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How to roll back to the previous version. How to return the old version of iOS

On September 19, Apple released the final version of iOS 11. Millions of iPhone, iPod and iPad users immediately began updating over the air, and today everyone decided whether it was worth staying on the new version of the system or whether it was better to wait for the time being on the more stable iOS 10.

At the time of publication of this instruction, Apple continues to sign the iOS version 10.3.3, so the rollback procedure is still possible. If you decide to return to the top ten, try not to hesitate - then it may be too late.

What needs to be done before downgrading from iOS 11 to iOS 10?

The process of preparing an iOS device is quite simple and allows you to restore all data immediately after installing iOS 10, but with one condition - you must have a backup copy in iTunes or iCloud created under iOS 10.

If you downgrade the firmware, you cannot restore data from a backup copy from a newer version of iOS.

Head to the menu Settings -> Touch ID & Password and turn off the corresponding slider. Rollback is possible only when protection is disabled.

How to downgrade from iOS 11 to iOS 10. Step-by-step instructions

1. Hold down the Power key and turn off your iOS device. For iPhone 7: Hold the Volume Down button while holding down the Home button.

2. Hold down the Home key and connect your smartphone using a USB cable to a computer or Mac with iTunes installed. Hold down the Home key until you see the iTunes icon.

3. The iTunes app should recognize your device and offer three options: Cancel, Update, or Restore. Select “Cancel”.

4. Download the firmware image specific to your device.

Have you jumped at the chance to update your iPhone and iPad to iOS 10, only to find out that the firmware is causing problems that you no longer want to endure?

You are not alone - many users have encountered problems with rapid battery drain or performance degradation. If you are one of those users who are wondering how to restore an old version of iOS, then you should know the whole truth about the situation with rolling back to previous versions.

Just a month after the release of iOS 10, Apple stopped signing the iOS 9.3.5 version, which means it is impossible to roll back from new versions. The same thing happened with versions 10.1 and 10.2. According to Apple, all the bugs that previously prevented users from fully enjoying iOS 10 have been eliminated and there is no need to return to older versions that could threaten the security of user data.

Until the end of 2016, users could use the standard method - downloading the IPSW file of the previous version of iOS using iTunes. But now Apple has closed this opportunity and users who rushed to try out new features have no choice but to look for unconventional methods to solve the problem.

In December 2016, a hacker using the nickname tihmstar released the Prometheus utility, which, provided that SHSH blobs digital certificates were saved, could be used to roll back to older versions of iOS. But right before the New Year, Apple blocked the utility by adjusting the operation of the servers for issuing digital signatures. After this, everyone who tried to retrieve digital certificates only received an error from the server.

By February 2017, the author of the utility managed to find a solution to bypass the blocking and some users were able to use the utility to downgrade (downgrade or rollback). But the tool only worked inside 10.0.x - 10.2.1 if SHSH blobs were saved in advance. For example, with Prometheus you can save SHSH blobs certificates for iOS 10.2, upgrade to 10.2.1, and then return back to the previous version.

As for the rollback from iOS 10.Х.Х to iOS 9.Х.Х, Apple has put an end to it, closing any possibility of switching to the old version. When you try to install an older version of iOS, iTunes contacts the certificate issuing server in order to activate the firmware. Since Apple considers firmware below 10.2 obsolete, the user simply receives an error due to the lack of digital signatures.

Thus, iOS users are left to look for the advantages of existing firmware versions and update only when they are sure that the new versions being released do not contain errors.
If there are any new ways to downgrade to older versions in the future, we will definitely inform you about it.

Have you already tried iOS 12, but didn’t like it or just decided to wait a little for a more stable version? You can still downgrade to iOS 11.4.

What you need to know before rolling back

First, you must make a backup of your operating system. You never know, iOS 12 will be crooked or your gadget will turn into a brick.

Via iCloud

Step 1. Open Settings, go to the Apple ID menu (at the very top with your avatar).

Step 2. Open iCloud -> Backup. Above this menu is a list of everything that is saved to the cloud.

Step 3. Turn on the iCloud backup toggle switch and wait until a copy is created.

Via iTunes

Step 1. We connect the iPhone or iPad to the computer via wire.

Step 2. Click on the device icon in the iTunes application.

Step 3. Choose This computer.

Step 4. Click Create a copy now.

How to downgrade to iOS 11. Clean installation

To get started, you will need the iOS 11.4 firmware file. Here's the full list:

Before starting the procedure, disable the function Find iPhone. Otherwise, iTunes will refuse to perform the rollback procedure.

Step 1. Connect your gadget to your computer or Mac.

Step 2. Select your device in iTunes.

Step 3. On the Review tab, hold down the OPTION key (Shift for Windows) and tap on the item Restore iPhone.

Step 4. Select the newly downloaded firmware file.

Step 5. Click Restore.

Step 6. Now, when you re-set up your smartphone, you can choose to restore from a backup.

Important: The device cannot be restored from a backup created on iOS 12.

During installation in no case Do not disconnect your iOS device from your computer. The average recovery time is 15-20 minutes.

Greetings! Apple releases software updates for its devices with enviable regularity and constantly encourages users to install new firmware versions. Sometimes this call is even too intrusive - look at the notorious “red one” on the settings icon! And although, the temptation to update and see what's new for the iPhone or iPad is very great.

