How to Downgrade iOS 16/17 to iOS 15/16 without Losing Data

⚠️ Please noted that our technic based on apple server, if apple unsigned the iOS 15 firmware, you won't be able to downgrade to iOS 15 anymore, we'll keep you updated in the descriptions once the firmware unsigned.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro & Preview
0:35 Step 1 - Turn Off Find My iPhone
0:54 Step 2 - Back Up iPhone with iTunes
1:09 Step 3 - Download iOS 15 IPSW File
1:29 Step 4 - Downgrade
2:21 Step 5 - Modify iOS 16 Backup
3:30 Step 6 - Restore from Backup
4:00 An Alternative - Downgrade with ReiBoot

#downgradeios16

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[tmin]

for Mac users, you have to go to ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup for finding plist file. Thanks for the great tutorial anyways!

[adeelalii]

For those facing problems while doing this on a Windows PC. Please read this very carefully as I will be explaining the issues I faced and how I successfully downgraded with no data loss.
Windows Version: 11
iTunes: From Apple website (Not form Microsoft Store)
Backup Size: 148 GB
Phone: iPhone Xs

Problem: After changing the iOS version in the backup file from iOS 16.0 to iOS 15.0, I started the restore. However, after some time my phone restarted and disconnected automatically leading to failure in restoring the device. I tried this 3-4 times until I noticed three things that are very important:
1. Your iPhone name should be same as that from the backup from iOS 16
2. Your PC should have space. This was weird and I figured this one after multiple tries. For some reason when you hit restore, iTunes creates a duplicate of your iOS 16 backup which is of the exact same size. You can see this duplicate backup being created while your phone is being restored in the backup folder shown in the video. This means, in my case, I needed at least 150GB free on my PC in order to allow that duplicate folder to be created. Most of these YouTubers will not face this issue as they have high storage on their computers but for those with limited storage, try making some space and restoring using the process shown in the video. It worked for me, I have two backups now of the exact same size on my PC.
3. Patience is the key. I was very patient throughout this process even though it took me almost 6 hours. If your backup size is huge, know that it will take a lot of time. Dont't unplug your phone from the pc while it is being updated or restored. You might end up bricking the phone.

Suggestion (I have not tried this):
Forn those who are unable to restore using this method, I have an alternative way that I think MIGHT work. Please try this at your own risk as I have no idea if this will work:
If you restored to iOS 15 and for some reason your iOS 16 backup is not getting restored, you can go ahead and install the beta profile of iOS16 again and update the phone and try to restore the iOS16 backup. Its better to be on a buggy software than to lose your data. I would have tried this next but fortunately clearing out my PC space worked for me. Let me know if this works.

Please feel free to ask your question, I will try to answer to the best of my knowledge.

[burakamca]

thank you, there is no one who explains it in an explanatory and easy way like you

[ahijeet]

Worked !! For MAC users please see 2 important details below:-
1). For MAC user when starting to restore press Option key for you to choose the .ipsw file.
2). Path where your back up can be located ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup

[mihaimarco]

Hmm Are you recommending iTunes to access the Phone? We must use the Music app for 3 years now. Sadly, your suggestion doesn't work with any Mac or iPhone models after 2019

[Aggression-hcyp]

Can I still do this after updating to 17.0?

[kapilsamel]

Everything worked fine except for fitness app and backup is not working on iCloud

[Raydz]

actual lifesaver, i'll let this be a lesson to back up my phone before installing a beta LMAO
working on it right now, thank you 👑

[Kymboren]

Great video. I want to downgrade my iPhone XR from ios 16.0.3 to ios 15.7. I have a backup from 16.0.3, can someone approve if the way of changing the product version still works?
I really don't want to lose my data

[ondrejmalon]

Doesn't work! Can't downgrade to v15 on iphone 8 (GSM) with the downloaded IPSW because is NOT signed. The last signed version is v16.2. Is it a joke?!

[erickaraecuacoyes]

NEED ANSWER PLS

how long it will take to restore? mine stucked in restore in progress. Is it normal?

[donac]

For me not work (Iphone could not be restored . An unknown error acurred) HELP PLEAASE!

[paisan]

I made a backup of iPhone 15.6 before I upgraded to the beta. It show <string>15.6</string> in Info file. Do I have to change it to 15.0 or not because the restore version is 15.5.

[kapatrallas]

This helped me to get to 15.5 without any trouble, Thanks for sharing the detailed procedure. Totally appreciate.

The good part in this is i did not lose my eSIM profile when i did this. Kudos to you

[tommasoamati]

Does the backup need to be encrypted or not?

[akaxjugo]

ok so how does this work on an iphone 14 pro max since there is not a older version for it? Is it not possible? I was using an App that says it is no longer available on the app store when i upgraded from the 13 to the 14 and i need that app for business reasons

[ChristopheJezouin]

For people using finder instead of iTunes, use option and not shift

[salikmirza]

thankyou so much ❤️🥰sir you have saved my iphone because my iphone was lagging all the time.. love from India 🇮🇳

[burakamca]

I did everything you said but the apps didn't come back just nothing else

[darwinsetiady]

take a note, your iTunes must be installed from website with your current version Windows (64/32bit) not from Microsoft Store. It confused me before with iTunes from Microsoft Store, now the tutorial fully perfect.