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Restore Downgrade

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LukeeGD edited this page Aug 8, 2024 · 43 revisions

Restore/Downgrade option in Legacy iOS Kit is one of the options in the Main Menu. Restoring refers to the process of flashing firmware to the device, and may be for downgrading or upgrading to another iOS version. The options available in the Restore/Downgrade section can vary depending on the device.

Selection

  • OTA Downgrade
  • powdersn0w
  • Latest iOS version
  • Other iOS versions, depending on the device
    • For the iPhone 3GS, many iOS versions are available in the menu
  • Other (use SHSH blobs)
    • This option is useful for iOS devices with SHSH blobs for unsigned iOS versions and would like to use them to restore.
    • This is supported on all supported devices that use SHSH blobs (from the 3GS all the way to the iPhone X.)
    • For 64-bit devices, see the SEP/BB Compatibility Chart to check versions that can be used with this option
  • Other (Custom IPSW)
    • This option should only be used for restoring to IPSWs NOT made by Legacy iOS Kit. Examples: restoring a GeekGrade or whited00r IPSW
    • For iPhone 2G, 3G, iPod touch 1, this option can be used for restoring to any iOS version.
  • Other (Tethered)
    • This option is for tethered downgrades, meaning the device requires a computer in order to boot.
    • To boot up a tethered downgrade, go to: Other Utilities -> Just Boot
  • DFU IPSW
    • If your button/s are broken, you can use a DFU IPSW to force the device to DFU mode. This will also clear all device data, so backup data and SHSH blobs before proceeding.

Jailbreaking

  • Jailbreaking for older devices and versions support:
    • iPhone 2G and touch 1 - Only 3.1.3 is supported
    • iPhone 3G - Only 4.1 and 3.1.3 are supported
    • iPod touch 2 - Only 4.2.1, 4.1, and 3.1.3 are supported
    • iPhone 3GS - All versions are supported
    • Other devices - All versions from 3.1.3 to 9.3.4 are supported, with some exceptions (9.0.x is not supported, A5(X) 8.0-8.2 is not supported)

Notes

  • Take note that not all downgrades are compatible with all models
  • 8GB models may not work with downgrades below iOS 6 or 5
  • Newer models may not work with downgrades below iOS 5 or 4
  • If your device is not compatible as mentioned, you will get the error Unable to find AppleNANDFTL
  • You can use sites like Reincubate to check whether your device is compatible or not (Reincubate might be inaccurate, so find better sites like sickw or sndeep)

Options

These options are prompted for selections and iOS versions they are available for. All of these options apply to 32-bit devices only.

  • Jailbreak Option is for adding a jailbreak when creating a custom IPSW. This option is enabled by default.
  • Memory Option is for using system RAM when creating a custom IPSW. This option is enabled by default. This option can be disabled if the PC/Mac does not have sufficient RAM for the operation (8 GB or more is recommended.)
  • Hacktivate Option is for hacktivation of iPhones. This option is useful especially when the user does not have a valid SIM card available.
  • Verbose Boot Option is for enabling verbose boot for the custom IPSW. This option is available for powdersn0w IPSWs only.

Baseband Update

  • The baseband that will be used for the restores will vary depending on the device and version, but it will be the latest baseband for most cases.
  • For A4 and lower devices:
    • Latest baseband will be used if the device is restored to the latest version with the jailbreak option disabled
    • For the iPhone 3GS, the 4.1 baseband will attempt to flash if the device is restored to iOS 4.1 with the jailbreak option disabled. However, this will always fail (unless the baseband is in a lower version), and the device will be kicked out of recovery mode after the restore
    • The restore will have baseband update disabled for all other cases
  • iPad 2 and 3 cellular:
    • The restore will have baseband update disabled for all cases, except when updating to 9.3.5/9.3.6
  • iPhone 4S, 5, 5C, iPad 4, mini 1:
    • The restore will always have the 9.3.6/10.3.4 baseband flashed, unless the disable-bbupdate or dead-bb flag is enabled. For more details regarding flags, go to Troubleshooting#script-argumentsflags
  • A7 devices (except iPad4,6):
    • iOS 10.3.3 SEP and baseband will be used for 10.x restores
    • Latest iOS 12.x SEP and baseband will be used for all other cases
  • Newer A8/A9/A10 devices
    • Latest iOS 12.x/15.x SEP and baseband will be used for all restores with blobs

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