How to Downgrade to Unsigned iOS [2024 New!]

Joy Taylor Last Updated: Aug. 15, 2024

AnyFix – Downgrade to Unsigned iOS Easily

How to downgrade iOS easily and safely?  Free download AnyFix to 1-click downgrade your system to unsigned iOS.

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iOS 17 was available last September, attracting lots of users to update. However, each new update brings changes that are not always necessarily good. And downgrading to some earlier versions of iOS is your best bet if you want to avoid bugs that the latest iOS update brought. What’s more, you may no longer be able to connect your iPhone to different devices via Bluetooth as they are not compatible with recent versions of iOS. The only solution to any of these problems is to downgrade to an unsigned iOS.

If you want to downgrade to iOS 16 or earlier system versions after iOS 17 update, you cannot miss this post. In this article, we are going to show you how to install an unsigned IPSW file on your iPhone which can potentially help you jailbreak the device.

What Is An Unsigned iOS

Each version of iOS has a signature, technically a piece of code that is sent from Apple’s servers. Once you install a new iOS through iTunes, the signed one will be added.

The signature for obsolete versions of iOS is deleted two weeks after the release of the latest system update. You can upgrade or downgrade to any version of iOS that is still signed, but you won’t be able to do so if the version of iOS you want to install is no longer signed.

Unsigned IPSW files are the corresponding unverified iOS firmware files, and the two are closely related, because an unsigned iOS version means that the corresponding IPSW file cannot be installed through Apple’s verification.

Can You Downgrade to An Unsigned iOS?

Generally, it is not possible to downgrade to an unsigned iOS version through official Apple methods, as Apple stops signing older iOS versions to ensure that users have access to the latest and most secure software. However, it is possible to use unofficial methods and tools to attempt a downgrade.

How to Install Unsigned IPSW without iTunes

As previously mentioned, unsigned iOS versions prevent the installation of the corresponding IPSW file through Apple’s verification process. If you want to downgrade to an unsigned iOS, you must install an unsigned IPSW.

Finding an unsigned IPSW file is not difficult, since websites like IPSW Downloads offer a broad range of these files. However, you’ll need to meet certain requirements before you can initiate the installation process of an unsigned IPSW file.

Step 1: Download the Unsigned IPSW Configuration File from ipsw.me in advance.

ipsw me downgrade

When Apple stops signing a version of iOS, you can no longer install this version of firmware through official channels. This is called an “unsigned IPSW file”. In order to bypass this limitation, you must use a previously backed-up SHSH blob file.

Step 2: Get the Right SHSH Blobs

1. Connect your iPhone to a computer, then open iTunes and click on the Summary. Click on the Serial Number field, copy the ECID and paste it to a Notepad document.
2. Repeat the same steps for the Device Identifier, and head over to this official guide after both ECID and Device Identifier are placed into a Notepad document.
3. Proceed to paste the ECID into the designated field, then select the device type, paste the Device Identifier, and click on the Submit button.

Now, the SHSH2 blobs that correspond with the version of iOS you want to downgrade are saved on your iPhone

Step 3: Some Preparations Before Installing An Unsigned iOS

1. Install PhoenixNonce for iOS 9.3.4 or iOS 9.3.5 or NonceSet1112 for iOS 10 and later.
2. Download the iPhone iOS firmware that you want to restore and the latest version of futurerestore.
3. In addition, you should make sure that your device has at least 10GB of free storage space and proceed to downgrade to an unsigned iOS.

Step 4: Steps to Restore Unsigned iOS Firmware

1. Create a folder on your computer and name it futurerestore, then unzip the futurerestore file into it. The folder path should look like c:/futurerestore.
2. Afterward, you should copy the IPSW and SHSH2 blobs into this folder. Optionally you can change the names of these files so that it is easier to write the command line.
3. Open the SHSH2 blobs in the Notepad and locate the generator key string. Once you have the generator key string you should type it in the PhoenixNonce app that should be opened from your iPhone and tap on the SET button to confirm the changes. Your device may restart afterward, so just be patient and wait for the restart to be completed.
4. Launch the app again and make sure that the key string is correct, in case you cannot see it you should insert it again.
5. Make sure that the iTunes app is closed on your computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer and check if both devices are connected to WiFi.
6. Access your computer’s operating system as an administrator and then open the Command Prompt and insert the following command line:

futurerestore -t my.hsh2 -i signed.ipsw restoreto.ipsw

Press Enter after you type in the command line and the process of downgrading an unsigned version of iOS should be underway.

