OTA update to iOS 17.7 instead of iOS 18 possible?

[chris4565]

Hey guys,

Basically the title. Since iOS 18.0 will probably be more buggy and unstable than I want on my daily driver, I plan to wait a bit until I update. However, I still want to install any important security fixes. So I'd like to update to iOS 17.7 on Monday (via OTA). Could someone please tell me if this is possible?

In addition, will this also be possible on macOS, tvOS, and the HomePod with the new updates? Thanks everyone!

 

[Adora]

I don't think so.

But updating from am Mac with the Firmware file should work until it is sill signed for devices that support iOS 18.

Or just install the GM of 17.7 now OTA by changing to beta updates, it could be the same version in the end. Could be it's only in the Developer Betas and you have to register a free account there first if you can't choose this option.

Edit: I overlooked the second paragraph somehow. So this answer was only for iOS.

 

[NoBoMac]

It's possible.

About software updates for Apple devices

Before you begin to manage software updates and upgrades, understand how Apple handles the process.

support.apple.com

But as mentioned above, since appears you have a Mac, can update via ipsw file. ipsw.me has direct links to the firmware on Apple's servers.

ADD: see "How To Install Beta" for steps to install ipsw files (step #3)

 

[jazzzyJeff]

You’d be seeing an option for 17.7 at the bottom of the screen on the update page.

Another option would be to change it to dev beta and OTA now. It’s quite stable on my 13P and battery life seems good as well. I’m 99.9% sure it’d be the same build for the public release.

 

[Reverend Benny]

yes it will be possible, has been possible in the past to choose between the “big” update to a new OS version or smaller such as the 17.7 OTA
Mac has always offered to patch older versions, not sure about Apple tv or HomePod tho

 

[Adora]

yes it will be possible, has been possible in the past to choose between the “big” update to a new OS version or smaller such as the 17.7 OTA
Mac has always offered to patch older versions, not sure about Apple tv or HomePod tho

Is this really possible for iOS now?

Of course it's always possible for macOS. I missed the second paragraph of the original post somehow.

 

[Reverend Benny]

Is this really possible for iOS now?

Of course it's always possible for macOS. I missed the second paragraph of the original post somehow.

It was possible when moving from 16>17 and as far as I remember earlier versions too.
You can choose to patch the existing OS or upgrade to a "new" OS.

Last year we had patches released for iOS 16 alongside iOS 17, the last patch that was possible to install for devices entitled to update was 16.7.2 released end of October. After that they dropped support for some phones on older OS.

My guess is that they will continue this even of all phones that support iOS 17 can be updated to iOS 18.

Edit: If they follow last years pattern they dropped the old OS support for devices that can be updated when 17.1 was released. Maybe they will to the same this year.

 

[chris4565]

Thanks guys for all of your answers! <3

 

[zorinlynx]

I just updated to the 17.7 GM by switching to the public beta stream and back, and will probably stay on 17 for a bit until 18 becomes more polished.

(This is the first iOS upgrade I do this for in many years.)

But yeah, for non-beta streams Apple usually pushes a few more updates for the previous version after the new one comes out. They finally understood a couple years ago that some people would rather not upgrade to the new major release right away.

 

[Adora]

It was possible when moving from 16>17 and as far as I remember earlier versions too.
You can choose to patch the existing OS or upgrade to a "new" OS.

Last year we had patches released for iOS 16 alongside iOS 17, the last patch that was possible to install for devices entitled to update was 16.7.2 released end of October. After that they dropped support for some phones on older OS.

My guess is that they will continue this even of all phones that support iOS 17 can be updated to iOS 18.

Edit: If they follow last years pattern they dropped the old OS support for devices that can be updated when 17.1 was released. Maybe they will to the same this year.

Thanks, for the info.

I was out for some years with updates and now directly back in the beta game.

I always hated this signing stop for any version generally. Shortly after I had my first iPhone (5), iOS 7 came and I just didn't like it and wanted to go back, but there was no chance.

You should always be able going back to the version the device was released with, like on Mac. No average user would be able to do this anyway.

But maybe it saved me a lot of time... On Mac I went so many times back from 10.10 and 10.11 to anything between 10.10 and 10.7, that I permanently did clean installs because I couldn't decide what is the best. I think my first Mac came with 10.8.x, but originally 10.7.x when it was released and it was easy to get by Internet Recovery.

 

[Reverend Benny]

Thanks, for the info.

I was out for some years with updates and now directly back in the beta game.

I always hated this signing stop for any version generally. Shortly after I had my first iPhone (5), iOS 7 came and I just didn't like it and wanted to go back, but there was no chance.

You should always be able going back to the version the device was released with, like on Mac. No average user would be able to do this anyway.

But maybe it saved me a lot of time... On Mac I went so many times back from 10.10 and 10.11 to anything between 10.10 and 10.7, that I permanently did clean installs because I couldn't decide what is the best. I think my first Mac came with 10.8.x, but originally 10.7.x when it was released and it was easy to get by Internet Recovery.

I can see why many do want to be able to roll back and user older versions, but I think its important to try and look at it from many perspectives and also try and understand why Apple do this.

* Support -to continue to support versions that then know have security issues and bugs just doesn't make sense, especially if they know that the later version is an improved version of the OS.
* Security - to have users install older versions that has security flaws doesn't make sense either.
* Cloud services - bugs and security flaws aren't only related to devices can also cause issues with their cloud services.
* Compability - App manufacturer generally focus on making their apps work on the latest OS or latest patch of the OS. And sometimes app-makers rely on fixes that are being rolled out in updates.

