Apple Blocks iOS 15.6 Downgrades! Are iPhone Users Stuck with Version 15.6.1?

Apple iOS 15.6 downgrades have been blocked, shortly after the iPhone maker rolled out its new 15.6.1 update.

The Cupertino-based tech giant now prevents iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users from rolling back their software versions for the older 15.6 if they already have the latest 15.6.1 update installed.

Apple Blocks iOS 15.6 Downgrades! Are iPhone Users Stuck with Version 15.6.1?
Women use their smartphones in front of an Apple store in Tokyo's Omotesando district on June 4, 2019. by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images

(Photo : CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
Women use their smartphones in front of an Apple store in Tokyo's Omotesando district on June 4, 2019.

Apple Block iOS 15.6 Downgrades

The latest news story by 9to5 Mac reports that the iPhone maker no longer signs the previous iOS 15.6 update.

It essentially blocks downgrades for various Apple mobile devices, including iPhones, iPads, and the discontinued iPod touch.

The latest move by Apple comes several days after the new iOS 15.6.1 started rolling out to iPhone and iPad users last August 17.

That said, if ever you are experiencing some issues or bugs with the latest update of iOS, you will have to wait for the next release for it to be fixed.

9to5 Mac notes in the same report that some iPhone users are forced to downgrade the software in their devices whenever they encounter bugs that were not available before they installed the latest update.

But now that Apple has stopped signing the older version 15.6 of iOS, the best they could do this time is to wait for the next update to start rolling out, which should include several bug fixes.

Apple Blocks iOS 15.6 Downgrades! Are iPhone Users Stuck with Version 15.6.1?
An attendee looks at a new iPhone X during an Apple special event at the Steve Jobs Theatre on the Apple Park campus on September 12, 2017 in Cupertino, California. by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
An attendee looks at a new iPhone X during an Apple special event at the Steve Jobs Theatre on the Apple Park campus on September 12, 2017 in Cupertino, California.

On top of that, the inability to downgrade also affects users who jailbreak their Apple mobile devices as the current version has yet to support such a thing.

It has been the case as the renowned tech giant has improved its system protections, preventing jailbreak software from working in the latest iOS versions. In fact, the most recent version that could support it is iOS 15.1.1.

What's New with iOS 15.6.1

According to a report by Forbes, iPhone users got their hands on iOS 15.6.1 roughly a week ago, which brings a couple of bug fixes and refinements in the overall performance of the mobile operating software.

But the most noteworthy change in the latest update is the fixes for two zero-day vulnerabilities, which Apple admits to having been exploited by hackers.

iPhone
People purchase the new iPhone XS and XS Max at the Apple store in Midtown Manhattan on September 21, 2018 in New York City. by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

It means that the two security exploits exposed its users to cyberattacks, but the new update fixes just that.

Why is Apple Blocking iOS Downgrades

And given that, Apple was swift to stop signing the older version of the iPhone and iPad software as it is home to critical security flaws.

So it means that as the giant phone maker blocks downgrades, it also prevents users from being susceptible to hacking once again.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

ⓒ 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Join the Discussion
Real Time Analytics