iOS 14.6 or bust – Apple no longer signs iOS 14.5.1 so we can't downgrade

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Customize Ios 14 App Icons Hero
Customize Ios 14 App Icons Hero (Image credit: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore)

What you need to know

  • Apple is no longer signing iOS 14.5.1.
  • Anyone running iOS 14.6 can't downgrade anymore.

Apple has stopped signing iOS 14.5.1 which, in turn means that nobody can install that release on their iPhone. The same goes for iPadOS 14.5.1 on iPad, too.

The move means that the only version of iOS and iPadOS that is currently available to the public is iOS 14.6, as first noted by 9to5Mac.

Apple today stopped signing iOS 14.5.1, an update that was released in early May with important security fixes. That means users who have updated their devices to iOS 14.6 or iOS 14.7 beta can no longer downgrade to iOS 14.5.1.

This is a particular problem for those who are suffering from iOS 14.6 battery life issues. Normally I might suggest a downgrade to try and fix things but as of now, that's no longer possible.

The cessation of iOS 14.5.1 signing is just the latest, but it's something Apple does regularly – since long before iOS 14 arrived. The company stops signing older releases to try and ensure as many people a possible are running the latest security fixes, not to mention making sure that new features are available to more people. The iOS 14.6 release brought with it support for Apple Card Family, new AirTag features, and more.

Speaking of AirTag, isn't it time you treated yourself? There are some great AirTag accessories to be had right now, all designed to make sure that little tracker stays where you need it to stay – attached to something that needs to be tracked!

Oliver Haslam
Oliver Haslam
Contributor

Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too. Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.