"Can I Downgrade/Re-restore my iPhone from iOS this to iOS that" or "Can I restore my iPhone to this iOS"
Very repetitive questions. This will basically break down the cans and can'ts of downgrading with each device specifically. There is an FAQ section all the way at the end for commonly asked questions as well, so please take a look at that before asking.
Remember, you CANNOT DOWNGRADE OR RESTORE any iOS without blobs. The only exception to this is iOS 4.1. No other exceptions
Important: YOU CANNOT SHARE BLOBS. BLOBS ARE SPECIFIC/UNIQUE TO EACH AND EVERY DEVICE. ONCE THE SIGNING WINDOW HAS CLOSED, YOU CANNOT RETRIEVE BLOBS UNLESS THEY'RE SAVED ON CYDIA ASSUMING YOU MANUALLY HOSTED THEM.
Update: New method of re-restoring WITHOUT SHSH blobs is available here. This can only be used on iOS 5.0 - 6.1.2. Nothing below 5.0, nothing above 6.1.2
Some terms:
With the release of iOS 7, Apple has essentially "abolished" the idea of SHSH blobs. The history of SHSH blobs is this:
iPhone 5S:
Can I downgrade/re-restore my iPhone 5S?
NO. Read the above regarding iOS 7.X
iPhone 5C:
Can I downgrade/re-restore my iPhone 5C on iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X?
NO.Read the above regarding iOS 7.X
iPhone 5:
Can I re-restore my iPhone 5 on iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X:
YES. http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...weaks-without-restoring-rejailbreaking-56461/
Can I downgrade/restore selectively my iPhone 5:
NO
Can I downgrade my iPhone 5 with blobs saved:
NO
Can I downgrade/restore selectively my iPhone 5 WITHOUT blobs saved:
Read above. Blobs are MANDATORY
Can I bypass or use some sort of hack to downgrade or selectively my iPhone 5's iOS?
No, there are no hacks, bypasses, cheats, backdoors, etc, that will allow you to do so, with or without blobs
iPhone 4S:
Can I re-restore my iPhone 4S:
YES. http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...weaks-without-restoring-rejailbreaking-56461/
Can I downgrade/selectively restore my iPhone 4S on iOS 6.0 and above back to another iOS:
NO
Can I selectively restore my iPhone 4S on iOS 6.X and above to any iOS 6.X:
NO
Can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore my iPhone 4S on iOS 5 to iOS 5:
YES. You must have functional SHSH blobs that also have working/valid APTickets. Use RedSn0w's restore feature to do so.
Can I downgrade/selective restore my iPhone 4S WITHOUT SHSH blobs:
No. Read above. SHSH blobs are MANDATORY.
Can I bypass or use some sort of hack to downgrade or selectively restore iPhone 4S' iOS?
No, there are no hacks, bypasses, cheats, backdoors, etc, that will allow you to do so, with or without blobs
iPhone 4
Can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively my iPhone 4's iOS:
YES. There are NO RESTRICTIONS for the iPhone 4 since it's a pre-A5 device. As long as you have valid blobs, you can restore as you please on and to ANY IOS. Alternatively, without blobs, you can use this to re-restore
Can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore my iPhone 4's iOS 6 to iOS 6:
YES. There are NO RESTRICTIONS for the iPhone 4 since it's a pre-A5 device. As long as you have valid blobs, you can restore as you please on and to ANY IOS.
Can I downgrade/re-restore my iPhone 4's iOS 6 to iOS 5:
YES. There are NO RESTRICTIONS for the iPhone 4 since it's a pre-A5 device. As long as you have valid blobs, you can restore as you please on and to ANY IOS.
Can I downgrade/selectively restore my iPhone 4's iOS WITHOUT SHSH blobs:
NO. Read above. SHSH blobs are MANDATORY
Can I bypass or use some sort of hack to downgrade or selectively restore my iPhone 4's iOS?
No, there are no hacks, bypasses, cheats, backdoors, etc, that will allow you to do so, without blobs
iPhone 3GS
Can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore my iPhone 3GS' iOS:
YES. There are NO RESTRICTIONS for the iPhone 3GS since it's a pre-A5 device. As long as you have valid blobs, you can restore as you please on and to ANY IOS. Alternatively, without blobs, you can use this to re-restoreCan I downgrade/selectively restore my iPhone 3GS' iOS WITHOUT SHSH blobs:
NO. Read above. SHSH blobs are MANDATORY
Can I bypass or use some sort of hack to downgrade or selectively restore my iPhone 3GS' iOS?
No, there are no hacks, bypasses, cheats, backdoors, etc, that will allow you to do so, without blobs
BONUS FOR OTHER DEVICES:
iPad Air/Mini 2 (Retina):
Can I downgrade/selectively restore my iPad Air or iPad Mini 2 (Retina):
NO. Read the above regarding iOS 7.X
iPad Mini:
Can I downgrade my iPad Mini from iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X:
NO.
