Can you uninstall iOS 26?
UPDATE: Sep. 29, 2025, 12:10 p.m. EDT If you've updated your device to iOS26, you can no longer downgrade it back to iOS 18. As of Sept. 22, the previous OS is now "unsigned," which means once you update, there's no going back. iPadOS 18.6.2 and tvOS 18.6 are also unsigned, which means Apple users cannot install the old iPad or TV operating systems either.
iPhone users are still acclimating to the new iOS 26 look, which includes a massive overhaul of the iPhone's interface and the divisive Liquid Glass design.
But while many Apple heads quickly got the hang of the new icons and animations, and reveled in catchy ringtones, Apple Intelligence upgrades, and dozens of system tweaks, others felt like they had a major mistake.
SEE ALSO: Samsung’s Project Moohan VR headset could launch in October — here’s everything we know"Will I regret updating to iOS 26?" one X user asked, who then responded to their own post with "Yup." "Apple iOS 26 is absolutely awful. I’ve totally ruined my phone by installing this. I couldn’t be more upset," wrote another. Even users who were into the new look expressed concern about updating as people reported more bugs, hoping to wait out the upgrade until Apple shipped its first fixes to the new operating system.
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So is it possible to go back if you've already taken the plunge? The answer is complicated.
Earlier this year, posts from iOS 26 beta testers showed people clamoring for a way to rollback the update as phones glitched and performance snags got in the way of everyday use, prompting publications and techies to publish multiple guides to resetting their devices. And, as CNET noted in its coverage, WatchOS users found they could not rollback the update at all.
For users on the new, full iOS 26 product, it may be even more complicated.
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According to a MacRumors forum post, users who want to downgrade back to iOS 18 will first need to make sure they have a full device backup from the previousiOS, not a backup from iOS 26 — and come to terms with potentially losing all of their data in the process.
From there, user @orsev explained, users will go through a somewhat vexing process of downloading the previous iOS as an .ipsw file using a developer account, restoring their device in a hard reboot, and reinstalling the old iOS using an archived backup.
Tech aficionados will probably have an easier time with this, but for the average user, it may be best to just stick it out until the next major iOS 26 update. In the meantime, you might as well make those lock screens and group chats really cute.