Apple officially blocks iPhone users from downgrading to iOS 18.3.1

Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.3.1, thereby preventing iPhone users running iOS 18.3.2 from downgrading to this older version of iOS.

Apple officially blocks iPhone users from downgrading to iOS 18.3.1

Apple regularly stops signing iOS versions, usually within a week or two of releasing a new version of iOS. When an update is stopped signing, it can no longer be installed on an ‌iPhone‌ due to server-side software verification checks.

And this time too, just over a week after releasing the iOS 18.3.2 update, “Apple” has officially locked the iOS 18.3.1 sign. This policy is to encourage iPhone users to update to the new operating system for their devices, to ensure security improvements.

iOS 18.3.1 is a relatively minor update, released to fix a security vulnerability found in iOS accessibility features that was actively exploited by attackers. With this vulnerability, hackers with physical access to an iPhone or iPad could disable USB Restricted Mode on a locked device.

USB Restricted Mode is a feature that requires a passcode on your iPhone or iPad to allow connections to computers or other devices via USB. Bypassing this system allows bad actors to access user data stored on the device.

Thus, when iPhone users have upgraded to the latest iOS 18.3.2 version, they will no longer be able to downgrade to iOS 18.3.1.

Currently, Apple is also developing iOS 18.4 to soon release to iPhone users in the coming weeks.