Yes, it is possible to downgrade iOS 16.1 to 15.7.1 without losing data! It’s a three-step process, but it can be done by any iPhone user using a computer, a Lightning to USB (USB-C) cable, and an internet connection. !
Downgrade iOS 16.1 to 15.7.1
A direct downgrade was never possible because iOS 15.7.1 was never signed for devices that are already running iOS 16!
Also, Apple recently unsigned iOS 15.7 which was also signed for devices running iOS 16, thus closing this downgrade option!
However, iOS 15.6 RC is still signed for all compatible devices! Whether this is a loophole left by Apple intentionally or not is less important.
The great news is that you can downgrade from iOS 16.1 to iOS 15.6 RC (19G69), then live update to iOS 15.7.1!
Credits: We discovered this downgrade option on Twitter!
We decided to test it for you after receiving many requests in the comments section here on the website and on our YouTube account.
How to Downgrade iOS 16.1 to 15.7.1
Important: You have to download iOS 15.6 RC ipsw file. He must be build number 19G69. This is the only version still signed for devices running iOS 16. Links are available at the bottom of this article!
Point: Scroll to the bottom of this article and download the iOS 15.6 RC ipsw file that matches your iPhone model to a Mac or Windows computer!
Downgrade iOS 16.1 to 15.6 RC
- 1. Connect iPhone to Computer (Mac or Windows) using a Lightning to USB (USB-C) cable.
- 2. Open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows).
- 3. Click on your [iPhone name]available in the left sidebar under Pitches.
- 4. Perform a encrypted backup of your iPhone using the Back up now option.
- 5. On iPhone, open Settings -> Apple ID -> Find My -> Find My iPhone and enable this feature Stopped.
- 6. On Macs, press and hold the option key + click Restore iPhone option and select the recently downloaded iOS 15.6 RC ipsw file.
- seven. Click on Open so what Restore to confirm that you want your Mac to erase and restore your iPhone on iOS 15.6.
On Windows: press and hold the Shift key + click Restore iPhone to be able to select the iOS 15.6 RC ipsw file.
Point: Be patient until Mac extracts software, prepares iPhone to restore (Apple logo shows on iPhone), restores software, verifies iPhone restore, and restores iPhone firmware !
Restore iPhone from Backup
- 8. The iPhone restarts when the downgrade is complete. Swipe up on the “hello” screen and return to the Finder, on Mac. Click iPhonein the sidebar, under Pitches. Wait for the device to be activated!
- 9. Use Restore from this backup option. Select the backup you want to use and enter the password to unlock the backup. Click Restore and be patient.
- ten. On iPhone, tap Continueon the Restoration completed filter. Set up Face ID, set up a new password (maybe the same as your old one), sign in your Apple ID, and be patient until iCloud settings are updated! Follow the other on-screen prompts until you reach the Welcome to iPhone screen. Swipe up to get started!
Point: If you are prompted with the “Cannot restore iPhone ‘Mike’s iPhone’ because the backup was not compatible with the iPhone being restored.” you need to modify the backup file and make it compatible with iOS 15.6! Repeat step 9!
Update from iOS 15.6 RC to iOS 15.7.1
- 11. On iPhone, go to Settings -> General -> Software Update and press Download and install after the appearance of the iOS 15.7.1 update. Follow the on-screen prompts and update your device to the latest iOS 15 version!
Downgrade iOS 16.1.1 to iOS 15 Video
We have presented all the steps described above in this YouTube video guide:
IPSW iOS 15.6 RC Links
Tap the iPhone model listed below that matches your device to download the appropriate IPSW link. The links redirect to Apple’s servers:
- iPhone 13 Pro Max – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40464/0DB87676-1D90-4876-B161-C0D75820FFDA/iPhone14,3_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone 13 Pro – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40402/AAF3D2F1-CACA-4070-A09B-D428A92C4B4D/iPhone14,2_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone 13 – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40470/40003E3D-D106-4A00-AB47-6F8E61EE6E41/iPhone14,5_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone 13 mini – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40394/CF6BDC4B-A356-4DCA-A12C-84FD3110FB7D/iPhone14,4_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone 12 Pro Max – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40474/37DC052B-FA0B-4ECD-8CAF-A329DF680B38/iPhone13.4_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone 12 Pro – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40475/2341CB55-671D-4F93-9E4D-D045170CE95C/iPhone13,2,iPhone13,3_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone 12 – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40475/2341CB55-671D-4F93-9E4D-D045170CE95C/iPhone13,2,iPhone13,3_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone 12 mini – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40437/C971CCAB-4FC9-437C-998E-E9E5FCB42103/iPhone13.1_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone 11 Pro Max – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40393/36DFCB64-76DF-4686-B9F2-C286D980E565/iPhone11,2,iPhone11,4,iPhone11,6,iPhone12,3,iPhone12,5_15. 6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone 11 Pro – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40393/36DFCB64-76DF-4686-B9F2-C286D980E565/iPhone11,2,iPhone11,4,iPhone11,6,iPhone12,3,iPhone12,5_15. 6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone 11 – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40408/D75E5FB1-17F3-4574-91AF-9368594A0690/iPhone11,8,iPhone12,1_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone XS Max – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40393/36DFCB64-76DF-4686-B9F2-C286D980E565/iPhone11,2,iPhone11,4,iPhone11,6,iPhone12,3,iPhone12,5_15. 6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone XS – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40393/36DFCB64-76DF-4686-B9F2-C286D980E565/iPhone11,2,iPhone11,4,iPhone11,6,iPhone12,3,iPhone12,5_15. 6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone XR – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40408/D75E5FB1-17F3-4574-91AF-9368594A0690/iPhone11,8,iPhone12,1_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone X – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40468/6AD38679-189F-400F-A10D-0FF83492CBB7/iPhone10,3,iPhone10,6_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone 8Plus – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40444/082D5132-5C81-4EA0-8253-16D603447C05/iPhone_5.5_P3_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone 8 – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40419/2E28BDBA-78AB-4431-8128-6FBA80997091/iPhone_4.7_P3_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone SE 3 – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40405/2831137E-E8A3-462F-B66C-1E9191D111F2/iPhone14,6_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
- iPhone SE 2 – https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2022SummerFCS/fullrestores/012-40409/8E0606AC-B455-4656-9116-5E8277F8506D/iPhone12,8_15.6_19G69_Restore.ipsw
Credits for IPSW download links to theiphonewiki.com!
Did you successfully downgrade iOS 16.1 to 15 without losing data? Did you encounter any problems? Share your impressions in the comments! We are here to help you !
Related:You might also be interested in how to downgrade iOS 16.2 beta to 16.1!