The beta version of the iOS 26 developer is now available, which is your first opportunity to try new iPhone features such as the liquid glass interface, the photo -designed photo application, the Automix function in the musical application and much more. If you have an Apple developer account, you can download the beta developer and start right away. (The public beta version is expected in July.)
But this access has a risk. Due to the nature of the Prerelease software, the beta iOS 26 version includes bugs and performance hubs that can disturb your daily use, which is why you should not install it on your main iPhone.
As another example, if you also want to test the new Watchos 26 Beta, be informed that you will not be able to return to Watchos 11, because my colleague Blake Stimac unexpectedly discovered last year, unless you don’t mind separating your Apple Watch while it comes back to Apple to repair.
If you find that the current iOS 26 beta is too fragile, you can return to iOS 18 by following these steps.
Learn more: Everything that happens on your iPhone in iOS 26.
Do you have the right type of backup?
Back to the previous system version is not a question to replace some key files here and there – you will have to erase the phone and install the current version version. This is why it is important to save your iPhone Before Installation of the beta version (or, honestly, update of any version of iOS).
The best approach is to create a archive On your computer where you can fall. Creation of an iCloud backup (Settings> (your name)> iCloud> Backup iCloud) seems to be the simplest option, but there is a socket: if the most recent iCloud backup is made under the beta iOS 26 version, you can only restore the iPhone that iOS 26. Synchronized data via iCloud will eventually arrive, but you will have to reinstall the applications manually.
Instead, create a local backup: connect the iPhone to your Mac, select it in a Finder window sidebar and click on the Save now button. On Windows, open the Apple Devices AppSelect the iPhone there and click Save now.
What if you didn’t save before installing iOS 26 beta?
If your excitement has obtained the best of you and you jumped by making a backup, you should always try to synchronize your important data, such as contacts, photos and notes in iCloud. Go to Settings> (your name)> iCloud.
Then in the Recorded on iCloud Section, type See everything. Press the categories of the elements recorded on iCloud, such as iCloud mail, iCloud Drive and contacts, and make sure they are defined on SYNC.
Make sure your important data is synchronized with iCloud before returning to the previous version of iOS. (iOS 18 beta shown here, which is functionally the same in the beta version iOS 26.)
Make sure your macOS or Windows software is up to date
First of all, if you restore from a Mac, be sure to run the latest version of MacOS:
- Click on Apple logo in the upper left corner, and choose System settings.
- Select General in the sidebar.
- Click Software update.
If an update is listed – and you have a current backup – go ahead and install it.
Under windows, open the Apple Devices Appwho replaced iTunes as Apple’s conduit to manage its devices.
Turn off to find my
If you have activated find my device for this device, you will want to turn it off Before you come back to iOS 18. Find that my is the key to Activation locking Security function that requires the Apple ID and password from the person who configured the phone. When you have finished reinstalling iOS 18, you can turn it on again.
To deactivate find my, go to ParametersPress your name and press Find my. Then type Find my iPhone and turn it off. (If the option is grayed out, you may first deactivate the protection of stolen devices.)
This screen indicates that the iPhone is in recovery mode.
Put the iPhone in recovery mode
Then connect your iPhone to your Mac and perform the following dance button on the iPhone to get into recovery mode:
1. Press and quickly release the volume button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button.
3. Press and hold it Sleep / alarm clock The button, and hold it held, pass the point where you see the Apple logo and until you see the recovery mode screen – a black background with a cable indicating a connection with the computer.
Restore the iPhone to return to iOS 18
The computer will ask you if you want to update or restore the iPhone; Do not be alarmed if the dialog box gives the impression that something is wrong with the phone. Click Restore. In the confirmation dialog box that appears, click Restore and update.
Or, if you do not see this dialog box, open a new Finder window (MacOS) or the Apple Devices application (Windows) and select the phone in the sidebar. Click Restore iPhone and follow the following instructions.
The version of iOS version, currently 18.5, will download and be installed on the iPhone.
During the normal iOS configuration process, you are asked if you want to transfer parameters and data from another device:
1 and 1 On the transfer of your applications and data, press From Mac or PC.
2 On the computer, select the iPhone in the sidebar (from a Finder on Mac window or the Apple Devices application on Windows).
3 and 3 Select Restore in this backup and choose the most recent backup from the context menu.
4 Click Continue. If you have chosen to encrypt the backup, enter the password you have made.
The computer then restores the backup data.
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