I do get that some want to use older versions on Mac and PC's, and there might be the odd case that you want to do it on your phone (death rally died when 32bit support ended). But in general there's no need to go back when it comes to mobile OS.
When it comes to battery most test shows there's very little difference. And generally if there are any major bugs you can roll back to one version earlier or Apple will patch it quickly with a new release.

Not saying I'm always a fan of the whole evergreen concept with updates all the time and new features (aside from security updates) but its needed today. And the average user generally has no point of using older versions on a mobile device like an iPhone.

Edit: While writing this it made me think of other "online" devices and if they allow for rollback of software and signing. EV's is a good example where I never really hear of people wanting to move back to old software.

 

[The_Auryn]

 

[bradl]

Unfortunately, no full IPSW for iOS 17.7 has been released yet, so for right now it is OTA only.

Anyone know if the full IPSW will be released? I prefer that because I've had OTAs go south on me, and brick my iPhones.

BL.

 

[Adora]

Unfortunately, no full IPSW for iOS 17.7 has been released yet, so for right now it is OTA only.

Anyone know if the full IPSW will be released? I prefer that because I've had OTAs go south on me, and brick my iPhones.

BL.

I fear it won't come for devices that support iOS 18 like it's the case for iPadOS. But strange that it is not even there for those until now. What devices are there even stopping at iOS 17? 8, 8 Plus and X already stopped at iOS 16 and...
I think I found the explanation. There isn't an iPhone that stopped its support at iOS 17.

 

[ndouglas]

View attachment 2419173

huh, can I ask what iphone this is? mine shows this but only the top half, nothing offered under it for iOS 18. weird that it gives both options too! cool, i guess. not used to that from Apple. 😏

EDIT: at least now after completing iOS 17.7 install, now I got the iOS 18 option. “3 hours remaining…” sheesh!

 

[Nermal]

Same here: 18 only showed up after installing 17.7. I'm on the latest SE.

 

[Reverend Benny]

iOS 18 is listed a bit below the iOS 17.7 update (continue to scroll).
Edit: There's two places you can scroll on the page, one is where the info on 17.7 is located and one below. See attached pics. This if from a iPhone 14 device running 17.6.1.

 

[The_Auryn]

huh, can I ask what iphone this is? mine shows this but only the top half, nothing offered under it for iOS 18. weird that it gives both options too! cool, i guess. not used to that from Apple. 😏

EDIT: at least now after completing iOS 17.7 install, now I got the iOS 18 option. “3 hours remaining…” sheesh!

It's an 12 Pro Max.

 

[bradl]

I fear it won't come for devices that support iOS 18 like it's the case for iPadOS. But strange that it is not even there for those until now. What devices are there even stopping at iOS 17? 8, 8 Plus and X already stopped at iOS 16 and...
I think I found the explanation. There isn't an iPhone that stopped its support at iOS 17.


View attachment 2419355

Thanks.. Ugh. 😬

If there were some security fix in 17.7, I was hoping to go to that with a full IPSW instead of updating OTA while waiting for iOS 18 to stabilize. This may have just pushed me to iOS 18 anyway; apparently WatchOS 11 requires iOS 18 to be installed prior.

BL.

 

[platinumaqua]

Thanks.. Ugh. 😬

If there were some security fix in 17.7, I was hoping to go to that with a full IPSW instead of updating OTA while waiting for iOS 18 to stabilize. This may have just pushed me to iOS 18 anyway; apparently WatchOS 11 requires iOS 18 to be installed prior.

BL.

The Apple Wiki has the iOS 17.7 RC IPSWs listed on their site. RC and the release builds are the same so no difference with using them instead of OTA. The links go to the Apple server so it's safe.

 

[bgillander]

Same here: 18 only showed up after installing 17.7. I'm on the latest SE.

I got the opposite. My phone prompted me to upgrade to 17.7 tonight, but when I clicked ok it started installing 18, with no cancel button. Since I have been burned installing versions too early, I had no intention of installing 18 at this point and I am not impressed by that process.

 

[Adora]

For those who are interested: it is still possible to download a 17.6.1 IPSW and update to 17.7 OTA. But they might stop signing it any day now.

 

[winxmac]

Just go to theapplewiki.com, select Beta Firmware then look for your iPhone model under iOS 17... Download iOS 17.7 RC IPSW since it is the same build as the public release...

No iOS 16.7 IPSW was released for iPhone 14 Pro Max so I had to update to iOS 16.6.1 then updated again to iOS 16.7 OTA... There was no iOS 16.7 RC IPSW either...

Since iOS 17.7 and iOS 18.0 were released the same day, iOS 17.7 may no longer be signed once iOS 18.0.1 is released...

 

[platinumaqua]

Just go to theapplewiki.com, select Beta Firmware then look for your iPhone model under iOS 17... Download iOS 17.7 RC IPSW since it is the same build as the public release...

No iOS 16.7 IPSW was released for iPhone 14 Pro Max so I had to update to iOS 16.6.1 then updated again to iOS 16.7 OTA... There was no iOS 16.7 RC IPSW either...

Since iOS 17.7 and iOS 18.0 were released the same day, iOS 17.7 may no longer be signed once iOS 18.0.1 is released...

noting that the official links on the Apple Developer site for 17.7 (release) for the two devices listed is exactly the same as the same links listed on theapplewiki