What do I need?
- An iDevice (iPhone, iPod, iPad)
- A computer
- Atom (click here to download)
- Latest version of iTunes if you are using Windows (click here to download)
- A recent backup of your device through Finder or iTunes
- A lot of computer disk space for both the device backup and IPSW
- An IPSW of an older SIGNED firmware for your device
1. Getting the ipsw
- Go to ipsw.me.
- Select the right device, some may have different models based on the modem on your device (China/GSM/Global).
- Once you get to the list of iOS firmwares, click on the one you want and make sure that it is SIGNED. Below is an example of what you may see.
- Download the IPSW. Do not be alarmed of the large file size, this is completely normal.
- You may go grab a drink or something based on your internet speed. You may move onto step 2 while it is downloading.
iOS 14.2 and iOS 14.1 are signed as they are in green with a check mark.
iOS 14.0.1 is not signed as it is red with a cross.
iOS 14.0.1 is not signed as it is red with a cross.
2. backing up your device
- If you do not have iTunes installed, install it from https://apple.com/itunes.
- Plug your device into your computer.
- Open iTunes (or Finder if you are on macOS Catalina or newer).
- Press on "Back Up Now".
- Once it is done backing up, head to step 3.
3. USing atom
- Download Atom from https://atom.io.
- Locate your backup location. Default locations are listed below.
- Find the backup you created earlier in the guide by the timestamp of the folder.
- Open the folder and then open the Info.plist file with Atom.
- Use the find function (Windows: Ctrl + F, macOS: Cmd + F) and type in "Product Version".
- Under the line of "Product Version", you should see the iOS version of your current firmware (Example: 14.0). Edit the number to match the IPSW version that you have installed earlier in the guide.
- Save the Info.plist file in Atom and close.
- Windows default: C:\Users\Your username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
- macOS default: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync
4. Downgrading
- Go back to iTunes (or Finder if you are on macOS Catalina or newer).
- Make sure your iDevice is still plugged into your computer.
- Hold shift and click on the "Restore iPhone/iPod/iPad" button.
- Select the IPSW you downloaded earlier in the guide.
- The iDevice should now say "Restore in Progress". Wait for it to restore, this may take awhile.
- Once the "Hello" screen shows up on your iDevice, your computer should show "Welcome to your new iPhone/iPod/iPad". Select the backup that you made earlier in the guide.
- Press continue and let the iDevice restore its data.
5. And you're done!
🎉🎉🎉
Terms of this guide
You are responsible for any sort of data loss when performing actions through these guides. Use at your own risk.