14 DAY TRIAL // Just two weeks after releasing the iOS 11.4.1 free software update to iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users, Apple now stopped signing the previous firmware, iOS 11.4, to block downgrades.
As of July 17, 2018, Apple no longer signs the iOS 11.4 firmware update, which means that if you already updated your devices to the recently released iOS 11.4.1 firmware, you won't be able to downgrade to iOS 11.4 via iTunes or using any other method that involves jailbreaking your device.
It's not uncommon for Apple to stop signing previous iOS firmware shortly after releasing a new one, which we consider a good practice because it forces users to update and stay with the latest software update that the company makes available for supported iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices.
At the end of May, Apple bragged that 81 percent of the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices that were signing into the App Store used its latest iOS 11 software, and we have a feeling that Apple wants to do their best to get as close as possible to 100 percent devices running iOS 11 before the release of iOS 12 this fall.
iOS 11.4.2 could arrive soon as well before the final iOS 12 release this fall
Some think that this is it for the iOS 11 firmware, but we think otherwise especially that the iOS 11.4.1 isn't without bugs as more and more users are reporting issues when attempting to update their installed apps via the App Store. We can't confirm the issue on our devices, but it might become a serious problem for Apple.
That's why we believe the Cupertino, California-based company will soon start testing an emergency iOS 11.4.2 point release to fix this and possible other annoyances reported by users after upgrading to iOS 11.4.1. So don't be surprised if this week will bring a new beta release for iOS 11.4.2.
Meanwhile, Apple works hard on the next major iOS release, iOS 12, which will run on the same devices that now support iOS 11 and it introduces numerous new features and improvements to make using your iPhone or iPad more enjoyable and productive. Until then, make sure you keep your devices up-to-date at all times.