How to Downgrade from iOS 15 to iOS 14 in 5 Easy Steps

The Risks of Downgrading

If you recently updated your iPhone to iOS 15 but are unhappy with the bugs and glitches, you may wish to downgrade to iOS 14. However, downgrading your iOS software is not as simple as upgrading, and there are certain risks involved. Before proceeding with a downgrade, it is important to understand the risks and the steps involved.

The main risk of downgrading your iPhone to iOS 14 is data loss. Performing a downgrade will erase all the data on your device and restore it to the state it was in when you last backed up your phone. If you have not recently backed up your iPhone, you will lose all your data, including contacts, photos, videos, and text messages.

Even if you have backed up your iPhone, there is still a risk of data loss during the downgrade process. There have been reports of users losing all their data, even after backing up their phones. Therefore, it is important to make sure you have a recent backup of your iPhone before proceeding with a downgrade.

Another risk of downgrading your iPhone to iOS 14 is that it is not supported by Apple. Apple only allows users to install the latest version of its software, and it does not provide any official support for downgrading. This means that if you encounter any issues during or after the downgrade, you will be on your own.

If you encounter any problems after downgrading your iPhone to iOS 14, you may not be able to receive support from Apple. This can potentially leave your iPhone vulnerable to security vulnerabilities, as there will be no further updates or bug fixes from Apple. In addition, you may not be able to use certain apps or features that require the latest version of the iOS software.

It is also important to note that downgrading your iPhone to iOS 14 may void your warranty. Apple does not officially support downgrading, and if you encounter any issues during or after the downgrade, your warranty may be voided. This means that Apple will not provide any support or replacement for your iPhone, even if the issue is unrelated to the downgrade.

Finally, downgrading your iPhone to iOS 14 may cause further issues with your phone. While downgrading can fix many problems with the iOS 15 software, there is always a risk that it may cause other problems or glitches. Some users have reported issues such as battery drain, slow performance, and app crashes after downgrading to iOS 14.

In conclusion, downgrading your iPhone to iOS 14 is not without risks. The main risk is data loss, so it is important to make sure you have a recent backup of your iPhone before proceeding with a downgrade. It is also important to note that downgrading your iPhone to iOS 14 is not supported by Apple, and may void your warranty. If you still wish to proceed with a downgrade, make sure you follow the steps carefully and be prepared for any potential issues that may arise.

Backup Your Data Before Downgrading

Downgrading your iOS version to an older one can be a tough decision, but sometimes it becomes necessary, especially when new updates slow down your device. However, it is always recommended to have a backup of your data before proceeding with the process because downgrading can cause data loss and you might regret it later. This article is going to guide you through the process of backing up your data before downgrading to iOS 14 so that you don’t have to worry about losing your precious information.

The first step before downgrading is to make sure that you have backed up your data completely. There are different ways to backup your data, and we’ll cover some of them below.

Back up Through iCloud

The first and simplest way to backup your data is through iCloud. iCloud is Apple’s cloud-based storage service that automatically backs up all your data such as contacts, photos, videos, messages, and more. To backup your data through iCloud, follow these steps:

1. Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to the Settings app on your device and tap on your name at the top of the screen.
3. Select iCloud.
4. Scroll down and tap on iCloud Backup.
5. Toggle on iCloud Backup if it is not already on.
6. Tap on Back Up Now and wait for the backup to complete.

Once the backup is complete, you can check its status and time by going to the same page where you toggled iCloud Backup on. You should be able to see the date and time of the last backup.

Back up Through iTunes

Another way to backup your data before downgrading is through iTunes. iTunes is a media player and library software that can back up all of your data, including app data, passwords, settings, and more. To backup your data through iTunes, follow these steps:

1. Open iTunes on your Mac or PC and connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Click on the device icon that appears in the top left corner of the iTunes window.
3. Click on Summary in the left sidebar.
4. Click on Back Up Now to perform a manual backup. Make sure to select the option Encrypt iPhone backup if you want to backup your passwords and health data.
5. Wait for the backup to complete.

Once the backup is complete, you can check the time and date of the last backup on the same screen. You can also find the location of the backup files on your computer and copy them to an external hard drive or USB drive to have an additional copy.

Back Up Through Third-Party Apps

Finally, you can also use third-party apps to backup your data before downgrading. There are several apps available on the App Store, such as iMazing and iExplorer, that allow you to transfer and backup your data from your iPhone or iPad to your computer. These apps can backup messages, contacts, photos, music, and more. To backup your data through these apps, follow their respective instructions.

In conclusion, it is recommended to backup your data before downgrading to iOS 14 to avoid data loss. You can use iCloud, iTunes, or third-party apps to backup your data. It is always better to have multiple backups in different locations to ensure the safety of your data. Once you have backed up your data, you can proceed with the process of downgrading your iOS version with peace of mind.

Downloading the iOS 14 IPSW File

If you’re experiencing issues with iOS 15 and you want to go back to iOS 14, the process is relatively simple. However, before you proceed, it’s important to note that once you’ve downgraded from iOS 15 to iOS 14, you won’t be able to restore your iOS device using an iOS 15 backup. To downgrade, you’ll need to download the iOS 14 IPSW file. An IPSW file is an iPhone software update file that stores Apple’s iOS firmware. It’s used to install or update the iOS operating system on iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches.

Step 1: Find the right iOS 14 IPSW file for your device. You can do this by visiting ipsw.me, a website that provides the latest downloads for all iOS firmware. Select your device and then select the version of iOS 14 that you want to install

Step 2: Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer using a Lightning to USB cable and open iTunes. If you’re using a Mac running Catalina or later, connect your device and open Finder.

