Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

My iPhone 3GS is on iOS4 - can I go back to OS 3.1.3?

A

alltheway

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 14, 2010
9
0
Hello. I've been a long-time viewer, but this is my first post.

The title says it all really - I'm really hating how iOS4 has slowed down my 3GS and don't see the point of multitasking, so can I go back to OS3?

I've searched the forums but every question regarding downgrading seems to refer to jailbroken phones. Mine is a straightforward, legit O2-locked iPhone.

Thanks for any help.
 
Your iPhone still applies to the questions.

If you have your SHSH blobs on Cydia then yes. If not, no, there is no way to ever go back.
 
Put "CNET+iPhone+downgrade+iOS4" into Google and watch the video. It explains everything. It is basically the matter of retrieving a previous version of the OS and replacing iOS$ with it or downloading an earlier version and doing the same from thereon.

So yes, you can do it and it's easy, with even OS versions that you skipped. But DO a backup first.
 
Intell said:
Your iPhone still applies to the questions.

If you have your SHSH blobs on Cydia then yes. If not, no, there is no way to ever go back.
Click to expand...

Sorry but I don't understand any part of your reply. My iPhone still applies what to the questions? What are SHSH blobs?
 
kernkraft said:
Put "CNET+iPhone+downgrade+iOS4" into Google and watch the video. It explains everything. It is basically the matter of retrieving a previous version of the OS and replacing iOS$ with it or downloading an earlier version and doing the same from thereon.

So yes, you can do it and it's easy, with even OS versions that you skipped. But DO a backup first.
Click to expand...

Great, thanks. Doing it now.

(and a cute guy presenting the video - such a bonus!)
 
Doesn't work. Says Apple won't allow the iPhone to be restored to this 'build'.
 
I have heard people complaining about iOS4 slowing down their 3G, never heard about it happening to their 3GS.

Have you tried setting it up as new or doing a hard reset?
 
I've just done this on two iPhones. Mine was a jailbroken 3G running 3.1.2, my girlfriend had her unmolested 3G on iOS 4, the point being that by replacing the relevant file, you can downgrade or do an upgrade to a version other than the latest one.

When I was doing my research, I read it several times that it also works with the 3GS. Did you download the applications that the video suggested? Without that software running in the background, the restore won't work.

The lifehacker article is specifically about the 3GS and as I had a quick look at it, it's the same routine.



EDIT: when you have to press down a key, it is the cmd on newer Macs, the video says 'option' if I remember well.
 
itsmemuffins said:
I have heard people complaining about iOS4 slowing down their 3G, never heard about it happening to their 3GS.

Have you tried setting it up as new or doing a hard reset?
Click to expand...

x2. My 3Gs is quite fast with iOS4. Zero issues. Many apps run faster now.
 
kernkraft said:
I've just done this on two iPhones. Mine was a jailbroken 3G running 3.1.2, my girlfriend had her 3G on iOS 4(something). When I was doing my research, I read it several times that it also works with the 3GS. Did you download the applications that the video suggested? Without that software running in the background, the restore won't work.

The lifehacker article is specifically about the 3GS and as I had a quick look at it, it's the same routine.
Click to expand...

Again, you can no longer go back to 4.0.1 (Apple could still be possibly signing), 4.0 or any firmware 3.1.3 and below.

Apple is no longer signing the old firmwares. Anyone who keeps trying to do this will be wasting their time. That video at cnet is old. It was released when 4.0 first came out and at that time, Apple was still signing 3.3.1 so it was possible to go back.
 
kernkraft said:
The lifehacker article is specifically about the 3GS and as I had a quick look at it, it's the same routine.
Click to expand...

Have you read the entire LifeHacker article?

lifehacker.com said:
Update: If you're on 3GS and having trouble with this method, reader Richard notes that for 3GS users: "Apple started signing their restore files requiring iTunes to "Phone home" and get permission to restore. Usually within 24 hours of a new firmware release, Apple stops signing the old versions preventing you from restoring back to an older version. The advice in your article about how to downgrade to 3.1.3 no longer works [for 3GS] because a few days ago Apple stopped signing that firmware."
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back