Can I re-restore my iPad Mini from iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X:
YES. http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...weaks-without-restoring-rejailbreaking-56461/
Can I selectively restore my iPad Mini:
NO.
iPad 3/4:
Can I downgrade/selectively restore my iPad 3 or iPad 4 from iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X:
No
Can I downgrade/selectively restore my iPad 3 or iPad 4 from iOS 6.X to iOS 5.X:
No
Can I re-restore my iPad 3 or iPad 4 from iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X:
YES. http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...weaks-without-restoring-rejailbreaking-56461/
Can I re-restore my iPad 3 from iOS 5.X to iOS 5.X:
YES. You must have valid iOS 5 blobs and APTickets to do this. Alternatively, without blobs, you can use this to re-restoreCan I downgrade/selectively restore my iPad 3 or iPad 4's iOS WITHOUT SHSH blobs:
NO. Read above. SHSH blobs are MANDATORY IF DOWNGRADING IS APPLICABLE.
Can I bypass or use some sort of hack to downgrade or selectively restore my iPhone 3GS' iOS?
No, there are no hacks, bypasses, cheats, backdoors, etc, that will allow you to do so, without blobs
iPad 2
Can I re-restore my iPad 2 on iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X:
YES. http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...weaks-without-restoring-rejailbreaking-56461/
Can I downgrade my iPad 2 from iOS 6.X to iOS 5.X:
YES. You MUST have one iOS 4 blob AND one iOS 5 blob. Both blobs are MANDATORY. The iOS 5 blob MUST match the iOS 5 that you're trying to downgrade to. Again, iOS 4 blobs are MANDATORY. It doesn't matter what iOS 4 blob it is, as long as it's an iOS 4.X blob.
Can I downgrade/re-restore my iPad 2 from iOS 5.X to iOS 5.X:
YES. You MUST have valid iOS 5 blobs and APTickets to do so. Alternatively, without blobs, you can use this to re-restore
iPad 1
Can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore my iPad 1's iOS from iOS 5.X to iOS 5.X:
YES. You must have valid blobs to do so. Alternatively, without blobs, you can use this to re-restoreCan I downgrade my iPad 1's iOS from iOS 5.X to iOS 4.X:
YES. You must have valid blobs to do so.
iPod Touch 1st/2nd/3rd/4th Generation
Can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore my iPod Touch 1st/2nd/3rd/4th Gen's iOS from iOS X.X.X to iOS Y.Y.Y:
YES. You MUST have valid blobs to do so.
iPod Touch 5th Generation
Can I re-restore my iPod Touch 5th generation without SHSH blobs:
YES. http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...weaks-without-restoring-rejailbreaking-56461/
Can I downgrade/selectively restore my iPod Touch 5th generation from iOS 6.X.X to iOS 6.X.X:
NO. Even with blobs, you cannot downgrade/re-restore your iPod Touch 5th Gen's iOS.
F.A.Q (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore with some devices/iOS and not others?
Why can the iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iPad 3 be re-restored from iOS 5 to iOS 5?
The re-restore process on the iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iPad 3 takes advantage of a re-restore vulnerability that allows you to re-restore. Using RedSn0w will allow you to do so.
Why can I downgrade my iPad 2 from iOS 6 to iOS 5 but not my iPhone 4S from iOS 6 to iOS 5?
The reason that the iPad 2 is capable of downgrading from iOS 6 to iOS 5 is because it uses iOS 4 as a "bridge" to do so. Because the iPhone 4S does NOT have iOS 4 blobs (as it's released with iOS 5), you don't have the bridge that allows you to downgrade below the threshold.
Very repetitive questions. This will basically break down the cans and can'ts of downgrading with each device specifically. There is an FAQ section all the way at the end for commonly asked questions as well, so please take a look at that before asking.
Remember, you CANNOT DOWNGRADE OR RESTORE any iOS without blobs. The only exception to this is iOS 4.1. No other exceptions
Important: YOU CANNOT SHARE BLOBS. BLOBS ARE SPECIFIC/UNIQUE TO EACH AND EVERY DEVICE. ONCE THE SIGNING WINDOW HAS CLOSED, YOU CANNOT RETRIEVE BLOBS UNLESS THEY'RE SAVED ON CYDIA ASSUMING YOU MANUALLY HOSTED THEM.
