How to Uninstall iOS 26 Beta from Your iPhone?

Posted by Brian Davis on Jul 24, 2025 • Category: Fix iPhone Issues
5 mins read

Testing out iOS 26 Beta can be exciting, offering a glimpse at new features before the official release. However, beta software often comes with bugs, performance issues, or app compatibility problems that may affect daily use. If you're ready to return to a more stable version of iOS, this guide will walk you through the steps to remove iOS 26 Beta from your iPhone safely and effectively.

Before you begin, make sure to back up your device — downgrading from beta software will erase your data if not restored properly.

how to remove ios 26 beta from iphone

Part 1: Essential Preparations Before Removing iOS 26 Beta

Removing an iOS beta like iOS 26 typically involves restoring your iPhone to a previous stable iOS version, which means erasing your device. Here's a comprehensive guide on what you need to prepare:

1. Create a Reliable Backup (Crucial!)

This is the most critical step. Backups made on a beta version of iOS are generally not compatible with older, stable iOS versions. Therefore, you must use a backup created before you installed the iOS 26 beta. If you don't have such a backup, you will lose data that isn't synced to iCloud or other services.

  • Backup to a Computer (Recommended): This is generally the safest method. Connect your iPhone to your Mac (using Finder) or Windows PC (using iTunes or the Apple Devices app) and create a local backup. This type of backup is less likely to be overwritten by beta backups.
  • backup iphone with itunes

  • iCloud Backup (with caution): While iCloud backups are convenient, if your iPhone created an iCloud backup while running the iOS 26 beta, it will overwrite any previous stable iOS backups. Check your iCloud backup history (Settings > Your Name > iCloud > iCloud Backup) to see the date of your last successful backup before the beta installation. If a beta backup has overwritten your old backup, and you don't have a local computer backup, you may face data loss.
  • backup iphone with icloud

2. Disable "Find My iPhone"

Before putting your iPhone into recovery mode and restoring it, it's a good practice to temporarily disable "Find My iPhone." You can do this by going to Settings > Your Apple Account > Find My > Find My iPhone and turning it off. You'll need to enter your Apple Account password.

turn off find my iphone

Part 2: How to Remove a iOS 26 Beta Profile from iPhone?

Method 1: Using the Settings app to remove iOS 26 Beta profile

If you've installed the iOS 26 Beta through Apple's Beta Software Program or Developer Program and want to stop receiving beta updates, you can easily remove the beta profile from your iPhone. Here's how:

For devices running iOS 16.4 and earlier:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap General.
Step 3: Tap VPN & Device Management (or Profiles & Device Management on some versions).
Step 4: Under the Configuration Profile section, tap iOS 26 Beta Software Profile.
Step 5: Tap Remove Profile.
Step 6: Enter your passcode if prompted, then confirm by tapping Remove again.
Step 7: Restart your iPhone to complete the process.

delete ios beta profile

For iOS 16.4 and higher:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Tap General.
Step 3: Select Software Update.
Step 4: Tap Beta Updates.
Step 5: Choose Off to stop receiving beta updates.

turn off ios 26 beta updates

Once the profile is removed, your iPhone will no longer receive iOS 26 Beta updates. When the next public iOS version is released, you'll be able to update normally.

Method 2: Using TunesKit iOS System Recovery to downgrade iOS

Want to roll back from the iOS 26 beta and get your iPhone back to a stable version? While Apple provides official methods, third-party tools like TunesKit iOS System Recovery offer a streamlined approach to downgrading your iOS in one-click. In addition, it can fix 150+ iOS issues without data loss, for instance, iPhone stuck in boot loop, Apple logo, and black screen, etc. No matter how complex the iOS error you encounter, this software can help you solve it.

Key Features of TunesKit iOS System Recovery

Easily downgrade iOS 26 Beta to iOS 18 with no technical skills required — perfect for beginners.

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Steps to downgrade iOS 26 Beta to iOS 18 using TunesKit iOS System Recovery.

Step 1Connect Your iPhone and Select Downgrade Option

1.1 First, download and install the TunesKit iOS System Recovery software on your Windows PC or Mac. Launch the program after installation.

