Apple is no longer signing iOS 15.3, which means that downgrades from the newer iOS 15.3.1 firmware are no longer possible

Apple published Apple is no longer signing iOS 15.3 & iPadOS 15.3 last week, which includes bug fixes and security enhancements for iPhones and iPads. As a result, we expected Apple would end the signing window for the older iOS & iPadOS 15.3 firmware soon.

Apple is no longer signing iOS 15.3, which means that downgrades from the newer iOS 15.3.1 firmware are no longer possible

Apple is no longer signing iOS 15.3

That’s exactly what happened on Thursday afternoon, thanks to a decision by the Cupertino-based tech giant that prevents iPhone and iPad customers from downgrading their firmware intentionally.

Firmware downgrades are more common among jailbreakers and would-be jailbreakers than among regular iPhone and iPad owners, but they are not unheard of.

While jailbreakers and would-be jailbreakers rely on firmware downgrades to run pwnable firmware — that is, Apple is no longer signing iOS 15.3 that can be abused for jailbreaking — we advise them to stay on the lowest available firmware and avoid software upgrades.

Ordinary iPhone users, on the other hand, rely on firmware downgrades for a completely different reason: new updates might occasionally damage expected functionality, leaving users with no choice but to revert to a previous working firmware until Apple offers an official patch. The ability to unlock linked Apple Watches using an iPhone’s Touch ID verification was broken in iOS 14.7, and iOS & iPadOS 13.2 imposed overly-aggressive program backgrounding control.

Apple stands to gain a lot by releasing older versions of Apple is no longer signing iOS 15.3 without restrictions — not only will it ensure that users have access to the most up-to-date features and security patches, but it will also allow the company to please shareholders by bragging about new firmware adoption, however, coerced.

You can use the ipsw.me website to see what version(s) of iOS or iPadOS are being signed for your device(s), and you can also download any firmware files you might need from our dedicated Downloads page.

Are you disappointed that Apple is no longer signing iOS 15.3? Let us know what you think in the comments area below.