Macworld
Apple updates iOS every year, bestowing upon our iPhones a range of new features and security improvements, as well as the occasional redesign. In September 2026, iOS 27 made its debut. Most iPhone users will move to the new platform straight away, and the majority are likely to love the changes. But what if you encounter bugs, poor battery life, or another problem that makes you wish you could return to iOS 26?
And what if subsequent iOS 27 updates may also introduce problems that leave you wishing you could return to an earlier version?
Downgrading from iOS 27 may be possible, but only while Apple continues to sign a compatible version of iOS 26—or an earlier release of iOS 27—for your particular iPhone. There is usually only a short window in which this can be done.
In this article, we explore your options for downgrading iOS on an iPhone. Be aware that the process has significant disadvantages: it erases the device, and a backup made after installing iOS 27 generally cannot be restored to an iPhone running iOS 26.
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Buy and Save 25% Can you downgrade iOS 27?The answer depends on whether you want to return from iOS 27 to iOS 26, remove an iOS beta, or reverse a recent point update. A downgrade may be possible in each of these situations, but usually only for a limited time.
The main factor is whether Apple is still signing the older version for your exact iPhone model. Signing is Apple’s way of authorizing a particular iOS release for installation on a particular device. Once Apple stops signing a release, you cannot install it using the standard restore process, even if you have already downloaded the correct firmware file.
Apple typically stops signing an older version of iOS soon after releasing its replacement. If you act quickly enough, however, you may be able to return to the previous version. We explain how below.
For example, shortly after installing iOS 27, it may be possible to return to iOS 26.7, which Apple released alongside iOS 27 on September 14, 2026. This will work only while Apple continues to sign iOS 26.7 for your iPhone model.
Reasons you may not be able to downgrade
- Apple is no longer signing the older version: Once Apple stops signing a release, you cannot install it using the standard restore process. This means you cannot return to much earlier releases such as iOS 26 or iOS 18 after their signing windows have closed.
- Your iPhone came with iOS 27 installed: An iPhone cannot be downgraded to a version of iOS that was never released for that model. New iPhones that shipped with iOS 27—including the iPhone 18 generation—cannot ordinarily be downgraded to iOS 26, even if Apple continues to sign iOS 26 for older models.
- The firmware is not intended for your iPhone: You can install only an IPSW firmware file created for your exact iPhone model and still signed by Apple.
Before you try to roll back your iPhone from iOS 27 to iOS 26, be aware of the following limitations:
- The downgrade will erase your iPhone: Reverting to an older version of iOS requires wiping the apps and data from the device.
- A backup made after installing iOS 27 cannot be restored to iOS 26: Backups contain settings, app data, databases, and other information formatted for the version of iOS on which they were created. If you don’t have a compatible older backup, you will need to set up the iPhone as new. Information synchronized separately through iCloud should become available again after you sign in.
- New iPhone models cannot run iOS 26: If your iPhone model first shipped with iOS 27, it cannot be downgraded to iOS 26.
- Apple’s signing window can close at any time: You need to act quickly. Downloading the required IPSW file while Apple is still signing it does not guarantee that you can install it later. If Apple has stopped signing the release by the time you attempt the restore, the process will fail.
- You may remove important security improvements: Downgrading can leave your iPhone without security fixes included in the newer release. It may be safer to wait for the next iOS 27 update to see whether it resolves the problem that made you consider downgrading.
Before beginning the downgrade process, make sure you have the necessary equipment, software, and backups ready.
1) Find out whether Apple is still signing the older version of iOS
The first thing you need to do is find out if Apple is still signing the version of iOS you need.
To find out whether Apple is still signing the version of iOS you need, visit this page and look up your exact iPhone model to see which versions are still signed by Apple. Apple usually stops signing a version of iOS within one or two weeks of a new update. Signing status and available firmware can differ between devices.
Find the version of iOS you want.
Foundry
If you are lucky and the old version is still being signed, you will be able to downgrade.
However, you still may prefer to stay on the new version because this process will wipe your iPhone.
2) Download the correct IPSW firmware files
You will need the correct firmware for your iPhone model.
To do this go to IPSW.me (on your Mac) and download the correct version of the iOS you want that matches your iPhone model.
As said above, it needs to still be signed by Apple at the time you wish to restore that version, which can be a very narrow window indeed – days, not weeks.
The software should start downloading to your Downloads folder. Note, it can take a long time to download an iOS firmware file and the IPSW file may be around 10GB or more, so make sure the computer has enough free storage.
Downloading a signed IPSW now will not preserve your ability to use it after Apple closes the signing window
3) A Mac or PC
You will need to use the Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices App on a PC to restore your iPhone.
You should also ensure that macOS is up-to-date on your Mac, or that the latest version of Apple Devices is installed on your Windows PC.
