Old trick again: Apple blocks downgrade from iOS 18.6 to iOS 18.5
Just over a week after releasing iOS 18.6, Apple has completely blocked downgrades to iOS 18.5 and iOS 17.7.8, making it impossible for users to revert to previous versions.
Quick summary:
Apple has stopped downloading iOS 18.5 and iOS 17.7.8, completely blocking downgrades.
iOS 18.6 launched on July 29, fixing security bugs, optimizing performance and changing App Store policy in the EU.
Vietnamese users may be affected in terms of performance, jailbreaking, buying and selling used devices, and testing applications.
Apple Blocks iOS 18.5 Downgrades After iOS 18.6 Release
On July 29, Apple officially released iOS 18.6 with many bug fixes, security improvements and performance optimizations, especially fixing the performance issue of the "Memories" feature in the Photos app. The update also adjusts the operation of third-party app stores in the European Union.
Just over a week later, Apple stopped downloading iOS 18.5, making any attempts to downgrade from iOS 18.6 impossible. This is a common move to ensure users are always on the latest version where security vulnerabilities have been addressed.
Not only iOS 18, iOS 17 is also affected
Along with iOS 18.6, Apple also released iOS 17.7.9 for devices that do not support iOS 18. Starting today, iOS 17.7.8 has also been discontinued, meaning users cannot downgrade from iOS 17.7.9.
Why Apple Frequently Stops Downloading Old iOS Versions
Apple typically locks down older versions of iOS after a new release to prevent security risks from known exploits. New updates often come with a detailed list of security improvements, like the recently announced iOS 18.6. This helps reduce risks for users, but also means losing the ability to roll back to a previous version.
Impact on iPhone users
Apple's blocking of iOS downgrades could have a significant impact on the iPhone user community:
Users who experience bugs or performance drops after upgrading will not be able to roll back to a more stable version. This is especially important for older iPhone models like the iPhone X, XS, 11, where performance may be affected by new updates.
Jailbreak users are severely limited as jailbreak tools typically only work on older versions of iOS.
Used iPhone sellers face difficulties if customers request a device running a specific iOS (for example, for compatibility with certain apps or games).
Users in the application testing field have to adapt quickly to the new version, because the ability to test on old iOS versions is no longer locked.
Before each update, Vietnamese users often have to consider carefully before updating, especially with iPhone models that are no longer at peak performance.
