How can I downgrade from iOS 26 to iOS 18.5?

Would it be better to use my mac, iTunes on my PC, or does it not matter?

Does not matter. If I have a choice, my preference would be Mac, but that's just that.....a preference.

Will my device automatically download 18.5 after clicking 'Restore,' or will it download something different, or will I get to choose?

When you click Restore, the most up to date version of the current iOS will be installed. At this time, that is iOS 18.5. But, if there is a new update later tonight for iOS 18, that new update will be installed.

After turning it on for the 'first time,' (after the nonbeta is installed, and if the phone had all data erased) will I be able to download my iCloud back-up from iOS 26 beta onto 18.5?

No. At least I never could on previous beta testing. You can install an update from an older iOS, but you cannot install an update made on a higher iOS to a lower iOS.

Hopefully, you made an "Archive" backup of your iPhone running iOS 18.5.....before.....you installed the beta software on your iPhone. Then, you can use that "Archive" backup to install back onto the iPhone running 18.5.

Lastly, will I still have access to iOS developer beta updates in the future?

Sure.

Unfortunately, very few users are paying much attention to Apple's very strong advice to only install beta software on a spare phone. But, that's another discussion.

I unfortunately don't have an Archive backup on my computer, but I will make sure to make one next time.

By saying that I have things synced with iCloud, would those be things that I can see on the "Saved to iCloud" tab, or the "Storage" tab for iCloud on my iPhone? I have the 200 GB plan and have everything like photos, contacts, and whatnot saved to iCloud.

If that is the case, then how would I transfer those to my iPhone once I install 18.5? Would there be an option to transfer from an iCloud account or would I have to log into my apple account on my mac and transfer it from there? (I'm assuming that ALL data is deleted once I install 18.5, unless my apple account will stay on the iPhone.

Also, if I do have to transfer from a mac, it's actually my buddies mac and I don't have my apple account on it, so I would I add my apple account in order to do the transfer?

encocorsica wrote:

I unfortunately don't have an Archive backup on my computer, but I will make sure to make one next time.

By saying that I have things synced with iCloud, would those be things that I can see on the "Saved to iCloud" tab, or the "Storage" tab for iCloud on my iPhone? I have the 200 GB plan and have everything like photos, contacts, and whatnot saved to iCloud.

If that is the case, then how would I transfer those to my iPhone once I install 18.5? Would there be an option to transfer from an iCloud account or would I have to log into my apple account on my mac and transfer it from there? (I'm assuming that ALL data is deleted once I install 18.5, unless my apple account will stay on the iPhone.

Also, if I do have to transfer from a mac, it's actually my buddies mac and I don't have my apple account on it, so I would I add my apple account in order to do the transfer?

If you say you have content synced with iCloud, that would be in the Saved to iCloud tab. You don’t need to login or add your Apple Account to the computer at all. Hopefully your backup made on iOS 18.5 is the latest backup that was not overridden by a backup on iOS 26 which you can restore from. When you connect your iPhone to your friend’s computer, it will erase it clean and install the latest stable and public iOS 18.5 version. Then you can choose to restore from a backup or start a new.

juber129 wrote:

How can downgrade iOS 26 to 18.5

You need to backup your data, turn off find my, then downgrade your phone with tools like itunes or finder , then restore your data, it's best to follow a yt video or articale to do this step by step to avoid error, I camne across this and it shows full guide on restore your phone with itunes and stuffs to watch out for:

How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

[Edited by Moderator]

tenorsharereiboot1 wrote:

juber129 wrote:

How can downgrade iOS 26 to 18.5

You need to backup your data, turn off find my, then downgrade your phone with tools like itunes or finder , then restore your data, it's best to follow a yt video or articale to do this step by step to avoid error, I camne across this artile it shows full guide on restore your phone with itunes and staff:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/7aedf33b-0d99-47f3-85a2-8902bd9643a8

Note that you need to backup your data before you update to iOS 26. If you backup your iPhone on iOS 26, there may be compatibility and data issues when restoring.

[Edited by Moderator]

The iCloud Backup says it was overridden a day ago, which I still had iOS 26 installed, so I guess I can't do that.

Is there any other way to get my data I have right now onto my phone after reverting or would I have to start all over?

The reason I wanted to revert is because my battery is getting drained VERY quickly. Unless there's a solution other than using low power mode and the adaptive battery, I might have to revert and start over completely.

encocorsica wrote:

The iCloud Backup says it was overridden a day ago, which I still had iOS 26 installed, so I guess I can't do that.

Is there any other way to get my data I have right now onto my phone after reverting or would I have to start all over?

The reason I wanted to revert is because my battery is getting drained VERY quickly. Unless there's a solution other than using low power mode and the adaptive battery, I might have to revert and start over completely.

Nope. If you don't have an Archive backup made just before you went to iOS 26 as you WERE instructed to do, then no, you're going to lose your data as I said earlier, with the exception of things you sync with iCloud.

How would I get the things that I have synced with iCloud onto my phone after I revert to 18.5?

I'm assuming that my apple account won't be saved on my phone after I revert, but if it does, would the items synced remain along with my home screen layout/widgets?

encocorsica wrote:

How would I get the things that I have synced with iCloud onto my phone after I revert to 18.5?

I'm assuming that my apple account won't be saved on my phone after I revert, but if it does, would the items synced remain along with my home screen layout/widgets?

After you restore your phone, you sign back in using the same Apple Account and Password, then open Settings > tap your name at the top, tap iCloud and turn on the switches for everything you had synced with iCloud.

Please read the responses in this thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256078060?answerId=261429626022&sortBy=oldest_first#261429626022

I ran into the same issue recently and managed to get back to iOS 18.5. The process isn’t super straightforward, especially if you didn’t archive a backup before installing iOS 26.

I found this guide that explains the whole thing step by step it really helped me out: you can also see the official documentation too: How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

Just make sure you download the right IPSW and turn off Find My iPhone before you start. Hope it helps someone here too.

[Edited by Moderator]

You will need a computer. Ask a friend if you can use their laptop or take the phone to an authorized Apple service shop.

You can find a list of authorized service locations in your area using this link:

Find Locations

Koithahn01 wrote:

I do not have a computer. I just have the iPhone 16 Pro Max, how to downgrade from iOS.26.2 Two iOS 18.5

It is impossible to restore your device from a Beta version without using either a Mac computer or Windows PC.

Koithahn01 wrote:

no computer to downgrade is there another way to do the change on the iPhone 16 Pro Max to Change to iOS 18.5 without having to have a computer. All I have is my iPhone.

Nope, sorry. Ask a friend or neighbor if you can borrow theirs, if not, visit your nearest Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider to borrow theirs.

Koithahn01 wrote:

no computer to downgrade is there another way to do the change on the iPhone 16 Pro Max to Change to iOS 18.5 without having to have a computer. All I have is my iPhone.

And read this --> To Beta or Not to Beta - That is the Ques… - Apple Community