How to Downgrade iOS 10 to iOS 9.3.5
Want to revert from iOS 10 and downgrade back to iOS 9? You can downgrade an iPhone or iPad and revert back to iOS 9.3.5 from iOS 10, but you’ll need to move fairly quickly. This tutorial will walk through the process of downgrading so that if you’re unsatisfied with iOS 10 for whatever reason, perhaps there’s some compatibility issue, or you think it is too slow and don’t want to wait for indexing to finish, then you can go back to the prior iOS 9 system software.
First a quick note; this is a time sensitive procedure because Apple must be digitally signing the iOS system software versions in order for the downgrade process to work. Currently iOS 9.3.5 is being signed, meaning you can downgrade back to iOS 9.3.5 without an issue. Once Apple stops signing iOS 9.3.5, then all users will have to stay on their current iOS release, or update to iOS 10.
Important note about downgrading iOS 10: you must have a backup from iOS 9 available if you want to preserve your personal stuff during the downgrade. This is because you can not restore an iOS 10 backup to an iOS 9 device. If you don’t have a compatible backup available, you’ll end up with an erased iOS 9 device that has nothing on it, meaning no data, none of your stuff, completely wiped. It is absolutely critical that you have a backup of your device before attempting a downgrade, either from iOS 9 or iOS 10, otherwise you may suffer from permanent data loss. Do not ignore this.
How to Downgrade iOS 10 to Revert Back to iOS 9.3.5
You can downgrade with iTunes on a Mac or a Windows PC, here is what to do:
- Before anything else, be sure you have a backup available of your device
- Next, download the iOS 9.3.5 IPSW file for your iPhone or iPad and place the .ipsw file somewhere easy to find like the Desktop or Downloads folder
- Open iTunes on the computer
- Connect the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch you wish to downgrade to iTunes using a USB cable
- Select the device so that you’re in the summary section in iTunes, then:
- For Mac: OPTION + click the “Restore” button
- For Windows: SHIFT + click the “Restore” button
- Navigate to the iOS 9.3.5 IPSW file you saved in the second step and choose to restore
iTunes will notify you the device will be erased and restored to iOS 9.3.5. This means the iPhone or iPad will lose all data on it as part of the downgrade process, which is why it’s critical you have a backup available before completing this process. If you want your stuff back, you’ll need to use a backup from iOS 9. If you do not have an iOS 9 backup, make a backup with iOS 10 anyway before attempting to downgrade to preserve your data, pictures, contacts, and other information.
It’s worth mentioning there are mixed reports from the beta period of being able to successfully downgrade from iOS 10 reverting to iOS 9 and *without* losing all data by using the ‘update’ button instead of the ‘restore’ button in iTunes to select IPSW, but it is not entirely consistent and you still may lose messages, music, or other information. The only reliable way to downgrade and revert back from iOS 10 and not lose any data is if you have a backup from iOS 9 available, perhaps made before the initial iOS 10 update as recommended.
Remember, you can always update to iOS 10 again any time in the future if you change your mind.
Did you downgrade iOS 10 back to 9? Why? How did the experience go? Share your comments below!
As of Nov 1, 2019 I am aware that you can only go back to iOS 9.3.5 or 9.3.6 with an iPhone 4S, the iOS 6.1.3 is being signed, but Everytime I try it gives me an error. This is being typed on iPhone 4s on iOS 9.3.6
#iTunesError #iPhone4S #iOS9
Do I need to have the iPhone/iPad jailbroken for this?
Hey I have iphone 5S model A1533 which is upgraded to iOS 10.2.1.
Can i downgrade from this firmware using the above method? Please reply.
(iPhone 5) I’ve tried this method, but it didn’t work. It says, ‘firmware file is not compatible’. I guess Apple had stopped signing to iOS 10.2 and below..
my iPhone 5s is up to date, version is 10.2 but I want to back 9.3.5. I followed this process but not work show error -54
Got the ipsw file and all, but itune won’t let it restore. any tips on how to do this?
firmware problem …. please help
Just found a way to make it a bit more bearable. Swipe right to show widgets, scroll down to edit, then delete all active widgets. Then when you Swipe to unlock (like it should be) you don’t get a screen full of crap but just see an edit button. Then you can swipe back and unlock using the new poorly designed method. The designers of this new unlock really need to be fired and go back to designing toasters or what ever it was they used to work on.
