One week after the launch of iOS 26, Apple stopped authenticating ( stopping allowing installation) iOS 18.6.2.
Expert Aaron Perris said that this move means that users have no way to upgrade from iOS 26. With iOS 18.7 - the version released on the same day, Apple still allows installation, but there is no update file for devices that have moved to iOS 26.
Normally, Apple stops supporting installing an older version every time there is a new iOS version, because the company has announced security errors and patches in the previous version.
Users who want to know more about the patch of iOS 18.7 can refer to it on Apple's official website.
This also reflects how Apple tightly controls its ecosystem. When it stops signing old versions, the company forces users to stick with the latest update. As for Apple, this is a way to ensure that the device is always at its safest state, reducing the risk of being attacked through published security vulnerabilities.
However, for many users, especially those who are not satisfied with the performance or some features of iOS 26, losing the upgrade permission is quite inconvenient.
In fact, many people have the habit of waiting a few weeks after the new iOS version is released before upgrading, to avoid unexpected errors. But this time, the speed Apple stops signing the old version is fast, making it difficult for users to consider.
This is also a reminder for the iPhone community, if you want to try the new version, prepare for a long-term commitment, because reversal is almost impossible.
In the future, iOS 26 will likely continue to have small updates to fix errors and improve performance. Users should therefore be patient and proactively follow security patches as well as feedback from the community to ensure the most stable and safe experience.
