Downgrades are eventually blocked, iOS 16.3 no longer signed

Feb 21, 2023 06:11 GMT  ·  By

As per Apple’s typical approach, the company is no longer signing iOS 16.3, therefore blocking users from downgrading to this version of the operating system.

iOS 16.3.1 was released recently with several improvements, and given the change announced today, once you install it, going back to the previous version is no longer possible.

To be honest, there’s no reason to do this anyway, as iOS 16.3.1 feels a lot more polished than its predecessor. In addition to the fixes that Apple itself announced, this new update most likely brings additional polishing, as it appears to resolve battery drains, making iPhones feel a little bit snappier and more responsive.

Apple wants iPhones to always run the latest version of iOS, so no longer signing older releases isn’t something uncommon. However, the ones affected by this approach are users who end up struggling with iOS 16.3.1, as any critical issues they might come across can no longer be resolved with a downgrade.

iOS 17

While Apple keeps refining the experience with iOS 16, many people out there are already looking ahead to iOS 17.

The next major version of the operating system will be previewed at WWDC, with the release expected to take place at some point in September. Of course, it’s too early to tell what it’s going to bring new to the table, but on the other hand, people familiar with the matter indicate that Apple plans to leave behind another iPhone generation.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus might no longer be supported by iOS 17, meaning that Apple will continue to invest in new-generation iPhones only. The oldest model that will be supported going forward will be the iPhone X which was launched alongside the iPhone 8 in 2017.