I have IOS 5.0.1, can I upgrade to 6?

[JohnBravo]

I have an iPhone 4S, IOS 5.0.1. I checked the software update section and it offers me to update to IOS 6.1.3 over the air. I love the IOS 6. Can I update? Or will it lead me to IOS 8 (which I hate)? I have working backups of IOS 5, 6, and 7 on my computer.

 

[PeterRollback]

You must first update to iOS 6 In order to update to any future updates. So yes you can update to iOS 6 and stay there. Also may I ask why you dislike iOS 8?

 

[Nermal]

As I understand it, 6 will fail to install. You can currently only upgrade to 8.2.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

If you can update to iOS 6: lucky you!

 

[g35]

No, you can only install versions of iOS that Apple is currently signing. Right now that's 8.2.

Even if you have an install file for 6.0, it will fail when Apple tries to verify it. That's why iTunes requires an internet connection to restore the software, so they can make sure you're only installing the version they want you to.

Years ago, you could save "shsh blobs" in order to restore to older versions, but that ship has sailed, you can't do that anymore.