March 13, 2024 – In a recent announcement, Apple has revealed that it has ceased signing the iOS 17.3.1 update, effectively preventing users who have already upgraded from downgrading their devices.
The tech giant released the iOS 17.3.1 update on February 9th, focusing primarily on addressing an issue where text could unexpectedly duplicate or overlap while typing on iPhones, according to the official changelog. However, the update did not introduce any significant changes or new features.
Since then, Apple has moved forward with the release of iOS 17.4 on March 5th, which is now the only iOS version being signed by the company. This latest update introduces new Emojis and makes adjustments to the App Store and Safari, specifically tailored for the European market.
Apple’s decision to stop signing older iOS versions is a common practice aimed at encouraging customers to keep their operating systems up to date. By preventing downgrades to older, less secure versions of the iPhone operating system, the company ensures that users are protected from potential security vulnerabilities.
