This article teaches you how to downgrade from iOS 15 to iOS 14 through two methods: delete the beta profile information and why you might want to downgrade. 

What to Know

  • If you have a backup, connect your iPhone to your computer and enter Recovery Mode to restore it to iOS 14.Without a backup, tap Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone to reset your iPhone to factory settings and lose all files.Remove the beta profile by tapping Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > iOS Beta Software Profile > Remove Profile.

How Do I Downgrade From iOS 15 to iOS 14?

When downgrading from iOS 15 to iOS 14, you have two options on how to do so. It depends on if you created a backup on your Mac beforehand. Here’s how to restore the earlier backup, providing you made one.

  • Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC with a Lightning or USB-C cable.
  • Make sure the backup is available on your computer.
  • Enter Recovery Mode on your iPhone.
  • When the restore option appears on your Mac or PC via Finder or iTunes, click Restore.
  • Click Install when the prompt appears to restore your iPhone to the earlier version of iOS.

How Do I Revert to an Older Version of iOS?

If you didn’t create an archived backup or don’t mind losing all your existing data, it’s possible to erase your iPhone and start over again. Here’s how to do so.

This method requires you to have made a backup on your computer before you updated to iOS 15. Also note that downgrading from a public version of iOS to a previous version is not supported by Apple and downgrading to an unsupported versions of iOS such as iOS 14 is considered a major security risk.

Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC with a Lightning or USB-C cable.

Make sure the backup is available on your computer.

Enter Recovery Mode on your iPhone.

When the restore option appears on your Mac or PC via Finder or iTunes, click Restore.

Click Install when the prompt appears to restore your iPhone to the earlier version of iOS.

  • Tap Settings.
  • Tap General.
  • Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  • Tap Erase all Content and Settings.
  • Tap Continue.
  • Enter your passcode.
  • Tap Erase.
  • Wait for your iPhone to be completely deleted and restored to factory settings.

How Do I Take iOS 15 Off My Phone?

If you want to remove the iOS 15 beta profile information from your phone, that requires a slightly different process. It won’t restore your phone to iOS 14, but it means that when the next public version of iOS is available, you’ll revert to the non-beta version of the software. Here’s what to do. 

This method wipes everything off your iPhone and means you lose anything that isn’t backed up on iCloud or elsewhere. 

Tap Settings.

Tap General.

Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Tap Erase all Content and Settings.

Tap Continue.

Enter your passcode.

Tap Erase.

Wait for your iPhone to be completely deleted and restored to factory settings. 

  • Tap Settings.
  • Tap General.
  • Tap VPN & Device Management.
  • Tap iOS Beta Software Profile.
  • Tap Remove Profile.
  • Restart your device for the changes to take effect.

Why Would I Want to Downgrade From iOS 15?

iOS 15 might be the future of iOS, but in a beta state, it can be unreliable. By downgrading to iOS 14, you get the most stable iOS experience and the latest security updates, but you miss out on some critical new iOS 15 features. It’s up to you which tradeoff you wish to make.

Tap VPN & Device Management.

Tap iOS Beta Software Profile.

Tap Remove Profile.

Restart your device for the changes to take effect.

  • How do I back up my iPhone or iPad?
  • Use iCloud to back up iOS app data, photos, and settings preferences to the cloud. You can also back up your iPhone on your MacBook or an external hard drive.
  • Why would I downgrade iOS 15?
  • Downgrading the operating system can fix common problems with iOS 15. If you have an older iPhone that is running slowly, going back to an earlier version of iOS may help speed things up.
  • Which devices are compatible with iOS 15?
  • Any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that supports iOS 14 supports iOS 15. Other devices that support iOS 15 include the iPhone 12, iPhone X, iPhone 6s, and iPad Pro.

Use iCloud to back up iOS app data, photos, and settings preferences to the cloud. You can also back up your iPhone on your MacBook or an external hard drive.

Downgrading the operating system can fix common problems with iOS 15. If you have an older iPhone that is running slowly, going back to an earlier version of iOS may help speed things up.

Any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that supports iOS 14 supports iOS 15. Other devices that support iOS 15 include the iPhone 12, iPhone X, iPhone 6s, and iPad Pro.

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