buying 4s with iOS7 can I go back to iOS 6

[AppleDApp]

I want to buy an iPhone 4s.

I am currently using an iOS 6 on my phone and would like to keep it this way until I know I am comfortable with iOS 7.

The seller I have contacted has iOS 7 installed. If I restore from my backup will I have iOS 6 or 7?


Thank you.

Apologies if this is already posted elsewhere.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

I want to buy an iPhone 4s.

I am currently using an iOS 6 on my phone and would like to keep it this way until I know I am comfortable with iOS 7.

The seller I have contacted has iOS 7 installed. If I restore from my backup will I have iOS 6 or 7?


Thank you.

Apologies if this is already posted elsewhere.

It will restore your backup to iOS7, sorry.

 

[r0k]

It is possible to get back to iOS6, but it is a lot like jailbreaking in that you have to download the OS for your phone, hoping Apple is still signing it and then get the phone into DFU mode and restore iOS6 from iTunes. This is not something I recommend doing on a phone you just bought. If it doesn't come the way you like it, don't buy it.

I'm not sure what happens if you backed up from iOS7 either to iTunes or to iCLoud and then try to restore to iOS6.

I have a somewhat similar problem in that my wife hates iOS7. She wants me to put her 4S back on iOS6. I'd rather not but I'm afraid she will wear me down eventually. Perhaps I should go download it before Apple decides it's time to stop signing it.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Are they still signing 6.1.3? I was trying to figure this out today.

 

[SpinalTap]

I've just successfully 'downgraded' my iPad3 to iOS6 by following the advice given here...

http://www.macworld.co.uk/ipad-iphone/news/?newsid=3469837&olo=email

...but make sure you have a backup of all your apps first.

 

[AppleDApp]

Thanks for the update. Seems like email notifications aren't working anymore. Has anyone else noticed this?