Update: New method of re-restoring WITHOUT SHSH blobs is available here. This can only be used on iOS 5.0 - 6.1.2. Nothing below 5.0, nothing above 6.1.2
Some terms:
- Downgrading: The process of restoring your iOS firmware to a lower/previous iOS firmware version. i.e. Restoring from iOS 6.1.3 to iOS 6.0.1
- Re-restore: The process of restoring your iOS firmware back to the same/identical firmware. i.e. Restore from iOS 6.0.1 to iOS 6.0.1
- Restore selectively: Restoring selectively means restoring to an iOS that's no longer being signed. This basically includes downgrading and re-restoring but I keep it separate to avoid confusion. The meaning in the case that I'm using selectively restore is more towards "upgrading". So for example, say the current iOS version is iOS 6.1.3, and you're on iOS 6.0.1 and you want to restore to iOS 6.1.2. This is selectively restoring, or selective upgrading.
- SHSH Blobs: http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i.../shsh-blobs-frequently-asked-questions-19986/
With the release of iOS 7, Apple has essentially "abolished" the idea of SHSH blobs. The history of SHSH blobs is this:
- <iOS 5 : SHSH blobs
- iOS 5.0 - 5.1.1 : SHSH blobs + APTickets, we'll term this 50/50
- iOS 6.0 - 6.1.3 : SHSH blobs + APTickets, we'll term this 50/50 though the algorithm has changed a little (which is why Cydia did not save them automatically properly)
- iOS 7.0+ : SHSH blobs + APTickets, we'll term this ratio 10/90
iPhone 5S:
Can I downgrade/re-restore my iPhone 5S?
NO. Read the above regarding iOS 7.X
iPhone 5C:
Can I downgrade/re-restore my iPhone 5C on iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X?
NO.Read the above regarding iOS 7.X
iPhone 5:
Can I re-restore my iPhone 5 on iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X:
YES. http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...weaks-without-restoring-rejailbreaking-56461/
Can I downgrade/restore selectively my iPhone 5:
NO
Can I downgrade my iPhone 5 with blobs saved:
NO
Can I downgrade/restore selectively my iPhone 5 WITHOUT blobs saved:
Read above. Blobs are MANDATORY
Can I bypass or use some sort of hack to downgrade or selectively my iPhone 5's iOS?
No, there are no hacks, bypasses, cheats, backdoors, etc, that will allow you to do so, with or without blobs
iPhone 4S:
Can I re-restore my iPhone 4S:
YES. http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...weaks-without-restoring-rejailbreaking-56461/
Can I downgrade/selectively restore my iPhone 4S on iOS 6.0 and above back to another iOS:
NO
Can I selectively restore my iPhone 4S on iOS 6.X and above to any iOS 6.X:
NO
Can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore my iPhone 4S on iOS 5 to iOS 5:
YES. You must have functional SHSH blobs that also have working/valid APTickets. Use RedSn0w's restore feature to do so.
Can I downgrade/selective restore my iPhone 4S WITHOUT SHSH blobs:
No. Read above. SHSH blobs are MANDATORY.
Can I bypass or use some sort of hack to downgrade or selectively restore iPhone 4S' iOS?
No, there are no hacks, bypasses, cheats, backdoors, etc, that will allow you to do so, with or without blobs
iPhone 4
Can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively my iPhone 4's iOS:
YES. There are NO RESTRICTIONS for the iPhone 4 since it's a pre-A5 device. As long as you have valid blobs, you can restore as you please on and to ANY IOS. Alternatively, without blobs, you can use this to re-restore
Can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore my iPhone 4's iOS 6 to iOS 6:
YES. There are NO RESTRICTIONS for the iPhone 4 since it's a pre-A5 device. As long as you have valid blobs, you can restore as you please on and to ANY IOS.
Can I downgrade/re-restore my iPhone 4's iOS 6 to iOS 5:
YES. There are NO RESTRICTIONS for the iPhone 4 since it's a pre-A5 device. As long as you have valid blobs, you can restore as you please on and to ANY IOS.
Can I downgrade/selectively restore my iPhone 4's iOS WITHOUT SHSH blobs:
NO. Read above. SHSH blobs are MANDATORY
Can I bypass or use some sort of hack to downgrade or selectively restore my iPhone 4's iOS?
No, there are no hacks, bypasses, cheats, backdoors, etc, that will allow you to do so, without blobs
iPhone 3GS
Can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore my iPhone 3GS' iOS:
YES. There are NO RESTRICTIONS for the iPhone 3GS since it's a pre-A5 device. As long as you have valid blobs, you can restore as you please on and to ANY IOS. Alternatively, without blobs, you can use this to re-restoreCan I downgrade/selectively restore my iPhone 3GS' iOS WITHOUT SHSH blobs:
NO. Read above. SHSH blobs are MANDATORY
Can I bypass or use some sort of hack to downgrade or selectively restore my iPhone 3GS' iOS?
No, there are no hacks, bypasses, cheats, backdoors, etc, that will allow you to do so, without blobs
BONUS FOR OTHER DEVICES:
iPad Air/Mini 2 (Retina):
Can I downgrade/selectively restore my iPad Air or iPad Mini 2 (Retina):
NO. Read the above regarding iOS 7.X
iPad Mini:
Can I downgrade my iPad Mini from iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X:
NO.
