Can You Downgrade iOS 12 to iOS 11?

This article examines whether it is possible to revert an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from iOS 12 back to iOS 11. It covers the technical restrictions implemented by Apple, explains the concept of firmware signing windows, discusses potential workarounds like jailbreaking, and offers practical alternatives for users dealing with performance issues on iOS 12.

The short answer is no, you can no longer downgrade an iOS 12 device back to iOS 11. While downgrades were temporarily possible during the initial release window of iOS 12, Apple permanently closed this pathway shortly afterward.

Understanding Apple's Firmware Signing Window

When you install or restore an iOS firmware file (IPSW) via a computer, iTunes or Finder must communicate directly with Apple’s servers to obtain a digital cryptographic signature (known as an SHSH ticket).

When Apple releases a major software update, it temporarily continues to sign the previous version for roughly one to two weeks. This grace period allows users to roll back if they encounter critical bugs. Once that window closes, Apple officially stops signing the older version. Because Apple stopped signing iOS 11 in late 2018, any attempt to install an iOS 11 IPSW file today will result in an immediate error from Apple’s verification servers.

Can Saved Blobs or Jailbreaking Help?

In the jailbreak community, users sometimes save "SHSH2 blobs" while a firmware version is actively signed, which can theoretically allow custom downgrades later using tools like FutureRestore.

However, downgrading to iOS 11 using blobs is generally impossible on modern devices due to Secure Enclave Processor (SEP) incompatibility. The SEP firmware included with currently signed versions of iOS is not compatible with iOS 11, resulting in either a failed restore, a bootloop, or a complete loss of Touch ID and Face ID functionality. Without an actively signed, compatible SEP, the downgrade cannot succeed.

What to Do If You Are Experiencing Issues on iOS 12

If you wanted to return to iOS 11 because of performance drops, bugs, or battery drain on iOS 12, consider these troubleshooting steps instead:

  • Perform a Clean Restore: Back up your essential data to iCloud, place your device in DFU mode, and restore iOS 12 cleanly through a computer. Corrupted data from previous updates is often the cause of poor performance.
  • Check Battery Health: On older hardware, degraded lithium-ion batteries can throttle CPU speeds. Check your battery status under Settings > Battery > Battery Health to see if replacement is necessary.
  • Reduce System Demands: Disable non-essential background processes by turning off Background App Refresh and enabling Reduce Motion under your accessibility settings to speed up device response times.