For iPhone users, Apple's iOS continues to evolve with new features and enhancements. It enriches the overall user experience and makes iPhones more appealing. However, with each iOS update, certain older devices may experience performance issues. Thus, many users have sought a way to revert to previous iOS versions. This process is referred to as "Downgrading the iOS Version."
Apple, however, typically allows the installation of the latest iOS version. It leaves little room for users to explore earlier firmware. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the world of SHSH blobs. It will also discuss how they can be utilized to downgrade your iPhone's operating system.
SHSH blobs, short for Signature HaSH blobs, are digital signatures generated by Apple. Apple uses them to authenticate and validate the installation of specific iOS versions on its devices. They play a crucial role in the device's firmware verification process. It is used during the update or restore procedure. When a user begins a software update or restore through iTunes/Finder, a specific process takes place.
The Apple servers come into play during this process. They sign the particular iOS version being updated or restored with a unique SHSH blob. That blob is specific to the user's device and the requested firmware. This signature is encrypted and stored on Apple's servers, as well as locally on the device itself. The primary purpose of SHSH blobs is to prevent users from downgrading to older iOS versions.
It ensures that the latest and most secure software is running on compatible devices. Apple's signing window is usually open for a limited time after the release of a new iOS version. During which users can freely update or restore to that specific firmware. However, once Apple stops signing that version, attempting to install it on a device will result in an error through official means.
When it comes to saving SHSH blobs, there are several methods you can use. This ensures the safety and future usability of your iOS device's firmware. These methods are essential for users who wish to downgrade to specific iOS versions. Below are four methods to save SHSH blobs:
Instructions: Use an Apple-certified USB cable to connect your device to the Mac. Hold the Power button and use the slider to power off your device. Click "Next" in the RedSn0w app. Follow the on-screen timer and instructions to enter DFU (device firmware update) mode.
shshd is a convenient tweak designed for automatic blob saving. Once installed, it relieves you of the need to manually save blobs. It takes care of the entire process in the background. It's important to note that shshd requires your device to be jailbroken to function. Here are the steps for saving blobs via shshd:
Instructions: Launch your package manager and look for the "shshd" package using the search feature. Proceed to download and install the package. Tap "Done" when prompted to finish the installation process. This will automatically save the blobs every time you jailbreak the iPhone, and you can retrieve them from the TTS saver website by entering the ECID number.
For older iPhone models, iFaith can be a valuable tool for downgrading. It is compatible with iOS devices running up to iOS 5.0.1. Moreover, the tool is also Windows only. Use the following steps to save SHSH blobs via iFaith:
Wondering about how to downgrade an iOS device with SHSH blobs? Once you have SHSH blobs of your desired iOS version, you can use a tool called FutureRestore. Along with the tool, you need the desired unsigned IPSW file. Once you have all three items, move them to a folder and use the following steps:
SHSH blobs are not the only way to downgrade your iOS device to your desired iOS version. There are many third-party tools available that allow you to downgrade your iOS device. The best tool in this regard is Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS). This comprehensive tool lets you upgrade/downgrade your iOS device without jailbreaking. It also lets you upgrade your iOS device to the latest beta versions.
Wondershare Dr.Fone is also a complete system repair package to keep your iOS device fully functional. It can resolve over 150 iOS system issues without data loss. Here are the straightforward steps to downgrade your device with Wondershare Dr.Fone:
It is time to connect your iOS device to your computer. Use the original or Apple-certified cable to avoid complications. Once Wondershare Dr.Fone has detected the device, proceed with the "Downgrade" option. It will show the list of available firmware. Click "Download" to get your desired firmware.
To conclude, we embarked on a journey into the world of iOS downgrading using SHSH blobs. It is an ingenious method that allows users to explore older iOS versions on their devices. This guide discussed and provided different ways to save SHSH blobs. It also taught you how to downgrade the iOS version using SHSH blobs via a tool called FutureRestore.
If you don't have access to SHSH blobs or find the process too advanced, an easy solution is Wondershare Dr.Fone. This versatile tool proved to be a promising option for those seeking to explore older iOS versions without the reliance on saved SHSH blobs. With Dr.Fone's System Repair feature, users can downgrade their iOS devices with ease.
