What to know about downgrading iOS 15 beta to iOS 14
- You will have to download the iOS 14 IPSW file, which is around 5GB.
- Next, put your iPhone in recovery mode to get iOS 14 on it.
- If you have an iOS 14 backup, restore it or set up your iPhone as new.
Apple unveiled the exciting new iOS 15, and we already have a post on how to download and install it. But since it is in the early beta stage, the new features come with countless bugs and glitches. If they are too much and you cannot continue to live with them, here is how to downgrade from iOS 15 to stable iOS 14. Take a look.
Before you begin:
- You need a Mac or PC to downgrade from iOS 15 beta to iOS 14.
- To download the IPSW file, you need a fast, stable internet connection.
- You cannot restore iOS 15 backup to iOS 14. Thus, make sure you manually back up any new documents, images, files, etc., you created while using iOS 15 to services like iCloud Drive, Google Photos, One Drive. Later you can re-download these on iOS 14.
- If you have an archived backup of iOS 14, you will be able to restore data on your phone before you installed iOS 15 beta.
- If you don’t have iOS 14 backups, you will have to set up your iPhone as new after downgrading.
How to downgrade from iOS 15 beta to iOS 14.6
- Download the device restore image on your computer: This link shows how and from where to download the latest iOS IPSW file for your iPhone.
The IPSW file size will be around 5.5GB. Please wait for it to download.
- Turn off Find My iPhone: Open iPhone Settings and tap your name at the top. Tap Find My → Find My iPhone → toggle off Find My iPhone. Enter the device passcode and tap Turn Off.
- Connect your iOS 15 iPhone to the computer: Use an appropriate cable to connect the iPhone to Mac or Windows PC. A Message may appear “Unlock iPhone to Use Accessories,” use Touch ID/Face ID/passcode to unlock the device.
- Open Finder or iTunes: On Mac running macOS Catalina, Big Sur, and the latest macOS Monterey, open Finder. On Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier or Windows PC, open iTunes.
- Locate your iPhone: In Finder’s left sidebar, you will see it under Locations. On iTunes, click the tiny iPhone icon. If asked, click Trust inside Finder. Now tap Trust on the iPhone and enter the passcode.
- Put the device in Recovery Mode: The steps differ according to iPhone models. Follow this guide for detailed steps on entering recovery mode. Here is a brief.
- On iPhone 8 or later: In quick succession, press and release the Volume Up button, then Volume Down button, press and continue to hold the right Side button even after the Apple logo appears. Leave it only after you see the recovery mode screen (a cable pointing towards the laptop).
- On iPhone 7 Series: Together, press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button. Leave them when you see the recovery-mode screen.
- On iPhone 6s and earlier: Together, press and hold the Power button and Home button. Leave them when you are on the recovery mode screen.
- Finder or iTunes will let you know that it has detected a device in Recovery Mode.
- Restore iPhone using the IPSW file: On Mac (whether using Finder or iTunes), press and hold the Option key. On Windows PC, press and hold the Shift key. Now, select Restore iPhone.
- A new window will open. Find the IPSW file you downloaded in step 1. Click to select it and then click Open.
- You will see a popup asking for your confirmation. Read it and click Restore.
Note: On macOS Big Sur and later, after clicking Restore → Restore and Update, it automatically shows to download and install the latest iOS 14 version. It will download the file. You won’t have to use the IPWS file. That’s good. However, you may also click Cancel from the popup (or unplug and replug the iPhone). Then you will see a popup with an option to Restore. Now you may follow steps 8 and later. - Let the computer finish the job: It will take some time for the process to complete. You will see the status on your Mac or PC. iPhone screen will also show the Apple logo with a progress bar. To avoid accidental unplugging, ensure the iPhone is appropriately placed and there is no unnecessary movement.
Done!
Once the process completes, the iPhone will restart. You will see the setup screen on your iPhone running iOS 14. You may now choose to restore from a previous backup (if available) or choose one of the other options.
I hope this extensive guide to downgrade iOS 15 and reinstall iOS 14.6 was helpful. If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask us in the comments down below.
Other interesting posts:
- How to downgrade macOS Monterey beta to macOS Big Sur
- iOS 15 stuck on the Update Requested screen? Here is how to fix it
- How to download iPadOS 16 Developer Beta on iPad
- How to download watchOS 9 Developer Beta on Apple Watch
I have been an Apple user for over seven years now. At iGeeksBlog, I love creating how-tos and troubleshooting guides that help people do more with their iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. In my free time, I like to watch stand up comedy videos, tech documentaries, news debates, and political speeches.
I like your blog. Its one of the awesome blogs online
Yes I just read about downgrading and what I don’t understand is it starts off talking about iphones and ipads then goes strictly in to iphones and say nothing else about ipad, I need to downgrade from 14.7.1 to anything under the 7 say 14.6 can this be done is so is there anyway you could direct me in the right path? Would so really appreciate it.
Unfortunately, Apple has unsigned iOS 14.6 and earlier; as a result, you cannot restore the OS via iTunes. I would suggest that you wait for the iOS 15 public release; it should be here by mid-September. Hopefully, it will be stable than 14.7.1.