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I_am_a_loser

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 8, 2015
199
69
Boston, MA
I've been told that I can downgrade from iOS 10.0.1 to iOS 9.3.5 by downloading the IPSW file off the web and installing it through iTunes. This is mostly my fault because I thought I had backed up my device prior to installing iOS 10, but apparently I didn't, so here I am. My question is does the Apple.com offer the IPSW I need for download? I've found some files online such as http://osxdaily.com/2016/09/14/howto-downgrade-ios-10-to-9/ but I don't want to download and install something on my phone that could make matters worse, which is why I'd prefer to go directly through Apple if at all possible. Thanks for any help.
 

C DM

macrumors Sandy Bridge
Oct 17, 2011
51,392
19,461
I've been told that I can downgrade from iOS 10.0.1 to iOS 9.3.5 by downloading the IPSW file off the web and installing it through iTunes. This is mostly my fault because I thought I had backed up my device prior to installing iOS 10, but apparently I didn't, so here I am. My question is does the Apple.com offer the IPSW I need for download? I've found some files online such as http://osxdaily.com/2016/09/14/howto-downgrade-ios-10-to-9/ but I don't want to download and install something on my phone that could make matters worse, which is why I'd prefer to go directly through Apple if at all possible. Thanks for any help.
If you look at the links on that site you linked they all link to Apple, so you would be getting the files from Apple. Keep in mind, that you can only install actual/real versions of iOS that come from Apple and only ones that are compatible with your device and that Apple is still signing--it's basically that signing and related validations that make sure that you are using the real installer from Apple that is compatible with your device.
 

Jessica Lares

macrumors G3
Oct 31, 2009
9,612
1,057
Near Dallas, Texas, USA
Apple does not officially support downgrading firmware, but they're all listed here (it's what the updater in iTunes and iOS check): http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuit....appserver.client.MZITunesClientCheck/version

OSXDaily has a good guide on how you can go through it with the command line: http://osxdaily.com/2013/11/15/get-list-all-ipsw-files-from-apple/ But if you're just wanting to make sure something is legit, just copy and paste the URL in find on that Phobos page and see if it's in there.
 

autrefois

macrumors 65816
Related to the title of this thread (although less so to the original question).

Our iPad Air is on 9.3.4. Didn't update it in time before iOS 10 came out, and in the Settings the iPad gives iOS 10 as the version to update to now.

Can you use the ipsw from Apple's site to update the device (as opposed to downgrading it from 10)? I would assume so, but does it involve restoring? Looked and couldn't find this info on MR or via Google, everything seems geared towards people who want to downgrade.

I know Apple stops signing old versions pretty soon after the new one comes out, so don't want to miss the chance to update to the latest iOS 9 version if possible. Thanks.
 

Jessica Lares

macrumors G3
Oct 31, 2009
9,612
1,057
Near Dallas, Texas, USA
Related to the title of this thread (although less so to the original question).

Our iPad Air is on 9.3.4. Didn't update it in time before iOS 10 came out, and in the Settings the iPad gives iOS 10 as the version to update to now.

Can you use the ipsw from Apple's site to update the device (as opposed to downgrading it from 10)? I would assume so, but does it involve restoring? Looked and couldn't find this info on MR or via Google, everything seems geared towards people who want to downgrade.

I know Apple stops signing old versions pretty soon after the new one comes out, so don't want to miss the chance to update to the latest iOS 9 version if possible. Thanks.

You wouldn't have to restore to go to 9.3.5. Just option-click on "Update" and it'll open the file browser there too.
 
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