iPhone 4S with iOS 7: How can I 'try' iOS 9 safely?

[MarvinHC]

Ok, pretty much as per the title:
My 'second' phone when travelling is a iPhone 4S that works very well with iOS 7 that is currently installed. After all the horror stories I never updated it to iOS 8.

Now I am curious to try out iOS 9 but only if I have the possibility to get back to iOS 7 if it turns out not to be so great. I recall reading somewhere sometime ago that it was possible to make a full backup including iOS and then go back to that version. But I cannot for my life find anymore where this was and how this specifically worked. Anybody out there that can give me a foolproof explanation?

Many thanks

(I also need this for a iPad 2 that still runs on IOS 6 (!), but I guess the procedure would be the same)

I guess I am not the only one in this position, so I hope this is helpful for many others.

 

[BarcelonaPaul]

Ok, pretty much as per the title:
My 'second' phone when travelling is a iPhone 4S that works very well with iOS 7 that is currently installed. After all the horror stories I never updated it to iOS 8.

Now I am curious to try out iOS 9 but only if I have the possibility to get back to iOS 7 if it turns out not to be so great. I recall reading somewhere sometime ago that it was possible to make a full backup including iOS and then go back to that version. But I cannot for my life find anymore where this was and how this specifically worked. Anybody out there that can give me a foolproof explanation?

Many thanks

(I also need this for a iPad 2 that still runs on IOS 6 (!), but I guess the procedure would be the same)

I guess I am not the only one in this position, so I hope this is helpful for many others.

DOn'T DO IT!!!!!! In my opinion through constant use, iOS7 was the best for the 4S. 8 and 9 are awful. I'd love to go back to iOS7 for my 4S. Plus I preferred the music app layout on 7!

 

[sethlution]

You cannot go back to iOS 7 because Apple stop signing that version a long time already. If I'm not mistaken, it used to be possible for the iPhone 4 and older iOS version but it hasn't work since the introduction of the A5 devices (4S included)

 

[MarvinHC]

That is bad news so far. I thought as long as I have that older iOS version on my device right now and make a backup it was possible to go 'back'?

I really hope you are wrong, otherwise I will indeed stick to iOS 7 on the 4S. I am still new to the Apple world and so far have enjoyed my ride but this would seriously suck to be so restricted, not to be able to re-install an (offline) backup.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

He's not wrong. You can't go back to anything but iOS8.4.1, and that only for a few more days. It is iOS9 or no upgrade.

 

[MarvinHC]

^ IOS 7 for life (of the 4S) it is then I guess....

 

[aldrinjtauro]

You cannot go back to iOS 7 because Apple stop signing that version a long time already. If I'm not mistaken, it used to be possible for the iPhone 4 and older iOS version but it hasn't work since the introduction of the A5 devices (4S included)

Before the iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 3, it was painfully easy (no verification). Then after that, all you needed to do was save SHSH blobs. Now with APTicket (or whatever it's called), I do believe it's impossible.