The initial betas of iOS 17 have recently been released, aiming to allow developers to test and identify any issues in the upcoming iPhone update. As expected, these betas are not fully polished versions but rather works in progress, so it’s normal to experience some drawbacks such as decreased battery life, unexpected heating, or app crashes. However, if you have already installed it and wish to revert back to iOS 16 without losing your data, let’s explore the process below.
You must have a Mac or Windows nearby
Before delving into the details, it’s important to note that transitioning from iOS 17 to iOS 16 requires having access to a nearby Mac, a stable internet connection, and most importantly, avoiding creating a backup of iOS 17. Otherwise, iCloud will reinstall the latest version stored in the cloud.
Once you understand this crucial aspect, the first step is to disable the “Find My iPhone” feature. Without doing so, it won’t be possible to download the iOS 16 IPSW (iPhone Software) file. To obtain the IPSW, visit the ipsw.com website and locate the desired operating system version for your iPhone model. After downloading the IPSW file, proceed to connect your iPhone to either a Mac or Windows PC.
Go back to iOS 16
Once our iPhone is connected to the Mac, we need to open Finder or iTunes (if using a Windows device). Upon doing so, we will be prompted to trust both the Mac and the iPhone, and the General panel of our iPhone will open.
At this point, we have two options: update the iPhone or restore it. It’s important to note that the second option will erase all the data stored on the device. Therefore, we will click on “check for update” to proceed. If, for any reason, the downloaded update from the ipsw.com website does not appear, we can press Option + Search for Update (Windows: Alt + Search for Update).
After selecting either command, we will need to locate the downloaded version (the ipsw file) on our computer. We can find it in the Downloads folder or on the desktop. Once located, we open the ipsw file.
In most cases, the downloaded version will install smoothly, and our iPhone will restart. However, there are instances where Apple‘s security processes may prevent installation using this method. In such cases, an alternative method may be required.
The alternative
To accomplish this, we will enter DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode or recovery mode on our iPhone. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Simultaneously press and hold the Volume Up button and the Volume Down button.
- While still holding the Volume buttons, press and hold the Side or Lock button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
- Release the Side or Lock button but continue holding the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons until the “Connect to iTunes” or “Connect to Finder” screen is displayed on your iPhone.
Once this screen appears, a window will pop up on your computer, asking if you want to reset your iPhone. Click on “No” or “Cancel” to proceed.
After that, repeat the aforementioned steps by selecting the “check for update” option and locating the iOS 16 ipsw file on your computer. By following this process, reverting back to iOS 16 should now proceed without any issues.