Apple Ends iOS 9 Downgrades on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

Apple has stopped signing iOS 9.3.5 for compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models, effectively ending iOS 9 downgrades.

iOS 10.0.1 is also no longer being signed, making iOS 10.0.2 the oldest software update users can still downgrade their devices to via iTunes.

Apple routinely stops signing older software updates several weeks after they are released.

iOS 9.3.5 was released in late August as the last update to the iOS 9 operating system, with major security fixes for three zero-day exploits. iOS 10.0.1 was released on September 13 as the first iOS 10 version for all devices beyond the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

The move does not affect jailbreaking, as iOS 9.3.3 is the latest software version with a publicly available exploit. Apple patched that jailbreak in iOS 9.3.4, crediting the Chinese team Pangu for its discovery, and it is unlikely that a jailbreak will ever be publicly released for iOS 9.3.5 at this point in time.

Apple has also stopped signing tvOS 9.2.2 for the fourth-generation Apple TV.

Tags: iOS 10.0.1, iOS 9.3.5

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Top Rated Comments

bbrks

121 months ago

Awesome. I updated my iPad from 9.3.2 to 9.3.5 just a day or so ago (not interested in jail breaking)

Sorry, I don't get it. What's awesome?....IOS 10 is way better than IOS 9.....

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Gasu E.

Happily on iOS 8.4.1 on my iPhone 6. My hang up with Apple is they stopped supporting Snow Leopard with iOS 9 & 10 yet 9 supported Windows XP!
All iOS final versions should still be signed in order to support corporate enterprises and consumer trial testing.
Imagine if you installed Sierra on your MacBook and couldn't downgrade to El Capitain. Same thing. Someday a class action will force apple to keep signing.

You hit the nail the head. At my company, we are finding all sorts of corporate applications breaking. That statement is accurate as of today, Oct 19, 2016. Four or five weeks is not enough time for corporations to upgrade their systems.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

logicstudiouser

iOS 6 club on iPhone 5.

I am the 0.001% :p

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

now i see it

Another reason not to try 10 for those who have not made the jump

nfl46

Goodbye iOS 9

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

zorinlynx

This sounds fair. Apple gave plenty of time for people who had issues with 10, to downgrade.

Read All Comments