How can I downgrade from iOS 26 to iOS 18.5?

Because you don’t, it don’t look good in the iOS 18 Was Way better so I’m trying to get the one iOS 18 but I wanna get it back so how do you get it back cause iOS 18 is way better I don’t like this new future on the phone

I followed the directions and made a backup prior to installing the beta. My question is when the next update comes out, will I be able to update to the next available version ie iOS 19? Or will I only be able to continue getting beta updates? The iOS 26 doesn’t seem to be proper naming convention for me, maybe I missed that somewhere. Just looking for clarity if I should wait or just go through the process to revert anyway. I’m only having issues with CarPlay maps and Plex apps which I use heavily.

apex366 wrote:

I followed the directions and made a backup prior to installing the beta. My question is when the next update comes out, will I be able to update to the next available version ie iOS 19? Or will I only be able to continue getting beta updates? The iOS 26 doesn’t seem to be proper naming convention for me, maybe I missed that somewhere….

iOS 26 is the version for 2026, and will be arriving later this year. Same plans for iPadOS 26, and macOS 26.

apex366 wrote:

I followed the directions and made a backup prior to installing the beta. My question is when the next update comes out, will I be able to update to the next available version ie iOS 19? Or will I only be able to continue getting beta updates? The iOS 26 doesn’t seem to be proper naming convention for me, maybe I missed that somewhere. Just looking for clarity if I should wait or just go through the process to revert anyway. I’m only having issues with CarPlay maps and Plex apps which I use heavily.

There won't be an iOS 19. iOS 26 is the next version, which will be released about a week before the new iPhone's are revealed, likely in September, if history repeats. Apple has decided to just rename all the OS versions to 26, likely because it will correspond to the year of release for most new devices. For example, the next iPhone which we assume will be called iPhone 17, will the current model in 2026. With that assumption, when the next generation iPhone is announced next year for the 2027 models, iOS will likely follow suit and be iOS 27.

apex366 wrote:

I followed the directions and made a backup prior to installing the beta. My question is when the next update comes out, will I be able to update to the next available version ie iOS 19? Or will I only be able to continue getting beta updates? The iOS 26 doesn’t seem to be proper naming convention for me, maybe I missed that somewhere. Just looking for clarity if I should wait or just go through the process to revert anyway. I’m only having issues with CarPlay maps and Plex apps which I use heavily.

As mentioned by other contributors, Apple has re-aligned its identification of its various Operating Systems - from seemingly arbitrary/unrelated numbers to the same numeric-identifier. As such iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, macOS and visionOS will now carry the same year identifier - the next being identified as OS26.

Should you remain using the current beta, you will be able to directly update to the full production version when it is eventually released later this year. Alternatively, you still have opportunity to roll-back to the current production version using the process outlined elsewhere within this discussion thread.

The downgrade path to iOS 18.5 is no longer available, as Apple has stopped signing that version.

However, you can still downgrade to iOS 18.6, which is the latest signed iOS 18 release.

To do this, you’ll need to download the correct iOS 18.6 IPSW file for your device from a trusted source, then use Finder (on macOS) or iTunes (on Windows) to restore it in DFU or Recovery Mode. This ensures compatibility and prevents restore errors during the downgrade process.

Don't forget to make a backup before downgrade.

Reference: How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

[Edited by Moderator]

There are answers for this on every page in this thread.

But, you should know that unless you made a special "Archive" backup on your Mac or PC....before you installed iOS 26.....that you are going to lose all of the data on your phone if you revert to iOS 18.

hazwan129 wrote:

How can l downgrade from iOS 26 To iOS 18.5

There is no downgrade. If you’re looking to revert from iOS 26 to iOS 18, there are numerous replies about this here in the many pages of this thread.

In summary, here is: How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

You will lose some data by performing a reset and restoring a backup made on iOS 18 prior to loading the iOS 26 beta.

You will lose somewhat more data with a reset, if there was no backup created on iOS 18.

If you can’t lose any data, maybe continue with the iOS 26 beta?

Hi Pavle216

Unfortunately, no, you cannot revert to an earlier version of iOS if you don’t have a backup on a computer that was made before the beta install.

You can, however, stop beta updates by going to settings > general > software update > beta updates > OFF

If you're running 16.3 or earlier you can also use your phone to remove your device from the beta program.

However, 16.4 and above it is not available.

• Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > iOS & iPadOS Beta Software Profile > Remove Profile.

Please make sure that while you use a beta iOS, you submit any feedback to Apple if you’re experiencing issues. This is what the beta is all about, so we can test future iOS and provide feedback regarding any problems, ensuring bugs have been fixed before the iOS is finally released.

Dessalh wrote:

• Hi Pavle216

Unfortunately, no, you cannot revert to an earlier version of iOS if you don’t have a backup on a computer that was made before the beta install.

You can, however, stop beta updates by going to settings > general > software update > beta updates > OFF

If you're running 16.3 or earlier you can also use your phone to remove your device from the beta program.

However, 16.4 and above it is not available.

Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > iOS & iPadOS Beta Software Profile > Remove Profile.

Please make sure that while you use a beta iOS, you submit any feedback to Apple if you’re experiencing issues. This is what the beta is all about, so we can test future iOS and provide feedback regarding any problems, ensuring bugs have been fixed before the iOS is finally released.

That's actually not true with Beta software. You CAN revert back to the current public release of iOS. BUT, if a user did not created an Archive Backup on their computer before they installed the Beta Software on their phone, they can go back, but they will lose their data doing so, with the exception of items which are synced to iCloud.

this offer is not available to the person who posted the question they don’t have a computer. <3

if a person restores their phone basically erasing it and setting it back up they’re still going to have the beta even if they turn off beta before erasing the phone.

Mafizulhaq wrote:

I need iOS 18.5

If you’re looking to revert from iOS 26 to iOS 18 (currently iOS 18.6.2), there are numerous replies about this here in the many pages of this thread.

But in summary, here is: How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

You will lose some data by performing a reset and restoring a backup made on iOS 18 prior to loading the iOS 26 beta.

You will lose somewhat more data with a reset, if there was no backup created on iOS 18.

If you can’t lose any data, maybe continue with the iOS 26 beta?

Kindly post the article that you're referring to. <3

Without a computer and a backup made prior to the beta install, a user cannot go back to a non-beta iOS. This is why it’s imperative that when we use the beta, we read everything carefully so we understand what we're doing and that we cannot go back to the original iOS unless there was an iTunes backup first. <3

I never suggested you don't need a computer to revert to the public release of iOS after you install beta software. YES, you need a computer. But you can revert, even if you didn't make an Archive Backup. You'll just lose your data, if an Archive Backup wasn't made before installing beta on one's phone.

I wrote the following user tip, so I think I'm pretty familiar with the topic --> To Beta or Not to Beta - That is the Ques… - Apple Community

this resolution is not viable if the person who posted the question doesnt have a computer with a backup made using iTunes prior to beta install <3

if a person restores their phone basically erasing it and setting it back up using icloud backup they’re still going to have the beta even if they turn off beta before erasing the phone.