Apple

Once You Upgrade to iOS 11, You’re Stuck

Published

7 years ago

10/05/2017

If you’re currently running iOS 10 or something older you better be sure about that upgrade to iOS 11 because once you make the move, there’s no going back.

Without warning, Apple’s closed off the downgrade path to its iOS 10.3.3 update. With the iOS 10.3.3 downgrade closed, there’s no longer a way to downgrade from the company’s iOS 11 update to the iOS 10 operating system.

Unfortunately, this change is permanent. The company won’t start signing off on iOS 10.3.3 or any other iOS 10 updates down the road. Apple’s also stopped signing off on iOS 11.0, the original version of iOS 11 it released to iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch owners back in mid-September. That’s the bad news.

The good news is there’s still a way to downgrade from the current version of iOS 11.

Those dealing with iOS 11.0.2 problems have the option to downgrade down to the company’s older iOS 11.0.1 update. Like iOS 11.0.2, iOS 11.0.1 was also a bug fix update.

It’s unclear how long Apple will continue to sign off on the iOS 11.0.1 update so those looking to drop down will need to make a move sooner rather than later.

This change also affects those using the iOS 11.1 beta as it limits the downgrade to just two versions of iOS 11. Those testing the company’s iOS 11.1 beta can downgrade to iOS 11.0.1 or iOS 11.0.2.

With the downgrade now closed, iOS 10 users and owners of older devices now have a difficult choice to make: Stick around on older software or upgrade to iOS 11 and face significant changes to the UI, core apps, and potential problems.

iPhone and iPad users continue to complain about a variety of iOS 11 problems including issues with apps, Bluetooth, and severe battery drain. The company’s first two bug fix updates squashed several notable issues but the company still has quite a bit of work to do as we push toward the release of the iPhone X.

Apple’s iOS 11.1 update is a milestone upgrade. As such, it should come with new features and a fairly substantial list of fixes for iOS 11 problems.

The company hasn’t announced an official iOS 11.1 release date but all signs point to a release in late October alongside one of the iOS 11 feature’s Apple delayed beyond the initial release in September.

Apple employees are currently testing Apple Pay Cash on iOS 11.1 and the company recently confirmed a late October launch date for the service.

Those dealing with iOS 11 problems and those looking to pay friends with Apple Pay via the company’s Messages app should keep an eye on iOS 11.1 as it progresses through Apple’s beta programs.

4 Reasons Not to Install iOS 11.4.1 & 8 Reasons You Should

Install iOS 11.4.1 for Better Security

1 / 12

Apple's iOS 11.4.1 update comes with 15 patches for potential security issues. If you value your security, you should think about installing it today.

iOS 11.4.1 also comes with a USB Restricted Mode that disables the Lightning port on your iPhone or iPad if a device hasn't been unlocked or connected to a computer using a passcode within a certain amount of time.

The new setting is located in Settings > Face ID/Touch ID & Passcode. There you’ll see a new toggle for USB Accessories. It's toggled off by default.

This provides an added layer of protection and prevents the use of cracking tools like GrayKey.

If you skipped iOS 11.4, your iOS 11.4.1 update comes with 30+ patches aimed at improving your device's security. This makes it an essential download for most iPhone and iPad users.

If you missed any of Apple's previous iOS updates, your iOS 11.4.1 update comes with a lot more.

If you skipped iOS 11.3.1, your version of iOS 11.4.1 comes with iOS 11.3.1's four security patches.

If you skipped iOS 11.3, your iOS 11.4.1 update comes with 27 additional patches for potential exploits. Those of you lingering on iOS 11.2.6 would be wise to make the move sooner rather than later.

If you missed iOS 11.3, your iOS 11.4.1 update also includes a new privacy feature. When an Apple feature wants to use your personal information, an icon now appears with a link to access detailed information about how your data will be used and protected.

If you're running iOS 11.2.5 or older, you're currently exposed to an issue that lets people send a specific character that will crash an iOS-powered device and block access to the Messages app. It can also block apps like Facebook Messenger, Gmail, Outlook, and WhatsApp.

The iOS 11.2.6 update's main purpose was to patch up this issue. If you skipped iOS 11.2.6, you'll get these enhancements with iOS 11.4.1.

If you skipped iOS 11.2.5, you'll get 10 additional security patches including one for the malicious chaiOS link exploit.

If you're running iOS 11.2.2 or below and receive a certain GitHub link through your Messages app, your iPhone or iPad can lockup or respring. The Messages app will also become unusable.

If you're on iOS 11.2.1, your iOS 11.4.1 update includes security improvements to Safari and WebKit to mitigate the effects of Spectre.

Apple's iOS 11.2 update fixed several problems, but it also brought problems of its own including a potentially nasty zero-day iOS HomeKit vulnerability.

The vulnerability, discovered by Tian Zhang, allowed for unauthorized control of HomeKit accessories including garage door openers and smart locks.

Apple quickly rolled out a server-side fix, but the company restored full functionality with the release of iOS 11.2.1. If you skipped iOS 11.2.1 and use HomeKit, you should download iOS 11.4.1 right now.

If you skipped iOS 11.2, you'll get a few more patches with your iOS 11.4.1 update. Apple's iOS 11.2 update delivered 11 patches including one for Mail and one for Wi-Fi.

The iOS 11.2 and iOS 11.2.1 updates also patched up a widespread security issue called "Meltdown." Apple says its analysis suggests it "has the most potential to be exploited."

Meltdown affects all iOS 11 powered devices so we highly recommend downloading iOS 11.4.1 if you skipped iOS 11.2.

If you skipped iOS 11.1.2, iOS 11.1.1, and iOS 11.1, you'll get additional patches with your iOS 11.4.1 update.

The iOS 11.1 update delivered eight security patches including a fix for a serious Wi-Fi vulnerability called KRACK or Key Reinstallation Attack. KRACK is an exploit that targets the common WPA2 encryption protocol.

If you're just now making to move from iOS 10 (or whatever you're on) to iOS 11, your iOS 11.4.1 update will come with even more security-related features.

Apple's first iOS 11 update delivered several patches for potential exploits. iOS 11 also comes with new security features aimed at keeping your data safe.

In iOS 11 you can't establish trust with a PC using fingerprints alone. You'll also need to put in a full passcode in order to gain that trust.

If you want to protect the data you store on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you should make your move to the latest version of iOS. This is particularly important for those of you running older versions of iOS.