is still signed (very short window)
   For a few days after an update, Apple might still sign the old version. But for iOS 26, that window is already closed.
2. If you saved SHSH blobs (highly advanced users only)
   This method involves preserving Apple’s digital signatures ahead of time and using third-party tools to trick the system.
   Not supported, not guaranteed, and usually requires a jailbroken device.
3. If the version is OTA-only with no IPSW file
   Some updates (like iOS 18.7) are only distributed over-the-air, not via downloadable firmware files. Even if signed, there may be no way to manually install them from a computer.

In short: Unless you’re an expert with the right tools—and acted before the signature was revoked—you’re out of luck.

Coming Up in Part 2

In the second half of this article, we’ll cover:

• Real user complaints after upgrading to iOS 26
• Practical steps to improve performance and usability
• What to do before your next update to avoid this trap again

👉 [Continue to Part 2 »]

Here is Part 2 of the English-language article, continuing the M10-7 structure with a focus on user experience, solutions, and proactive steps.

iOS 26 Feels Broken? Here’s What You Can Still Do

What Real Users Are Reporting

After upgrading to iOS 26, many users have shared their frustrations online. Here’s a sample of recurring complaints from Reddit and Apple’s forums:

• “Typing feels laggy”
  → There’s a noticeable delay between tapping the keyboard and seeing letters appear.
• “Animations are slower than before”
  → Users report sluggish transitions, especially when swiping between apps or scrolling.
• “My battery life tanked”
  → Particularly on older devices like the iPhone 12 or earlier, battery drain seems more aggressive.

These reports underscore the frustration: they want to go back—but can’t.

What You Can Actually Do (Right Now)

Even if downgrading is off the table, you can take steps to reduce frustration and optimize your iOS 26 experience.

1. Reduce Animations for Smoother Performance

Go to:
Settings > Accessibility > Motion and enable:

• Reduce Motion
• Prefer Cross-Fade Transitions

✅ This can make the UI feel snappier, especially on older devices.

2. Tame Background Activity to Save Battery

iOS 26 may increase background tasks, which drains power. Try:

• Settings > Battery → check high-usage apps
• Disable Background App Refresh where possible
• Limit Location Services to “While Using” or turn off for non-essential apps
• Use Low Power Mode more aggressively if needed

3. Rework Notifications for Clarity

Some users find iOS 26’s notification layout confusing.

• Go to Settings > Notifications > Display As → Choose “List”
• Use Focus Modes to limit distractions

This can help bring back some of the clarity from earlier iOS versions.

4. Clear Space and Reboot

• Force restart your iPhone
• Make sure at least 5–10 GB of free storage is available
  → Low storage often leads to sluggish behavior

These small tweaks can resolve unexpected slowdowns.

How to Prepare for Future iOS Updates

✘ Don’t Rush to Update Day One

Apple often releases .0 versions with bugs that are fixed in later patches (.0.1, .1, etc.). Unless you’re an early adopter by choice:

✅ Wait a week or two before updating
✅ Check if Apple is still signing the previous version before upgrading
✅ Read early reviews and user feedback

✘ Don’t Rely on Backup-Based Downgrades

Even if you manually saved a backup before updating to iOS 26:

• You cannot restore that backup onto iOS 18.6.2 if it’s unsigned
• Newer iOS backups are not compatible with older iOS versions

So even if you somehow returned to iOS 18, you’d likely have to set up your iPhone as new.

Final Thoughts: You May Not Control the OS, But You Control Your Setup

It’s frustrating to be locked into a system you didn’t expect. But rather than focusing on what can’t be undone, focus on:

• Optimizing the current iOS version with available settings
• Learning from the experience to handle the next update smarter
• Taking back control where Apple allows it: notifications, motion, battery, and more

You may not be able to roll back—but you’re not powerless.

🔗 References

• Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.6.2, iOS 26 Downgrades Now Impossible (MacRumors)
• iOS 26 won’t let you downgrade, as Apple stops signing iOS 18.6.2 (Notebookcheck)
• How to downgrade your iPhone from iOS 26 (Macworld)
• Apple forums: Can’t downgrade iOS version (Apple Discussions)
• Reddit: iOS 26 users discuss performance and rollback attempts (Reddit)