How can I downgrade from iOS 26 to iOS 18.5?

It doesn't matter whether you use a Mac or PC. The biggest question is whether you made an Archive backup on your computer before you downloaded the developer beta release? While your phone will be restored back to the public release of iOS 18.5, if you DIDN'T make an Archive backup before you installed iOS 26, your data, with the exception of anything you sync directly with iCloud, will be gone.

If you are a registered developer, you will always have access to developer beta options.

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]

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.

lx224 wrote:

18 update

NOPE, not an iPhone 6s either. iPhone 6s can be updated to iOS 15.8.4 and NO HIGHER. No point in asking about updating your iPhone any higher as it's simply NOT possible. Buy a new iPhone if you need a higher level iOS version.

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]

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.

Dessalh wrote:

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.

You didn't quote the response to the person your responded to. I wouldn't know who has or doesn't have a computer without context. Perhaps use the quote button the next time you respond to someone, which will include their post and then your response below just as I have done with my reply to you. But to confirm, you are correct that a computer is required and if they don't have one, they cannot revert back to the public release of iOS.

Dessalh wrote:

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.

Then they will have to ride through the beta, or borrow access to a Mac or PC to revert.

Highlights added:

zuleida96 wrote:

Go back iOS 18.5

That's what this entire thread is about and on every page is how you can do that. Read the thread you just posted to as opposed to expecting people wo provide an answer, which has been posted over and over and over.

That said, if you didn't make an archive backup on your computer before you installed Beta software on your iPhone, going back means you will lose all your local data, which isn't synced with iCloud. You'd be better off waiting until iOS 26 is officially released, which will likely be coming in the next couple weeks. Or be prepared to lose your data. Your choice, of course.

Bubblegum100 wrote:

If i had a back up since ios 18.6 and now iam on ios 26.0.1, if i restored the ios 18 back up can the operating system back to ios 18?

Had you read the thread, you'd have had the answer five minutes ago.

The answer is no.

This reply is not a solution. If this has been repeatedly answered by multiple contributors that doesn't mean the issue is resolved.

Just like Apple can push an upgrade from one OS version to another remotely, it can also push a downgrade from a buggy and faulty OS to previously working version without any data loss. It is technically possible, just that there has to be an intention to do that and the team will have to probably work for this to work.

A lot of threads are open sharing their concerns in using OS 26. Most prominent issues are battery drain and lags or stutters throughout the OS. Also, there are dark mode / light mode inconsistencies. I would not explain all these issues again as they are already raised by multiple members from the community. But the point here is: till the time Apple fixes these issues in the OS, ideally, they should not pushed the OS out to the general public. And if they do, they should also allow downgrade without data loss.

After all, Apple focuses on customer experience more than any other tech company out there.

There are two pages of answers, please read the information already given.

Mdnayim22 wrote:

iOS 26 downgrade iOS to 18.5

This is only a 2 page thread. The answer has been posted multiple times. Take the time to read the thread.

Look here -

How can I downgrade from iOS 26 to iOS 18… - Apple Community

Really? There are 61 posts in this thread. Maybe read them?