Really peed with Apple over this one. Just signed a new 2 year contract for iPhone SE and upgraded to get rid of the constant reminders. Now stuck with no swipe to unlock. Utter Cants, last iPhone I buy. Jobs must be turning in his grave, god bless him.
I cant downgrade by this method
my iphone 6 is getting unresponsive to touch for days . initially i needed to clean the screen but now i hv to restart the damn thing before the touch works and sometimes twice or even thrice restrart is required. life is hell .. help me what to do please
is this working? i will try to downgrade my iphone 5 version 10.0.2 to ios 9.. plss answer me.. thanks
No it isnt working for me !
HELP ME!!!!! I downloaded IOS 10 and i hate it want to downgrade. can someone please help me
I am having a huge battery drainage problem with my iPhone 5s since the new iOS 10 update. I first thought the battery had to be replaced, but that surprised me given the phone is only 1 year old.
I tried all kinds of .ipsw files tonight through iTunes Restore as indicated on the article, but I am getting these “TATSU declined to authorize this image on this device for this user” messages too.
Now I realize I should have tried and downgraded in September, I think it’s maybe too late and all downgrades are blocked via iTunes? HELP ANYONE!
Correct.
You can help your iOS 10 battery trouble with these tips: https://osxdaily.com/2016/09/19/ios-10-battery-life-tips/
I have the same problem exactly. Have you solved it? Desperate for solutions here..
Help! Couldn’t downgrade! Error 17
I am unable to downgrade. I can’t seem to navigate to the iOS 9.3.5 IPSW file, even though I have it on my desktop.
What can I do?
This doesn’t seem to be working for me. I am trying to downgrade my iPod Touch (6th generation). I have followed the steps, but after clicking restore, I do not have an option to navigate to the iOS 9.3.5 IPSW file.
I have gone through a whole restore cycle only to end up with IOS 10 again. Can anyone please help?
OK, so I have made progress, but I have encountered another problem. I get the following message:
The iPod could not be be restored. TATSU declined to authorize this image on this device for this user.
What do I do now?
I have backup on 9.3.5 , can i downgrade now ? i have 5s and is very laggy at texting , sometimes don t show the keyboard. i tryed to downgrade and it give me error 3194
Wish I hadn’t upgraded battery life is a joke now . Apple says I need a new battery. REALLY ? Never had issue until upgrade
Can I still downgrade 10/2016 also I didn’t back up phone before update. Is it still possible to do
Thanks
No you can not downgrade and you do not have a backup, you can stay on iOS 10
Why are you so nasty for no reason?
Downgrade no longer possible
How can I downgrade to 9.3.5 when one of the major problems with 10.0.2 is that I cannot connect to iTunes? Is there any other way to downgrade without using iTunes?
downgrade 10.0.2 work perfect, backup restored perfect.
10.xxx sucks with all the above, and bad blue tooth carkit connection, it connects and disconnects almost constant
thanks
Yup still possible to downgrade. I did it just now, from 10.0.2 to 9.3.5. Fairly easy to do as instructed.
IOS 10 wears down my battery and home button WAY to fast! Is the downgrade still possible at this moment? (It’s October 13th 2016)
I’m considering to downgrade my iphone 6 to iOS 9.3.5 because iOS 10 it drains my battery so much.
What I want to know is, will downgrade to iOS 9 will help my battery problem?
Thanks guys!
yea ios 10 suck to much battery
Hi, have a problem with downgrade to 935
error about file version
as you can see for 5s GSM you linked to verson for iphone 6
may be this is a problem?
what i can do to solve it and downgrade finally?
thanks!
Apparently no downgrade at all is possible for IOS 10 now…so that’s oh so great -_- Now I have a brand new iPhone 7 plus I can use as an 900 dollar paper weight…at least until I am able to downgrade or jailbreak it. Wish I could live without a jailbreak but sadly I can’t. Tears, tears, sadness, sadness, suffering…death…If anyone knows anything please help!(: I would really appreciate it and be eternally grateful!(:
Wrong, you can downgrade other phones. You can’t downgrade iPhone 7 because it never ran iOS 9.3.5, there is no IPSW for it. Read the article. iPhone 7 requires iOS 10.0 or later.
