Is there any way to downgrade from version iOS 18?

1m0119 wrote:

I am truly disappointed in Apple, I have the iPhone 14pro for over a year now. Since I installed the new IOS18 on my phone, my phone keeps lagging is slower than before and affects my battery life. Additionally, my phone overheats...

Go to Settings>Battery>Battery Health. What is the Maximum Capacity? If it's less than 80%, you need a new battery.

This is the worst update ever, the controls center,

You can use the Control Center in the same way as before. You don't need to customize it if you don't want to.

camera roll got super complicated I do not have a clear overview anymore.

Yes, the new version of Photos is different and does take a little while to get used to. But, if you take the time to learn how to use it, you may find it's not so bad.

Why creating an IOS update if it makes the life of apple user more complicated??!

So Apple should never add new features or make changes? Change almost always requires that we learn some new things but, if you remain open to learning new things you might 1) find out you like them and 2) help keep your brain young.

An update should be there to make everything more efficient and easier... truly disappointed. As everyone else here I am sharing the same struggles and wish there was a way to get back to IOS17!!!

It's a lot easier to learn new things if you stop being so angry about it. And no, not everyone wants to go back to iOS 18.

I wanna downgrade from this disastrous 18 version, my phone is just so complicated to use!

You can't. So, your choices are to learn how to to use iOs 18 or get a different brand of phone. That, of course, would involve a much larger learning curve.

I hope Apple sees this and takes action!

Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

To make your feedback most effective, I suggest you stick to specific issues, not requests to be able to downgrade. That's highly unlikely to ever happen.

AnnoyedWithUpdate wrote:

Apple please create an update to take us backwards as this is a living nightmare

Apple doesn't particpate here in this user-to-user forum. If you need support from Apple, you can use the Support link at the bottom left of every page.

If you want to let Apple know your thoughts, use the Feedback page:

Product Feedback - Apple

However, I can tell you that Apple has never supported downgrading of iOS (or iPadOS). It is unlikely that will change. Since that's the case, you may want to start paging through the User Guice and learning how to use the new features. You might want to start with this page:

What’s new in iOS 18 - Apple Support

2006HondaCivic wrote:

There are supposedly some ways to force a device to revert to previous versions. You have the obvious one of loading an old backup, but some also say there's a way to plug your iPad into a Mac or PC and request a previous update version via something called a DFU mode. This Reddit discussion probably puts it much better than I can:

While you can actually install signed versions of previous iOS updates within a few days of the launch of a new whole number version, its been months.

Sorry, but loading an old backup will NOT roll iOS back to the previous version. It never has. The reality is, Apple does not support downgrading iOS. They NEVER have supported downgrading. Connecting to a Mac to downgrade is ONLY possible if an earlier version is still being signed by Apple, which won't help anyone here either. Can downgrading be done? Sure, but not by methods which can be discussed here on Apple's hosted forum. And in doing so, the user takes full responsibility for an outcome which may brick their phone, which by the way Apple won't touch if they do.

so there is NO way of going back to IOS17.x via iPhone

Apple provides no way to do this.

Backups?

Backups copy the data on your iPhone to another destination. But, the IOS version is not part of a backup.

Think of it this way if you are having trouble understanding this.......

Updates are a one way street.

Sorry but there is no going back. If you describe your problem, we will try to help you.

I don't know why you think anyone should be embarrassed? iOS 18 is running quite nicely on my iPhone.

And no, you cannot go backward once you update.

Perhaps you could enlighten us on what issues you are having and someone on this user to user only forum (you aren't speaking with Apple here, to begin with) might be able to help you.

There are supposedly some ways to force a device to revert to previous versions. You have the obvious one of loading an old backup, but some also say there's a way to plug your iPad into a Mac or PC and request a previous update version via something called a DFU mode. This Reddit discussion probably puts it much better than I can:

While you can actually install signed versions of previous iOS updates within a few days of the launch of a new whole number version, its been months.

[Edited by Moderator]

None of this would work.

dsmprofessor wrote:

Here’s a thought, give the people options. Like the old versions, allow users to toggle “old” and “new” for apps that have been thoroughly changed. Me? I don’t like widgets and different sized thumbnails and such, I like same sized icons and folders.

So, as an example, photos has now become a disaster of random widgets and is now a sloppy mess lacking proper organization and symmetry. The former version was symmetrical, had same sized folders and icons, and you could CHOOSE (at the bottom) to look at photos chronologically, by year, month, day… or then scroll right and see by date added to library, and all the folders organized in a different section. All the folders were grouped together by default, and not separated by mismatched plops of ADHD inspired idiotic widgets making the now mindnumb user so frustrated they trade for an Android. Somewhere I read a comment saying iOS 18 photos was almost as good as Google. Well might I enlighten Apple. Maybe people used iPhones and Apple photos because they DON’T like Google??? Bring back a previous version option for those of us with over 178000 photos in iCloud, as I liked the way I had it organized. Honestly, I really hate the new photos app. This is Apple’s Cybertruck. Technologically brilliant, new and more modern in every way, designed with newer generations in mind, and ultimately an absolute failure to use in the real world.

Here's a suggestion. Tell Apple what you think they need to do, as you most definitely have not done so here, on this user to user only forum, which no one from Apple participates nor reads for user feedback.

Every year, when the new iOS releases, some people get all up in arms over one change or another. And we all learn how things work and things aren't so bad after all. I quite like the new Photos App.

Choice has never been an option Apple tends to subscribe to. But feel free to share your thoughts with Apple here --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

2006HondaCivic wrote:

There are supposedly some ways to force a device to revert to previous versions. You have the obvious one of loading an old backup

Nope, the backup does not contain any System files. That will not work.

also say there's a way to plug your iPad into a Mac or PC and request a previous update version via something called a DFU mode.

That is a risky move and not sure if you want to take on the responsibility of recommending this to someone else who will likely find they have now lost all their data or worse that their device is unusable. Make sure to choose your sources wisely and be upfront with users on the consequences of what you propose.

I’ve already downloaded IOS 17 & going to try going back.

Apple does not support "going back", so you will have to be willing to do things that are not supported to try to "go back". Good luck.

Sakasinstincts wrote:

Is there any way to downgrade from this horrible version 18? Well any way other than bricking my phone and starting from scratch.

I'm really enjoying iOS 18. I especially like the update to Photos. So far, I haven't had any issues.

I'm also not having issues with watchOS 11 or Sequoia.

What do you think is "horrible" about it?

IdrisSeabright wrote:

Sakasinstincts wrote:

Is there any way to downgrade from this horrible version 18? Well any way other than bricking my phone and starting from scratch.

I'm really enjoying iOS 18. I especially like the update to Photos. So far, I haven't had any issues.

I'm also not having issues with watchOS 11 or Sequoia.

What do you think is "horrible" about it?

I'm quite happy with iOS 18 here too!

ssilva7777 wrote:

I can't send text messages when it says RCS to an Android. Nor can i send pictures

Not all cell carriers are supporting RCS even on Android devices. If you mean something else, please start your own thread on the subject with full details.

Regards.

I have a 13 Pro Max with 95% BH. This is by far the worst update in the 3 years i’ve owned this phone. The phone is slow and glitchy, and it stutters, battery life is abysmal and it just runs so poorly overall, ios 17 ran flawlessly. I regret updating.