Step 3: Put your device into Recovery or DFU mode: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Hold down the Side button until your device reboots, then hold down the Volume Down button. Keep holding the Volume Down button until you see the “Connect to iTunes” screen or the “Connect to a Mac/PC” screen.

Step 4: Once your iPhone or iPad is in recovery mode, you will see a prompt in iTunes or Finder that says “Update” or “Restore.” Hold down the Option key on your Mac or the Shift key on your Windows PC and click on the “Update” or “Restore” button.

Step 5: A file browser window will open. Don’t close it. Navigate to the location where you downloaded the iOS 14 IPSW file and select it. Click the “Open” button.

Step 6: Wait for iTunes or Finder to verify the software. Once the verification is done, click the “Update” or “Restore” button to install iOS 14 on your device.

Step 7: Wait until the process is complete. Your iOS device will restart several times during the process. Do not attempt to unplug your device or do anything else with it while the process is ongoing.

Step 8: Once the downgrade process is complete, your device will be running iOS 14. You can now restore your device from an iOS 14 backup or start from scratch by setting up your device like a new iPhone or iPad.

And there you have it! Follow these simple steps, and you can easily downgrade your iOS 15 device to iOS 14. However, it’s important to note that downgrading is a complex process, and if you’re unsure of what you’re doing, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. But if you follow these steps carefully, you should be able to get back to iOS 14 without any issues.

How to Use iTunes to Restore Your iPhone to iOS 14

If you’re looking to downgrade your iPhone from the latest iOS 15 to the previous iOS 14 version, it can be done by using iTunes on a Windows PC or Mac. It’s important to note that this process erases all the data on your iPhone, so it’s a good idea to back up your device before starting. Here’s how to restore your iPhone using iTunes:

Step 1: Prepare Your iPhone for the Restore Process

Before starting the restore process, make sure your iPhone is fully charged, or has at least 50% battery power. Next, connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. Start iTunes on your Windows PC or Mac.

Step 2: Enter iPhone Recovery Mode

To enter recovery mode, follow these steps:

• Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
• Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
• Press and hold the Power button until you see the “Connect to iTunes” screen appear on your iPhone.

When you see the “Connect to iTunes” screen on your iPhone, it means you have successfully entered recovery mode.

Step 3: Restore iPhone to iOS 14 with iTunes

Once your iPhone is in recovery mode, you can restore it using iTunes:

1. On your computer, click on the iPhone icon in iTunes.
2. Click the “Restore iPhone” button.
3. Agree to the terms and conditions and click “Next”.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restore process.

The restoration process will take some time, depending on the speed of your computer and the size of your iPhone backup files. Once the process is complete, your iPhone will revert to the previous iOS 14 version.

Step 4: Set Up Your Restored iPhone

After the restore process is complete, you’ll need to set up your iPhone as new or restore it from a backup. If you’ve previously backed up your iPhone on your computer, you can restore your iPhone from that backup during the initial setup process. Alternatively, you can set up your iPhone as new and start over from scratch.

In conclusion, downgrading your iPhone from iOS 15 to iOS 14 is possible using iTunes on a Windows PC or Mac. It’s essential to follow the instructions carefully and back up your iPhone before restoring it to avoid losing any important data. With these steps, you can easily revert your iPhone back to its previous iOS version.

Troubleshooting Common Downgrading Issues

While downgrading to iOS 14 is not an impossible feat, it can come with its own sets of challenges. In this section, we explore some of the common issues that arise during downgrading and list some tips to help you troubleshoot.

1. Device Becomes Unresponsive During Downgrading

If your device becomes unresponsive during downgrading, it can be incredibly frustrating. One of the possible reasons for this issue could be that you have run out of space on your device. When you update your device to the latest version of iOS, it requires a significant amount of space. Therefore, during the downgrading process, your device needs to create a backup of your current data. If your device is low on storage, it can become unresponsive during this process.

To fix this issue, ensure that you have enough space on your device before attempting to downgrade. You can also try freeing up some space by deleting apps, videos, photos, or songs that you don’t need.

2. iTunes Errors During Downgrading

During the downgrading process, you may encounter errors on iTunes. One of the possible reasons for this could be outdated iTunes software. Ensure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer. Additionally, you can try disconnecting and reconnecting your device or restarting iTunes.

If you continue to face errors on iTunes, try restoring your device to its factory settings and then attempt downgrading again.

3. Data Loss During Downgrading

Downgrading your device comes with the risk of data loss. During the downgrading process, your device creates a backup of your current data, and if something goes wrong during the process, you can lose that data.

To prevent this from happening, ensure that you have backed up all your relevant data before attempting to downgrade. You can use iCloud or iTunes to back up your data. Additionally, ensure that you follow the downgrading process carefully and patiently.

4. Battery Drain During Downgrading

Downgrading can be a time-consuming process, and if you attempt it with low battery life, it can lead to battery drain. Ensure that your device has enough charge to last through the entire downgrading process. Additionally, you can try turning off unnecessary features such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to conserve battery life during the process.

5. Stuck on Apple Logo Screen

If your device gets stuck on the Apple logo screen during the downgrading process, it can be concerning. One of the possible reasons for this issue could be that your device encountered a software glitch during the process.

To fix this issue, try putting your device on recovery mode. Connect your device to your computer and open iTunes. Press and hold the power button and home button together until your device turns off and then continues holding the power and home buttons together until you see the recovery mode screen on your device. Follow the prompt on iTunes to restore your device and retry the downgrading process.

In conclusion, downgrading to iOS 14 can come with its own set of challenges, but with patience and careful attention, you can overcome them. Have a backup of your data, ensure that you have enough battery life, and follow the downgrading process carefully. In case of any issues, refer to the list of common downgrading issues above and follow the provided tips to troubleshoot it.