An appropriate USB-C or Lightning cable will also be necessary to connect the iPhone to the computer.
4) A backup from before the update
The only way to install an older version of iOS is to erase the version currently installed on your iPhone. If you want to recover your apps, settings, and other data afterward, you will need a compatible backup.
The main problem is that a backup created under iOS 27 generally cannot be restored to an iPhone running iOS 26. To recover everything after downgrading, you need a backup created before you installed iOS 27. This is why we recommend backing up your iPhone to a Mac and archiving that backup before updating iOS.
If your iPhone has not been backed up since you installed iOS 27, an older compatible backup may still be available. Here’s how to check:
How to find an iCloud backup on your iPhone:
- Open Settings.
- Tap your name.
- Tap iCloud.
- Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup.
- Swipe down to All Device Backups and tap your iPhone.
- Check the date of the latest backup to determine whether it was made before you installed iOS 27.
iCloud does not provide a collection of archived backups for each device in the same way that a Mac can. If iCloud has backed up your iPhone since you installed iOS 27, the older iOS 26 backup may already have been replaced.
For more guidance, see How to restore an iPhone from a backup.
How to find an archived backup on a Mac:
If you archived an older backup on your Mac, here’s how to find it:
- Connect the iPhone to the Mac with a USB cable.
- Open Finder.
- Select the iPhone in the sidebar.
- Click General.
- Click Manage Backups.
- Locate the archived backup, checking its date to make sure it was created before you installed iOS 27.
After downgrading you can restore this archived back up via the Finder, we’ll explain how to do that below.
If you don’t have an older backup, it is still worth making a fresh iOS 27 backup before beginning the downgrade. You won’t be able to restore that backup while the iPhone is running iOS 26, but it will allow you to recover your current data if you later reinstall iOS 27.
You can still downgrade (as long as iOS 26 remains signed) without a compatible older backup, but you will need to set up the iPhone as new. Information synchronized separately through iCloud—such as contacts, calendars, files in iCloud Drive, and iCloud Photos—should become available again after you sign in. However, you should not assume that every app or item of data will return.
5) Your Apple Account details
Make sure you have the password for the Aple Account associated with the iPhone or you may encounter issues with Activation Lock and be unable to complete the setup process once your iPhone restarts.
How to downgrade iOS 27: Step-by-step guide This is what it looked like when we downgraded from iOS 16.6.1 to iOS 16.6. The process is the same – as long as the old version is still signed.Foundry
The steps below explain how to downgrade from iOS 27 to a signed version of iOS 26, such as iOS 26.7. The process is the same when moving from a newer point release to an immediately preceding release, provided Apple is still signing the version you want.
WARNING: This process will wipe your iPhone! Beware that you could lose your data if you don’t have a backup from before the iOS update you are downgrading from.
- Make a fresh backup of the iPhone before proceeding. Remember that an iOS 27 backup cannot normally be restored to iOS 26, but it will preserve your current data if you later install iOS 27.
- Download the version of iOS you require from IPSW.me.
- On a Mac, open the Finder. On a PC, use the Apple Devices app.
- Plug in your iPhone using a suitable cable. If asked, unlock the iPhone and confirm that you trust the computer.
- Turn off Find My on your device because it enables Activation Lock, which could prevent you from erasing and downgrading the iPhone. Go to Settings > your name > Find My > Find My iPhone > Turn Off. Enter your Apple Account password to confirm.
- Select the iPhone in the Finder sidebar or Apple Devices app.
- Hold down the Option/Alt key and click Restore iPhone. On a PC, hold Shift and click Restore iPhone.
- Select the version of iOS you wish to install on the iPhone from your Downloads folder.
- Click Open.
- A message will appear saying which version of iOS you will install – this should be the one you selected. Click to confirm and wait while your iPhone is restored. Do not disconnect the iPhone during this process.
- The phone will be wiped and the older version of iOS installed on the iPhone.
- You now need to set up your iPhone again. Be aware that backups made on newer versions of iOS usually can’t be restored to older versions, so you may need to set up the iPhone as new.
- If you have a compatible backup made while the iPhone was running iOS 26, choose the option to restore from that backup during setup. Otherwise, select the option to set up the iPhone without transferring apps and data, then sign in to your Apple Account.
If the restore reports that the iPhone is not eligible for the requested build, check that you downloaded the IPSW for the correct model. If the file is correct, it is probably the case that Apple has stopped signing that version and the downgrade is no longer possible.
Britta O’Boyle
If you were unable to downgrade your iPhone it could have been for one of the following reasons:
The iPhone isn’t eligible for the requested build
Apple is either no longer signing the selected release, or you downloaded the IPSW for the wrong iPhone model.
