Apple is no longer signing iOS 15.5 for the iPhone
You won't be able to downgrade after upgrading to iOS 15.6.
Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.5, meaning that it is now blocking downgrades to that version of iOS on the iPhone. This means that anyone who wants to install a version of iOS must now install iOS 15.6.
Apple is known to stop signing older versions of iOS as it releases newer versions in order to make sure that users are running the latest version of Apple's software for the iPhone. Newer versions of each software not only include new features and bug fixes but performance improvements and security updates as well.
Now, anyone who attempts to restore an iPhone will have only iOS 15.6 as Apple is now blocking downgrades to iOS 15.5. Those who are on the developer and public beta train can, of course, still install the latest iOS betas.
You can't downgrade anymore
While some do enjoy the option of downgrading to an earlier version of iOS as a backstop to issues with a newer version of the software, that opening is usually short. If you are running iOS 15.6 and experiencing issues, you'll need to wait until Apple releases a newer update.
iOS 15.6 is the latest public version of iOS 15. The latest version fixed a number of issues and also added a new feature to the TV app that allows users to pause, rewind, and fast-forward a live sports game:
- TV app adds the option to restart a live sports game already in progress and pause, rewind, or fast-forward
- Fixes an issue where Settings may continue to display that device storage is full even if it is available
- Fixes an issue that may cause braille devices to slow down or stop responding when navigating text in Mail
- Fixes an issue in Safari where a tab may revert to a previous page
iOS 15.6 is available for users to download now if they are running the public version of iOS. Developers and public beta testers, of course, have access to iOS 16.
Master your iPhone in minutes
iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!
Joe Wituschek is a Contributor at iMore. With over ten years in the technology industry, one of them being at Apple, Joe now covers the company for the website. In addition to covering breaking news, Joe also writes editorials and reviews for a range of products. He fell in love with Apple products when he got an iPod nano for Christmas almost twenty years ago. Despite being considered a "heavy" user, he has always preferred the consumer-focused products like the MacBook Air, iPad mini, and iPhone 13 mini. He will fight to the death to keep a mini iPhone in the lineup. In his free time, Joe enjoys video games, movies, photography, running, and basically everything outdoors.