How to revert iPhone update from iOS 26.1 to a previous version?

Thank you for responding with your concerns, Colina836.

According to Apple:

After a software update is installed for iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS, it cannot be downgraded to the previous version.

What you can do about this:

Open Settings ➢ Accessibility ➢ Display & Text Size, then toggle Reduce Transparency = on.

Also in Settings ➢ Accessibility ➢ Motion, then toggle Reduce Motion = on.

Also in Settings ➢ Display & Brightness ➢ Liquid Glass ➢ Tinted.

When you create a custom iPhone Lock Screen, you can → change the look of the clock. ⏰

A very useful user-tip by lobsterghost1 ▶︎ Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's Here To Stay is recommended. 👍🏼

In addition, you can provide ⇢ Product Feedback.

If enough requests are made, your feedback might help with future development, like a toggle in the settings (to disable the Liquid Glass effect).

Good luck! 👋🏼😉

aiesha16 wrote:

I agree ios26 doesn’t work at all it’s hurt my head and my eyes in my opinion Liquid Glass is overrated iOS 18 was better

After reading the posts here what have your done to reduce the effects?

• Reduce Transparency
• Change Liquid Glass to Tinted instead of Clear
• Turn off Borders
• Increase Contrast
• Change Wallpaper to a darker solid color
• Sent Feedback to Apple
• Reviewed the options here and seen how you can change the look:

Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

Don't forget this is a Support Site, not a Social Media site. Opinions have no effect on a Support site and Apple is not here to see your post, which is why the Feedback link has been provided. It makes no difference if I say I like the way Liquid Glass looks or if you say you don't. You will also be able to find posts here after iOS 18 was released where users did not like it and wanted to downgrade, and that was not possible then just as it is not possible now. That has been true for every iOS update.

Onesourapple wrote:

The recent update has been a tragic mistake! I do NOT like having my text message open over background messages like a glass bottom boat. Most of my apps do not open which I used on a regular basis and instead I get a blank black screen. The camera icon looks like a bubble not a lens. This is a downgrade to poor functioning and unpleasant aesthetic’s. When you create the next upgrade I will be very very hesitant to accept it moving forward.

No one participating in this user-to-user forum will be creating any iOS upgrades. You can let Apple know what you'd like to see here:

Product Feedback - Apple

I think that, if you are change-averse, you should always wait a while after a major release so that you can read what people are saying about it.

Meanwhile, perhaps look at this:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250010041

marcolo13 wrote:

I’m not happy with the latest iOS upgrade. I was given a choice to keep old settings or try the new ones. I went for try the new ones but never thought that I couldn’t change back.

poor show Apple

Apple has never supported downgrading. That said, you aren't speaking with Apple here. This is a user to user only forum. If you want to share your thoughts with Apple, use this link --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

According to Apple:

After a software update is installed for iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS, it cannot be downgraded to the previous version.

What you can do about this:

Open Settings ➢ Accessibility ➢ Display & Text Size, then toggle Reduce Transparency = on.

Also in Settings ➢ Accessibility ➢ Motion, then toggle Reduce Motion = on.

Also in Settings ➢ Display & Brightness ➢ Liquid Glass ➢ Tinted.

In addition, you can provide ⇢ Product Feedback.

If enough requests are made, your feedback might help with future development, like a toggle in the settings.

Good luck! 👋🏼😉

Eightgrandkids17 wrote:

I don’t like this update. I’d like to go back to the old one. Is there a way of doing that please answer me

Eightgrandkids17 wrote:

There must be a way to go back to the one before we have now I hate it

You cannot downgrade iOS.

Eightgrandkids17 wrote:

There must be a way to go back to the one before we have now I hate it

Hello~ The answer is an unequivocal…no. If you would like help with an issue that you’re having post some technical details and perhaps we can assist.

~Katana-San~

marcolo13 wrote:

...never thought that I couldn’t change back.

That should not be a surprise, there has never been a supported method to change back to a previous iOS version. Even on Android phones, many that tried to flash the firmware to roll back an update ended up with a bricked phone. Now you know.

There is no rolling back of iOS.

Change is difficult to adapt to because it disrupts our comfort zones, introduces uncertainty and fear of the unknown, challenges our sense of identity, and involves letting go of the familiar. However, it's important to recognize that change is an inevitable part of life, and learning to adapt and embrace it is crucial for personal growth and development. With time, patience, and a willingness to explore new possibilities, we can navigate the difficulties of change and find ways to thrive in new circumstances.

Was/Is your device Jailbroken? If that's the situation, please be informed that attributing the issues to iOS updates may not be accurate.

25Rosebud wrote:

The new version of IOS has completely screwed up my email system and I can also no longer send items to my printer. I need the old IOS before this last update so everything will work again.

As you now know from reading the answer to this OP's question reverting is not going to happen. I would recommend to create your own post with the details about the issue you are experiencing to find the solution to your problem. Millions of users are using iOS 26 without any problems with their email and printing, so the question that needs to be answered is what is unique about your set up and how can it be fixed.

No one here works for Apple. You may express your opinion to Apple by submitting feedback. You will have to learn to use iOS 26 as you cannot revert back. The loss of your daughter’s photos is on you alone if you don’t have a backup strategy. Sorry.

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Thank you for replying with your concerns, Mimicooch. 😉

Here at the Apple Support Community, we are volunteers (thoughtful Apple users) who share knowledge in an effort to help others, such as yourself.

We don’t have the power to look into accounts, make changes, authorize repairs, offer discounts, change the operating system or any reverse an upgrade to fit your needs.

Above all, we don’t discriminate or alter our answers based on your age.

I wish you the best, but you need to provide ⇢ Product Feedback if you don’t like Liquid Glass.

Thanks again for sharing your concerns with us.

All the best! 👋🏼😉

Hi, this is not Apple Support. Apple and Apple Support do not participate here. Everyone posting and commenting are fellow Apple users, just like you. 

If you want assistance troubleshooting the issue(s) we’ll need to better understand the challenges you’re having. If you’re not here for assistance you can provide feedback directly to Apple using the link I’ve provided below.

Product Feedback - Apple

You need to have Apple perform diagnostics on your iPhone. It can be done in person at an Apple Retail Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. You can also contact Apple Support and request remote diagnostics.

If you’re in the US, please call  1-800-MY-APPLE, or outside the US, consult the support articles below. In Canada, call 1-800-263-3394.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

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Hey thanks for responding. I thought it odd that a reply to my original comment mentioned that this is a user forum and Apple support does not get involved here. Ok, got it... not the 1st mention of this. "My ***" ...

I recently complained about Apple maps and the loss of function. After taking a moment (several hours) and pressure testing the app, I have discovered most of the features I previously had at the slightest touch, have reappeared with completely different accessibility. This is a big update. Down is now up, up is down. (I actually hate that part) put the search bar right up top. Swiping is better but screen fog is not.

There's no going back...

Hi, iOS 26 and Liquid Glass are simply the design Apple has chosen to go with, for now. The iPhone User Interface has had several major redesigns in its near 20 year history. The last major redesign was iOS 7, back in 2014. We all somehow managed to get through them all. 

You may want to review the information in the article I linked to below. It explains the adjustments you can make to mitigate the effects of Liquid Glass that you’re experiencing. 

Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

Apple’s installed user base is over 1.5 billion users. Making a single user interface perfectly compatible for every user is literally impossible. Apple will make changes (or not make changes) based partially on the feedback they receive through their official channel, linked below and good luck.

Product Feedback - Apple

Apple and Apple Support do not participate in the community forums. They will never see or read your comments. Use the form above so your thoughts can be taken into account for future changes.