Return to IPSW.me, select your exact model and confirm that the release is shown as signed.
Apple has stopped signing the version
In this case there is no supported way to complete the downgrade.
The backup requires a newer version of iOS
If your backup was created using iOS 27 you won’t be able to restore it to iOS 26. You either need an older compatible backup or you need other set up the iPhone as new, or you could upgrade your iPhone to iOS 27 again and restoring the newer backup.
The Mac or PC doesn’t recognize the iPhone
You need to unlock the iPhone and tap Trust if prompted.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, try another cable or USB port – avoiding an unpowered hub.
If it’s still not recognised, check macOS is up-to-date and restart both devices.
If the iPhone still does not appear, place it into recovery mode using the instructions here: How to put an iPhone in Recovery mode.
The restore is stuck or the iPhone shows the Apple logo
Leave the iPhone connected and give the restore a little more time to finish.
If it does not progress, restart the computer, reconnect the iPhone and try using recovery mode (as per the link above).
Do not disconnect the iPhone while Finder or Apple Devices indicates that the restore is still taking place.
FAQ 1.Why can’t I downgrade to an older version of iOS?
There is a very small window in which you can downgrade.
When software is made available by Apple, the company includes a signature that confirms its authenticity. This is for security reasons, so that you won’t accidentally install bogus software that claims to be iOS and then find yourself in a world of pain as all your data is stolen.
Whereas in the past Apple would leave the signature valid on previous versions of iOS for a short time, in recent years the signature has been removed within days of, and sometimes almost simultaneously with, the release of the newer version.
If the version of iOS you wish to reinstall doesn’t have this signature, then you will not be able to install it on your iPhone or iPad.
2.Is there another way to go back to a previous version of iOS if this doesn’t work?
If you simply must have a certain version of iOS, perhaps because an old app is stuck on that version and hasn’t been updated since, then there is a somewhat drastic solution. Buy an old iPhone.
It sounds silly, but it’s probably the easiest way to ensure that you have the iOS version you need. We’d recommend scouring eBay or some of the refurbished outlets like Amazon Renewed (or Back Market, MusicMagpie, or Amazon Renewed in the U.K.) to see if someone is selling an older model still running the iOS you want. Needless to say, you should specifically ask the buyer to confirm this–don’t just assume that the iPhone will still be running the version of iOS that was current when it launched.
But bear in mind, finally, that there’s a reason why Apple wants people using its latest software. Not only does this mean you get the newest features and design, but it should also be the safest one available as it has the latest updates.
There are also third-party tools that can offer easier workflows, additional automation, or support for unsigned firmware. Examples include EaseUS iOS System Repair, AnyFix, Tenorshare ReiBoot, and TinyUmbrella.
3.How long does Apple allow you to downgrade iOS after an update?
Apple typically provides a very narrow window for downgrading your iPhone’s operating system.
This limitation exists because Apple is required to “sign” an older version of iOS to confirm its authenticity and security before it can be installed on a device.
Once Apple stops signing an older version, which often happens within days of a newer release, that version becomes unavailable for installation.
Apple’s official stance, as explained by senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi, is that downgrading is restricted because “each iOS update improves the security of your iPhone… To downgrade iOS means that your device would be less secure, and easier for hackers to get into.”
4.Can you downgrade iOS without a computer?
Downgrading an iPhone or iPad to an older version of iOS typically requires a computer, as Apple does not provide a native “rollback” feature within the device’s settings. While you can perform certain actions like removing a beta profile directly on your device, a true downgrade to a previous stable version generally necessitates a PC or Mac to install the necessary firmware files.
You can turn off Beta Updates directly on the iPhone, but doing so does not remove the beta already installed. To leave the beta immediately, you need to connect the iPhone to a computer, erase it and restore the current public release. See How to remove the iOS Beta.
5.Will downgrading iOS erase my iPhone?
Yes, downgrading iOS will typically erase your iPhone. The standard process for moving to an older version of the operating system requires a complete wipe of the device’s current data to ensure the older software can be installed cleanly.
Because of this, having a backup is critical. However, there is a significant limitation regarding compatibility: backups made on a newer version of iOS (such as iOS 26) cannot be restored to a device running an older version (such as iOS 18) . To get your data back after a downgrade, you must use a backup that was created while the device was still running that older version or earlier.
Make a new backup before beginning, even if it requires iOS 27. Although that backup will not restore to iOS 26, it will allow you to recover your current data if you subsequently reinstall iOS 27.
While official methods via Apple’s Finder involve wiping the device, some third-party software claims to offer “no data loss” downgrades. For instance, the program Tenorshare ReiBoot is described as a tool that allows you to downgrade iOS 26 to 18 without data loss on your iPhone or iPad.