Apple recently announced iOS 15/iPad OS 15 at their Worldwide Developers Conference. And the public beta version is available now.
If you’re looking to downgrade your iOS or iPadOS, there are several options to do so. Whether you have a Mac or PC, either will allow downgrading.
No matter what kind of iOS you have (even the iOS 15 beta or iPad OS 15 beta), you can easily downgrade to a previous version. Versions are generally available online, so if you can find yourself a safe one, you’re all set.
Part 1. Why Downgrade iOS/iPadOS
You might not think downgrading is smart because upgrades perform to give you better systems and more features, and downgrading will wipe your device’s memory.
However, sometimes an upgrade isn’t supported on particular phones, or they could lose your memory and space because of their extra features.
Downgrading allows you to keep the original iOS that works better for you. It also keeps an operating system that you trust, whereas you could potentially receive viruses or bugs from a faulty upgrade.
1.1 Apple restrictions
In case you don’t know, the newer versions of iOS usually come with some restrictions. This means you might be prevented from exploring some of your favorite apps when you upgrade to such versions.
This is one of the reasons why people usually want to downgrade from iOS 15 beta.
1.2 Compatibility Issues
This is another problem you may have to deal with in newer versions of iOS. An application may be running slowly in the version you are presently using.
However, upgrading to a current version can prevent it from functioning properly.
1.3 Software Errors
Most of the time, applications (including iOS versions) usually have errors once released into the market. Theses could be in form of lags and bug issues.
It has made people to think about how to downgrade iOS beta in the past.
Part 2. Things You Should Know before Downgrading iOS / iPadOS
Here are some things you should know before downgrading iOS.
2.1 Data
Downgrading will wipe your database and return your phone or iPad to factory settings.
It is possible to downgrade without losing your phone data. When completing the steps of how to downgrade from iOS without losing data, you must go through a PC or Mac computer.
To protect your content, you must either back up your content or your entire phone database. Then you can restore these backups to your phone after downgrading.
2.2 Back-Ups
Before you look into how to downgrade iOS, you must learn how to back up your files or content from your phone. This is easily done by saving your content to the cloud or even your computer. You can also back up a previous iOS that you want to downgrade to.
If you don’t have an older version of iOS saved, you can download one from the internet. Websites such as ipsw.me can offer virus-free downloads of several iOS versions. Once you download the version you want onto your PC or Mac, you can begin the downgrade process.
2.3 Recovery Mode
When you’re looking for how to downgrade iOS, putting your phone in recovery mode is the safest way to protect it. This is easily done by powering it off and then connecting it to your computer.
The last step differs between phones, so be sure to have your user’s manual at the ready.
Part 3. How to Downgrade iOS 15/iPadOS 15 with iTunes/Finder
First you will need to turn off Find My iPhone/iPad:
Then turn off your iPhone and connect it to computer. You need to put your iPhone into recovery mode. You can do this one of three ways, depending on how old your iPhone is:
- Pressing and holding Home and/or Top buttons (iPhone 6s or older)
- Pressing and holding Side and Volume Down buttons (iPhone 7/7 Plus)
- Pressing and releasing Volume Up, then Volume Down, and then pressing and holding the Side button (iPhone 8 or newer)
Once iTunes comes up, find your iPhone. Next, follow the steps to downgrade from iOS 15:
Step 1. Hold Shift (PC) /Option (Mac) and click Restore.
Step 2. Find the iOS file you downloaded previously.
Step 3. Click Restore.
After the process is finished, you can restore the system you previously backed up, or you can begin setting up your phone.
These simple steps are the best way to downgrade any iOS and can easily answer the question of how to downgrade from iOS 15 beta or iPadOS 15.
Part 4. How to Downgrade iOS/iPadOS without iTunes
If you don’t have iTunes and have no intention of downloading it, you can still downgrade.
Learning how to downgrade iOS without iTunes depends on what kind of computer you own because the steps differ between a Mac or a PC.
4.1 Mac Users
With a Mac, it’s incredibly easy to learn how to downgrade iOS without iTunes. Here we take an example of downgrading from iOS 15 to iOS 14:
- Disable “Find my iPhone”
- Download the version you want
- Connect your phone
- Open Finder
- Click on your device under Locations
- Click Trust button
- Hold down the Option key
- Click Restore iPhone
Your iPhone will resort to factory settings, and you can download the appropriate iOS systems if necessary.
4.2 PC Users
With a PC, you will need a program in place of iTunes before you can learn how to downgrade from iOS beta, iOS 15, or iPadOS 15.
Fortunately, there are several programs available to allow you to do just that.
AnyFix – iOS Systems Recovery, and TinyUmbrella are some of the most popular recovery applications used by PCs. Here is a short run-through of using each:
AnyFix
Here I’m going to show you how to from iOS 14 with AnyFix:
- Launch AnyFix
- Connect your device
- Click Upgrade/Downgrade iOS
- Choose 1 click to downgrade iOS/iPadOS
- Choose Start Now
- Click download to download the chosen version
- Click Downgrade
TinyUmbrella
Here we take an example of downgrading iOS 15 beta to iOS 14 with TinyUmbrella:
- Download and install application
- Connect device
- Click Save SHSH
- Click Start TSS server
- Right-click on your device
- Choose Exit Recovery
- Choose the Advanced tab
- Disable Set Hosts to Cydia on Exit
- Click Save SHSH
Part 5. Is It Possible to Downgrade without a Computer?
If you’re wondering how to downgrade iOS without a computer, you can stop wondering. Such as the technology is in today’s world, it is impossible to downgrade iOS without a computer to see the process through.
What makes it impossible is the use of platforms like iTunes, TinyUmbrella, and others. An iPhone currently needs a desktop application to fully restore a previous version. A mobile application simply doesn’t cut it.
Part 6. Should You Downgrade iOS/iPadOS?
Before trying to explore the ideas shared above about how to downgrade iOS, there are some things you need to know. Being aware of them puts you in a much better and safer position.
For instance, you have to understand your iPhone needs to be wiped out completely. This could be getting rid of contacts, apps, documents and other important data. This is quite different from when you decide to carry out an upgrade process. In such case your files and data will be intact. However, downgrading is the complete opposite.
Whether you are thinking about the possibility of downgrading iOS/iPadOS or downgrading from iOS beta, it is all the same. You need to weigh your decisions carefully since your data could be deleted permanently.
Having talked about the above implication, there is something most people usually ask. This is whether backing up their data in iCloud can help. The truth is that after downgrading, such backup will no longer be accessible. The most viable option is starting from scratch again.
It is important you take all of these into consideration before even thinking about downgrading.
Conclusion
Downgrading your iOS or iPadOS is a simple enough task if you know how to do it. Of course, there are many steps involved for any application you use, but going through them correctly will result in a safely downgraded and easy-to-use iPhone.
Remembering to backup your phone before this process can save you a headache in the future. The easiest way to downgrade is through using an already installed iTunes. If you don’t use iTunes, you can use the Finder on your Mac or a downgrading application on your PC.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to downgrade without a computer, but if you’re prepared, downgrading will be the easiest thing in the world.