Possibility of downgrade to iOS 14 after iOS 15 public release?

[Aoligei]

One of nice thing come out of Apple recently is that they will continue push software update for iOS 14 after iOS 15 public release. According to MacRumors "Software Updates - iOS now offers a choice between updating to the latest version of iOS 15 as soon as it is released for the latest features and most complete set of security updates, or continuing on iOS 14 and still getting important security updates until you are ready to upgrade to the next major version."

Can I interrupter this as Apple will keep signed version of iOS 14 long after public release of iOS 15? It used to be Apple will stop sign older version of iOS week after new version's public release. With this change, does this effectively means Apple is allowing user to downgrade OS?

This would be cool and unprecedented in iOS history. I have long wishes ability to downgrade.

 

[BigBlur]

That’s how I interpret it too. The signing window will likely stay open for the latest iOS 14 release. You’ll probably have to find the appropriate IPSW file for your device on your own though, and restore it.

Also, another thing to keep in mind is that you won’t be able to restore a backup made from iOS 15 to iOS 14. At least not easily without doing some unsupported hacks or tricks.

 

[gwhizkids]

I disagree. I think Apple will stop signing 14.8 within 2-3 weeks after 15.0 ships. They’ll be ok if you want to stay but they’re not going to facilitate anyone moving back.

 

[Aoligei]

I disagree. I think Apple will stop signing 14.8 within 2-3 weeks after 15.0 ships. They’ll be ok if you want to stay but they’re not going to facilitate anyone moving back.

This is how I interpreted. When they say they are going to provide update to iOS 14 even after iOS 15 release, they will have to keep singing the most updated version of iOS 14. Finding ipsw file is very easy and restore from ipsw is very easy as well.

 

[Shirasaki]

This is their first time doing such move of supporting immediate last version of iOS, so some policy changes may yet to be seen and we might need to wait a bit to see how it pans out. As for now, just assume one-week “standard” grace period will apply and downgrade to iOS 14 while you still can.

This doesn’t mean Apple will not backport scan software to iOS 14 though.

 

[Aoligei]

This is their first time doing such move of supporting immediate last version of iOS, so some policy changes may yet to be seen and we might need to wait a bit to see how it pans out. As for now, just assume one-week “standard” grace period will apply and downgrade to iOS 14 while you still can.

This doesn’t mean Apple will not backport scan software to iOS 14 though.

Alright. iOS 15RC is little bit glitchy on iPhone 8, certainly as good as iOS 14. Two kernel panics since yesterday and some graphical glitches. Like this one.

 

[BigBlur]

I disagree. I think Apple will stop signing 14.8 within 2-3 weeks after 15.0 ships. They’ll be ok if you want to stay but they’re not going to facilitate anyone moving back.

We've always had the option to stay or not upgrade in the past, so nothing is new there. However, what this meant was if you were still on iOS 13.6 or earlier version, you had no way of upgrading to the latest iOS 13.7 version once that signing window closed. Your only choice was to upgrade to iOS 14.

What's new or different now is that Apple has stated they will continue to support and provide security updates for iOS 14, along with iOS 15. So now, if a user is still on iOS 14.7 or earlier version, they'll still be able to upgrade to iOS 14.8 (and later versions) even though iOS 15 is out. So this likely means that the signing window will stay open for the latest iOS 14 version, otherwise those users wouldn't be able to get the security updates (unless Apple changes way this process works somehow).

 

[GBstoic]

There are a number of opinions here so I am not sure who I am disagreeing with!
I don’t think Apple will release a full iOS 14.9 IPSW (for example). I suspect Apple will stop signing iOS 14.8 and then produce OTA only security updates.

 

[gwhizkids]

We've always had the option to stay or not upgrade in the past, so nothing is new there. However, what this meant was if you were still on iOS 13.6 or earlier version, you had no way of upgrading to the latest iOS 13.7 version once that signing window closed. Your only choice was to upgrade to iOS 14.