Hi – is it still okay to do this? I’m nervous about wiping the phone even though I have an iOS 9 backup on iTunes. I called Apple and was told that there’s no way to go back to iOS 9 on my iPhone 6plus. I hate iOS 10 and I don’t like my phone anymore. I’m so depressed – can someone please help me?
Dear Vixie,
See my above post. Follow the instructions exactly as stated, and it will work. It’s not too late.
John
I was having problems with Whatsapp notifications, didn’t appear and I have no idea if somebody was talking to me.
Worked great for me with iPhone 6! lucky i have restored an iOS 9 data copy before download iOS 10! thank u SOOOOO much!!!!! (oct, 7th)
—-
Tuve problemas con las notificaciones de Whatsapp, no me aparecían y no me enteraba de que alguien me estaba hablando.
Funcionó bien en mi iPhone 6! afortunadamente tenía una copia de seguridad con iOS 9 antes de instalar iOS 10! MUCHAS GRACIAS!!!
Dear OSXDaily,
Just did this with an iPhone SE, 10/7/16 8:30PM MDT and it worked flawlessly. I followed your directions exactly to downgrade back to 9.5.3. When all is said and done I have all my contacts, mail, photos, voice mails, calls, calendar, etc. The only thing that did not update is Voxer. Ooops take that back, it just came back as before. Total time 16 minutes.
Sincerely
John Marshall
If I’m only worried about pictures should I just save those to my iPad which I’ve not done an iOS update on before I down grade my phone to the older iOS?
All of my apps etc I can reinstall and set how I want, I’m not worried about music or anything.
has anyone any idea how to find the ios 9.35 backup on my pc? the backup was overwritten by the ios 10 backup which i made in any case, before downgrading. will it be possible to copy it from its location on the pc? i know it is kept somewhere. how do you do it?
ios 10 is terrible’, reminds me of android. features like bold print on texts and whatsapp disappeared and battery drains fast on my iphone 6 plus.
Loaded iOS 10 on my IPhone 5 & it disabled my camera. All I get is a black screen.
still possible to downgrade? — it is September 30
ipad mini 2
any idea when apple will disable this downgrade capability?
thanks
I’m trying to downgrade from 10 to 9.3.5 in an iPhone 5s. I tried the instructions in this article, and at the dnd I got a “firmware not compatible” msg. Then I followed some fixes like restarting pc, disabling antivirus, reinstall itunes, use the other ipsw file (gsm / global). Nothing worked, still the same message. Is there another way?
If I downgrade will it save my favorites in maps ?
This worked great for me on 09/22/16. My reason for removing 10 was because the dynamic text sizing feature didn’t work in all emails. The text was too small for me to read. Also the entire phone seemed sluggish too me (iPhone 6 Plus).
You did forget to mention that you need to turn off “find my phone” before you start, though iTunes reminded me.
Also I did have to re-enter some of my personal data including my finger prints for the ID. But it went remarkably well. This is the first time I have done this and was very anxious about it.
Thank you for this page!
This worked like a charm…. thanks!
I got a problem after downgrading.. I’m hoping that some might have an idea on how to fix it. So everything went great! The downgrading process on my iPhone 6 Plus is almost perfect except for one small thing; my Music is not working. The songs that I have are all there but I can’t play them. When I clicked on a song, even the Playlist button, Music will close itself and I’d go back to my homescreen. I can’t seem to fix this problem. Contacted Apple Support and it said to upgrade to iOS 10, which I’m still thinking about because iOS 10 drains my battery for some reason. All of my songs have no artwork at all, they can’t play and it’ll return to my homescreen. Is it only me who has this problem? I read the comments and everyone seemed to have it perfectly fine. Please help!
Mon problème est que, depuis ios9.3.4 et maintenant ios9.3.5, je ne peux plus télécharger aucune application et cela me faisait penser que je devais retourner sur ios 9.3.3. Aidez moi a trouver une solution.
restored back to iOS 9.3.5 due to issues with Mail client not syncing with Exchange email & calendar
Successfully downgraded to 9.3.5 using Shift + Restore button and not loosing “almost” any data, only passwords, fingerprints and screen settings. All software and data was there, but had to sign in in many apps.
