Apple stopped signing iOS 26.2 today, closing the downgrade window for iPhone users who updated to iOS 26.2.1 last week. The move prevents any attempts to reinstall the older firmware through Apple's server-side verification process.
iOS 26.2.1 arrived last week with support for the second-generation AirTag, which began shipping to customers this week. The update ensures iPhones can properly pair with and track the accessory's upgraded Ultra Wideband chip. Apple released iOS 26.2 in December with system changes including a new opacity slider for the Liquid Glass Lock Screen clock and AI-generated chapters in Apple Podcasts.
Software signing represents Apple's server-side approval process that every iOS update must pass before installation. When Apple stops signing a version, the system rejects it during setup, making downgrades impossible even for users who saved the update file locally. Until today, users encountering issues on iOS 26.2.1 could revert using macOS Finder or the Apple Devices app on Windows.
Apple also discontinued signing several legacy iOS builds for devices unable to upgrade to iOS 26. These include iOS 12.5.7, iOS 15.8.5, iOS 16.7.12, and iOS 18.7.3. Their replacements, iOS 12.5.8, iOS 15.8.6, iOS 16.7.14, and iOS 18.7.4, rolled out last week alongside a refreshed iOS 16 update today.
The company follows this practice routinely to discourage outdated software containing unresolved security vulnerabilities. Apple typically discontinues signing for older versions within one to two weeks of newer releases. For most users, the change will go unnoticed, though it affects those who encountered issues with the latest update and the jailbreak community, which often depends on older firmware versions.
Apple is reportedly planning iOS 26.3 for early February, potentially arriving February 4th or 9th. The update would be eligible for iPhone 11 series and later devices, bringing new privacy tools, cross-platform features, and EU-specific updates. Expected features include an iPhone-to-Android wireless transfer tool, Limit Precise Location privacy setting for cellular networks, and Notification Forwarding to third-party smartwatches in the EU.
Meanwhile, Apple is working on iOS 27, reportedly set for reveal at WWDC 2026 this year. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, iOS 27 will focus on "quality and underlying performance" similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, with many new features falling under the Apple Intelligence umbrella. The company aims to fix bugs, reduce glitches, and improve overall system reliability following mixed reactions to iOS 26.
For now, iPhone users on iOS 26.2.1 remain locked into the current version. Apple has closed the downgrade path as it typically does soon after new releases, requiring devices to stay on the latest available software versions supported by their hardware.
