Downgrade iOS 12: you can go back to older iOS versions

Have you installed iOS 12 Digital Technology, but have you regretted it? From now on it is unfortunately no longer possible to downgrade to iOS 11. You can still go back to an earlier version of iOS 12. We explain here how you can downgrade your iPhone or iPad to a supporting iOS version. In this article we also provide general explanations about downgrading your iOS version on iPhone and iPad.

Downgrading from iOS 12 to iOS 11 is not possible

From October 9, 2018 it is no longer possible to downgrade to iOS 11.4.1 . If you are already on iOS 12 , you can not go back to iOS 11 now . Returning from iOS 12.0.1 to iOS 12 is still possible and in this article you can read how the downgrade of your iPhone or iPad works and which steps you have to take.

Downgrade to iOS 11

You can no longer downgrade to iOS 11.4.1 . Apple has stopped signing iOS 11.4.1, so it can no longer be installed if you are already on iOS 12 . Apple is now signing two more versions: iOS 12.0.1 and the original release of iOS 12 . So you can still downgrade from iOS 12.0.1 to iOS 12.0. In addition, Apple is still busy testing the iOS 12.1 betas .

What is downgrading?

Sometimes you run into all sorts of problems after installing an iOS update. Your batteryruns out faster, the new functions do not work properly or your device has become slow. Do not panic, you can downgrade just after the update. 

This means that you are going back to an earlier iOS version. But do not wait too long, because Apple only gives you a few days or weeks. This does not apply to betas: as long as the beta is still running, you can always go back to the previous stable iOS version .

Downgrade = back to older iOS version

If there is a new iOS update for iPhone, iPad or iPod touch , just press one button to install the update. It may happen that you later regret such a firmware update: your iDevice behaves strange, gets stuck or has other problems. In such a case, you can go back to an older iOS version that you like better.

Downgrading to an older iOS version is therefore not always possible. This has to do with the fact that Apple will stop digital signing of older iOS versions after a while. That digital signature is an extra security step to ensure that you are sure that you have the original iOS installation file and not a copy that has been tampered with.

Step-by-step plan: Restore or downgrade iOS version

Do you have iOS 12.0.1 installed, but do you regret it and want to go back to iOS 12.0? Then follow these steps:

1. Download the necessary firmware file from the Apple website , via IPSW.me or via this site , which refers to the download files on Apple's servers (never download via third-party servers!). The file name ends with .ipsw. Check whether you have downloaded the correct file for the correct device. Save the file in an easy-to-find location, for example your desktop.
2. Turn off your iPhone or iPad by first Search my iPhone via Settings> your name> iCloud> Find my iPhone.
3. Open iTunes, connect the iPhone and wait until the iPhone appears on the top left.
4. Mac: Hold down the Alt / Option key while clicking the Restore button with your mouse. Windows: Hold down the Shift key while clicking the Restore button with your mouse.
5. Browse to the newly downloaded IPSW file.
6. Confirm that you want to install the chosen firmware.

6. The chosen iOS version is now installed. Wait patiently.
7. After the installation you can restore a backup from iTunes .

Keep in mind that in many cases you can not restore a backup of a newer iOS version to an older iOS version. For example, you can not restore a backup copy you made with iOS 12 to a device with iOS 11 . Restoring a backup from iOS 12.0.1 to iOS 12.0 is possible. It is always wise to make a backup before installing a major update .

Do I lose data such as photos if I restore an older backup?

If you want to go back to an earlier version, you have to restore a backup. It may therefore be that you lose data that you have made in the iOS 12 in the meantime. Consider, for example, new apps that you have installed that are no longer automatically available on your device after restoring the older backup . However, you can download these apps manually again free of charge.

If you have iCloud Photo Library enabled, you will not lose the photos even after restoring an older backup. With iCloud photo library all your photos are put in iCloud piece by piece, making them separate from the backup. 

So you will never lose your photos, as long as your iCloud photo library is on. The same applies to other data that are synchronized via iCloud, such as contacts, calendar and messages (thanks to iMessage in iCloud ). If you make a backup of WhatsApp via iCloud , you can also simply restore it

Restore vs downgrade

Restoring and downgrading are two terms that you will often hear when it comes to installing iOS versions. With an iPhone restore , you install exactly the same iOS version on the device again. 

This is a clean installation. Recovering is done for a number of reasons, usually because your iPhone or iPad is not functioning properly. Before you start on this, it can often help you try less drastic things, such as restoring the (network) settings . 

If this has no effect, it may be useful to completely reinstall the iOS version . This is called recovery and you go back to the factory settings of your iPhone. All photos, music tracks and other personal data are deleted. But if you make a good backup in advance, you put all that data back in a few minutes.

Why downgrade

Downgrading means that you are going back to an older iOS version. This is done for four reasons:

• Because people are sorry for an update. This can be the case with iOS 12 , for example , if you do not like the improvements. You will then temporarily go back to iOS 11. But in the end you will have to believe, otherwise you will miss future functions and important security updates.
• Because you have installed a beta version. This is the case, for example, with the iOS 12 beta . People have installed the beta out of curiosity, but notice that it is not very stable yet or that their favorite apps are not working properly. You can then return to the most recently released, stable version.
• Because you have a somewhat older iOS device and you notice that the latest iOSupdate makes your device slow. An older iOS version works better. You miss the latest features, but your device is nice and fast.
• Because there is no jailbreak available for the latest firmware. You want to go back to a version that you can jailbreak. Consult our file manual jailbreak for this .

Downgrade with very old iOS versions

Do you have a very old iPhone with an 'antique' iOS version, then it is good to know that Apple since iPhone OS 3.1.3 sign the firmware files. Since then you can not just downgrade to an older firmware. 

With older devices with an A4 chip like the iPhone 4 you can still go back to an older iOS version if you have the SHSH data of the firmware you want to downgrade to. Usually, however, you will not have this SHSH data, unless you have been active in the jailbreak circuit for a long time.

How to get the SHSH data from a firmware for your iPhone can be found in this article: Save SHSH blobs .