The iOS 26 developer beta is now obtainable, which is your first alternative to check out new iPhone options such because the Liquid Glass interface, the redesigned Photos app, the AutoMix function within the Music app and rather more. If you’ve got a free Apple Developer account, you possibly can obtain the developer beta and get began instantly. (The public beta is predicted in July.)
But that entry comes with a danger. Due to the character of prerelease software program, the iOS 26 beta contains bugs and efficiency snags that may disrupt your on a regular basis use, which is why you should not set up it in your major iPhone.
As one other instance, should you additionally need to take a look at the brand new WatchOS 26 beta, be warned that you simply won’t be able to roll again to WatchOS 11, as my colleague Blake Stimac unexpectedly found final 12 months, until you do not thoughts parting along with your Apple Watch whereas it goes again to Apple for restore.
If you discover the present iOS 26 beta to be too brittle, you possibly can roll again to iOS 18 by following these steps.
Read extra: Everything coming to your iPhone in iOS 26.
Do you’ve got the correct of backup?
Reverting to the earlier system model is not a matter of changing a couple of key recordsdata right here and there — you will must erase the cellphone and set up the present launch model. This is why it is essential to again up your iPhone earlier than putting in the beta (or, actually, updating any model of iOS).
The finest strategy is to create an archive in your pc which you could fall again to. Creating an iCloud backup (Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup) would appear to be the best choice, however there is a catch: if the latest iCloud backup is made underneath the iOS 26 beta, you possibly can solely restore the iPhone to iOS 26. That means once you restore the cellphone to iOS 18, you will should do it from an archive or set it up as a brand new cellphone. Data synced by way of iCloud will ultimately arrive, however you will want to reinstall apps manually.
Instead, create an area backup: Connect the iPhone to your Mac, choose it in a Finder window sidebar, and click on the Back Up Now button. On Windows, open the Apple Devices app, choose the iPhone there, and click on Back Up Now.
What should you did not make a backup earlier than putting in iOS 26 beta?
If your pleasure bought one of the best of you and also you skipped making a backup, you need to nonetheless try to sync your essential knowledge, similar to contacts, images and notes to iCloud. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
Next, within the Saved to iCloud part, faucet See All. Tap the classes for gadgets saved to iCloud, similar to iCloud Mail, iCloud Drive and Contacts, and ensure they’re set to sync.
Make positive your essential knowledge is synced to iCloud earlier than reverting to the earlier model of iOS. (iOS 18 beta proven right here, which is functionally the identical within the iOS 26 beta.)
Make positive your MacOS or Windows software program is updated
First, should you’re restoring from a Mac, be sure to’re operating the most recent model of MacOS:
- Click the Apple emblem within the top-left nook, and select System Settings.
- Select General within the sidebar.
- Click Software Update.
If an replace is listed — and you’ve got a present backup — go forward and set up it.
Under Windows, open the Apple Devices app, which changed iTunes as Apple’s conduit for managing its units.
Turn off Find My
If you’ve got enabled Find My for that system, you will need to flip it off earlier than you revert again to iOS 18. Find My is essential to the Activation Lock safety function that requires the Apple ID and password of the one who arrange the cellphone. When you end reinstalling iOS 18, you possibly can flip it on once more.
To flip off Find My, Go to Settings, faucet your title and faucet Find My. Then faucet Find My iPhone and switch it off. (If the choice is grayed out, chances are you’ll must disable Stolen Device Protection first.)
This display screen signifies the iPhone is in restoration mode.
Put the iPhone into restoration mode
Next, plug your iPhone into your Mac and do the next button dance on the iPhone to enter restoration mode:
1. Press and rapidly launch the quantity up button.
2. Press and rapidly launch the quantity down button.
3. Press and maintain the sleep/wake button, and hold it held, previous the purpose the place you see the Apple emblem and till you see the restoration mode display screen — a black background with a cable indicating a reference to the pc.
Restore the iPhone to return to iOS 18
The pc will ask if you wish to replace or restore the iPhone; do not be alarmed if the dialog makes it sound as if one thing is mistaken with the cellphone. Click Restore. In the affirmation dialog that seems, click on Restore and Update.
Or, should you do not see that dialog, open a brand new Finder window (MacOS) or the Apple Devices app (Windows) and choose the cellphone within the sidebar. Click Restore iPhone and observe the instructions that observe.
The launch model of iOS, presently 18.5, will obtain and be put in on the iPhone.
During the traditional iOS setup course of, you are requested if you would like to switch settings and knowledge from one other system:
1. On the Transfer Your Apps & Data display screen, faucet From Mac or PC.
2. On the pc, choose the iPhone within the sidebar (of a Finder window on Mac or the Apple Devices app on Windows).
3. Select Restore from this backup and select the latest backup from the pop-up menu.
4. Click Continue. If you selected to encrypt the backup, enter the password you made.
The pc then restores the info from the backup.
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