bypass ios update after reset

[filbert42]

Hi Folks,

I'm trying to set up a second hand iPhone 6 for my wife. I did a complete reset and staed the setup process, during which it wants to update to ios 13.2. I've been holding of going to ios 13 on my iPhone/iPad due to all the issues that have been reported.

There doesn't seem to be any way to bypass the update. The only options are update or start again (which will, presumably, get me back to the same place).

Any ideas anyone?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

iPhone 6 wasn’t able to download iOS13... iOS 12.4.3 is the latest version it can use. iPhone 6S is the oldest phone supported by iOS13

 

[filbert42]

iPhone 6 wasn’t able to download iOS13... iOS 12.4.3 is the latest version it can use. iPhone 6S is the oldest phone supported by iOS13

I guess it's probably a 6S then as I'm definitely being forced to update to 13.2

 

[C DM]

Hi Folks,

I'm trying to set up a second hand iPhone 6 for my wife. I did a complete reset and staed the setup process, during which it wants to update to ios 13.2. I've been holding of going to ios 13 on my iPhone/iPad due to all the issues that have been reported.

There doesn't seem to be any way to bypass the update. The only options are update or start again (which will, presumably, get me back to the same place).

Any ideas anyone?

Did you do a reset through iTunes or using the reset and erase data option on the device itself?

 

[filbert42]

Did you do a reset through iTunes or using the reset and erase data option on the device itself?

Just the phone itself, my wife doesn't use iTunes.

I've just had a 'chat' with Apple support and they say it's not possible to avoid the update. Bummer

 

[C DM]

Just the phone itself, my wife doesn't use iTunes.

I've just had a 'chat' with Apple support and they say it's not possible to avoid the update. Bummer

That’s rather odd. It’s been my understanding that doing a reset and erase on the phone doesn’t do anything beyond that, like checking for and installing updates.

 

[filbert42]

I’ve accepted the inevitable and upgraded (it’s 13.2.2 now and there have been some bug fixes, I gather). Fingers crossed, there haven’t been any apparent issues so far. My wife isn’t a heavy user so it might be ok.

 

[konqerror]

That’s rather odd. It’s been my understanding that doing a reset and erase on the phone doesn’t do anything beyond that, like checking for and installing updates.

A full erase wipes the activation token. Apple only signs tokens for select versions of iOS, so if the installed version is not being signed, the phone must be updated.

 

[C DM]

A full erase wipes the activation token. Apple only signs tokens for select versions of iOS, so if the current version is not being signed, the phone must be updated.

The check for whether or not an iOS version is signed happens when one is being installed not against an already installed version on a device.

 

[konqerror]

The check for whether or not an iOS version is signed happens when one is being installed not against an already installed version on a device.

You are mistaken, I stand by my comment. The check for a validly signed token occurs every single boot. The factory wipe erased the token, so the phone remains in locked mode until a validly signed token is acquired.

 

[C DM]

You are mistaken, I stand by my comment. The check for a validly signed token occurs every single boot. The factory wipe erased the token, so the phone remains in locked mode until a validly signed token is acquired.

Locked mode? Is there some documentation that speaks to any of this?

 

[konqerror]

Locked mode? Is there some documentation that speaks to any of this?

Page 7: https://www.apple.com/business/docs/site/iOS_Security_Guide.pdf

Older info:

Activation - The iPhone Wiki

www.theiphonewiki.com

 

[C DM]

Page 7: https://www.apple.com/business/docs/site/iOS_Security_Guide.pdf

Older info:

Activation - The iPhone Wiki

www.theiphonewiki.com

What part there addresses the use of reset settings and erase data on the device itself resulting in the need to upgrade iOS?

 

[konqerror]

What part there addresses the use of reset settings and erase data on the device itself resulting in the need to upgrade iOS?

As I said, the token is wiped when you do an erase. It's user data. You then need a new token, and Apple only issues tokens for current iOS versions. Simple as that.

This is front-page news on this site whenever Apple changes the versions they sign.

Apple Stops Signing iOS 13.1.2 and iOS 13.1.3 Following the Release of iOS 13.2

Following the release of iOS 13.2 on October 28, Apple today stopped signing iOS 13.1.3, which means downgrading to this version of iOS is no longer...

www.macrumors.com

This is how activation lock works. Apple won't issue tokens for activation locked phones without the proper Apple ID login. The system prevents somebody from using your phone even after a factory reset.

It's also why Apple asks you to wipe the phone after a SIM unlock, to force a refresh of the token since it also carries SIM lock data.

 

[C DM]

As I said, the token is wiped when you do an erase. It's user data. You then need a new token, and Apple only issues tokens for current iOS versions. Simple as that.

This is front-page news on this site whenever Apple changes the versions they sign.

Apple Stops Signing iOS 13.1.2 and iOS 13.1.3 Following the Release of iOS 13.2

Following the release of iOS 13.2 on October 28, Apple today stopped signing iOS 13.1.3, which means downgrading to this version of iOS is no longer...

www.macrumors.com

This is how activation lock works. Apple won't issue tokens for activation locked phones without the proper Apple ID login. The system prevents somebody from using your phone even after a factory reset.

It's also why Apple asks you to wipe the phone after a SIM unlock, to force a refresh of the token since it also carries SIM lock data.

It's certainly front page news about iOS versions no longer being signed, but that mainly relates to someone being able to install them if they wanted to, not to simply resetting settings and deleting data on a device.

 

[konqerror]

It's certainly front page news about iOS versions no longer being signed, but that mainly relates to someone being able to install them if they wanted to, not to simply resetting settings and deleting data on a device.

I told you how it works, the OP has demonstrated what happens, and you won't believe either of us, so I'm done.

 

[filbert42]

A full erase wipes the activation token. Apple only signs tokens for select versions of iOS, so if the current version is not being signed, the phone must be updated

Thanks, that explains it. Something to be wary of in future.

 

[eyoungren]

It's also why Apple asks you to wipe the phone after a SIM unlock, to force a refresh of the token since it also carries SIM lock data.

I know the instructions that carriers send you after they submit an unlock state to do this. However, it's not anything that's been necessary since 2011.

I've got two fully-unlocked iPhones (6s and 6s) that are currently sitting on iOS 9.0.2. They were unlocked in late December 2015 and all that was required was inserting a different SIM card. I ignored the instructions to restore because both phones are jailbroken.

So, I'm guessing that whatever SIM lock data is contained there isn't sufficient to force a restore in order to unlock. I'm aware of the generalities of the unlock process so I'm just curious - why does Apple suggest a restore if a restore is not necessary (or can be avoided) even if the 'token' stores SIM lock data?

Coincidentally, I'd be interested in hearing your take on Semirestore, rootFS, iLEXRAT, and other jailbreak tools that allow you to restore without upgrading. Obviously, this token can be defeated or worked around.