Downgrading to an unsigned IOS version

Nick Kaufman

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Aug 2, 2003
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I recently upgraded my iphone se by accident to the latest ios version. The problem is that there's an app that doesn't work now. I contacted the developer who hasn't gotten back to me back yet and I haven't found a suitable replacemnt. I am not a heavy phone user, but I need the app, so going back to an ios version in which this app worked seems the best solution.

I see that there are ways to downgrade, but I cannot find a webpage that is credible. I also don't have enough knowledge to know which way is better.

Does anyone have experience with this and want to point out to a program or webpage with exact instructions to follow?

Alternatively, I can take my phone to a shop, but my initial concern was that I would exposing my data. On second thought, maybe I can wipe the phone clean in advance. Maybe this is the way?
 

czar

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Jul 16, 2005
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I have been out of the jailbreaking world for a but my recollection is that installing an unsigned IPSW generally required either a) a ton of hoops to jump through (including requiring being tethered on boot) or b) having saved blobs or some other credential previously.

My best suggestion is to ask/snoop around Reddit (/r/jailbreaking probably) -- that said, my suspicion is for someone who is not willing to spend an entire day trying and debugging and trying again, it may not be worth it.

Assuming it is indeed extremely difficult to downgrade and I needed an app badly, I personally would try offering a bounty to the developer and if that didn't work, perhaps looking around to see if there was a phone on the market with the iOS I needed (this at least used to be common in jailbreak world -- people buy a phone on iOS whatever).
 

Rudi Fingers

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Jul 18, 2005
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Downgrading to an unsigned version isn’t supported by Apple and isn’t smart from a security perspective. How often do you use the app, and does it need to be on your phone? What version does your app stop working at? Buying, say, a refurb iPad mini 4 for under $200 may do the trick. The mini 4 can’t get upgraded to iOS 16 even if you tried (it maxes out at 15), and it can use your iPhone as a cellular hotspot if you need to use it outside. Also, the mini 4 does a nice job running apps written for iPhone. If the app needs a version older than 15, you can go for an even older and cheaper model.
 

Nick Kaufman

protector of human kind from spoilers
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Aug 2, 2003
13,410
A Lost Time
I have been out of the jailbreaking world for a but my recollection is that installing an unsigned IPSW generally required either a) a ton of hoops to jump through (including requiring being tethered on boot) or b) having saved blobs or some other credential previously.

My best suggestion is to ask/snoop around Reddit (/r/jailbreaking probably) -- that said, my suspicion is for someone who is not willing to spend an entire day trying and debugging and trying again, it may not be worth it.

Assuming it is indeed extremely difficult to downgrade and I needed an app badly, I personally would try offering a bounty to the developer and if that didn't work, perhaps looking around to see if there was a phone on the market with the iOS I needed (this at least used to be common in jailbreak world -- people buy a phone on iOS whatever).
I would be perfectly willing to give a bounty to the developer, but he didn't answer my email. I 've also looked at getting a phone from ebay and i might do so, but I am not sure what's the latest version the app I want to is working, while some sellers can't tel you with confidence what version of IOS their phone is using.

The Reddit suggestion is a good one, thank you.
 

Nick Kaufman

protector of human kind from spoilers
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Aug 2, 2003
13,410
A Lost Time
Downgrading to an unsigned version isn’t supported by Apple and isn’t smart from a security perspective. How often do you use the app, and does it need to be on your phone? What version does your app stop working at? Buying, say, a refurb iPad mini 4 for under $200 may do the trick. The mini 4 can’t get upgraded to iOS 16 even if you tried (it maxes out at 15), and it can use your iPhone as a cellular hotspot if you need to use it outside. Also, the mini 4 does a nice job running apps written for iPhone. If the app needs a version older than 15, you can go for an even older and cheaper model.
I am a bit confused by that. An unsigned version means that apple doesn't allow you to install an older ios version. Once you do, it should behave like an older ios version, no? I am not interested in keeping my phone jailbroken once I downgrade.Unless your point is that older ios versions, even if kosher, tend to be more unsecure. Fair enough, but I am not holding any state secrets either.

I do have an ipad mini 4 btw. With Ios 13. In the old days I could have connected it to itunes and sideload the app I wanted in order to check if it works on that version of ios. But apple in its wisdom has stopped letting you load purchased apps from itunes and I can't find the app from store either.
 

Rudi Fingers

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Jul 18, 2005
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Adianoeta
I am a bit confused by that. An unsigned version means that apple doesn't allow you to install an older ios version. Once you do, it should behave like an older ios version, no? I am not interested in keeping my phone jailbroken once I downgrade.Unless your point is that older ios versions, even if kosher, tend to be more unsecure. Fair enough, but I am not holding any state secrets either.

I do have an ipad mini 4 btw. With Ios 13. In the old days I could have connected it to itunes and sideload the app I wanted in order to check if it works on that version of ios. But apple in its wisdom has stopped letting you load purchased apps from itunes and I can't find the app from store either.
The risk is in the unsigned iOS version itself. As it is not codesigned by Apple, it could contain modifications or malware. And the third party software one would be using to install the unsigned iOS version could do that kind of code injection into the operating system.

Sure, older versions of iOS are less secure too, but that's not the risk I was speaking to.
 

Nick Kaufman

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Ok, you convinced me. I think I am going to be buying a cheap older device.

Thank you for feedback, much appreciated.
 
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