Downgrading iOS 26 to iOS 18 on a new iPhone 16 Pro

If you want to uninstall ios 26,apple offical guide here :How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

And back up your data first before downgrade iOS 26 to avoid loss your data.Back up Guide:Back up iPhone - Apple Support

veeru195 wrote:

ios26 downgrade 18

Here you go. You will need a computer and without an iOS 18 backup, all data will be lost.

How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

Where did you choose the backup to restore the phone before iOS26. In most cases that will need to be from a computer as any iCloud backup would have been overwritten with the iOS26 backup. Erasing the phone will not remove the beta, you must use a computer to remove the Beta as seen here:

How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

Beta software should NEVER be installed on a primary device. The sole purpose is to be a tester for reporting issues using the Feedback Assistant, and Developers can use it to test their apps for compatibility. There is no support.

The first part of the page in the link talks about who is able to use the Beta Software and the links you clicked are for exactly what they say: The Apple Beta Software Program and the Apple Developer Program. You just need to keep reading as you should already be aware of those 2 links because you must have enrolled as a developer to install the Beta. There is Beta software for iOS 18 and also iOS 26. None of that matters, because you are looking to remove the Beta you have already installed.

Members of the Apple Beta Software Program, Customer Seed Program, and Apple Developer Program can try iOS or iPadOS beta releases. If you installed a version of iOS beta and no longer want it, you can go back to the latest publicly released version of iOS or iPadOS.

• Start by turning off the Beta Updates:

For devices with iOS 16.4 or iPadOS 16.4 or later, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and tap Off.

• Then remove the beta from your device to reinstall iOS 18.5. You won't be able to use any backup to restore your data, unless you made one from iOS 18.5 before updating.

To remove the iOS or iPadOS beta and install the current publicly released version of iOS or iPadOS, you need to erase and restore your device.

If you have an archived backup, after erasing and restoring your device, you can set it up from that backup.

Backups created while using beta software might not be compatible with earlier versions of iOS or iPadOS. If you don't have an older backup that was made using the current version of iOS or iPadOS, you might not be able to restore your device with your most recent backup.

1) Make sure that your computer has the latest version of macOS or the latest version of Apple Devices.

2) Connect your device to your computer, then put your device in recovery mode with these steps:

Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Then, press and hold the side button until you see the recovery mode screen.

3) Click the Restore option when it appears. This erases your device and installs the current nonbeta version of iOS or iPadOS. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits the recovery mode screen, let the download finish, then repeat step 2.

4) Wait for the restore to finish. If asked, sign in to your Apple Account, which disables Activation Lock. If the restore process won't finish, learn what to do.

Lillyfern16 wrote:

I let it go for a few days and while doing that- decided I wanted to exchange the pro for the pro max. I have a brand new pro max looking at me- I DONT want to transfer ios26 onto it, so I haven’t even opened it! lol

No problem. You just need to set it up as a new device. You can enter your Apple Account, but will not be able to restore from a backup. Verify on your device that you will not receive any Beta updates at Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.

ios26 downgrade 18