Here’s how you can downgrade iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 beta 1 back to iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 (18.5) on iPhone and iPad.
You Can Downgrade Your iPhone and iPad Back to iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 from iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 Beta 1
Betas are always fun to try out, but the very first one is always rough around the edges, and iOS 26 isn’t any different at all.
If you installed Apple’s latest beta software thinking you’ll have a great time on a daily basis, you probably realized by now how awful things have become on your iPhone and iPad, especially when it comes to battery life.
This is something you have to expect with beta software.
The good news is, you can downgrade back to iOS 18 or iPadOS 18. However, the bad news is, it’s not an easy thing to do, because betas behave differently compared to regular software.
In order to downgrade from a beta, you must put your iPhone or iPad into DFU mode first. Once done, then you can start the downgrade process.
Note: This process will erase everything off your iPhone and iPad. I hope you did take a backup with iCloud or Finder before you installed iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 beta.
Download the iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 Firmware File
Download the firmware file compatible with your iPhone and iPad, and save it to your desktop:
- iPhone 16e
- 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 (A16)
- 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)
Downgrade iOS 16 and iPadOS 26 Beta 1
Note: Putting your device into DFU mode can be tricky. It may take several tries before you get it right.
Step 1. If you have an iPhone, follow this tutorial on how to put your device in DFU mode. If you have an iPad, follow this tutorial on how to put your iPad into DFU mode.
Step 2. Once your device is in DFU mode and detected by Finder, hold down the left Option key on your Mac keyboard and click on the Restore iPhone or Restore iPhone button.
Step 3. Select the iOS 18.5 or iPadOS 18.5 IPSW firmware file you saved to your desktop.
Step 4. Finder will immediately start to extract the contents of the firmware file and restore it onto your iPhone and iPad. It may take a while but eventually you’ll be back on iOS 18 or iPadOS 18.
