Apple unsigns iOS 18.0.1 following newer iOS 18.1 release, ending firmware downgrades

Apple unsigns iOS 18.0.1 following newer iOS 18.1 release, ending firmware downgrades

Anthony Bouchard ∙ November 4, 2024

Apple on Monday made the predictable move of unsigning the iOS & iPadOS 18.0.1 firmware, just one week after launching the iOS & iPadOS 18.1 software update that introduced some of the very first Apple Intelligence-oriented features to iPhone and iPad users alike.

In doing so, the Cupertino-based company has effectively removed your choice to downgrade from the latest firmware on the iPhone and iPad to the previous version, which means that whenever you try to restore your device, you can no longer Shift + Click on the Restore button in iTunes for Windows or Option + Click on the Restore button in Finder for macOS to choose the iOS or iPadOS 18.0.1 firmware to restore to. Doing so will cause an error, as Apple’s signing servers will reject the request.

Apple has been unsigning older firmware for years, typically to corral more users into installing the latest updates. This not only allows the company to boast higher software update adoption numbers compared to that of competing handsets, but it also serves as a substantial hamper to jailbreaking, as jailbreaks are generally only made for older firmware for which bugs are known to exist for.

Jailbreaking isn’t the only reason that iPhone and iPad users have long downgraded their firmware, however, as it can sometimes be the only remedy for a malfunctioning device post-software update. Albeit rare, there have been cases where Apple’s software updates have resulted in unexpected behavior that impacts the user experience, and a downgrade could offer a temporary Band-Aid until Apple could release an update to resolve the problem.

Examples of such bugs and issues include the following:

• iPadOS 18.0 bricking M4 chip-equipped iPad Pros
• iOS 16.0 over-prompting users on clipboard access when pasting copied content into another app
• iOS 14.7 breaking the Apple Watch’s ability to be unlocked with the host iPhone’s Touch ID sensor
• iOS & iPadOS 13.2 imposing incredibly aggressive background management on backgrounded apps

While the iDownloadBlog team is partial to jailbreaking, we have always stood behind user choice when it comes to installing whatever version of firmware might be desired on a user-owned device. It’s silly for Apple to limit what you can and can’t do with your own property, and so we wholeheartedly disagree with the idea that Apple should block firmware downgrades.

While it seems unlikely that our calls to action will change Apple’s mind, an increasing level of scrutiny from world regulators may eventually change Apple’s tune, and that’s a day we eagerly look forward to.

For now, however, we recommend staying up to date on what firmware is being signed for your devices by using the handy IPSW.me online utility. You can also acquire any firmware file you might need for your device from our Downloads page.

How has Apple’s decision to stop signing iOS & iPadOS 18.0.1 affected you? Discuss down below.

Tags Apple Downgrade Firmware iOS 18.0.1 iOS 18.1 iPad iPhone
0