Futurestore may fail to put your iPhone in the Recovery Mode and in this case, you will have to do so manually. Furthermore, the generator key will reset each time the iPhone exits the Recovery Mode during the process. If this happens you will have to repeat all steps or you can use the Command Prompt to exit the Recovery Mode by inserting this command line:

futurerestore.exe – exit-recovery

Although you can try to downgrade to an unsigned IPSW file using SHSH Blob, the process is complex and error-prone, with a low success rate. There is no guarantee that you will be able to successfully install an unsigned IPSW file on your iPhone.

1-Click to Downgrade iOS Directly with AnyFix [Safe & Easy]

Handling IPSW files, running command lines, and installing apps on your iPhone just so you can downgrade to an unsigned version of iOS can be overwhelming. AnyFix – iOS system recovery offers an easy way to upgrade or downgrade the operating system on your iPhone. It supports the newest iOS 17 upgrades or downgrades.

Except for this, Anyfix can fix 150+ iOS system errors such as iPhone stuck in DFU mode, iPhone stuck in Recovery mode, iPhone stuck on Apple logo, iPhone stuck on iTunes logo, etc. The operation of AnyFix needs no technical skills or related knowledge. Even novices can handle it. Now, let’s have a look at some of its main features below.

Let’s take a look at how you can do this:

Step 1: Download AnyFix on your computer. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to a computer and launch AnyFix. Select the Upgrade/Downgrade option from the Welcome screen.

AnyFix Upgrade/Downgrade iOS Option

Choose the 1 click to downgrade iOS/iPadOS and click on the Start Now button.

AnyFix Downgrade iOS

Step 2: AnyFix lets you choose the version of iOS you want to downgrade to, so you just have to select the firmware package you want to install and click on the Downgrade button. Keep in mind that your device needs to have at least 800MB of free storage space for the downgrade to be successful.

Download Firmware to Downgrade

Step 3: As soon as you hit the downgrade button, AnyFix will commence the process of installing the version of iOS you selected on your device. Make sure that your iPhone remains connected to the computer throughout the process, and don’t disconnect it until the Downgrade Completed message appears on the screen.

AnyFix is Downgrading the Device

Unlike traditional methods that are complex and prone to errors, AnyFix uses advanced algorithms to ensure a high success rate, making the downgrade process safe and simple. The one-click downgrade feature requires no technical expertise.

In addition to upgrading/downgrading iOS, AnyFix also provides a range of other powerful features, including system repair, entering/exiting recovery mode, etc., to improve the performance and reliability of your device. Choose AnyFix for a professional, reliable and worry-free solution!

FAQs about Downgrading to Unsigned iOS

1. Why is it so hard to downgrade iOS?

Apple does not currently offer a direct downgrade option, primarily for several reasons. One key factor is the prioritization of data integrity and device security, particularly during the beta testing phase. Allowing downgrades could compromise these aspects. Additionally, there is no official method provided by Apple to download older versions of iOS, such as iOS 17, once a new version has been released.

This lack of official support ensures that users are always running the latest, most secure software, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities associated with older versions. Furthermore, Apple’s strict signing process, where only the latest versions are signed and verified for installation, further restricts the ability to downgrade.

2. Can you officially downgrade iOS?

Currently, you can only downgrade iOS from iOS 17 to iOS 16.6.1, and you can only do so before Apple stops signing iOS 16.6.1 versions. However, you can perform iOS downgrades through some third-party tools that can help bypass Apple’s signing restrictions.

3. What is unsigned iOS version?

An unsigned iOS version is a version of Apple’s mobile operating system that Apple no longer signs or verifies for installation on devices. When Apple releases new iOS updates, it eventually stops signing previous versions, which means those versions cannot be installed or reinstalled on devices through official means.

The Bottom Line

Installing an unsigned iOS on an iPhone is a complex process that doesn’t have a high chance of success. Besides deleting everything from the device you are also risking being forced to install the latest version of iOS if the downgrading process fails for any reason.

Desktop software like AnyFix makes downgrading iOS a smooth and simple process. Just download AnyFix and fix solve your problem now! Leave a comment and share your experiences with downgrading to an unsigned iOS with us.

Joy Taylor

Senior writer of the iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android-related issues.