Why can iPhone only be upgraded and not downgraded?

Why does Apple only allow upgrades but not downgrades? Is it deliberately trying to eliminate old devices?

From an official perspective, Apple once mentioned in the iOS security white paper: "To prevent devices from being downgraded to software versions that lack the latest security updates, iOS uses a process called system software authorization. If downgrades are allowed, attackers with physical access to the device will be able to install earlier versions of iOS and exploit security vulnerabilities that have been fixed in newer versions of iOS."

It can also be understood that Apple does not allow device downgrades unilaterally out of security considerations. If Apple wants to sell its products to government and enterprise customers, they must pass various security certifications, and Apple obviously does not allow downgrade attacks to exist.

Logically speaking, this explanation is feasible. In fact, from any perspective, simply not allowing downgrades can be understood by users. It is just like after upgrading a personal computer's Win 7 to Win 8, it cannot be downgraded by conventional means. If you want to use Win 7 again, you have to reinstall the system.

What most users cannot accept is that iPhone phones cannot be flashed. It is indeed too authoritarian to improve system security by not allowing flashing. After all, there are many user groups for iPhone, and whether to choose a safe usage environment should be decided by the users themselves. For example, if government and enterprise customers want security, they can upgrade with the system updates. Ordinary users who feel uncomfortable with the new version after experiencing it should be able to flash and downgrade at will, instead of being able to downgrade only within a limited period of time after the new version is released as is the case now.

In fact, if Apple chooses to open the downgrade permission for one day at a fixed time every month, it will definitely gain more fans, killing two birds with one stone. It can not only ensure security to a great extent, but also provide convenience for some users who use older mobile phones. So why doesn't Apple do this?

At this point, we have come to the stage of pure YY. Open questions and open answers. Let's enjoy the process of discussion. I'd better explain my point of view first. First of all, Apple does not allow downgrades. In addition to security considerations, it may also be to highlight the market share of the current system. Although such a setting kidnaps the rights of its own users, it can defeat competitors with the greatest probability.

Another point is that Apple's ban on downgrades may also be intended to avoid fragmentation and reduce the historical burden faced by newly developed applications.

The last point is what conspiracy theorists often talk about. Upgrading will make your phone slow down, but not being able to downgrade will force you to buy a new generation of phone. At the same time, not being able to downgrade can also prevent you from going back to the old version to jailbreak, which will reduce Apple's software profits.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.