Last week, Apple released its latest iPhone update: iOS 18.6.2. And now a little over one week later, the company has stopped signing its prior release, iOS 18.6.1, removing any options for downgrading.
iOS 26 is right around the corner, and with it a major Liquid Glass redesign and tons of new features.
But for now, the latest iPhone update is iOS 18.6.2. And that software release came with only one change that we’re aware of: a critical security fix related to the ImageIO system framework. ImageIO is the underlying technology that’s used to display images.
Apple has just stopped signing its prior iOS update, iOS 18.6.1. That means you can no longer downgrade from iOS 18.6.2 on your device. Additionally, if you’re running slightly older software, iOS 18.6.2 is your only upgrade choice.
Aaron Perris posted the update on X:
Apple is no longer signing:
iOS 18.6.1
iPadOS 18.6.1
iPadOS 18.6
iPadOS 17.7.9
This means you can no longer upgrade/downgrade to these versions. — Aaron (@aaronp613) August 27, 2025
In theory, this shouldn’t create problems for users since iOS 18.6.2 made minimal changes compared to the prior release.
But if you’re having new issues with bugs or performance on iOS 18.6.2, that weren’t there in prior updates, let us know in the comments.
Assuming no 18.6.3 release emerges unexpectedly, iOS 18.6.2 will remain the only iPhone software available for users until iOS 26 launches in the coming weeks.
Best iPhone accessories