How do I downgrade from iOS 26?

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

You cannot accidentally update your device to iOS 26. iOS 26 has not been released to the public, and it is in beta format. Only registered developers have access to it. You cannot discuss beta software on a public forum. You would also have received information on removing it if you are a developer.

I accidentally updated my iPhone 16 pro max to iOS 26

You would have "accidentally" gone through numerous steps to do this.

Hopefully, you did make an "Archive" backup on a Mac or PC......before you accidentally updated your iPhone, so you can use that backup to restore when you revert to iOS 18.

after it did an automatic update

Rubbish, your phone did not "automatically update" to 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]

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

[Edited by Moderator]

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

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......

I want downgrade iOS 26 to 18

ayari145 wrote:

I want downgrade iOS 26 to 18

Well you came to the right place, so all you need to do now is read the information that has been provided here. Hopefully you created a backup with iOS 18.5 because your phone will need to be wiped and that is the only backup you could use to restore your data.

Read here -

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

So actually, this is completely untrue as I’m a registered developer(free to do and for everyone), and I have not received any information on how to downgrade. Also, it’s very much possible to accidentally download the update as he/she could’ve had automatic updates on and most likely is a developer if they have access to the beta, which means they have used beta before, meaning beta updates are on. He/she could’ve not wanted iOS 26 because of all the bugs there are right now and probably wanted to wait till a later time where it isn’t as buggy to download it. So please refrain from making false statements as it confuses the people who need help.

coltonArnett wrote:

So actually, this is completely untrue as I’m a registered developer(free to do and for everyone), and I have not received any information on how to downgrade. Also, it’s very much possible to accidentally download the update as he/she could’ve had automatic updates on and most likely is a developer if they have access to the beta, which means they have used beta before, meaning beta updates are on. He/she could’ve not wanted iOS 26 because of all the bugs there are right now and probably wanted to wait till a later time where it isn’t as buggy to download it. So please refrain from making false statements as it confuses the people who need help.

Let's be real here. Developers are given the first chance to test the new release, because they ARE ACTUALLY DEVELOPERS who develop apps for iPhone. They know how this works. They've been through this over many generations. But a regular user who registers as a developer to be first in line are foolish to do so. They're NOT really developers who develop anything for iPhone. And they are provided directions when they join as a developer. If they didn't keep that for the next year, that's on them, not Apple.

coltonArnett wrote:

So actually, this is completely untrue as I’m a registered developer(free to do and for everyone), and I have not received any information on how to downgrade. Also, it’s very much possible to accidentally download the update as he/she could’ve had automatic updates on and most likely is a developer if they have access to the beta, which means they have used beta before, meaning beta updates are on.

You have to actually enroll in the beta program before you will receive any beta updates. When you no longer want to receive beta updates, then you unenroll from the beta program. It will not automatically just show up on your device because you are a Developer and each device must be enrolled separately for any that you would like to test the beta software. If you currently have Automatic Beta Updates allowed, you are currently enrolled and that was a choice you made, and you have the same choice to unenroll when you are done.

If you do choose to enroll in the beta, you have all the information for you including the warnings about even using beta software, but that information must be read by you.

• Apple Beta — FAQ
• Apple Beta — Unenroll Your Devices

Message deleted. Duplicate of previous reply.