Will restoring from backup require me to go to 11.4?

[JrFreak]

I think I need a fresh install for my iPhone 6 on 11.3.1 but I do not want to go to 11.4 Can I restore from backup without it updating me to 11.4?

 

[Lewisbrown22]

Correct, somewhere between iOS 11.3 and 11.4 they implemented a screen to setup menu forcing you to update to latest signed software when using iTunes to install a fresh copy of a certain signed software. This will have been implemented to stop people returning down to softwares which can be jail broken etc

 

[Minorite]

OK so you are on iOS 11.3.1 now and you want to reinstall iOS, reset to factory settings or just backup/restore?

Reinstall iOS: only if you know what to do with blobs and what a blob is. If not, it's not possible to keep iOS 11.3.1 now.

Reset to factory settings: just reset to factory on your device without iTunes in Settings > General > Reset > Erase all content and settings. This will keep current iOS version.

Restore a backup: Restoring a backup never affects iOS version. If this is the case, just backup/restore with iTunes or any other app.

 

[JrFreak]

OK so you are on iOS 11.3.1 now and you want to reinstall iOS, reset to factory settings or just backup/restore?

Reinstall iOS: only if you know what to do with blobs and what a blob is. If not, it's not possible to keep iOS 11.3.1 now.

Reset to factory settings: just reset to factory on your device without iTunes in Settings > General > Reset > Erase all content and settings. This will keep current iOS version.

Restore a backup: Restoring a backup never affects iOS version. If this is the case, just backup/restore with iTunes or any other app.

So I could backup, reset to factory settings and then restore a backup and stay on 11.3.1?

 

[Minorite]

Yes, if you will use iTunes only to backup/restore. Make sure to erase all content and settings only from Settings on your device and that it's not connected to iTunes in any way at that moment.