Can I Downgrade iOS?

Check firmware signing status for iPhone and iPad to determine which versions can be restored.

About iOS Downgrades
  • 1 Apple generally signs older firmware builds for 1 to 2 weeks after a newer update is released before closing the window.
  • 2 Each restore operation requires online verification from Apple servers. If a build is unsigned, the installation cannot proceed.
  • 3 Firmware restoration requires a USB connection to a Mac or Windows PC. iOS cannot overwrite its active system on-device.
  • 4 Full backups created on newer iOS releases cannot be restored directly to older firmware versions.
Browse Downgrade Status by Device

iPhone

iPad

iPad Pro 13-inch (M5, Cellular) iPad Pro 13-inch (M5, WiFi) iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, Cellular) iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, WiFi) iPad Air 13-inch (M4, Cellular) iPad Air 13-inch (M4, WiFi) iPad Air 11-inch (M4, Cellular) iPad Air 11-inch (M4, WiFi) iPad Pro (M4, 13-inch, Cellular) iPad Pro (M4, 13-inch, WiFi) iPad Pro (M4, 11-inch, Cellular) iPad Pro (M4, 11-inch, WiFi) iPad mini (A17 Pro, Cellular) iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi) iPad (A16, Cellular) iPad (A16, WiFi) iPad Air 13-inch (M3, Cellular) iPad Air 13-inch (M3, WiFi) iPad Air 11-inch (M3, Cellular) iPad Air 11-inch (M3, WiFi) iPad Air (M2, 13-inch, Cellular) iPad Air (M2, 13-inch, WiFi) iPad Air (M2, 11-inch, Cellular) iPad Air (M2, 11-inch, WiFi) iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Cellular) (6th generation) iPad Pro (12.9-inch, WiFi) (6th generation) iPad Pro (11-inch, Cellular) (4th generation) iPad Pro (11-inch, WiFi) (4th generation) iPad mini 6 (Cellular) iPad mini 6 (WiFi) iPad (Cellular, 10th generation) iPad (WiFi, 10th generation) iPad Air 5 (Cellular) iPad Air 5 (WiFi) iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Cellular) (5th generation) iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Cellular) (5th generation) iPad Pro (12.9-inch, WiFi) (5th generation) iPad Pro (12.9-inch, WiFi) (5th generation) iPad Pro (11-inch, Cellular) (3rd generation) iPad Pro (11-inch, WiFi) (3rd generation) iPad Pro (11-inch, Cellular) (3rd generation) iPad Pro (11-inch, WiFi) (3rd generation) iPad Air 4 (Cellular) iPad Air 4 (WiFi) iPad (Cellular, 9th generation) iPad (WiFi, 9th generation) iPad 8 (Cellular) iPad 8 (WiFi) iPad Air 3 (Cellular) iPad Air 3 (WiFi) iPad mini 5 (Cellular) iPad mini 5 (WiFi) iPad Pro 4 (12.9-inch, Cellular) iPad Pro 4 (12.9-inch, WiFi) iPad Pro 4 (11-inch, Cellular) iPad Pro 4 (11-inch, WiFi) iPad Pro 3 (12.9-inch, Cellular, 1TB Model) iPad Pro 3 (12.9-inch, Cellular) iPad Pro 3 (12.9-inch, WiFi, 1TB Model) iPad Pro 3 (12.9-inch, WiFi) iPad Pro 3 (11-inch, Cellular, 1TB Model) iPad Pro 3 (11-inch, Cellular) iPad Pro 3 (11-inch, WiFi, 1TB Model) iPad Pro 3 (11-inch, WiFi) iPad 7 (Cellular) iPad 7 (WiFi) iPad 6 (Cellular) iPad 6 (WiFi) iPad Pro (10.5-inch, Cellular) iPad Pro (10.5-inch, WiFi) iPad Pro 2 (12.9-inch, Cellular) iPad Pro 2 (12.9-inch, WiFi) iPad 5 (Cellular) iPad 5 (WiFi) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (Cellular) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (WiFi) iPad Pro 9.7-inch (Cellular) iPad Pro 9.7-inch (WiFi) iPad Air 2 (Cellular) iPad Air 2 (WiFi) iPad mini 4 (Cellular) iPad mini 4 (WiFi) iPad mini 3 (China) iPad mini 3 (Cellular) iPad mini 3 (WiFi) iPad mini 2 (China) iPad mini 2 (Cellular) iPad mini 2 (WiFi) iPad Air (China) iPad Air (Cellular) iPad Air (WiFi) iPad 4 (Global) iPad 4 (GSM) iPad 4 (WiFi) iPad 3 (GSM) iPad 3 (CDMA) iPad 3 (WiFi) iPad mini (Global) iPad mini (GSM) iPad mini (WiFi) iPad 2 (Mid 2012) iPad 2 (CDMA) iPad 2 (GSM) iPad 2 (WiFi) iPad 1
Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I try to install an unsigned iOS version?

When iTunes or Finder contacts Apple servers, the request will be rejected, returning iTunes Error 3194. Your device will not be modified.

Can I downgrade without a computer?

No. Flashing firmware requires a USB connection to a computer running Finder, iTunes, or Apple Devices. There is no supported method to downgrade directly in iOS Settings.

Can I downgrade using saved blobs on modern devices?

On A12 and newer devices (iPhone XS and later), blob-based downgrades are largely non-functional due to Secure Enclave compatibility constraints.

Can I restore a backup from a newer iOS version?

Full device backups created on newer iOS releases cannot be restored directly to older releases. iCloud synced items (Photos, Contacts, Messages) sync across versions.