CNET

Before You Install iOS 26 or Set Up an iPhone 17, Back Up Your Data the Right Way

I'm not seeing reports of iOS 26 installs going sideways, but I still always take these steps before making a major upgrade.

Apple Has Made It Impossible to Downgrade From iOS 26

If you installed iOS 26 on your iPhone, it is now officially impossible to downgrade. Apple has stopped "signing" iOS 18.6.2, which means you cannot install iOS 18 on your iPhone. If you're currently ...
Tech Times

Apple Locks Users Into iOS 26—Here's Why You Can't Revert Anymore

Apple has stopped signing iOS 18.6.2, meaning users who upgrade to iOS 26 can't roll back, leaving iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV owners locked in.
PCMag

Make Sure You Really Want iOS 26. There's No Going Back to iOS 18

As it usually does after a new iOS release, Apple has stopped validating its older mobile OS. So, if you upgraded to iOS 26, you better get comforable with Liquid Glass.

Apple just made it impossible to downgrade from iOS 26 — what you need to know

Apple has reportedly stopped signing iOS 18.6.2, meaning users will no longer be able to downgrade back from iOS 26.

iOS 26 Issues? Apple No Longer Lets You Downgrade To iOS 18

The iOS 26 update is impressive, but there's some bad news if you didn't like it. Apple has stopped signing iOS 18, ...