The act of reverting an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch’s operating system from iOS 18 to a previous iteration. This process typically involves using a computer and specialized software to install an older version of the iOS firmware onto the device. For example, a user might attempt this procedure if they encounter significant performance issues or incompatibility with essential apps after upgrading to the latest software release.
The significance lies in regaining functionality or stability lost during an update. Users might seek this action to address bugs, improve battery life, or maintain compatibility with older applications not optimized for the newest system. Historically, Apple has discouraged this practice, often making it technically challenging to prevent users from installing outdated, potentially vulnerable software. The availability of signed firmware files plays a crucial role in whether or not this action can be accomplished.