Apple Stops Signing iOS 16.3 Following iOS 16.3.1 Launch, Downgrading No Longer Possible - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Stops Signing iOS 16.3 Following iOS 16.3.1 Launch, Downgrading No Longer Possible

Following the launch of iOS 16.3.1 on February 13, Apple is no longer signing iOS 16.3, the previously available version of iOS. Now that Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.3, it is no longer possible to downgrade to that version of iOS after installing the iOS 16.3.1 update.

iOS 16
Apple routinely stops signing older versions of iOS after new releases come out in order to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date, so it is not unusual that the iOS 16.3 update is no longer being signed.

iOS 16.3 was a relatively minor update that introduced support for physical security keys for Apple IDs, expanded Advanced Data Protection globally, added support for the second-generation HomePod, and more.

While iOS 16.3.1 remains the current public version of iOS, Apple released the first beta of iOS 16.4 last week with support for new emoji characters, web push notifications, and more.

(Thanks, Aaron!)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

40 months ago

Makes no sense since 16.3.1 is hot garbage
It's fine for millions of users.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
40 months ago

One death is a tragedy, one million deaths is a statistic.

If you're the one person affected by the bug introduced in the newest OS, the newest OS is hot garbage in your eyes.

I don't like how Apple refuses to allow downgrades, especially when their upgrade screws something up.
The issue is most people are horrendously bad at diagnosing complex issues. It's easy to blame 16.3.1 when it could be a whole host of issues. I worked on the Android ROM Development side of things and it was hilarious how people would blame bugs on nightly builds despite no commits in the past 48 hours. And then when there are commits, it's frequently translation updates only and all of a sudden you get battery posts about how the latest build makes a night and day difference.


* An update usually is accompanied by a reboot so all sorts of things can change even with a reboot (see this whole android ROM development scene story above... I suspect 99% of people seeing battery issues would see battery life change with a reboot whether or not they update their OS or not)
* 99% of blaming new builds never tries to revert to an older build to compare the difference. New York Times addresses this as confirmation bias ('https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/07/03/upshot/a-quick-puzzle-to-test-your-problem-solving.html') which is a huge problem in almost all problem solving. Everyone likes to claim how they can "reproduce the bug," which is fine, but if you claim to know what causes the bug the you in theory can also turn off that bug. Most people, even some of the brightest engineers probably at Apple are capable of showing what causes the bug, but since it takes time to run a new experiment to see how you can turn OFF the bug, most people skip that and assume they have a solution (see NYT problem)
* People facing bugs typically blame the wrong thing (update) when you can likely reproduce their issues on another build as well.

I'm not trying to diminish anyone's problems with their devices, but I do feel that "latest version bug bias" is a real placebo effect.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SFjohn Avatar
40 months ago
It was a security patch for an active vulnerability, it’s no wonder Apple has prevented reverting so soon! 👍🏻
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mousse Avatar
40 months ago

It's fine for millions of users.
One death is a tragedy, one million deaths is a statistic.

If you're the one person affected by the bug introduced in the newest OS, the newest OS is hot garbage in your eyes.

I don't like how Apple refuses to allow downgrades, especially when their upgrade screws something up.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
40 months ago

That was quick, not even Apple wants people on 16.3 for a Kentucky minute!
At this point, I’m ready for iOS 17.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
David1964 Avatar
40 months ago

Anyone else seeing massive battery loss on 16.3.1? Running a 14 Pro Max and the battery life has become abysmal pst update.
Mine’s the opposite.My battery is excellent 👌
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)