Apple recently released iOS 26.2 and as it traditionally does, it has now stopped signing iOS 26.1, making downgrading to that version of iOS no longer possible. This means that once you’ve installed iOS 26.2, there is no going back.
iOS 26.2 was released last week. The update brought the following new features:
Apple Music
– Favorite Songs playlist appears in Top Picks on the home tab
– Offline lyrics for downloaded songs so you can view them without an internet connectionPodcasts
– Automatically generated chapters make it easier to navigate episodes
– Links to mentioned podcasts let you see and follow other podcasts mentioned in the episode you’re listening to directly from the player and transcriptGames
– Filters in the Games library let you find games by category, size, and more
– In-game challenge score banners provide real-time updates when someone new has taken the lead
– Improved support for connected controllers such as Backbone and RazerThis update also includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
– Additional Lock Screen time customization option lets you further adjust its appearance, giving the Liquid Glass material more or less opacity
– Enhanced Safety Alerts can inform you about imminent threats such as floods, natural disasters, and other emergencies, with rich information like a map of affected areas and links to additional safety guidance (available in the U.S.)
– Alarms for Reminders help you stay on top of urgent tasks, and provide snooze and Live Activity support if you’re not ready to check the reminder off
– AirDrop codes offer an additional layer of verification when using AirDrop with unknown contacts by providing a code on the receiver’s device that the sender must enter to complete the transfer
– Apple News Section links at the top of the Today feed offer easy navigation to popular topics like Sports, Politics, Business, and Food
– Multipack accessory pairing in the Home app lets you use the same setup code to easily enroll multiple accessories when sold together
– Flash for alerts in Accessibility Settings offers the additional option to have the device screen flash when you receive a notification
– Tables in Freeform can hold text, images, documents, and drawings, with cells that intelligently resize to fit, bringing structure to the infinite canvas
– Fixes an issue where pre-release albums in the Apple Music library were not immediately playable at their release time
– Fixes an issue where a Privacy and Security setting may incorrectly be marked as managed by an enterprise organization.
The iOS 26.2 software can be downloaded on compatible devices over the air by going to “Settings” -> “General” -> “Software Update.”
While falling back to an older iOS version is often used by users who jailbreak their iPhones, it can also be helpful for users who experience significant bugs after upgrading to the latest version of iOS.
By preventing users from downgrading their devices to older versions of iOS, Apple ensures that the devices are kept up to date with the newest security improvements.
