You still have time to downgrade from iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 to iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 on iPhone and iPad. Here’s how you do it.

Apple is Still Signing iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, Downgrade from iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 Possible on iPhone and iPad

Update: Apple is no longer signing iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5. You can no longer downgrade from iOS 18.6 or iPadOS 18.6.

Apple has released a bug-fix-packed update for iPhone and iPad with iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6. I highly recommend installing it on your devices right now in order to keep things running as smoothly as possible.

However, if you want to downgrade from iOS 18.6 to iOS 18.5 on both your iPhone and iPad, you luckily have time to do that because Apple is still signing the older firmware.

Once Apple stops signing iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, all your options for downgrading iPhone and iPad will be gone.

Before you go ahead, there are a few things you should do, and all of these steps are important and can’t be skipped.

Backup Everything

You will lose your files and settings completely if you are planning to downgrade. Use iCloud or Finder to take a complete backup of your device right now. You’ll find all the details on how to do that here.

Turn Off Find My

If you don’t disable Find My on iPhone or iPad, you can’t restore the firmware file on your device. You’ll find all the necessary details on how to disable Find My by going to this link.

Download the iOS 18.5 or iPadOS 18.5 IPSW

Find the correct ISPW firmware file for your iPhone and iPad, and then save it to your desktop. The whole thing may take a while since a firmware file is a few gigabytes in size.

Tutorial

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. You’ll see your device listed on the left hand side. Click to open it up.

Step 4. You’ll now see a bunch of options. Look for a button that says ‘Restore iPhone’ or ‘Restore iPad.’

Step 5. Hold down the left Option key on your keyboard and click on either ‘Restore iPhone’ or ‘Restore iPad’. A new pop-up window will now open up.

Step 6. Select the iOS 18.5 or iPadOS 18.5 firmware file you saved to your desktop.

Step 7. Let Finder restore your device and you’ll be back to iOS 18.5 or iPadOS 18.5 in a matter of minutes.

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Apple, iPad, iPhone, Tips & Tricks,

Last Update: August 5, 2025