Downgrade iOS 27 or restore iPadOS 27 to previous version

You can download the iOS 27 beta and test version of iPadOS 27 to take advantage of new features and capabilities sooner. However, there are some iPhone and iPad users who would like to return to the previous version of iOS or iPadOS.

The current (test) version is fairly stable, but may still have a negative impact on the performance of your device. Consider shortened battery life, frequent app crashes or a slower system. In that case, you always have the option to downgrade iOS 27. Please note that you will lose all data you collected on the new software.

Downgrade iPadOS 27 or iOS 27

Rolling back the iOS version must be done through an update or restore process. Depending on your macOS version, you will need to do this in iTunes or Finder. Of course, a Windows user can also downgrade via iTunes.

Downgrading is only possible up to ±14 days after the release of a new iOS version, at which time you can only go back to the previous version. If a beta version is installed on your iDevice, you can always go back to the latest official iOS version

Steps via Finder

1. Download the latest ipsw version here
2. Connect your iDevice to your Mac or PC and unlock it
3. Open Finder (Mac) or Apple Devices app for Windows
4. Search for your iDevice in the sidebar under ‘Locations’
5. Click on this and the overview will immediately open
6. Keep the option⌥key pressed (Windows:shift⇧)
7. Click on ‘Check for update’
8. Select the downloaded .ipsw file and confirm by clicking ‘open’
9. Start the installation by selecting ‘Update’

Steps via iTunes

1. Download the latest ipsw version here
2. Connect your iDevice to your Mac or PC and open iTunes
3. Navigate to your iDevice and open the overview
4. Keep the option⌥key pressed (Windows:shift⇧)
5. Click on ‘Check for update’
6. Select the downloaded .ipsw file and confirm by clicking ‘open’
7. Start the installation by selecting ‘Update’

Downgrade is started

After performing any of the above steps, your device will be immediately downgraded to iOS 18 without performing a restore process. If this does not work, you will have to go through the above steps again, but instead of ‘Check for update’, click on ‘Restore iPhone/iPad’. Your device will then complete be erased and reinstalled with the ‘old’ software.

Downgrade iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 in recovery mode

If the above steps do not work, you must use recovery mode, which is a special procedure to ensure that Finder, Apple Devices app or iTunes sees your iDevice and restores it. You can read here how to activate recovery mode.

If this is activated, Finder, Apple Devices or iTunes will then detect your iPhone or iPad in ‘recovery mode’ and you can follow the above Finder, Apple Devices or iTunes steps for recovery. Click ‘Recover’ while you are doing the option⌥key is pressed (Windows:shift⇧). Select the just downloaded .ipsw file, click ‘Open’ and confirm by clicking ‘Recover’

Restore iOS backup on restore

Your iDevice will be restored and the latest available version of iOS or iPadOS will be reinstalled, after which it is possible to restore a backup. NByou can only restore an iOS 26 backup and not a backup of iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 (reason). If you don’t have a recent old iOS backup, you can set your iDevice as new or select an old backup that Apple has saved for you (more info).

Downgrading is only possible up to ±14 days after the release of a new iOS version, at which time you can only go back to the previous version. If a beta version is installed on your iDevice, you can always go back to the latest official iOS version