Apple Ceases Signing iOS 7.1.2, Downgrading No Longer Possible

As 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

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Hurda

64 months ago

finally, I hate when iOS is fragmented.

How does other people downgrading their devices affect your life?

Rating: 40 Votes

MattMJB0188

64 months ago

This is unfortunate. Ios 7.1.2 was very stable. Ios 8 took all that and flushed it down the toilet.

Rating: 25 Votes

KimsCreativeHub

64 months ago

Thats why i now always hold off updating anything.

Until all the "bugs" are worked out I'm not updating my 4s :)

Rating: 20 Votes

Richardgm

64 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.

Rating: 19 Votes

WolfSnap

64 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.

Rating: 18 Votes

theloon

64 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.

Rating: 14 Votes

TantalizedMind

64 months ago

Good. I'm glad they do it.

People should be running the latest OS.

Should everyone have to vote for Obama too?
My iPhone 4 is running iOS 6 and my 5S will always be on iOS 7.

Rating: 13 Votes

iHateMacs

64 months ago

Good. I'm glad they do it.

People should be running the latest OS.

Fascism alive an well on MacRumors :)

I'm sure if you had your way everyone would be forced to wear flared trousers too.

Rating: 11 Votes

Porco

64 months ago

I think it's ludicrous you can't reinstall older versions of Apple's own OS versions. Apple could discourage it, make it a bit of a hassle, make it have big scary warnings first, sure, but I think they should provide a method for it for users who really want to do so once in full possession of the facts.

The features and experience (not to mention wider selection of new app releases/updates) of the newer OS versions should be compelling enough. People shouldn't ever want, or feel the need, to go back.

But this way, Apple gets a high adoption rate from almost everyone but the most wary of users and calls it a success, even if people end up hating it and wish they could go back.

Rating: 10 Votes

Dinø

64 months ago

The problem with this is the "geniuses" at the genius bar often recommend restoring your iPhone whenever they don't know what is wrong with it. If you have a defective product that is still under warranty, the manufacturer shouldn't be able to force you to accept an inferior product than the one you purchased.

Imagine your new BMW wasn't idling right, but the dealer tells you the only way they can diagnose the problem is to update the engine software first. Oh, and BTW, the new engine software will reduce horsepower by 25%.

Rating: 10 Votes

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