Apple users are not authorized to downgrade their iOS devices. That’s how Apple rolls — and we users get used to it after some time. But you can still downgrade your iOS device. Apple may not understand your pain, but don’t tell them you have downgraded your iOS device. That said, if you have an iPhone 5 running on the latest iOS 6.0.2 firmware, and you are fed up with the atrocious battery life, then it’s time to change gears and drive backwards.
Both iPad mini and iPhone 5, for which iOS 6.0.2 firmware was released, can be downgraded to iOS 6.0.1 firmware. Here are the steps you should follow:
- Download IPSW file of iOS 6.0.1 firmware for your iOS device.
- Connect iPhone 5 / iPad mini to your computer.
- Launch iTunes. Make sure you are running the latest version of iTunes player.
- Optional but recommended: Backup your iPhone 5 via iTunes or iCloud.
- Put your iOS device into DFU mode by holding Home and Hold button for 10 seconds — after 10 seconds you have to let go off the Home button while holding the Hold button (video).
- iTunes will pop up a window which says your iPhone is in recovery mode. Click OK.
- Hit Shift + Restore iPhone button in iTunes (use Options + Restore iPhone if you are using Mac). This pops up a window.
- Select the iOS 6.0.1 firmware you have already downloaded.
iOS 6.0.2 firmware will be replaced with iOS 6.0.1 in a couple of seconds. The whole process is a lot easier, compared to other downgrading tutorials for older iPhone models. Let us know if you have any questions through the comment section below!
Although the future of jailbreak is bleak, Musclenerd, a member of iPhone Dev Team, recently stated that users should avoid upgrading to iOS 6.0.2 firmware to improve their chances of jailbreaking iPhone 5. If you have been waiting for iPhone 5 jailbreak ever since the device was first launched, then staying on iOS 6.0 or iOS 6.0.1 makes sense.
iOS 6.0.2 firmware is said to sap iPhone’s battery life, so that’s another reason to move to an older firmware.
However, iOS 6.0.1 firmware has its own set of problems. Some users believe that iOS 6.0.1 back-pedalled on its promise and didn’t fix any of the known issues. However, this depends on the device you are using — if you had a decent experience with iOS 6.0.1 and you believe it’s way better than the current iOS 6.0.2 firmware, then go ahead and downgrade.
