How to Downgrade from iOS 26 on iPhone (Safely Return to a Previous iOS Version)

Why You Might Need to Downgrade Your iPhone’s iOS Version

iOS updates don’t always go as planned. You might face battery drain, app problems, or slow performance. Maybe you just liked the old version better. This guide shows you how to safely go back to an older iOS version.

Important: Apple only lets you downgrade for 1-2 weeks after new iOS releases. This process will erase your iPhone completely. Plan for 2-3 hours total time.

What You Need Before Starting

Required Items

• iPhone that works with your target iOS version
• Mac (macOS 10.15+) or PC (Windows 10+)
• Latest iTunes or macOS Finder
• Original USB cable for your iPhone
• Stable internet connection
• Your Apple ID and password
• 15GB free space on your computer

Critical Warning

This process erases everything on your iPhone. Back up all important data first.

Step 1: Check If Downgrade Is Possible and Create Backup

First, make sure Apple still allows downgrades to your wanted iOS version.

Check Downgrade Availability

1. Open Settings on your iPhone
2. Tap “General” then “About”
3. Write down your iOS version and iPhone model
4. Go to ipsw.me on your computer
5. Look for green checkmarks next to your desired iOS version

Red “Not being signed” means you cannot downgrade using official methods.

Create Your Backup

1. Connect iPhone to computer with USB cable
2. Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows)
3. Click your iPhone in the sidebar
4. Choose “Back up all data to this Mac/PC”
5. Check “Encrypt iPhone backup” to save passwords
6. Click “Back Up Now”
7. Wait 20-60 minutes for backup to finish

Look for “Latest Backup: Today” when done.

Step 2: Download the Right iOS File

You need the exact firmware file for your iPhone model.

Download Process

1. Visit ipsw.me in your browser
2. Select your exact iPhone model from the list
3. Find your target iOS version
4. Click “Download” next to the green checkmark
5. Save the file to your Desktop
6. Wait 15-45 minutes for the 4-6GB download

Important: iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini use different files. Double-check your model in Settings → General → About.

The downloaded file will end in “.ipsw”.

Step 3: Put iPhone in Recovery Mode

Recovery mode lets iTunes install your older iOS version.

For iPhone 8 and Newer

1. Connect iPhone to computer
2. Quickly press Volume Up button
3. Quickly press Volume Down button
4. Hold Side button until recovery screen appears

For iPhone 7/7 Plus

1. Connect to computer
2. Hold Volume Down + Side button together
3. Wait for recovery screen

For iPhone 6s and Earlier

1. Connect to computer
2. Hold Home + Top button together
3. Wait for recovery screen

You should see a cable pointing to iTunes icon.

Step 4: Install Older iOS Version

Now you’ll use your downloaded file to install the older iOS.

Installation Steps

1. Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows)
2. You’ll see “iPhone needs to be updated or restored”
3. Mac: Hold Option key, click “Restore iPhone”
4. Windows: Hold Shift key, click “Restore iPhone”
5. Find and select your .ipsw file from Desktop
6. Click “Open” then “Restore”

The process takes 15-30 minutes. Your iPhone will restart several times.

Step 5: Set Up Your iPhone Again

After installation, your iPhone shows the “Hello” screen.

Setup Process

1. Follow normal setup (language, Wi-Fi, etc.)
2. At “Apps & Data” screen, choose “Restore from Mac or PC”
3. Connect to computer if needed
4. Select your backup from Step 1
5. Enter backup password if you used encryption
6. Wait 30-90 minutes for data restoration

Keep iPhone connected to power during this time.

Common Problems and Solutions

iTunes Cannot Restore iPhone

• Exit recovery mode by force restarting iPhone
• Try Step 3 again
• Use different USB port or cable

IPSW File Not Working

• Make sure you downloaded the right model file
• iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max need different files

Recovery Mode Won’t Start

• Press buttons with different timing
• Volume buttons need quick presses
• Hold Side button continuously until recovery screen

Backup Won’t Restore

• If you forgot encryption password, set up iPhone as new
• Old backups cannot work without the password

iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo

• Force restart: Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold Side button
• If it happens again, try recovery mode and restore again

iOS Version No Longer Signed

• Apple stopped allowing downgrades to that version
• Check ipsw.me for available versions
• Wait for future iOS release to try again

Advanced Tips

Beta iOS Versions

If you had beta iOS, you might downgrade to current public release. Check Settings → General → VPN & Device Management for beta profiles to remove.

DFU Mode for Difficult Cases

If recovery mode fails repeatedly:

1. Enter recovery mode first
2. Press Volume Down + Side button for 10 seconds
3. Release Side button, keep holding Volume Down for 5 more seconds

Final Steps

Your iPhone should now run the older iOS version smoothly. All your data returns through the backup process. Remember that older iOS versions miss newer security updates. Consider upgrading when stability improves.

Watch your battery life and app performance over the next few days. This confirms the downgrade fixed your original problems. If issues continue, they might be hardware problems needing different solutions.

You now know how to manage iOS versions effectively. This gives you control over your iPhone’s performance and experience.

Key Benefits

• Restored iPhone performance
• Familiar interface you prefer
• Apps working properly again
• Battery life improvements
• Full data preservation

Next Steps

• Monitor performance for several days
• Consider future upgrades when available
• Keep backup practices for future changes

Note: This guide was created for smartphone users moving away from iOS 26. Some steps may vary on other devices or OS versions.