How can I downgrade from iOS 26 beta to iOS 18 without a backup?

You can go back to iOS 18, but since you don't have a backup, your phone will then look like it did when it was brand new.

Another way to say the same thing.......You should expect that all of the data on your phone will be erased when you revert to iOS 18.

How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

Next time.......only think about installing a Beta version on a spare phone.......as Apple strongly recommends.

Downgrading that far usually requires a clean restore, so without a backup you’ll likely lose your data. You can try tools like ReiBoot or use iTunes/Finder with an IPSW file, but data recovery isn’t guaranteed

If anyone knows a free way that worked, please share!

[Edited by Moderator]

I found an article that shows how to downgrade from iOS 26 to iOS 18 — pretty much like the official guide.

But here’s the thing: the official one doesn’t tell you what to do if you don’t have an iOS 18 backup.

But this article does, if you didn’t back up on iOS 18, you can back up on iOS 26, modify that backup, and then restore it once you downgrade.

It’s not a method I’ve seen talked about much — I haven’t seen any community experts mention it — but it works. I personally downgraded this way and restored my data using the modified iOS 26 backup.

The steps are a bit tricky, so I highly recommend reading the full article.

Though the article is showing not the current vision, but the steps are the same.

And here's the Apple official method.

How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

Step1— wrote:

Can you give us the link to the article?

There are methods floating around the internet that claim it can be done by altering the iOS 26 backup. The problem is that the Call History will no longer save any of your recent calls along with other iCloud syncing issues. The result is that you still need to Factory Reset the phone in order to get it working correctly again. The whole point of those posts is for upvotes/shares and users are left with a device that no longer works correctly and don't make the connection that it was from the improper downgrade.

You likely will not find a link posted here that would that would give users these problems when followed.

Step1— wrote:

Can you give us the link to the article?

You would be crazy to use an unsupported link as your guide, which could cause you even more problems as Mac Jim ID suggests. There are consequences for not doing what should have been done when installing the developer beta. If you don't want to lose data, you should live with the beta as it will get better with every update, until a stable iOS 26 is released in likely September.

Look here -

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

Sorry but you should of backed up your iPhone before the update, not just Beta but all updates in general. Because of that you may not be able to restore your iPhone, meaning you'll be stuck on the Beta Software until it becomes public which should be this fall, or start as new as Bob Timmons stated.

ronnel240 wrote:

I need my iOS 18 back

I suppose that means you did not read the consequences of installing the update either. It should NEVER be installed on a primary device and is simply for Developer testing. You will need a computer to remove it and your phone will be wiped. Did you perform a backup like recommended before you installed it?

To put it simply, you can but you will lose your data. If there is a specific problem, report it in the feedback app. In the future back up your phone before installing the beta. Also, wait for the public beta unless you have a spare device.

Bummer. You're going to lose your data.

I need my iOS 18 back

The instructions that you are asking for have already been posted in this thread......3 times.

Please read the instructions.

how to remove ios 26 developer beta from iphone | downgrade ios 26 to 18 (without Computer)

You must use a computer......Mac or PC.

goga181 wrote:

how to remove ios 26 developer beta from iphone | downgrade ios 26 to 18 (without Computer)

You don't.