Most iPhone users know how to update iOS and Apple often releases new versions of the operating system. However, it is not so common to know the opposite process. Can you install an old version of iOS? Well surprisingly yes, although it is not always effective and perhaps it is not entirely beneficial to do so. Below we will tell you everything about this curious process with which you travel to the past with your mobile.
Reasons to carry out this process
The fact that you are in this article is already indicative that there is some reason why you have been curious to resume an earlier version of the iPhone software. The reasons for this process can be very varied and everyone can have their own, although the most common is usually to return to a version without errors or improve the autonomy of the phone.
Those two are the main causes of complaints on different social networks and technical service forums. Usually Apple tries to optimize iOS as much as possible and make it work stably on any iPhone, however these versions are not always free of bugs. Although it is true that they are usually resolved quickly, it is understandable that in some cases it can cause discomfort. This is especially remarkable in the first “big” versions of a system such as iOS 12, iOS 13 or iOS 14 and less in the intermediate ones such as iOS 14.1, iOS 14.2, etc.
Risks of reverting to an old software version
Not everything is pretty in the fact of installing an old version on your iPhone, since there are certain aspects that must be taken into account before proceeding to perform any type of downgrade on the phone. The most prominent thing to know now is this:
- Loss of data , since if you have a backup in a later version than the one you are going to install, you will lose it and you will have to configure the iPhone from scratch. If you have a copy made in the version that you are going to install you can put it, but keep in mind that since then you will have made changes to your device.
- Although at the time you could have a good user experience with that previous version, now bugs may appear .
- Your security and privacy could be at risk, since they are usually aspects that Apple polishes in each version. If at the time an important vulnerability was detected in iOS that has been corrected with a current version, you will be exposing your iPhone to it by putting an older version.
- You will lose visual and functional news that may have been introduced in the most recent versions of iOS.
How can you revert to another version of iOS
Make a backup before anything else
It is not guaranteed that the process can work, so it would not be pleasant later not to be able to resume the latest version with the data you already had. Therefore, it is recommended to make a backup copy in iCloud or on the computer to be able to access it later if necessary. However, it cannot be loaded in a previous version.
Data that will be kept
It should be noted that all data that has been synchronized with iCloud will be saved regardless of whether it is backed up or not. Photos, calendars, notes and more that you can check from Settings> your name> iCloud.
Prepare iPhone for installation
In order to install a previous version you will need a computer, regardless of whether it is Mac or Windows, since you will have to use it to connect the iPhone to it. On your mobile, what you will have to do is put it in DFU mode , which is done as follows depending on the iPhone model you have:
- iPhone 8 and later : press and quickly release the volume up button, then the volume down button, and finally press and hold the power button until a screen appears indicating that the iPhone should be connected to a computer.
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: press and hold the volume up and down buttons together with the off button until a screen appears prompting you to connect the iPhone to a computer.
- iPhone 6s and earlier : press and hold the Home button and the Power button at the same time until an image appears on the screen instructing you to connect the device to a computer.
IOS IPSW Download
IPSW is the name given to the file type relative to the iPhone and iPad software. This must be downloaded from an external portal, saved on the computer and installed on the iPhone. There are some pages that allow them to be downloaded, although we warn you that they could weigh a few GB and therefore be a slow process, so we recommend having a good internet connection and being patient. The steps to follow are these:
- Go to ipsw.me
- Select “iPhone”.
- Choose the device model you have.
- Click on the version of iOS you want to install.
- Find the “Download” button and press it to start the download.
Installing IPSW on iPhone
Once you have downloaded the IPSW file, save it in a folder that you can easily access. If you have a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, you will need to use Finder for the next process. If it is a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier or a Windows PC it must be iTunes. The steps are these:
- Connect iPhone to computer via cable.
- Open Finder / iTunes and go to the iPhone management tab.
- While holding down the Alt / Option key click “Restore”.
- Select the IPSW file you downloaded.
Once this is done, the installation of the software will begin, you will be able to see the process in the upper right corner of the computer screen. It is important that you do not disconnect the iPhone during the process . Once it is finished you can configure the iPhone in the version of iOS that you selected.
The process might not work
After a new update is released, usually during the week after, Apple stops signing old versions. What does this mean? Well, among other things, the company is no longer responsible for software failures on your device and if you have to go to technical service, you must do so once you have updated the iPhone software.
This fact also causes Apple’s restoration tools such as iTunes to be able to alert that it is a version that is no longer signed and therefore prevent its installation.
What to do if the iPhone stays with this message
If the process failed and something like the above appears indicating that you connect the iPhone to a computer, it means that you cannot access the iPhone. But calm because it is not a permanent block or anything similar, in fact it occurs when the software is damaged. Of course, to access it again, it will be necessary to install the latest available version of iOS.
If you already had the device connected by cable, you will have to disconnect and reconnect it and this time follow these steps:
- Open iTunes / Finder.
- Choose the iPhone management option.
- Click on “Restore.”
- Follow the steps indicated on the screen to install iOS.
Do not disconnect the iPhone from the computer until the process is complete. When you do, the iPhone will appear ready to configure in its latest software version.
What is the best recommendation
Based on the comments in previous sections, it is understandable that you want to return the iPhone to a previous version if you are having errors. However, the wisest and most advisable thing to do is to wait for a new update to be released. If it is a serious and / or widespread failure, the company usually does not take long to correct it. If it is a specific failure, you could resort to formatting the iPhone completely in order to eliminate any software errors.
How to install the latest version afterwards
If for any reason you want to reinstall the latest version of iOS later, the process is normal and you will no longer need a computer. You will only have to go to Settings> General> Software update to download and install that version. Once this is done, you will be enjoying again the latest news that Apple has introduced for its iPhone.