Tech Desk 
Aug 29, 2025
An undated image of Apple iOS 18 features. — Apple/Canva
Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6.1, leaving iPhone users with only one choice, the iOS 18.6.2 update, which rolled out just over a week ago.
This means anyone who has already installed iOS 18.6.2 can no longer downgrade to the previous version, even if they are facing performance issues.
What to expect from Apple iOS 18.6.2?
The new iPhone system update iOS 18.6.2 stands as one of Apple's smaller releases relative to previous updates. The main focus of this release was to patch a major security flaw in the ImageIO system framework.
ImageIO is a system framework that is used to process and display images across all applications. If a weakness were to exist in this technology, the possibilities for potential security concerns would be quite high. With this security hole addressed, Apple is not only helping secure users' data but their devices as well.
On another note, users who preferred earlier versions like iOS 18.6.1 had some frustrations when Apple blocked a downgrade. Users may prefer iOS 18.6.1 due to its performance or stability, and now they won't know who preferred it or to what extent.
With the only option to install iOS 18.6.2 when upgrading from an older version, or if you were already on iOS 18.6.1, some users may feel some frustration moving forward.
However, for most people, this is not a big deal, as the update did not make big changes, except to secure the critical ImageIO bug.
Apple's next system launch is iOS 26, which we can anticipate to have a redesigned look with Liquid Glass and new applications that will certainly excite users.
Until then, iPhone users will now be left with only the option of iOS 18.6.2 for support and implementation.