Reason to downgrade, handling of RAW pictures by some apps not working well after upgrade.
Minor reason
Sorry, forgot to add: on iPad air 2
Thank you!!!
Thanks for this super helpful how-to!
I’m upgrading a 5s from 8.x, and have just been hearing horror stories about 10. So I’m aiming for the 9.3.5 you recommend here.
My question is : is the ‘restore from backup’ backward compatible- as in could I install from the 9.3.5 .ipsw, then use an 8.x backup to restore from? I’d assume so, but I don’t want to find out the hard way…
Many Thanks!
It did work for me which i’m really happy about since I hated the new software for my phone personally (5c). But, even with a back up with the ios 10 software it would not bring all of my data back, so I did have to re-download everything again:(.
In the process of downgrading right now because the new stupid, obnoxious, topical, plebeian iMessage features didn’t even end up working for me, it still said (Sent with Lasers) and the like. And now, suddenly, Notes crashes within a second of opening it every single time making it completely unusable. I can’t wait until the moment I switch over to my incoming Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge tomorrow.
Thanks for the instructions, the downgrade worked great. What the heck was Apple thinking with iOS 10?
how to i navigate to ios 9.3.5?
Yes the article describes how to downgrade to iOS 9.3.5 and what to do, read the article for your instructions.
For me it’s Control Centre and Lock Screen. Accessing the camera quickly from my pocket was a top function for me from ios9, but ios 10 is unreliable. Sometimes i have to swipe (horizontally!??) multiple times before it works -depends on where my thumb starts and how far i swipe. The ios 9 function worked so well.
I am not even a tech but I could have done a better job designing Control Centre. Being able to control brightness and volume were/are important to me. And ios 10 just makes me feel like i have spastic thumbs. It takes me several times sometimes to get my thumb in exactly the right spot to use the sliders properly without them scrolling to the ridiculously pointless and bothersome double panel. Sometimes it even swipes the whole Control Centre down and away. Thanks Apple. But no thanks. Let us know when you stop employing chimps to design your stuff.
I keep my old iPhone 5 as a backup. The last time I powered it up, I updated it to iOS 9.2.
With the changes in iOS 10, especially the lame new lock screen behaviors, I wanted to install 9.3.5 on it before Apple stops signing iOS 9.x altogether.
The two most important things to have when installing the non-current version of iOS is:
1) a copy of the correct .ipsw iOS software payload file and
2) a backup of the device *made under a version of iOS no newer than the version you wish to install*. I prefer local iTunes backups to iCloud backups, though I do both.
Once that backup is made, go into iTunes preferences/Devices, select the backup you just made from the list, and *right click on it and designate it as an Archive, or else it will be overwritten by any subsequent backup operation, including under a newer iOS which will render it useless.* The notes above about the importance of a backup omit this vital step.
Some apps one may have updated in the interim might be too new to run on the older iOS, but there may be ways to re-download them if you don’t have copies in your local iTunes library (I make a supplementary backup of older versions of my most important apps).
However, given the recently announced effort by Apple to purge the iTunes store repository of “obsolete” apps, that probably won’t be a reliable option in the future, and make local backups the only lifeline.
This brings to mind lesson item #3 — Apple gears its online services to the latest and greatest, and expect users to adhere to the upgrade treadmill, both hardware and software.
Users who don’t proactively preserve and backup older iOS software and apps will probably find that they will be impossible to re-download or recover them from Apple online, therefore it is imperative to maintain some sort of personal local backup.
Some users boast of never having to connect their devices to iTunes, in favor of iCloud only updates; some even shun it. But local management is the only way to ensure one can preserve a preferred old version of an app, or an app Apple or the developer has deemed “evil” and has pulled from distribution.
Keeping all that in mind, the act of performing a downgrade is simple, as outlined above.
In the time I’ve taken to type this, I have installed the targeted version of iOS on my phone, and have restored my backup to it.
This is crap. I made a backup before upgrading to 10 but it will not let me select it after downgrading. The only one available is the latest backup for 10 I made after upgrading…. AVOID this procedure!
