How do I downgrade from iOS 26?

To remove the iOS beta, follow the steps below:

1. Connect your iPhone to a computer and open iTunes (or Finder on Mac).
2. Put the device into recovery mode (Volume Up → Volume Down → hold Side button)
3. Then choose Restore when prompted. This will erase the beta and install the latest official iOS version.
4. After setup, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and turn it off to avoid reinstalling the beta.

This method only works for downgrading from a beta version, not for downgrading between two official versions.

That’s because beta profiles can be removed and Apple still signs the latest public iOS, allowing you to restore to it.

Reference:

How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

[Edited by Moderator]

Follow the Support Article below. Hopefully you have a backup done beforehand on iOS 18 otherwise you may not be able to restore or face data loss.

How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

You cannot accidentally update your device to iOS 26. iOS 26 has not been released to the public, and it is in beta format. Only registered developers have access to it. You cannot discuss beta software on a public forum. You would also have received information on removing it if you are a developer.

temprance17 wrote:

I'm done with iOS 26 for now

The three usual choices are to reset and restore your backup from iOS 18 (some data loss), or reset and revert to iOS 18 without a backup (more data loss), or continue with the iOS 28 beta until release.

How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

Itz_unknownBo wrote:

How to downgrade ios 26

The three usual choices are to reset and restore your backup from iOS 18 (some data loss), or reset and revert to iOS 18 without a backup (more data loss), or continue with the iOS 28 beta until release.

How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support

Given the timing, staying on the iOS 26 beta is going to be less work, and less likely to lose local data.

Reverting will lose local data, and the longer the beta has been in use, the larger the local data loss.

Apple has an “awe dropping” event on September 9th.

inne113 wrote:

I tried to downgrade But my iMac is too old.. is there any other way to downgrade??

[Edited by Moderator]

Borrow a friends computer OR visit your closest Apple Store Genius Bar. Be advised that if you didn't make an Archive Backup on your computer before you chose to download beta software, which is intended for developers only at this time that when you restore your phone, you are going to lose ALL the data on your phone.

I think you will learn a valuable and painful lesson here......

angy24 wrote:

Sadly I don’t have a computer or anything.i love iOS 26 but I would like to go back to ios18.iOS 26 sometimes lags or crashes

This is a months-old thread, and the earlier postings here are during the iOS 26 beta, which could be reverted to the then-current iOS version, iOS 18.

There is no supported downgrade for the now-released iOS 26, as you are running the current iOS version.

You can report iOS 26 bugs here: Product Feedback - Apple

Aishajxo wrote:

Hey so!….im not a developer yet it’s on my phone and my boyfriend’s phone and I don’t know how to remove it it seems you know more than Apple itself so why don’t you help everyone by giving us better instructions please!

Chris can't tell you how to downgrade because you can't downgrade. Apple has NEVER supported downgrading at all.

Theonenonlygab12 wrote:

Because I don’t like it

That fine, but it does not change the fact you cannot downgrade. Send feedback to let Apple know if you wish. I made dinner tonight and not everyone liked it either, but they ate it. It really is not a poll of who likes what as no one would even be able to agree on the same thing. As for iOS 26.1 that was released today, I can tell you that I like it.

sabin75 wrote:

Remove all of iOS 26

There are 7 pages of answers in this thread. On every the page, the answer is the same. You CANNOT downgrade.

aleigh176 wrote:

I don’t like it

This is not a poll, so that does not matter. The only thing that matters is:

• You can't downgrade.
• The feedback link has been provided many times, if anyone wants to let Apple know.

No. READ the information you were provided when you joined the beta program.

sabin75 wrote:

Remove all of iOS 26

Buy an iPhone XR, you will have iOS 18 with no upgrade option. Problem solved! You can sell your current phone due to the demand for those wanting iOS 26 and be money ahead with the XR purchase. It's a win-win.

Read here -

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256078119?sortBy=oldest_first

I want to downgrade my ios update because too much buffer in latest updates

It is not possible to downgrade.

Please explain "too much buffer".