Recently I upgraded my iPad 2 from iOS 7 to iOS 9 which made it slower and buggy (apps frequently crashing). I have regretted ever upgrading to iOS 7 let alone iOS 9. Recently I found some sites (eg this one) which offer ways to do exactly what I want: get my iPad 2 back to iOS 6.
Edit, why I don't think this is a dupe: I don't think that is a duplicate because there the answer to that general question is that it is no longer possible. But this specific case does appear to be possible in light of recent developments. Plus one answer mentions many devices but not the iPad 2. Finally, that same answer has SHSH as a pre-requisite, my question excludes that.
Apple is currently signing iOS 6.1.3 for the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S. Simply download the appropriate IPSW and Shift+Restore (Option+Restore on MacOS) in iTunes. The signing status of iOS 6.1.3 for these two devices is unlikely to change because they are installed with iOS 5 out of the box. iOS 5 on these devices cannot update over-the-air to any iOS above 6.1.3 due to some technical limitation. So the update path for an out-of-the-box device over-the-air is iOS 5 -> iOS 6.1.3 -> latest iOS.
Note: At the time I answered, only the OTA for 6.1.3 was signed (because the limitation doesn't exist when updating through IPSWs). For some unknown reason, Apple now signs the IPSW for 6.1.3 (perhaps to be consistent). I don't know when this changed and I cannot find any information about it. The whole reason OdysseusOTA exists is because only the OTA used to be signed. Below you can find my original answer according to the circumstances of early 2016.
The lowest version you can go with an iPad 2 and without SHSH blobs is iOS 6.1.3. This is because Apple still signs OTA (over-the-air) iOS firmware for this version. You can use OdysseusOTA to downgrade to this version, but only if you're jailbroken. If you're not, then you can't. And only iOS
Note: you will need to reinstall apps since they are all deleted. Some apps can be reinstalled (they may give you the option to download an older, compatible version). Many apps require a later iOS and therefore cannot be reinstalled.
Tethered Downgrades are downgrades which flash unsigned iOS versions in a way that meets certain iTunes requirements to complete a restore. It is possible to perform a tethered downgrade on any device that is vulnerable to the limera1n Exploit.
Installing a firmware version using this method (without valid SHSH blobs) will result in a permanently tethered jailbreak. Each time the device boots, the bootrom validates the SHSH blobs for LLB, LLB for iBoot, and so on. Therefore, the image validation function must be patched or bypassed with an appropriate bootrom exploit payload on every boot or the device will be forced into DFU mode or recovery mode depending on the method.
With this method you can install a firmware for which you don't have SHSH saved for. This is handy in the case that you're a software developer and need to do some tests on a specific version or if you prefer older iOS versions.
With each new release of iOS, Apple stops signing older versions, making it impossible to downgrade without SHSH blobs. These blobs act as a digital signature that allows you to restore to unsigned firmware.
For iOS 17, saving blobs now is crucial to give yourself the option of downgrading later. In this guide, we will explain what SHSH blobs are, how iOS 17 SHSH blobs download works, and walk you through the step-by-step process of saving blobs for your iPhone or iPad running iOS 17.
An SHSH2 file, also known as an SHSH blob, is a digital signature created by Apple that is unique to each iOS device. It contains the device's Exclusive Chip ID (ECID) and information about the firmware version installed on the device.
The SHSH2 file acts like a password - Apple's servers check that the blob file matches the device's ECID and iOS version before allowing a firmware update or restore. This is why SHSH2 blobs are required to downgrade to older iOS versions after Apple stops signing them.
The SHSH2 blobs act like tickets that let you enter a firmware signing window to downgrade or restore your device. As long as Apple is still signing the firmware, the blobs will allow you to downgrade to that version.
Using SHSH2 blobs, you can downgrade your iPhone to an unsigned iOS version that Apple is no longer signing. This requires using a tool called FutureRestore along with your device's blobs. It is a blobsaver download tool.
While SHSH2 blobs provide a way to downgrade iOS when Apple is still signing the firmware, they are useless once Apple stops signing an iOS version. At that point, there is no official method to downgrade your iPhone's firmware without blobs.
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