Wish I could say the switch from swipe to Home button is nice, or that IOS 10 looks more refined, and professional and not some VTech Toy. Or that I would never want to go back to IOS 9. But I cannot. My only positive I could find that IOS 10 has is the ability to uninstall some of Apple’s annoying apps that I will never use. That’s it, that’s all that impresses me. Otherwise why would I think changing a standard swipe gesture being totally replaced a good thing. Or how every freakin time I pick up my phone it thinks I want to access it? Yeah, how does that save battery life Apple?
Here’s a twist on the situation. I’m on 9.3.2 and want to UPGRADE to 9.3.5 before Apple stops signing the IPSW file. I have not and do not want to install 10, so I’m not trying to “downgrade”.
I get how to install the IPSW file using the restore button in iTunes. I understand this will just restore a “clean/wiped” 9.3.5 environment to my phone without any of my old data. I will then need to restore a backup of my previous data.
My question is: can I restore a backup from 9.3.2 into a 9.3.5 environment?
I’d think this should work since I’m just making an incremental upgrade within ios 9 versions. I figure that’s essentially what happened when you upgraded before the ios 10 release, right? Back up your data in old version (9.3.2), install new version (9.3.5), then restore your backup. I’m thinking this 3-step process is just automated in a normal upgrade and transparent to the end user.
Just looking for confirmation that this actually works and I’m not overlooking some glitch that will force me into ios 10
The other scenario I can see is that I install the 9.3.5 IPSW file for the upgrade, then I get reverted to 9.3.2 when I restore my backup from before installing 9.3.5. Right back where I started…
I can see how this would make sense – lets say I upgraded to 9.3.5, found that I didn’t like it, and wanted to restore a 9.3.2 environment.
So there are at least two possible ways it could work, which one is it?
..I’ve upgraded from 9.3.5 to 10 yesterday aand all looked to be fine (battery was draining faster, though)..but today I can’t start anything from my phone (6s+); clicking on any icon does nothing-icon just blinks and application is not started..!!..even after reboot..(I’m starting some appz, which left open from yesterday, from task manager, by double clicking Home, then select what’s in there)..thinking of going back to 9.3.5, all was great there..
The beauty and elegance of the iPhone is gone! IOS 10 is a disaster. Its like a child designed it. I cannot believe Apple would have release this. Steve Jobs is turning in his grave. Dam, I used to love their products.
I feel the same way. The iOS used to be beautiful, intuitive and responsive, now it is a big step backwards and I feel like I’ve lost my best friend. I hate the v ugly clock and the wake from sleep – where I used to just touch it now I have to push the button.
I have an Iphone 6. After upgrading to ios10 my battery is draining a lot. Please tell me as to what can be done here? Should i downgrade back to ios 9.3.5 or wait for apple to release an update to fix this bug. Also my phone heats up like crazy….
Hmm. I have iOS 10 on my iPhone 6S Plus. Now I have noticed V minor but still annoying screen horizontal judder/jitter. This appears to reduce when I reduce transparency in Accessibilty. Alas, I cannot go back to iOS 9.3.5 as I have already backed up using – 10.
Don’t bother doing this unless you have a recent backup of your iOS 9 device! I made the mistake of updating to iOS 10 without backing up my iOS 9.3.5, and once I got the iOS 9.3.5 back on, I had to restore my phone to version from a few months ago. Unfortunatley something went wrong, making my phone glitch every time I tried to do anything in the music app. So now I am trying to get iOS 10 back on my phone (because apparently I did something wrong, and yes I have the newest version of iTunes on PC). Make sure you back up your iOS 10 just in case it fails in the end! I lost months of pictures but thankfully I should get those back after it goes back to iOS 10 and I restore it to my backup from earlier today.
Also I forgot to mention: Before I decided to go back to iOS 10, I tried to sync my phone thinking I could live without a few hundred missing pictures and messages, but iTunes would constantly say “iTunes could not sync the iPhone because the sync could not be started” or something along those lines. I seriously like everything about iOS 10 except the music. It’s the WORST design Apple has ever had in my opinion. I could’ve made a more attractive app design with the first edition of microsoft publisher and only half a functioning keyboard with one hand in an endless bowl of skittles while yodeling to Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” – and I’m not even proficient on computers! hopefully the music app will change this fall. Best of luck to all of you who try to avoid iOS 10!
my iPhone 6 can not connect to iTunes..!! Says that the computer can not connect to the phone because the phone is not responding. I deleted the location and accesibility in order to recconect the phone with the PC with no luck…
Music App in iOS 9 was far away from perfect, but it was the best that Apple has ever written.
