The latest iPhone® operating system offers important security fixes and cool, updated features. But if you upgrade to the new iOS® then realize you prefer the previous version, you may wonder, can you go back to an older version of iOS?
The answer is yes, but the downgrade process is complicated, with multiple steps, strict parameters, and potential pitfalls. We’ll walk you through them.
At Asurion, we protect the tech you love and show you how to make it work for you. Here’s everything you need to know about downgrading your iPhone’s operating system.
How to turn off iOS features you don’t like
Before you try to downgrade your iOS, here’s a question: is there a particular feature you don’t want? If you recently upgraded to iOS 17.11 and don’t like the NameDrop® feature, for instance, which allows you to share contact information by tapping your iPhone near the top of someone else’s, you can turn it off.
Check out our guide for how to turn off NameDrop in iOS 17.
How to back up your iPhone data
Any time you make a change with your iPhone, we strongly recommend backing up your data so you won ’t lose any important information like settings, photos, and contacts. Check out our guide for how to back up your phone.
What you need to know about downgrading your iOS
If you want to revert to your old iOS, you can’t go back very far. Plus, there are a few risks we’d like to share. Here’s what you need to know:
- You can only currently downgrade your iOS from iOS 17 to iOS 16.6.1, and can only do so until the new iOS is released later this year.
- The third-party website you’d use to download an older iOS isn’t an official Apple® site and also includes questionable ads and links.
- Apple does not recommend downgrading to a previous iOS and won’t provide support for any problems you may encounter.
- While returning your device to a previous state during the downgrade, you risk losing data and will likely run into errors and glitches.
If you still want an earlier version after reading the warnings above, please reach out to an Asurion Expert for help.
Tried these steps and still need help? We got you. Get your tech problem solved when you call or chat with an expert now.
