So, if you are unhappy with the changes and want to use a different build, you can downgrade to an older iOS version. Here we explain how to do this in a few simple steps.
Best Practices Before You Downgrade iOS on iPhone
Downgrading iOS involves resetting all data on your iPhone; once completed, you will start from scratch. We recommend you use the points below as a checklist to ensure you can prevent accidents or recover all your data if things go sideways.
Check Whether You Can Downgrade iOS to the Desired Version
Before any update takes place on your iPhone, you might notice a “Verifying Update” pop-up. The visual is part of a process where your device confirms whether the iOS version you plan to use is still supported (also termed “Signed”) for downgrades by Apple.
Therefore, we advise checking whether the version you wish to use falls under the criteria. You can do this by visiting IPSW Downloads or running a quick internet search.
Update Your iPhone to the Latest Public iOS Version
Once you have confirmed that an iOS downgrade is possible, we recommend updating your device to the latest publicly available iOS version. This step will ensure you can restore your iPhone to its current state without any issues. It will also help widen the period between an update becoming unsupported by Apple, in case you wish to update to the latest track.
While it’s hard to predict when Apple will stop signing an update, records indicate the company typically does it two or three weeks after launching an update. However, iOS versions with severe security flaws are almost immediately unsigned.
Create an iOS Backup
Our last recommended best practice is to create an iOS backup of your iPhone, which you can do via iTunes or Apple’s iCloud service. Doing this will ensure you can quickly recover your data when you move back to a newer iOS version.
Download the IPSW File for iOS Downgrade
Once you have covered our recommended practices, visit IPSW Downloads and click on the iPhone product image. Following this, select your exact iPhone model.
Once selected, you will see a list of available Signed and Unsigned IPSW files. Click on the iOS version you want to use for the downgrade.
On the next screen, hit the Download button.
Enter Recovery Mode on Your iPhone
After acquiring the required IPSW file, the next step is to prepare your iPhone for the iOS downgrade. To do this, you will need to enter recovery mode on your iPhone. You can find the steps to take for various iPhone models below.
How to Enter Recovery Mode on iPhone 8 and Newer
Connect your iPhone to a computer. Launch iTunes on your Windows PC or Mac running macOS Mojave (or earlier). If your Mac uses macOS Catalina or newer, you should open Finder. You might need to close and re-open iTunes if already running. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Now, immediately press and release the Volume Down button. Then, hold the Side button, and do not let go until you see the Apple logo and the following Recovery Mode screen.
How to Enter Recovery Mode on iPhone 7/7 Plus
Connect your iPhone to a computer. Launch iTunes on your Windows PC or Mac running macOS Mojave (or earlier). If your Mac uses macOS Catalina or newer, you should open Finder. You might need to close and re-open iTunes if already running. Press and hold the Side and Volume Down buttons at the same time. Keep pressing the buttons until you see the Apple logo, followed by the Recovery Mode screen.
How to Enter Recovery Mode on iPhone 6s and Older
Connect your iPhone to a computer. Launch iTunes on your Windows PC or Mac running macOS Mojave (or earlier). If your Mac uses macOS Catalina or newer, you should open Finder. You might need to close and re-open iTunes if already running. Press and hold the Home and Side (or Top) buttons. Hold the buttons in place until you see the Recovery Mode screen, which appears after the Apple logo.
Restore Your iPhone to Downgrade iOS
Once your iPhone enters recovery mode, you will see a pop-up on your Mac or your Windows PC indicating an error has occurred with your device. On your Windows PC, hold Left Shift and click on the Restore button. On a Mac, hold down the Option key and then click on the Restore button.
Following this, choose the IPSW file from your Downloads folder or its saved location. If the downloaded file is compatible with your device and still signed, the iOS downgrade should process without errors.
Downgrade iOS With Only a Few Steps
If you wish to rid yourself of newly introduced bugs or use an iOS version familiar to you, choosing to downgrade iOS is possible in a few simple steps. Yes, while Apple still controls the extent of the downgrade, we’re glad to see a method exists.
Now, if you ever intend to put this guide to use, we cannot but stress the fact that you should create a backup, either on your computer or via iCloud, as having one will come in handy if you ever lose your data.
