Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Downgrade Original iPhone to iOS 1.0

Ternary said:
I've managed to downgrade an original iPhone to 1.0.2. 1.0 didn't work for some reason, and 1.0.2 was similar, but with bug fixes.

To be honest, the roadblocks and frustrations it takes to complete the downgrade aren't worth the results. For one, you'll need a spare Windows XP computer to do it (not a VM if I can recall). In my case, the only XP computer I had was from 2001, so that was quite an adventure. Also, you'll need to be prepared to endure through intensive hours of troubleshooting and pulling your hair out. It's a really difficult process, and even if you follow all the instructions, there's still a good chance you'll fall into an error at some point.

And if you can make it through all those barriers and successfully downgrade, you'll quickly realize how limited iPhone OS 1.0 really is. You can't install any additional apps, and after playing around with the included apps (which are quite watered down compared to newer versions), there's a good chance you'll get bored due to what little you can really do. In essence, you're putting yourself through a lot of grief in order to cripple the functionality of your phone.

So unless you like the challenge, cannot live without that dose of nostalgia, or desire to showcase the iPhone like a museum artifact, I wouldn't recommend trying the downgrade. If you do fit one of those three reasons however, I used this YouTube guide to work through the process.
Click to expand...
Now I want to get my hands on an original phone just to see the difference. I'd spent enough time in Japan to know that the US flip phones were woefully behind the curve, but even in that context the iPhone seemed like a leap forward at the time. It was even more amazing how quickly it was eclipsed by future models... By the time I bought in with an iPhone 4, it was an entirely different thing.

I really think this is where Apple did well by listening to the demands of the public to open the APIs. Can you imagine if Steve stuck to his guns on only supporting web apps?

Keep up the good fight, OP!
 
  • Like
Reactions: AmazingHenry
jav6454 said:
You need Zibri's ZiPhone, you need Dev Team's early BootNeuter and Pwnage versions, you need the iPhone OS bundles and even SSH know how. You even need the first unlocking software patch anySIM which is no longer even there in Cydia.

Many things that are no longer available. Specially given how old every thing is.
Click to expand...
Did you actually watch the video? There is a download to all of the needed software in the description.
 
Analog Kid said:
Now I want to get my hands on an original phone just to see the difference. I'd spent enough time in Japan to know that the US flip phones were woefully behind the curve, but even in that context the iPhone seemed like a leap forward at the time. It was even more amazing how quickly it was eclipsed by future models... By the time I bought in with an iPhone 4, it was an entirely different thing.

I really think this is where Apple did well by listening to the demands of the public to open the APIs. Can you imagine if Steve stuck to his guns on only supporting web apps?

Keep up the good fight, OP!
Click to expand...

Apple didn't listen to the demands of people. They saw that developers in Installer (the first App Store) were making lots of money on paid apps. Furthermore, some of the things developers were managing to do by using Toolchain (the jailbreak equivalent of X-Code for iOS) was outstanding.

Apple was forced to open up APIs as the jailbreak scene only threatened them, plain and simple.
 
  • Like
Reactions: needfx and Applejuiced
Analog Kid said:
Now I want to get my hands on an original phone just to see the difference. I'd spent enough time in Japan to know that the US flip phones were woefully behind the curve, but even in that context the iPhone seemed like a leap forward at the time. It was even more amazing how quickly it was eclipsed by future models... By the time I bought in with an iPhone 4, it was an entirely different thing.

I really think this is where Apple did well by listening to the demands of the public to open the APIs. Can you imagine if Steve stuck to his guns on only supporting web apps?

Keep up the good fight, OP!
Click to expand...
Now's the time to buy one. They are becoming collectible and the 2G is worth more than the 3GS!
 
HFTaylor12 said:
Did you actually watch the video? There is a download to all of the needed software in the description.
Click to expand...

Look dude, if a video shows you, that it can be done, by all means do it. But you've got actual members here telling you it isn't possible. You have already one account (not mine) of someone who has tried and failed. I blieve you also tried and failed.

There is a reason why you can't. Like I said in my earlier response, unless the iPhone in questin was never updated to 1.1.1, it can be done; otherwise, forget it.

On a side note - 1.1.1 is not that far off from 1.0.0
 
jav6454 said:
Look dude, if a video shows you, that it can be done, by all means do it. But you've got actual members here telling you it isn't possible. You have already one account (not mine) of someone who has tried and failed. I blieve you also tried and failed.

There is a reason why you can't. Like I said in my earlier response, unless the iPhone in questin was never updated to 1.1.1, it can be done; otherwise, forget it.

On a side note - 1.1.1 is not that far off from 1.0.0
Click to expand...
Like I said before, I'll be trying on Monday. And only one member is telling me it isn't possible. I don't understand how you can still say it isn't possible, even after I showed a video proving it.
 
