SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 3, 2026, 01:17 PST
- Apple has stopped signing iOS 26.2, blocking downgrades from iOS 26.2.1.
- The move comes about a week after iOS 26.2.1 shipped with AirTag (2nd generation) support.
- Apple also halted signing for several older iOS versions used on unsupported devices.
Apple has stopped signing iOS 26.2, preventing iPhone users who moved to iOS 26.2.1 from reverting to the earlier software version, MacRumors reported on Monday. Apple’s “signing” check is required for an iOS build to install, and the downgrade path through macOS Finder or the Apple Devices app on Windows no longer works once a release is unsigned. (MacRumors)
The change matters now because iOS 26.2.1 is still fresh, and rollbacks are one of the few escape hatches for users who hit bugs, battery issues or app breakage right after updating. Apple’s own release notes for iOS 26.2.1 say the update “provides support for AirTag (2nd generation) along with bug fixes,” while iOS 26.2 includes a broader set of app and system changes plus security updates. (Wsparcie Apple)
9to5Mac noted that iOS 26.2.1’s release notes did not list specific security fixes or CVEs — the public identifiers used to track disclosed vulnerabilities. The site also reported that Apple stopped signing iOS 12.5.7, iOS 15.8.5, iOS 16.7.12 and iOS 18.7.3, after newer point releases for those branches rolled out. (9to5Mac)
There is no simple “undo” button. Apple’s support guidance says a computer restore erases the device and installs the latest available software, leaving little room for users who want an older build for troubleshooting once signing has been cut off. (Wsparcie Apple)
The company does not usually detail why it closes a signing window, and it did not immediately publish anything alongside the change. For most iPhone owners, it is invisible — devices that stay on iOS 26.2.1 will keep running — but the door shuts fast for anyone trying to step back.
In practice, this locks users into Apple’s preferred update track, whether they like the newest build or not. It also means the “wait and see” crowd has fewer options once they install a point update, even if a later app update or carrier fix would have worked just as well.
But there is a downside if the newest release proves rough for a subset of users. Once the signing window closes, troubleshooting can turn into a wipe-and-restore exercise, and even that will land the device on Apple’s current approved software rather than the version a user wants.
Apple’s approach is not new. The company has long used signing to steer iPhones toward newer software, limiting the spread of older builds that may carry unfixed bugs or security gaps.
iClarified, which tracks firmware availability, described the move as a standard closure after a point release, affecting mainly those who hoped to revert after upgrading. (Iclarified)
