Downgrade iOS (iPhone)

notes.md

Notes

Read these notes before proceeding

In order to downgrade to the previous major version (e.g. iOS 10 to iOS 9), important and regular action must be taken. For the downgrade to work, you must be proactive and prepare for a problem. Namely:

• Archiving backups
• Restoring the .ipsw file

Without regular attention to the two steps above, it may not be possible to truly downgrade the iOS version.

A bit more long-winded:

• Always backup your iPhone and archive the backup before installing a new update. Immediately after backup:

  1. iTunes -> Preferences -> Devices
  2. Ctrl + Click the backup and choose "Archive"

• Whenever a new version of iOS is installed, the old version .ipsw file is moved to the Trash. You need to restore this file back to its original location (/Users/[your name]/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates).

• Keep a close watch on the .ipsw file. It can get moved to the Trash without notice. This file is absolutely necessary to downgrade to your old version of iOS.

• SIMPLY ARCHIVING THE IOS BACKUP IS NOT SUFFICIENT. This only restores the data (apps, settings, etc.) that were backed-up. It does not restore the iOS version that the backup was made from.

Tech Note:

• See https://gist.github.com/mattborn/c346c8689a5eaf86e823 on steps to add an image to a gist.

steps.md

Steps

1. Use the steps at the following URL to downgrade (the steps have also been copied to uninstall.md in case the site doesn't work):

• http://www.techradar.com/how-to/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/how-to-uninstall-ios-10-and-downgrade-to-ios-9-1328740
• Where the steps say "click the button labelled 'Restore'", the button actually says "Restore iPhone..."

2. After downgrade, wait a minute for iTunes to see your device (click on the device icon in iTunes if the iPhone screen is not already showing).

Do not perform the following steps on your iPhone! Use iTunes "Restore" option instead (see screenshot below).

3. Via the iTunes interface, select "Restore from this backup" and select the appropriate archived backup.

• If the archived backup is for a different iOS version then the version you are trying to restore, you may not be able to restore it. For example, if your archived backup is from iOS 10 but you are restoring to iOS 9, you can't use the iOS 10 backup.
• This is why it's a good idea to archive all of your backups and keep them around for a while. Select the backup that aligns with whatever version you just downgraded to.

4. The selection from Step 3 above will cause iTunes to sync with the iPhone. This process may take a while depending on what needs to be synced. Keep in mind that apps will not be synced (see below).

• The sync does not include most data associated with 3rd-party apps (see below)

5. After syncing is complete, notice that only Apple's preinstalled apps are present. 3rd-party apps will have icons but the apps will not be installed. They will begin reinstalling automatically, however.

• It might appear that the latest versions of each app are being reinstalled (instead of the versions you had when you backed up the phone). Luckily, this is not the case.
• After reinstallation is complete, head to App Store -> Updates and notice that all of the updates are still available. This means that you still have the earlier versions of each app.

Remember that much of the data associated with 3rd-party apps must be downloaded again. Every app has its own steps for obtaining this data so open each app to see what has to be done. This is a manual and time-consuming process.

From logging in again, to downloading offline data, to losing previous settings, etc. etc. This is an annoying part of the process.

uninstall.md

How to downgrade from iOS 10 back to iOS 9 using a backup

Reference: http://www.techradar.com/how-to/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/how-to-uninstall-ios-10-and-downgrade-to-ios-9-1328740

Hopefully you backed up your iPhone or iPad before you upgraded to iOS 10. If you did, then uninstalling iOS 10 and reinstalling iOS 9 is pretty straightforward.

This backup will be stored on your PC or Mac as an IPSW file. This is usually stored in a path such as username/Library/iTunes/, where 'username' is the name you use to log into Mac OS X or Windows. There should be a folder called iPad Software Updates, iPhone Software Updates or iPad Software Updates. You'll need to look for the last version of iOS 9, which is iOS 9.3.2.ipsw. The file should have the name of your device, and the iOS number, such as mattiphone_9.3.2_Restore.ipsw.

If you can't find the file, you may need to search online to find one. Be warned that searching for an ipsw file means you'll replace iOS 10 with a version of iOS 9 without your files and apps installed. A good website to find ipsw files is ipsw.me.

Next, open the .ipsw file. To do this, plug in your iPhone or iPad into your PC or Mac and launch iTunes. With iTunes open, click on your device from the iTunes menu and select 'Summary'. Now, on a Mac hold down the Option key on your keyboard, or on a PC hold down Alt, and click the button labelled 'Restore'.

A window will open, so go to where you saved the iOS 9 ipsw file and click open. iTunes will now uninstall iOS 10 and reinstall iOS 9. If you get a message saying that you're running the latest version of iOS, restart your device in Recovery mode. To do this, turn off your device and unplug it from your PC or Mac. Next, hold down the Home button while you plug the cable back into your PC or Mac.

iTunes will explain that your device is in Recovery mode. Hold down the Option key or Alt on your keyboard and browse to the iOS 9.3.2.ipsw file and click it to install. Your iOS 10 downgrade should now be complete.

z.jpg