ios_7_iconAs of today, Apple has stopped signing the iOS 7.1.2 firmware, which will prevent users from downgrading from iOS 8 back to iOS 7 (via iClarified). This means that users who are unhappy with the changes that iOS 8 have brought or unsatisfied with bugs introduced with the update will be unable to downgrade back to iOS 7.1.2.

Apple's decision to stop signing iOS 7.1.2 is not unusual, as the company often stops signing prior versions of iOS shortly after the release of a new version of iOS. iOS 8, the latest Apple mobile operating system, was released to the public on September 17.

iOS 7.1.2 does, however, remain available for iPhone 4 users, as the iOS 8 operating system can only be installed on the iPhone 4s and later.

Released on June 30, iOS 7.1.2 is the latest version of iOS 7, which included minor bug fixes, security improvements, and a fix for an email attachment encryption issue.

Top Rated Comments

Hurda Avatar
114 months ago
finally, I hate when iOS is fragmented.

How does other people downgrading their devices affect your life?
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MattMJB0188 Avatar
114 months ago
This is unfortunate. Ios 7.1.2 was very stable. Ios 8 took all that and flushed it down the toilet.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KimsCreativeHub Avatar
114 months ago
Thats why i now always hold off updating anything.

Until all the "bugs" are worked out I'm not updating my 4s :)
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Richardgm Avatar
114 months ago
I kept a copy of my IPSW for the 4S just in case.

Won't help. It won't sign. You'll get an error if you try to downgrade.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WolfSnap Avatar
114 months ago
I kept a copy of my IPSW for the 4S just in case.

You can't install the ipsw once Apple stops signing it. Period.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
theloon Avatar
114 months ago
Ability to downgrade on 7.1.2 much needed for older devices

Apple made a serious error allowing earlier devices to 'upgrade' to IOS 8.

iPad2 for example. It is simply not powerful enough to run IOS 8 , you are left with a paperweight and a forced upgrade to a new multi 100$ device.

Before the fanboy' bleating starts......if you added a new fuel to your car on the promise that it was ok to put it in the tank for your model, then the vehicle runs at half the power and subsequently you are told you can never go back to having it work as it did 10 minutes ago..... Yeah law suit.

Apple needs to honour the $100's of dollars you have spent on your device and enable you to return it to a useful one.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)