Music App in iOS 10 is simply terrible!!
(1) Who is responsible for this ugly design?
(2) Where can I find the list of recently played songs?
(3) Where can I delete the songs to come?
and so on and on and on …
Since it makes no sence to downgrade to iOS 9 I will look for another Music Service – and there are a lot of them Spotify, Google Music, Amazon, …
Apple executive Eddy Cue is in charge of Apple Music and iCloud. He is @cue on Twitter, let him know your thoughts.
I agree with you, I think Apple Music is terrible. I would rather use a third party service.
Just update iTunes to the last version and you are good to go….Cherrio
It says iPhone could not be restored because firmware file is not compatible.
Yes and I have the same problem, it is evidently not install iOS 9 – apparently not compatible. Very well, eating my second day battery of about 15% per hour. Thank you Apple
Same problem here!
Same here. Please help!
Apparently, Apple has stopped signing even the iOS 9.3.5 version now in order to deal with the jailbreak attempts so sadly, the downgrade isn’t possible now which sucks. I was midway downloading the 9.3.5 when I came to know bout this through some article on some website
No, Siddharth is 100% wrong. Downgrading from iOS 10 is easy and works fine.
iOS 9.3.5 downgrade is possible following the directions here. I have done it.
What you say is not correct and whatever article you reference is wrong.
iOS 9.3.5 is still being signed by Apple and you can still downgrade iOS 10 to iOS 9.3.5.
Siddharth, you probably picked the wrong IPSW firmware file. Downgrading works fine but you need the proper firmware for your iPhone.
Update:
If you get the non-compatible firmware error, download the other version of the IPSW (CDMA or GSM).
Further update:
I was able to update/restore back to 9.3.5 but it wiped my personal details (photos, email, etc.). I’m having to restore a backup that may be from ater the iOS 10 installation.
Use at your own risk.
Right that is what downgrading does, it deletes your stuff. This is why it says like 1000 times to backup first and have a backup available.
You can’t downgrade without losing some stuff, that’s just how it works.
The music app on ios10 looks like it was designed by a child and the messaging app is over cooked now. Why would I want to send money and draw things for people.
LOL i have the same thoughts. it’s such a wasting time, plus another messaging apps has drawing tools long time ago ^^
Thank you for the tutorial. iOS 10 is full of glitches on iPhone & iPad, from my experience. Going to stay on iOS 9 for now!!
The music player in ios 10 is terrible, you cannot select song and make it to your own playlist, the text font size is Gigantic in Library, artwork shrink, it is a really terrible experience.
I totally support Louie. Music Player is, singlehandedly, the reason why I decided not to continue participating in iOS 10 beta, restored my devices to 9, and am planning to stay off of it for as long as humanely possible. Gone is also the star-based classification system for songs, being substituted for heinous, binary “hearts”, which was my main way of automatically managing tracks in playlists.
Unless Apple or a third-party develop a better player more similar and consistent with the old, I might as well try Android, instead. There’s no compelling reason for me to remain faithful to Apple if they begin tearing down their own ecosystem.
I’m literally about to downgrade for the same reason. Why take away things like the star ratings and creating Genius playlists? What possible benefit is there to users? I’m still struggling to figure out what, if anything, has been added or improved.
AGREE… what a horrible experince the music app is now… it all started when they switched to the subscription service which I refuse to be sucked in too… I just what to play my own music library so I reverted to using a new music player App ‘Ecoute’.
In my iphone 6s plus the wifi is in gray, with ios 9 work fine, y need to have downgrade.
Are there any indicators that iOS 9.3.5 is the last update for iOS 9? I’d like to be on the most stable version of 9, but am not ready to commit to 10. If there is likely to be an iOS 9.3.6 update later, I might just wait.
Thanks!!!
Thanks, it works iOS 10 sucks for me.
Totally agree. IOS 10 is crap… they are obviously looking for pointless things to change.
I agree! Seriously, press the home button to unlock?
I agree with you Ale, iOS10 makes my phone slow as crap and it wouldnt even load fast.
Thanks man!