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[Tutorial] How to downgrade to iOS 8.1
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[Tutorial] How to downgrade to iOS 8.1Posted:

BossHaug
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Apple has stopped signing iOS 8.1 for all devices. Downgrading to 8.1 is no longer possible!

Ive seen a number of threads regarding this issue and haven't seen a thread explaining how to do it so here it is.
The purpose of downgrading is so you can jailbreak your device. iOS 8.1.1 patches the pangu exploit. 8.1 is still jailbreakable.

Downgrade while you can!
Currently, both iOS 8.1 and iOS 8.1.1 are still being signed by Apple. This means you can put either version on your device. Once Apple stops signing it, downgrading to 8.1 will no longer be possible.
You can check which IPSW's are still being signed by going [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] .

Tutorial: It's long but could clear up any confusion you may have if this is your first go at this sort of thing.

Firstly, download the 8.1 IPSW for your device and save it to your desktop so its easy to find.
All iOS 8.1 IPSW's can be found here... [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

Make sure to check which device you have first(GSM or Global).
Go [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] and find your model number. For example if your model number is A1533 then you have a GSM iPhone 5s and would need to download the GSM version of iOS 8.1 for the iPhone 5s. If your model number says its anything other than GSM next to it on the above page then you would need to download the Global version of iOS 8.1.
If for whatever reason you download an 8.1 ipsw and it says its not for your device in iTunes or iTunes give you an error before starting the restore just download the other version and try again.
Use this link to check exactly what phone you have based on iPhone Model number and Apples internal naming scheme... [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

Once you have the 8.1 ipsw for your device downloaded, open up iTunes and go ahead and make a back up. You don't need to but its always recommended to do it before restoring and erasing everything.

With iTunes open, plug in your iDevice to the computer, and put it in into DFU mode.
To go into DFU mode you need to hold both the home and power button until the screen goes black on your device. Once that happens release the power button and continue to hold the home button. You'll know you're in DFU mode when iTunes tells you this...
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

From there, iTunes will only give you the option to restore it.

Hold down the shift key(Option if you're a mac user) and click restore.
iTunes will open up a window asking you to select the file you want, go to your desktop and choose the IPSW you downloaded earlier.

Once selected iTunes will begin the restore to iOS 8.1.
When Apple has stopped signing 8.1 you will receive a 3194 error code(downgrade error) in iTunes and you won't be able to downgrade.

Once iTunes has finished the restore you are free to jailbreak using [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]


TL;DR version:

  • Download the 8.1 IPSW from [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
  • Open iTunes(make a back up now if you want)
  • Put your device in DFU mode
  • Hold shift(or Option for mac users) and click restore
  • Choose the 8.1 IPSW you downloaded earlier
  • Wait for iTunes to finish the downgrade
  • Congrats, you're done, [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]


Questions, comments, concerns? Post below and I will try to help

Edit 1:
Here is another site that hosts the 8.1 IPSW for all devices, some may find it easier to use than the one originally used in the tutorial.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

Edit 2:
Hopefully cleared up information on which IPSW to download for your model number.

Edit 3:
Use this link to verify what iPhone you have based on model number and Apple's internal naming scheme. If it says GSM next to it then you should download the GSM version of iOS. If it says GSM+CDMA then you should use the Global IPSW.

Edit 4:
Forgot link
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]


Last edited by BossHaug ; edited 6 times in total

The following 6 users thanked BossHaug for this useful post:

-LC (11-28-2014), Dusknoir (11-26-2014), ImmortalGengar (11-24-2014), goonbag (11-24-2014), AR15 (11-23-2014), James (11-23-2014)
#2. Posted:
James
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Nice tutorial Jone i was actually about to make a topic on this xD dont have to anymore ;)
#3. Posted:
AR15
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Nice tut, Jone. Also, I quite appreciate the TL;DR version haha
#4. Posted:
Fearsx
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Whenever I pick the ipsw it gives me an error message
#5. Posted:
zDriz6
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Fearsx wrote Whenever I pick the ipsw it gives me an error message


Same here, says firmware isn't compatible..
#6. Posted:
BossHaug
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zDriz6 wrote
Fearsx wrote Whenever I pick the ipsw it gives me an error message


Same here, says firmware isn't compatible..


Fearsx wrote Whenever I pick the ipsw it gives me an error message

Does it say that before it begins the restore process?

Also did you read the bit about checking which IPSW to choose? It is specific to which model you have. Could you guys PM your model numbers?
#7. Posted:
Fearsx
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Jone wrote
zDriz6 wrote
Fearsx wrote Whenever I pick the ipsw it gives me an error message


Same here, says firmware isn't compatible..


Fearsx wrote Whenever I pick the ipsw it gives me an error message

Does it say that before it begins the restore process?

Also did you read the bit about checking which IPSW to choose? It is specific to which model you have. Could you guys PM your model numbers?
I looked on the back of my phone and searched what model it was and it didn't work. It happens when I hold shift and then pick the file
#8. Posted:
Glxy
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Fearsx wrote
Jone wrote
zDriz6 wrote
Fearsx wrote Whenever I pick the ipsw it gives me an error message


Same here, says firmware isn't compatible..


Fearsx wrote Whenever I pick the ipsw it gives me an error message

Does it say that before it begins the restore process?

Also did you read the bit about checking which IPSW to choose? It is specific to which model you have. Could you guys PM your model numbers?
I looked on the back of my phone and searched what model it was and it didn't work. It happens when I hold shift and then pick the file


Can you check the post I just made on this forum. It's about downgrading to 8.1 from 8.1.1 If you help I will +REP. Thanks bro
#9. Posted:
BossHaug
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Fearsx wrote
Jone wrote
zDriz6 wrote
Fearsx wrote Whenever I pick the ipsw it gives me an error message


Same here, says firmware isn't compatible..


Fearsx wrote Whenever I pick the ipsw it gives me an error message

Does it say that before it begins the restore process?

Also did you read the bit about checking which IPSW to choose? It is specific to which model you have. Could you guys PM your model numbers?
I looked on the back of my phone and searched what model it was and it didn't work. It happens when I hold shift and then pick the file


Try the opposite of what you downloaded first. So if you downloaded the GSM IPSW try doing it with the Global version. There are only 2 versions so one should work.
#10. Posted:
goonbag
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Nice tut man really helpful
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