Update July 9 at 3:28 pm ET: Like Aaron Perry noted in XApple has re-signed the iOS versions listed in this article. As a result, owners of affected legacy iPhone and iPad models can roll back those software versions, most of which are the latest versions supported on their respective devices. The original story follows below.
iPhone and iPad users with older devices will no longer be able to restore or downgrade to multiple older versions of iOS starting today. Here are the details.
Only older iPhones and iPads are affected
How he saw it Aaron Perris In X, Apple stopped signing over-the-air (OTA) and direct installations of IPSW for several older iPads and iPhones:
This means that starting today Apple will no longer validate:
- IPSW installations of iOS 7.1.2 on iPhone 4 (CDMA)
- OTA installations of iOS 6.1.3 and iOS 8.4.1, and IPSW installations of iOS 9.3.5 and iOS 9.3.6 on iPhone 4S
- OTA installations of iOS 8.4.1, plus IPSW installations of iOS 10.3.3 and iOS 10.3.4 on iPhone 5 GSM and CDMA;
- IPSW installations of iOS 10.3.3 on iPhone 5c GSM and CDMA;
- OTA installations of iOS 8.4.1 and IPSW installations of iOS 9.3.5 and iOS 9.3.6 on iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular;
- OTA installations of iOS 8.4.1 and IPSW installations of iOS 9.3.5 and iOS 9.3.6 on iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular MM;
- OTA installations of iOS 6.1.3 and iOS 8.4.1, and IPSW installations of iOS 9.3.5 and iOS 9.3.6 on CDMA iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G;
- OTA installations of iOS 8.4.1 and IPSW installations of iOS 10.3.3 and iOS 10.3.4 on iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular
- OTA installations of iOS 8.4.1 and IPSW installations of iOS 10.3.3 and iOS 10.3.4 on iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular MM
As a reminder, Apple split iOS and iPadOS starting with iPadOS 13, meaning iPads with older versions of the system ran iOS. Interestingly, iOS 10.3.4 came out only for the iPhone 5, while the iPhone 5c arrived with iOS 10.3.3. So it is possible that the iPhone 5 will also be affected by today’s signature changes.
Although it is more common for Apple to stop signing newer versions of iOS and iPadOS, usually days after releasing major security fixes for newer versions, the company occasionally stops signing older versions for legacy devices as well.
Of course, this move affects a relatively small percentage of its user base. However, it still closes restore and installation paths for users who maintain legacy devices for testing, application compatibility, or preservation.
Do you still own any of the affected devices? Let us know in the comments.
Update July 9 at 3:28 pm ET: Like Aaron Perry noted in XApple has re-signed the iOS versions mentioned in the article.
As a result, owners of affected legacy iPhone and iPad models can roll back those software versions.
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