Downgrade iOS 16.1 To 15.7.1 Is Possible! [How To Guide]

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iPhone Tricks > How To

Posted in How To, TILs by Tyrone on November 8, 2022

Downgrade iOS 16.1 to 15

Yes, it’s possible to downgrade iOS 16.1 to 15.7.1 without losing data! It’s a three-step process, but it can be achieved by any iPhone user with the help of a computer, Lightning to USB (USB-C) cable and an Internet connection!

Downgrade iOS 16.1 To 15.7.1

A direct downgrade has never been possible because iOS 15.7.1 has never been signed for devices that are already running iOS 16!

More, Apple has recently unsigned iOS 15.7 which was also signed for iOS 16 running devices, 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 big news is that you can downgrade from iOS 16.1 to iOS 15.6 RC (19G69) and then update over-the-air to iOS 15.7.1!

Credits: We’ve found out about this downgrade option on Twitter!

We’ve decided to test it out for you after receiving numerous 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 need to download the iOS 15.6 RC ipsw file. It has to be build number 19G69. It’s is the only build still signed for devices running iOS 16. Links are available at the bottom of this article!

Tip: Scroll at the bottom of this article and download on a Mac or Windows computer the iOS 15.6 RC ipsw file that matches your iPhone model!

Downgrade iOS 16.1 to 15.6 RC

downgrade iOS 16.1 to 15.6

  • 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 Locations.
  • 4. Perform an encrypted backup of your iPhone using the Back Up Now option.
  • 5. On iPhone, open Settings -> Apple ID -> Find My -> Find My iPhone and turn this feature Off.
  • 6. On Mac, click option key + Restore iPhone option and select the recently downloaded iOS 15.6 RC ipsw file.
  • 7. Click Open and then Restore to confirm that you want your Mac to erase and restore your iPhone to iOS 15.6.

Tip: Be patient until Mac extracts software, prepares iPhone to restore (the Apple logo is displayed on iPhone), restores the software, verifies the iPhone restore and restores iPhone firmware!

Restore iPhone From Backup

restore iphone from ios 16.1 backup

  • 8. iPhone reboots when downgrade is completed. Swipe-up on the ‘hello’ screen and return to Finder, on Mac. Click on iPhone, in the sidebar, under Locations. Wait until device is activated!
  • 9. Use Restore from this backup option. Select the backup that you want to use and enter the password to unlock backup. Click Restore and be patient.

    • Tip: If you’re prompted with the “Could not restore the iPhone ‘Mike’s iPhone’ because the backup was not compatible with the iPhone that is being restored.” you have to tweak the backup file and make it compatible with iOS 15.6! Redo Step 9!

  • 10. On iPhone, tap Continue, on the Restore Completed screen. Configure Face ID, set up a new Passcode (can be the same as your old one), sign in to your Apple ID and be patient until the iCloud settings are updated! Follow the other on-screen prompts until you reach the Welcome to iPhone screen. Swipe up to get started!

Update from iOS 15.6 RC To iOS 15.7.1

update iOS 15.7.1 from iOS 15.6

  • 11. On iPhone, go to Settings -> General -> Software Update and tap Download and Install after iOS 15.7.1 update shows up. Follow the on-screen prompts and update your device to the most recent iOS 15 version!

iOS 15.6 RC IPSW Links

Tap on the iPhone model listed below, that matches your device, to download the appropriate IPSW link. 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 8 Plus – 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 the IPSW download links to theiphonewiki.com!

Have you managed to downgrade iOS 16.1 to 15 without losing data? Did you encounter any problems? Share your feedback in the comments! We’re here to help!

Related:You might be also interested in how to downgrade iOS 16.2 beta to 16.1!

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