What's new or different now is that Apple has stated they will continue to support and provide security updates for iOS 14, along with iOS 15. So now, if a user is still on iOS 14.7 or earlier version, they'll still be able to upgrade to iOS 14.8 (and later versions) even though iOS 15 is out. So this likely means that the signing window will stay open for the latest iOS 14 version, otherwise those users wouldn't be able to get the security updates (unless Apple changes way this process works somehow).

No. I understand what is meant. My point is that Apple will tolerate and support users who stay on 14. But I highly doubt they’re going to facilitate it by continuing to sign 14 thus allowing it to be installed anew.

 

[gwhizkids]

There are a number of opinions here so I am not sure who I am disagreeing with!
I don’t think Apple will release a full iOS 14.9 IPSW (for example). I suspect Apple will stop signing iOS 14.8 and then produce OTA only security updates.

Yes. That is what I am also saying.

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you don't want iOS 15, stay where you are. One never knows when Apple will stop signing once iOS 15 is released.

 

[Aoligei]

Yes. That is what I am also saying.

There would be developer preview and RC version. These would be available ad ipsw file for developer. I am sure these ipsw will be out there.

 

[gwhizkids]

There would be developer preview and RC version. These would be available ad ipsw file for developer. I am sure these ipsw will be out there.

IPSW and RC of what? 14.8 (likely the last of the 14s) is out there and is signed. Once its not signed, it ain't loading unless you jailbreak. You could have all the IPSWs all the way back to the original iPhoneOS and you're not going to be able to install them. Because they are not signed.

 

[Aoligei]

IPSW and RC of what? 14.8 (likely the last of the 14s) is out there and is signed. Once its not signed, it ain't loading unless you jailbreak. You could have all the IPSWs all the way back to the original iPhoneOS and you're not going to be able to install them. Because they are not signed.

If Apple continue to do developer preview or public preview version of iOS 14 update, they will provide ipsw for these beta version and RC version. I am sure these ipsw will be signed. And I am sure these ipsw will be available on the internet.

 

[gwhizkids]

If Apple continue to do developer preview or public preview version of iOS 14 update, they will provide ipsw for these beta version and RC version. I am sure these ipsw will be signed. And I am sure these ipsw will be available on the internet.

And I am even more sure you are incorrect.

We shall see.

 

[Aoligei]

And I am even more sure you are incorrect.

We shall see.

All iOS 14 and 15 beta can be installed either beta profile or download ipsw. Apple made beta ipsw available. This is how I installed iOS beta 1 and iOS 15 RC. I have like 6 iPhone 7, 4 iPhone 8, 3 iPhone SE, 2 iPhone 11, 2 iPhone 12. I got no time for downloading profile. I just downloaded ipsw file, using 3u tool to flash iOS 15 RC.

There are plenty way to get beta ipsw without developer account.

 

[BigBlur]

Now that I think about this some more, GBStoic had a great point. They could potentially stop signing IPSWs and only release signed OTA updates here on out. That would allow people who stay on iOS 14 to continue getting security updates, while also preventing people from downgrading.

No one knows how this will work yet, we're all just speculating here. There is one thing we do know for sure though. Now would be the time to downgrade back to iOS 14 if it's something you're considering...just to make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity later. You don't get any warnings or advanced notice when something will no longer be signed.

 

[Aoligei]

Now that I think about this some more, GBStoic had a great point. They could potentially stop signing IPSWs and only release signed OTA updates here on out. That would allow people who stay on iOS 14 to continue getting security updates, while also preventing people from downgrading.

No one knows how this will work yet, we're all just speculating here. There is one thing we do know for sure though. Now would be the time to downgrade back to iOS 14 if it's something you're considering...just to make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity later. You don't get any warnings or advanced notice when something will no longer be signed.

But this would be nightmare for organizations have tons of iOS devices need to manage. Are they going to have OTA update one by one? There gonna be a way to load ipsw file and update bunch of devices at once. Not only OTA is wasting bandwidth, but also slower way.