Alex Ruben
How To Downgrade iPhone iOS 26 Beta to iOS 18.5 Safely
Running the latest iOS beta on an iPhone can feel exciting, but honestly, it’s not always stable, and sometimes you just want to go back to a more reliable version like iOS 18.5. The thing is, Apple doesn’t make this process super straightforward—especially if you don’t want to lose everything. This guide walks through how to actually downgrade, step by step, without ending up with a bricked phone or losing your data—most of the time. Just a heads up, make sure you’ve got a full backup before diving in, because there’s always a chance something could go sideways. And yes, some patience is required, especially when downloading firmware and waiting for the restore to finish.
How to Downgrade iPhone from iOS 26 Beta to iOS 18.5
Ensure Everything’s Ready Before Starting
Before messing with your device, double-check a couple of things because hitting issues later is frustrating. Make sure you have:
- A solid internet connection, preferably wired if possible—because downloads from ipsw.me are big and won’t be fun on flaky Wi-Fi.
- No VPN active; VPNs can interfere with the restore process, so turn it off in Settings > VPN.
- A recent backup of your iPhone—preferably iCloud or via iTunes/Finder—just in case things go sideways.
Step 1: Disconnect VPN and Turn Off Restrictions
VPNs can sometimes cause connection issues with Apple servers, especially during the restore. So, go to Settings > VPN and toggle it off if it’s on. Also, it’s a good idea to disable any content restrictions to avoid weird errors later:
- Head to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Turn that off — sometimes it interferes with the restore process.
On some setups, these restrictions or VPNs might not seem like a big deal, but trust me, they can be sneaky little gremlins messing up the downgrade.
Step 2: Disable Background App Refresh & Clear Space
It’s not always needed, but sometimes background apps or low storage cause issues. To minimize trouble, turn off Background App Refresh:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Toggle it off.
Also, delete unnecessary files or apps—just make sure your device has enough space for the firmware flash, about 8 GB free minimum.
Step 3: Erase All Content and Settings *
This definitely sounds scary, but it’s usually necessary to restore an older iOS version cleanly. If you want a smooth downgrade, you’ll need to erase the device completely:
- Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Follow prompts, enter your Apple ID password, and confirm.
Make sure you’ve got your backup saved because this will wipe your device. Not sure why it has to be this way, but Apple seems to insist on a clean slate for older firmware installs.
Step 4: Download the iOS 18.5 Firmware (IPSW)
You will need the exact IPSW file for your iPhone model. The trusted source for these is ipsw.me. Be careful to pick the right version for your specific device (e.g., iPhone 14, iPhone X). Download it somewhere easy to find, like your desktop.
Pro tip: if you’re on Windows, make sure you have the latest iTunes installed. Mac users will use Finder starting from macOS Catalina.
Step 5: Connect to Computer & Install via iTunes or Finder
Plug your iPhone into your computer. If you’re on Windows or an older Mac, open iTunes. For newer Macs, open Finder. Here’s the tricky part:
- On Windows, hold Shift and click Restore iPhone.
- On Mac, hold Option and do the same.
This opens a file browser to select the IPSW you downloaded. Pick the iOS 18.5 firmware file.
Once selected, confirm and let the process run. Don’t yank the cable or interrupt it—trust me, Apple’s servers and this process don’t like surprises.
Extra Tips & Troubleshooting
If things get weird—errors during restore, failed verification, or your device not showing up—try these:
- Make sure your iPhone’s battery is at least 50% or plugged into power.
- If an error pops up, restart your computer and your iPhone, then try again.
- Use the latest version of iTunes or macOS updates to avoid compatibility problems.
- Sometimes switching USB ports or trying a different cable helps when the device isn’t recognized.
Because of course, Apple likes to make things more complicated than they need to be.
Wrap-up
Once the process completes, your iPhone should boot into iOS 18.5. Hopefully, it’s stable and runs smoothly again. Remember, downgrading isn’t officially supported long-term—Apple signs older ipsw files only for a limited window—so act fast if you want to go back. Having a recent backup is crucial because, well, Murphy’s law always applies when trying to restore.
Summary
- Turn off VPN and restrictions before starting.
- Erase the device fully—back up first!
- Download the correct IPSW file from ipsw.me.
- Use iTunes or Finder to do the restore with the IPSW file.
- Patience is key — don’t rush the process.
Conclusion
Getting back to a stable iOS version can be a pain, but it’s doable with the right prep and patience. If you run into issues, it’s often down to download problems or connection hiccups, so try rebooting everything and double-checking your firmware. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone—good luck, and fingers crossed this helps.