READ THIS FIRST:
Know this: if you downgrade back to iOS 6, you'll only be able to go to the most current version, which is 6.1.4 for iPhone 5 users and 6.1.3 for iPhone 4S and below. When it comes to iCloud backups, you won't be able to use an iOS 7 backup on an iOS 6 device, so be aware that you're going to lose any information you may have in those backups.
OK! Let's Downgrade This iOS 7 Neon Nightmare...
- 1st download the most recent iOS 6 firmware file for your device from the download links at the end of this post. Keep track of where you put the downloaded .ipsw download.
- Here's the link to the page with the various download links for iOS 6.1.x .ipsw firmware files you'll need for the next steps here.
- After you download the .ipsw file you need come back here to complete the rest of the steps. Remember that only the download for your particular phone model will work!
- Fire up iTunes on your Mac or PC.
- Next, use your device's USB cable plug in your device and put it in DFU mode, NOT recovery mode. If you're not sure how to enable this, you can go here for directions. Once it's in DFU mode, come back to this page to complete the downgrade. Make sure the screen is black and does not say "connect to iTunes". (This means you're in 'Recovery Mode', not DFU mode) You may have to try several times to get your device in DFU Mode, this is normal as the timing is tricky.
- When your device is successfully in DFU mode, you'll dialog box from iTunes saying the device can't be used until it's restored. This is fine, click Ok.
- Now hold down the Alt/Option key ("Shift" key for Windows users) on your keyboard and click on Restore iPhone in iTunes.
- Point iTunes to the firmware file for iOS 6 that you saved in the first step and click and Open.
iTunes will do the rest and your iPhone or iPad will eventually reboot and be downgraded to iOS 6 again!