Can I re-restore my iPad Mini from iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X:
YES. http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...weaks-without-restoring-rejailbreaking-56461/
Can I selectively restore my iPad Mini:
NO.
iPad 3/4:
Can I downgrade/selectively restore my iPad 3 or iPad 4 from iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X:
No
Can I downgrade/selectively restore my iPad 3 or iPad 4 from iOS 6.X to iOS 5.X:
No
Can I re-restore my iPad 3 or iPad 4 from iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X:
YES. http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...weaks-without-restoring-rejailbreaking-56461/
Can I re-restore my iPad 3 from iOS 5.X to iOS 5.X:
YES. You must have valid iOS 5 blobs and APTickets to do this. Alternatively, without blobs, you can use this to re-restoreCan I downgrade/selectively restore my iPad 3 or iPad 4's iOS WITHOUT SHSH blobs:
NO. Read above. SHSH blobs are MANDATORY IF DOWNGRADING IS APPLICABLE.
Can I bypass or use some sort of hack to downgrade or selectively restore my iPhone 3GS' iOS?
No, there are no hacks, bypasses, cheats, backdoors, etc, that will allow you to do so, without blobs
iPad 2
Can I re-restore my iPad 2 on iOS 6.X to iOS 6.X:
YES. http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...weaks-without-restoring-rejailbreaking-56461/
Can I downgrade my iPad 2 from iOS 6.X to iOS 5.X:
YES. You MUST have one iOS 4 blob AND one iOS 5 blob. Both blobs are MANDATORY. The iOS 5 blob MUST match the iOS 5 that you're trying to downgrade to. Again, iOS 4 blobs are MANDATORY. It doesn't matter what iOS 4 blob it is, as long as it's an iOS 4.X blob.
Can I downgrade/re-restore my iPad 2 from iOS 5.X to iOS 5.X:
YES. You MUST have valid iOS 5 blobs and APTickets to do so. Alternatively, without blobs, you can use this to re-restore
iPad 1
Can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore my iPad 1's iOS from iOS 5.X to iOS 5.X:
YES. You must have valid blobs to do so. Alternatively, without blobs, you can use this to re-restoreCan I downgrade my iPad 1's iOS from iOS 5.X to iOS 4.X:
YES. You must have valid blobs to do so.
iPod Touch 1st/2nd/3rd/4th Generation
Can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore my iPod Touch 1st/2nd/3rd/4th Gen's iOS from iOS X.X.X to iOS Y.Y.Y:
YES. You MUST have valid blobs to do so.
iPod Touch 5th Generation
Can I re-restore my iPod Touch 5th generation without SHSH blobs:
YES. http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...weaks-without-restoring-rejailbreaking-56461/
Can I downgrade/selectively restore my iPod Touch 5th generation from iOS 6.X.X to iOS 6.X.X:
NO. Even with blobs, you cannot downgrade/re-restore your iPod Touch 5th Gen's iOS.
F.A.Q (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why can I downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore with some devices/iOS and not others?
- The reason you can downgrade/re-restore/selectively restore with certain or specific device, iOS or device-iOS combination is because of exploits/vulnerabilities with that iOS, device or specific device-iOS combination. Let's break this down even further
- Pre-A5 devices (iPad 1, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod Touch 1st-4th Generation): Pre-A5 refers to the on-board chipset on the device. Pre-A5 devices are susceptible to an exploit called LimeRa1n. LimeRa1n is a bootrom exploit that is ONLY present in pre-A5 devices. This allows users to put their device into Pwned DFU mode, which is necessary when restoring to a custom iOS or restoring using a custom IPSW. LimeRa1n susceptible devices can be downgraded or re-restored AS YOU PLEASE. As I've repeated time and time again above, SHSH BLOBS MUST BE PRESENT AND VALID unless you're using the iLEX R.A.T. method when re-restoring
- A5+ devices (iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad Mini, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod Touch 5th Generation): These devices are NOT susceptible to the LimeRa1n exploit. These devices cannot be downgraded or re-restored WITH OR WITHOUT SHSH BLOBS. PERIOD.
Why can the iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iPad 3 be re-restored from iOS 5 to iOS 5?
The re-restore process on the iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iPad 3 takes advantage of a re-restore vulnerability that allows you to re-restore. Using RedSn0w will allow you to do so.
Why can I downgrade my iPad 2 from iOS 6 to iOS 5 but not my iPhone 4S from iOS 6 to iOS 5?
The reason that the iPad 2 is capable of downgrading from iOS 6 to iOS 5 is because it uses iOS 4 as a "bridge" to do so. Because the iPhone 4S does NOT have iOS 4 blobs (as it's released with iOS 5), you don't have the bridge that allows you to downgrade below the threshold.
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