How to Downgrade from iOS 26 to iOS 18

Utshab Biswas
3 days ago
4 min read

Apple's iOS 26 Beta and even its initial stable release are now being talked about albeit for all the wrong reasons. If you are part of those Apple users who were using the Developer Program or Software Beta Program to update and are facing problems now, don't worry, you're not the only one. Most iPhone and iPad users are searching for ways to downgrade from iOS 26 to iOS 18 and bring their phones back to a smoother and steadier experience.

Let's dissect it from knowing why downgrading is required to step-by-step downgrade procedures using iPhone Settings, iTunes/Finder, or IPSW files.

Why Downgrade from iOS 26 to iOS 18?

While Apple releases beta versions of its OS to test new features and gather feedback, they often come with bugs and instability. iOS 26 is no exception. Here’s why users are switching back to iOS 18:

Common iOS 26 Bugs Reported by Users:

Frequent app crashes and forced closures
Excessive battery drain and rapid overheating
Incomplete feature implementations, making them unusable
Lag in animations, UI responsiveness, and system-level tasks

If you've made the switch to iOS 26 and regret it, the good news is you can revert to iOS 18. But keep in mind, if you also upgraded your Apple Watch to watchOS 26, it won’t work with iPhones running iOS 18. And unfortunately, watchOS downgrades can’t be done manually.

Why Stick with iOS 18?

Before diving into the downgrade guide, let’s look at the perks of staying on iOS 18 or iOS 18.5:

Top 5 Reasons to Use iOS 18 Instead of iOS 26:

Stable and Bug-Free: No major battery drain or overheating issues.
Smooth User Interface: Cleaner, more intuitive navigation compared to iOS 26.
Simpler Features: No confusing or unfinished functionalities.
Better Compatibility: Works seamlessly with older apps and Apple Watch.
Improved Performance: Less lag, more reliable daily usage.

If you’re on the fence, now may not be the best time to jump into iOS 26. A stable iOS 26 version will take a few more beta cycles or months.

Important Things to Know Before You Downgrade

Before you begin the downgrade process, keep these precautions in mind:

Backup First: If you didn’t create a backup before installing iOS 26, you won’t be able to restore your data exactly as it was.
Use a Trusted Mac/PC: Downgrades can’t be performed solely via the iPhone; you’ll need a computer.
Avoid Third-Party Tools: Don’t rely on shady or unofficial downgrade tools or services.
Stay Away From Unknown People: Never let someone else downgrade your iPhone unless they are an authorized Apple professional.

How to Downgrade from iOS 26 to iOS 18

Method 1: Using iPhone Settings (To Disable Beta Updates Only)

If you're not looking to completely downgrade but just want to exit the beta program and stop further updates:

Open the Settings app.
Tap General > Software Update.
Tap Beta Updates, then select Off.

This won’t restore iOS 18 instantly but ensures your iPhone stops receiving future beta updates.

Method 2: Downgrade Using iTunes or Finder

To completely roll back to iOS 18:

Step-by-Step:

Connect your iPhone or iPad to a Mac or PC via USB cable.
Put your device into Recovery Mode:
- iPhone XS or later: Press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
- iPad with Face ID: Same as above, but hold the Top button instead.
Once in recovery mode, you’ll see a message in iTunes or Finder:
“There is a problem with the iPhone that requires it to be updated or restored.”
Click on Restore.
Your device will now be wiped and restored to the latest publicly available stable iOS version (which will be iOS 18 if iOS 26 isn’t public yet).

Method 3: Downgrade Using IPSW File

This method is ideal for more control over your downgrade process.

What is an IPSW File?

An IPSW file is a firmware file used by Apple to install iOS on devices. It acts like an OS installer package and can be manually downloaded and used for downgrading.

Steps to Use IPSW to Downgrade:

Visit https://ipsw.me on your computer.
Download the iOS 18 IPSW file compatible with your iPhone model.
Open Finder (on macOS) or iTunes (on Windows).
Connect your iPhone and put it in Recovery Mode.
On the iTunes/Finder window, hold the Option key (Mac) or Shift key (Windows) and click Restore.
Choose the downloaded IPSW file.
Follow the prompts. Your iPhone will now be restored to iOS 18 using that IPSW file.

What Happens After Downgrading?

After you successfully downgrade to iOS 18:

Your iPhone will restart and run iOS 18.
You can now restore a backup from iCloud or your Mac (only if the backup was made while using iOS 18).
If your Apple Watch runs watchOS 26, it won’t pair with the downgraded iPhone. You’ll need to send the watch to Apple if you want it downgraded too.

Beta releases such as iOS 26 tend to arrive loaded with new features—and bugs and instability. If you're running into problems such as app crashes, battery drain, or UI issues, it's more than reasonable to downgrade to iOS 18.

No matter whether you're using iTunes, Finder, or an IPSW file, this tutorial provides you with several safe methods to restore your iPhone or iPad to a fluid, stable condition. Just don't forget to backup your information and read each step attentively. And always wait for stable updates unless you're prepared to handle bugs!