Here’s how you can downgrade iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 on your iPhone and iPad to iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1.
Apple is Still Signing iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, You Can Downgrade from iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 on iPhone and iPad
Apple released a brand-new firmware for iPhones and iPads just a while back – iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1. In terms of features, we get nothing new, but it contains a bunch of important security fixes.
If, for any reason at all, you want to downgrade from iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 to iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, you can do that as long as Apple is signing the older firmware.
Given the security fix nature of the latest updates, I won’t be surprised if Apple stops signing the 18.1 update immediately. So, make use of this time and downgrade now before you miss the chance completely.
Download the iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 Firmware
Download the iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 firmware files and save them to your desktop. This is an extremely important step, and you can’t skip it at all.
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14
- iPhone SE (3rd-generation)
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone SE (2nd-generation)
- iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
- iPad mini 7 with A17 Pro
- iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
- iPad Air 11-inch (M2), iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (4th-generation), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (6th-generation)
- iPad Air (5th-generation)
- 10.2-inch iPad (10th-generation)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (3rd-generation), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th-generation)
- iPad mini (6th-generation)
- 10.2-inch iPad (9th-generation)
- iPad Air (4th-generation)
- 10.2-inch iPad (8th-generation)
- iPad mini (5th-generation), iPad Air (3rd-generation)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd generations), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd and 4th generations)
- 10.2-inch iPad (7th generation)
As the IPSW file downloads in the background, make sure you take this time to turn off Find My on your iPhone and iPad by going to Settings > Apple Account > Find My > Find My iPhone/iPad and turn off the Find My iPhone/iPad toggle switch at the very top.
You will be required to enter your Apple Account password in order to disable Find My.
Secondly, make sure you take a backup of your device using Finder or iCloud. Once you initiate the downgrade, you will lose your files and data, so keep that in mind.
Step 1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac using a USB-C or Lightning cable.
Step 2. Launch ‘Finder’ from the Dock.
Step 3. When your device is detected, it will show up in Finder on the left. Click on it to reveal more options.
Step 4. You’ll see a button called ‘Restore iPhone’ or ‘Restore iPad’ depending on which device you have connected to your Mac. Click on it while holding down the left Option key on the keyboard.
Step 5. When the pop-up window opens up, choose the iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 firmware file you saved to your desktop.
Looking to downgrade from iOS 18.2 beta instead? Check out the tutorial posted here.