Downgrade iOS 26 to iOS 18 – Easy & Safe Method

Can you go back to ios 18 from 26 beta? Of course yes. But before you uninstall iOS 26 from iPhone/iPad, make sure you're fully prepared. Skipping these steps could result in data loss or issues during the downgrade.

Backup Your Data

Use iCloud or iTunes to back up everything on your device. This keeps your photos, messages, and app data safe.

Turn Off “Find My iPhone”

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone and turn it off. You’ll need your Apple ID password to do this.

Charge Your Device

Make sure your iPhone or iPad is at least 50% charged or keep it plugged in during the downgrade.

Stable Internet

Make sure you're connected to a strong Wi-Fi network, especially if you're downloading firmware files or using a downgrade tool.

Many users want to go back to a more stable version without the headache of losing personal data. That’s where Tenorshare ReiBoot comes in.

ReiBoot by Tenorshare is a professional iOS repair tool trusted by millions. It helps you downgrade iOS 26 to 18 or even go back to ios 18 without iTunes with no data loss. It also fixes common issues like iPhones stuck on the Apple logo, recovery mode, or boot loops. Whether you want to downgrade iOS 26 to iOS 18 or fix a glitchy update, ReiBoot handles it all in just a few clicks.

Key Features of ReiBoot:

How to Downgrade iOS 26 & Go Back to 18 Using ReiBoot:

1. First, download and open ReiBoot on your computer. Use a lightning cable to connect your device to the computer. Launch ReiBoot. On the home screen, click “iOS Upgrade/Downgrade.

2. Choose Downgrade if you want to keep your data intact.

3. ReiBoot will automatically detect your device and show compatible firmware. Select iOS 18 and click Download.

4. Once the firmware is downloaded, click Initiating Downgrade.

5. Wait for the process to complete. Your iPhone/iPad will automatically restart with iOS 18 installed no data lost, no errors.

Watch the video guide to see how to remove iOS 26 beta from iPhone:

You can remove iOS 26 from iPhone/iPad directly from settings. However, this method has limitations it only stops future beta updates but does not immediately install iOS 18. You’ll have to wait for the next official stable update to fully switch back. This method only stops future beta updates. If there is no stable iOS version available yet, you will still need a computer to manually downgrade to iOS 18.

Steps on how to downgrade iOS 26 to 18 without a computer:

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2: Tap General, then select Software Update.

Step 3: Tap Beta Updates and toggle it off to disable beta updates.

Now, your iPhone will stop receiving beta updates, and you will get stable iOS updates when Apple releases them.

The IPSW file can be used with iTunes (or Finder on Mac) to uninstall iOS 26 and return to iOS 18. This process downloads the official iOS 18 firmware and installs it on your device, completely removing the beta profile and restoring your iPhone or iPad to the latest stable version.

However, this method has some important limitations:

How to downgrade from iOS 26 with IPSW and iTunes:

Step 1: Download the Correct IPSW File

Step 2: Put Your iPhone into Recovery Mode

Step 3: Downgrade iOS 26 to 18 Using iTunes

Before you downgrade from iOS 26 to iOS 18, it's essential to back up your iPhone. Downgrading typically requires a full restore, which will erase all existing data on your device. Here are two safe ways to back up your data:

Option 1: Use iCloud to Back Up

1. Connect your iPhone to a stable Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
3. Turn on iCloud Backup if it’s not already enabled.

4. Tap Back Up Now and wait until the process finishes.
5. You can verify the backup by checking the date and time of the last successful backup.

Note: iCloud only offers 5GB free storage. Make sure you have enough space, or upgrade your iCloud plan if needed.

Option 2: Use Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows)

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. On a Mac (macOS Catalina or later), open Finder.
   On a Windows PC or older macOS, open iTunes.
3. Select your iPhone when it appears.
4. Under the Backups section, choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac/PC.

5. (Optional) Check Encrypt local backup if you want to include saved passwords and health data.
6. Click Back Up Now.

Normally, backups made on a newer iOS version (like iOS 26) can't be restored to a device running an older version (like iOS 18). If you try, iTunes or Finder may show an error saying the backup is corrupt or incompatible.

But there’s a workaround: with a little editing, you can "patch" the backup so it can be restored to an older iOS version. This method isn’t guaranteed to work in every case, but many users have had success when downgrading between close versions (like iOS 26 to iOS 18.5 or iOS 17.6.1).

Before You Start:

Step 1: Locate and Copy Your Backup
Navigate to the backup location on your computer:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
• Windows: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

Find the most recent backup folder and make a copy of it in a safe location.

Step 2: Open the Info.plist File
Inside your backup folder, locate a file called Info.plist. Open it with a text editor such as Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (macOS).

Step 3: Modify the Product Version
Search for the following line:

Change the version number to match the iOS version you downgraded to (e.g., 18.5), then save the file.

Step 4: Try Restoring the Backup
Now connect your iPhone, open iTunes or Finder, and try restoring this patched backup. If the versions are close enough, the restore may complete successfully.

Q1. Is downgrading iOS legal?

Yes, downgrading iOS is legal. Apple doesn’t prohibit users from installing an earlier version of iOS on their devices. However, Apple only signs certain iOS versions for a limited time, so downgrading is only possible while Apple is still signing the older firmware.

Q2. Why is it so hard to downgrade iOS?

Because Apple stops signing old iOS versions, making it impossible to install them through normal methods once the signature expires.

Q3. Can I downgrade iOS 26 through OTA?

No, you cannot downgrade iOS 26 through an OTA update. Apple only allows OTA updates to move forward to newer versions—not backward.

To downgrade, you must use a computer with Finder (Mac), iTunes (Windows), or a third-party tool like ReiBoot. You’ll also need the correct IPSW file for the version you’re downgrading to, and the version must still be signed by Apple.

Q4. Will I lose data after downgrading?

Downgrading iOS usually requires a full device restore, which erases all existing data. Unless you have a recent backup, you will lose your data during the downgrade process.
Always prepare a complete backup before attempting to downgrade.

Q5. Can I upgrade back to iOS 26 after downgrading?

Yes, you can upgrade anytime when Apple signs iOS 26.

To downgrade iOS 26 to 18 safely and easily, using a tool like Tenorshare ReiBoot is a smart choice. Compared to manual downgrade, ReiBoot offers a safer, faster way to roll back iOS 26 with zero data loss. The tool makes the downgrade process simple, especially for those who want to avoid complicated manual steps. Always back up your device before you downgrade to keep your data secure.