Apple Unsigns iOS 16.0.3 After iOS 16.1 Launch, Stopping Firmware Downgrades

Apple stopped signing iOS 16.0.3 on the Monday following the official public release of iOS and iPadOS 16.1 just over a week ago.

The move by the Cupertino-based tech giant prevents regular iPhone users from upgrading from a newer firmware through the usual means via Finder on macOS or iTunes on Windows.

While the traditional methods described above are now disabled, it’s important to note that non-traditional downgrade methods, such as FutureRestore with SHSH blobs saved, still work. Entire non-traditional update methods like DelayOTA also work. The latter method allows someone using firmware older than iOS 16.0.3 to install it without having to install iOS 16.1.

Apple’s ditching older firmware is nothing new; in fact, it has become something of a company ritual ever since the jailbreak came along. By preventing firmware downgrades, Apple can prevent more people from installing vulnerable firmware, which is a user control game for the company.

In addition, Apple benefits from downgrade blocking by artificially boosting the adoption rate for new firmware, which pleases the company’s shareholders. It also helps ensure that the majority of users are on the latest features and security patches, which protects users from potential hacks out in the wild.

But aside from jailbreaking, some iPhone and iPad users choose to downgrade their firmware for other reasons, be it personal preference or to prevent bugs introduced in newer firmware versions. The latter has happened several times recently, including the following notable cases:

• iOS 16.0 excessively prompts users for clipboard access when pasting copied content into another app
• iOS 14.7 breaks the ability to unlock the Apple Watch using the Touch ID sensor of the host iPhone.
• iOS and iPadOS 13.2 impose incredibly aggressive background control on apps running in the background.

iDB takes a strong stance on the right to install any firmware on your iPhone, but despite Apple’s opposition to the concept, governments tend to lean in favor of the people. With that said, we wouldn’t be surprised if, in the future, a law or court order prevents Apple from blocking users’ attempts to install their preferred firmware version, but that means waiting for the right challenge to Apple’s policy to appear.

If you are interested in knowing which versions of iOS and/or iPadOS are signed for your device(s), you can go to the IPSW.me online utility to find this information. You can also use our downloads page to get any firmware file you may need for your device(s).

Are you upset that Apple is canceling your subscription to yet another old iPhone firmware? Discuss in the comments section below.