Hi guys, after the second bad experience upgrading to the new ios (yeah, I know, I should have learned the lesson one year ago when I put the 7 on the ip 4), I decided to downgrade to 7.1.2 on my ipad 2: after one week with ios 8, going back to 7 is like having an ipad with powerful hardware.
Anyway, here's a sort of guide to reinstall the 7.1.2 and make a selective backup of all your data/apps.
1 - check here http://api.ineal.me/tss/status if the signature is still required, in this precise moment the downgrade from ios 8 to 7 is still possibile, so better hurry up.
2 - download the correct 7.1.2 ipsw for your device
3 - just to be safe, make a full backup on your computer, and move the backup to another place, to avoid accidental overwriting/deleting after resync the device. It can be usefull just for emergency.
4 - download this software http://www.itools.cn/multi_lang_pc_download.htm
5 - with iTools, you can browse the /Documents dir of every app you have on your device: this is where the gamesave and documents are stored. So just copy this dir anywhere you want, and now you have a selective app by app backup. This will come usefull anytime: you just need to copy back the right /Documents content to your device. It is possible via iTools, because you have the persmission to write in this specific directory.
5 - you can also copy your pictures, music etc on your computer. I don't usually copy sms because i don't keep this kind of stuff, but I think it is possibile. If someone wants to try.
6 - with a windows pc you can easily browse the device and copy all your pictures in a safe place (I don't have a mac, but I'm sure there is a way to do the same). I don't know how to put back in the cameraroll the pictures, that's because of apple restrictions on writing the cameraroll dir. You need to sync back with itunes in the custom albums.
7 - don't worry about contacts, calendar, bookmarks etc: if you use icloud sync, there's no need to restore from backup, you can setup as new device and your apple ID will do the rest. Please check this first (you probably need to sync notes, keychain and mail if necessary).
8 - when you are sure about your data backup, you can restore the device from itunes: just click the shift key on your keyboard AND the restore buttons in itunes together, and pointing to the 7.1.2 firmware file you downloaded before.
9 - After the first boot, just choose "setup as new", and use you apple ID. You will see your icloud data in a minute (contact, etc). After that sync your apps and your music. And THEN use iTools to restore the previews app by app backup in the corrispondent /Documents dir.
I hope this is usefull and comprehesible, since english is not my first language I apologies in advance for any problem. If you have some questions or suggestions you are welcome.
Good luck!
edit: typo
Anyway, here's a sort of guide to reinstall the 7.1.2 and make a selective backup of all your data/apps.
1 - check here http://api.ineal.me/tss/status if the signature is still required, in this precise moment the downgrade from ios 8 to 7 is still possibile, so better hurry up.
2 - download the correct 7.1.2 ipsw for your device
3 - just to be safe, make a full backup on your computer, and move the backup to another place, to avoid accidental overwriting/deleting after resync the device. It can be usefull just for emergency.
4 - download this software http://www.itools.cn/multi_lang_pc_download.htm
5 - with iTools, you can browse the /Documents dir of every app you have on your device: this is where the gamesave and documents are stored. So just copy this dir anywhere you want, and now you have a selective app by app backup. This will come usefull anytime: you just need to copy back the right /Documents content to your device. It is possible via iTools, because you have the persmission to write in this specific directory.
5 - you can also copy your pictures, music etc on your computer. I don't usually copy sms because i don't keep this kind of stuff, but I think it is possibile. If someone wants to try.
6 - with a windows pc you can easily browse the device and copy all your pictures in a safe place (I don't have a mac, but I'm sure there is a way to do the same). I don't know how to put back in the cameraroll the pictures, that's because of apple restrictions on writing the cameraroll dir. You need to sync back with itunes in the custom albums.
7 - don't worry about contacts, calendar, bookmarks etc: if you use icloud sync, there's no need to restore from backup, you can setup as new device and your apple ID will do the rest. Please check this first (you probably need to sync notes, keychain and mail if necessary).
8 - when you are sure about your data backup, you can restore the device from itunes: just click the shift key on your keyboard AND the restore buttons in itunes together, and pointing to the 7.1.2 firmware file you downloaded before.
9 - After the first boot, just choose "setup as new", and use you apple ID. You will see your icloud data in a minute (contact, etc). After that sync your apps and your music. And THEN use iTools to restore the previews app by app backup in the corrispondent /Documents dir.
I hope this is usefull and comprehesible, since english is not my first language I apologies in advance for any problem. If you have some questions or suggestions you are welcome.
Good luck!
edit: typo
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