And here you can make a big mistake. So, let’s imagine that you installed a new version of iOS, looked at it, touched it... but you didn’t like it! Is it possible to roll back and return the old firmware? Now let's try to figure it all out. Let's get started!

And the most important thing is where you need to start...

In most cases, rollback is not possible. At your own discretion, you cannot change or “jump” from one version of iOS to another.

For example, if you have an iPhone or iPad with iOS 10, then there is no way you can install iOS 9 or 8. Absolutely not.

Why? The thing is that Apple has a system of so-called “firmware signing”. And, usually, the company signs (that is, allows you to install) only the most current version of iOS. Likewise, precisely because of the absence of this signature, it is impossible to upgrade the firmware “just a little.”

For example, you have iOS 8 installed and you want iOS 9, and not the currently current tenth version. Is it possible to do this? No. Updating is only possible for the latest software.

As you can see, Apple is true to itself and limits the user’s work with the software as much as possible. Do you want to update? Install only the latest firmware. Do you want to downgrade your iOS version? You can’t do this - everything is for your safety!

Is it really not possible? In fact, there are small exceptions, and although they are practically irrelevant for the mass user, it is useful to know about them. So, in what cases can you install a previous version of iOS on an iPhone or iPad:


So, “ordinary” people (including my humble person) need to remember this:

For any device “older” than the iPhone 4S and iPad 2, there is not even a theoretical possibility to roll back the firmware at any time.

It's a sad fact, but nothing can be done - these are Apple's rules.

However, if you look from the other side, everything is not so bad. After all, new software versions mean improved security, stability, bug fixes and many, many other goodies. Although... for writing articles and instructions, sometimes I miss the ability to use the previous version of the software on my iPhone.

P.S. Did the article help and make it a little clearer? Click on the social network buttons! :) Did the author write some nonsense? Like it, let him be ashamed! :(

  • Slow operation of the old device on new versions of the system
  • bugs, freezes, freezes, problems with autonomy and the desire to return a stable version of the firmware (hello iOS 11)
  • dissatisfaction with the new design and poor implementation of the stated functions

Unfortunately, the rollback any iPhone before any iOS version is not possible. The fact is that in 2009, Apple introduced restrictions on the ability to roll back certain devices to a specific firmware version. Therefore, before starting the procedure, check whether your smartphone can return to the desired version of iOS.

Disabling the Find My iPhone option

This option is designed to help you locate your device if it is lost or stolen. It blocks any manipulations with the firmware, so you need to disable it before resetting the device. Otherwise, all rollback attempts will result in an error message.

Turn off Touch ID and passcode

  1. Open Settings
  2. Go to "Touch ID and Passcode"
  3. If necessary, enter a passcode
  4. Select "Turn off passcode"
  5. Then confirm the action in the pop-up message

Ways to downgrade iPhone firmware

Method 1: Downgrade iOS using iTunes

  1. Disable iPhone
  2. When the smartphone screen goes dark, connect the device to the computer
  3. Press and hold the Home button until the display shows schematic icons of iTunes and Lightning wires (iPhone 7/7 Plus owners must press the Volume Down key)
  1. Afterwards you can launch iTunes; the program automatically recognizes the smartphone in the desired mode
  2. A warning pop-up window will appear on your computer screen - click “Cancel” on it
  3. Then, while holding Shift(Windows) or Alt(Mac), initiate recovery. To do this, click the appropriate button
  4. In the dialog box that opens, select the pre-downloaded firmware file with the extension .ipsw
  5. Wait until the firmware is installed on the device. Never disconnect your smartphone from your computer.
  6. After turning on your iPhone, perform the initial setup and, if necessary, restore it from a backup

Attention! If you want to return not to the previous, but to one of the earlier versions of the firmware, we recommend doing a sequential rollback. That is, roll back to the previous version, then to the previous one, etc. Otherwise, the device may display an error and will not boot. Instead, the Lightning lanyard and the iTunes icon will appear on the screen again.

Method 2. Rollback in DFU Mode

DFU Mode- alternative installation mode for stable versions of the system. Used in cases where the previous method does not work for some reason. Be prepared for the fact that during the flashing process the device will not show any signs of life and will not respond to button presses.

  1. Connect iPhone to Windows PC/Mac
  2. Turn off the device
  3. Launch iTunes on PC/Mac
  4. Press and hold the Home and Power/Power buttons for 10 seconds
  5. Remove your finger from the Power/On button without releasing the Home button
  6. Wait until the device is recognized by iTunes in the desired mode (DFU Mode)
  1. Select your device
  2. Click “Restore iPhone” while holding alt for macOS and shift for Windows
  3. In the window that appears, specify the path to the firmware file previously downloaded to your hard drive and click the “Open” button
  4. Wait until the operation is completed, after which you can turn on the device

Method 3. Rollback iPhone while saving user data

This option is considered less reliable than the two described above, since the required firmware version is not installed from scratch. However, it allows you to save music, photos, contacts and other important information on your device (can be useful if you don't have time to restore this data from a backup).

To do this, in iTunes → Device recovery menu, instead of the “Restore iPhone...” button, click “Update”.

Wait for the process to complete. The device will update to the specified firmware version automatically and then turn on.