1.2 Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. Once TunesKit detects your device, you should see various options on the main screen. Select the "Upgrade/Downgrade iOS" feature. From there, choose "iOS Downgrade" to proceed.

upgrade or downgrade ios

Step 2Download the Firmware Package

TunesKit will automatically identify your device's information. It will then present a list of available firmware packages. Choose the appropriate stable iOS version you wish to downgrade to (e.g., iOS 18.5). Click the "Download" button. TunesKit will download the necessary IPSW file.

downgrade ios 26 beta to 18

Step 3Initiate the Downgrade Process

Once the firmware has been downloaded and verified successfully, you can click the "Start Downgrade" button. TunesKit will begin to uninstall iOS 26 beta and install the chosen stable iOS version on your device.

start downgrading ios

Step 4Wait for Completion & Set Up Your iPhone

After the downgrade, your iPhone will be in a factory reset state. You can then set it up as a new iPhone or restore it from your compatible backup (the one made before the iOS 26 beta installation).

ios downgraded

Method 3: Get Rid of iOS 26 Beta via iTunes/Finder

Using iTunes (on Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) is Apple's official method for removing beta iOS software and restoring your device. This process typically involves putting your iPhone into recovery mode and then performing a restore, which will erase your device and install the latest publicly available stable iOS version.

Step 1: Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your Mac or Windows PC. Go to IPSW website to download the appropriate IPSW file you want for downgrading.

Step 2: Put your iPhone into recovery mode, the steps to enter recovery mode vary by iPhone model.

For iPhone 8 and later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation and later):

  • Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
  • Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
  • Then, press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen (an image of a computer and a cable). Do not release the button when you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPod touch (7th generation):

  • Press and hold both the Volume Down button and the Side (or Top) button at the same time.
  • Keep holding them until you see the recovery mode screen.

For iPhone 6s or earlier (including iPhone SE 1st generation), and iPod touch (6th generation) or earlier:

  • Press and hold both the Home button and the Side (or Top) button at the same time.
  • Keep holding them until you see the recovery mode screen.

put your iphone into recovery mode

tipsNote: If you have difficulty manually entering recovery mode, you can use TunesKit iOS System Recovery to help you enter recovery mode with one click.

Step 3: Once your iPhone is in recovery mode, your computer will detect it.

  • On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later: Open Finder. Your iPhone should appear in the sidebar under "Locations."
  • On a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier, or on a Windows PC: Open iTunes. Your iPhone should appear as a device icon near the top left.

You should see a message indicating that your iPhone is in recovery mode and needs to be updated or restored.

Step 4: You will be given the options to "Update" or "Restore."

tipsImportant: Choose Restore. The "Update" option will attempt to reinstall iOS without erasing your data but will likely keep the beta version. To remove the beta, you must choose "Restore," which will erase your device and install the latest public (non-beta) version of iOS.

use finder to restore iphone

Step 5: A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm that you want to restore your iPhone to its factory settings. Click "Restore" again to confirm. iTunes or Finder will download the necessary firmware (the latest stable iOS version) and install it on your iPhone. Your iPhone will restart automatically once the restore is complete. Once the restore is finished, your iPhone will be in a factory default state. You can then proceed to set it up as a new iPhone or restore it from a compatible backup.

By following these steps, you can successfully remove the iOS 26 beta from your iPhone.

Part 3: FAQs about removing iOS 26 Beta

  • Q1. Will I lose my data if I downgrade from iOS 26 Beta?

    Yes, if you're downgrading to a non-beta version, you'll have to erase your device. You can only restore data from a backup made before you installed iOS 26 Beta.

  • Q2. Will Apple stop supporting iOS 26 Beta eventually?

    Yes, beta versions are temporary and only meant for testing. They expire and are replaced by the next beta or public release. Staying on a beta long-term is not recommended.

  • Q3. Can I downgrade to an earlier iOS version than the current public release?

    No, Apple only signs the latest public version of iOS. You cannot downgrade to older versions unless Apple is still signing them (which is rare and time-limited).

Part 4: Conclusion

With the right preparation, any of the three methods above can help you successfully remove iOS 26 Beta and revert to a stable version—quickly and without complications. If you're looking for the most convenient and user-friendly option, consider using a dedicated tool like TunesKit iOS System Recovery. This iOS downgrader can help you return to the latest official iOS version, saving you time and effort.

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