HFTaylor12 said:
Like I said before, I'll be trying on Monday. And only one member is telling me it isn't possible. I don't understand how you can still say it isn't possible, even after I showed a video proving it.
Click to expand...

Videos can be edited and OS versions can be fooled (there is an app to write in any OS version, it was used to fool iTunes into preventing unwanted upgrades via iTunes). Unless you have seen one working, then it is not possible. Trust me, I have been here for quite a while. I have seen many of these tools, and that process does not stand up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Applejuiced
jav6454 said:
Apple didn't listen to the demands of people. They saw that developers in Installer (the first Apple Store) were making lots of money on paid apps. Furthermore, some of the things developers were managing to do by using Toolchain (the jailbreak equivalent of X-Code for iOS) was outstanding.

Apple was forced to open up APIs as the jailbreak scene only threatened them, plain and simple.
Click to expand...
All the same to me. They saw there was enormous demand and rather than lock it down further, they opened it up. Carefully, and frustratingly slowly, but eventually. I was just remembering the days when it wasn't clear which way they'd go. I never knew how much of Steves "we have an API, it's called the web" presentation was really where he wanted to go and how much was trying to buy time to polish the dev facing APIs...

At the same time, the grassroots developer movement you're describing that not only figured out how to hack a demo app onto the phone but built up sophisticated tool chains to support a community was another amazing thing to watch.
 
Analog Kid said:
All the same to me. [...]
At the same time, the grassroots developer movement you're describing that not only figured out how to hack a demo app onto the phone but built up sophisticated tool chains to support a community was another amazing thing to watch.
Click to expand...

This was the best thing to witness and be a part of. I still recall the 1.1.1 jailbreak, the easiest ever. Going from there to 1.1.3 and then getting all these tools that opened up the iPhone t everyone.

Truly amazing times. It was truly a cat and mouse game and the MisFits truly gave us a run for it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Applejuiced and Analog Kid
jav6454 said:
Videos can be edited and OS versions can be fooled (there is an app to write in any OS version, it was used to fool iTunes into preventing unwanted upgrades via iTunes). Unless you have seen one working, then it is not possible. Trust me, I have been here for quite a while. I have seen many of these tools, and that process does not stand up.
Click to expand...
Would he really go to all of that trouble to make the video if it was a fake? I don't see why.
 
I don't blame you for still wanting to downgrade, as that's the same way I felt before I tried it. Once you do complete the process though, I have a feeling you'll understand better where I'm coming from. ;)

Anyway, I can assure you that the video is NOT fake. Like I said, you'll probably encounter errors even if you follow the video word by word, but that's due to how finicky the whole procedure is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AmazingHenry and Applejuiced
Ternary said:
I don't blame you for still wanting to downgrade, as that's the same way I felt before I tried it. Once you do complete the process though, I have a feeling you'll understand better where I'm coming from. ;)

Anyway, I can assure you that the video is NOT fake. Like I said, you'll probably encounter errors even if you follow the video word by word, but that's due to how finicky the whole procedure is.
Click to expand...
Good. Thanks for confirming that!
 
EverythingApplePro was able to successfully downgrade the original iPhone to 1.0. He said it was a lengthy challenge but it can be done.
 
Knowlege Bomb said:
Where's our progress update?!
Click to expand...
Sorry, something came up and I couldn't do it. Starting now. Windows XP is downloaded, time to install it.
Update: If you want progress updates, they will be posted here, on post #43.
_____________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: Burning WinXP to a disc to install on Intel iMac.
UPDATE: Disc is done burning. Just about to install...
UPDATE: Having troubles with the Intel. Trying with another.
UPDATE: Installation is going on.
UPDATE: WinXP is installed! Going to pause for about 20 minutes, have to do something.
UPDATE: Having problems with drivers. Trying again on the first Intel Mac.
UPDATE: Not working on any Intel Mac I can try.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Gathomblipoob
Add me in as another that has downgraded an original iPhone down to 1.0. It took several hours of scouring old links and archive.org, but I got all the tools that I needed and gave it a go. A few hours later, it was running 1.0. Running 1.0, it wouldn't sync with iTunes. Bumping it to 1.0.2 got it to sync properly. I use my old original running 1.1 as an iPod, and it still works like a champ.

IMG_3656.jpg IMG_3658.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Applejuiced, AmazingHenry and SuperKerem
MultiFinder17 said:
Add me in as another that has downgraded an original iPhone down to 1.0. It took several hours of scouring old links and archive.org, but I got all the tools that I needed and gave it a go. A few hours later, it was running 1.0. Running 1.0, it wouldn't sync with iTunes. Bumping it to 1.0.2 got it to sync properly. I use my old original running 1.1 as an iPod, and it still works like a champ.

View attachment 667154 View attachment 667155
Click to expand...
How did you get the 1.1 IPSW? All I could find was 1.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2, and then 1.1.1 - 1.1.4.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back