How do I downgrade from iOS 26?

To remove the iOS beta, follow the steps below:

1. Connect your iPhone to a computer and open iTunes (or Finder on Mac).
2. Put the device into recovery mode (Volume Up → Volume Down → hold Side button)
3. Then choose Restore when prompted. This will erase the beta and install the latest official iOS version.
4. After setup, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and turn it off to avoid reinstalling the beta.

This method only works for downgrading from a beta version, not for downgrading between two official versions.

That’s because beta profiles can be removed and Apple still signs the latest public iOS, allowing you to restore to it.

Reference:

How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

[Edited by Moderator]

Follow the Support Article below. Hopefully you have a backup done beforehand on iOS 18 otherwise you may not be able to restore or face data loss.

How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

Itz_unknownBo wrote:

How to downgrade ios 26

The three usual choices are to reset and restore your backup from iOS 18 (some data loss), or reset and revert to iOS 18 without a backup (more data loss), or continue with the iOS 28 beta until release.

How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

Given the timing, staying on the iOS 26 beta is going to be less work, and less likely to lose local data.

Reverting will lose local data, and the longer the beta has been in use, the larger the local data loss.

Apple has an “awe dropping” event on September 9th.

inne113 wrote:

I tried to downgrade But my iMac is too old.. is there any other way to downgrade??

[Edited by Moderator]

Borrow a friends computer OR visit your closest Apple Store Genius Bar. Be advised that if you didn't make an Archive Backup on your computer before you chose to download beta software, which is intended for developers only at this time that when you restore your phone, you are going to lose ALL the data on your phone.

I think you will learn a valuable and painful lesson here......

angy24 wrote:

Sadly I don’t have a computer or anything.i love iOS 26 but I would like to go back to ios18.iOS 26 sometimes lags or crashes

This is a months-old thread, and the earlier postings here are during the iOS 26 beta, which could be reverted to the then-current iOS version, iOS 18.

There is no supported downgrade for the now-released iOS 26, as you are running the current iOS version.

You can report iOS 26 bugs here: Product Feedback - Apple

sabin75 wrote:

Remove all of iOS 26

There are 7 pages of answers in this thread. On every the page, the answer is the same. You CANNOT downgrade.

bodysurfinyon wrote:

I have successfully downgraded my phone. Step 1) find the same model on eBay. Step 2) verify it is still running iOS 18. Step 3) buy it. Step 4) After you get the eBay phone, use the phone to phone to phone transfer to get some stuff off your old iOS26 phone - like the eSim is easy this way. STOPwhen the upgrade asks you to update OS!!!. Step 5) turn off autoupdate. Delete and iOS26 updates in Settings:storage. Step 6) rebuild you iPhone. Step 7) put your old iOS26 iPhone on eBay to see how much this mistake cost you. Fingers crossed!!

I don’t believe you. It is not possible to restore data from a newer iOS version iPhone to an older version. So any data on your iPhone with iOS 26 will be lost, and you will have to start over as if you never had an iPhone before.

And even if you succeed, your iPhone with iOS 18 will have over 100 unpatched security vulnerabilities.

aleigh176 wrote:

I don’t like it

This is not a poll, so that does not matter. The only thing that matters is:

• You can't downgrade.
• The feedback link has been provided many times, if anyone wants to let Apple know.

No. READ the information you were provided when you joined the beta program.

sabin75 wrote:

Remove all of iOS 26

Buy an iPhone XR, you will have iOS 18 with no upgrade option. Problem solved! You can sell your current phone due to the demand for those wanting iOS 26 and be money ahead with the XR purchase. It's a win-win.

I have successfully downgraded my phone. Step 1) find the same model on eBay. Step 2) verify it is still running iOS 18. Step 3) buy it. Step 4) After you get the eBay phone, use the phone to phone to phone transfer to get some stuff off your old iOS26 phone - like the eSim is easy this way. STOPwhen the upgrade asks you to update OS!!!. Step 5) turn off autoupdate. Delete and iOS26 updates in Settings:storage. Step 6) rebuild you iPhone. Step 7) put your old iOS26 iPhone on eBay to see how much this mistake cost you. Fingers crossed!!

Read here -

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256078119?sortBy=oldest_first

I want to downgrade my ios update because too much buffer in latest updates

It is not possible to downgrade.

Please explain "too much buffer".

That is unfortunate, because Apple does not support downgrading the iOS on the iPhone / iPad

518Victoria wrote:

How?????

How what? Downgrade? There are 7 pages in this thread and on EVERY page, it's been answered that you CAN'T downgrade.