Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Step-By-Step Instructions for Rolling Back to iOS 6 on Your iPhone or iPad

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...


  1. 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.
  2. 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.  
  3. 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!
  4. Fire up iTunes on your Mac or PC. 
  5. 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. 
  6. 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.
  7. Now hold down the Alt/Option key ("Shift" key for Windows users) on your keyboard and click on Restore iPhone in iTunes.
  8. 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!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

How to put your iPhone or iPad into DFU mode

If you're looking to get rid of iOS 7 and go back to iOS6, you'll need to put your iPhone or iPad into DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode first.

While DFU mode is pretty simple in of itself,  it can also be a hassle and take a few attempts to get your device into DFU mode, this is normal, just keep trying.

Here are the steps:
  • Plug your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad into your Mac or Windows PC and make sure iTunes is running.
  • Hold down both the Sleep Button (on top of your device) and the Home Button (on the front underneath the screen).
  • Keep them both held down from about 10 seconds. (If you see the Apple logo, you've held them too long and will need to start again.)
  • Let go of the Sleep Button but keep holding the Home Button for about 5 seconds. (If you see the "Plus into iTunes" screen than you held it too long and will need to start again.)
  • If the screen stays black, that's it! Your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad should now be in DFU mode.
At this point your iTunes will take over and you can go back to the rest of the iOS downgrade guide here.