Apple mistakingly makes old iOS versions available, some users hop on and downgrade en masse

by Preslav Kateliev / Jan 12, 2018, 8:35 AM

Apple mistakingly makes old iOS versions available, some users hop on and downgrade en masse

Apple has a history of rarely looking back on anything it has moved beynd — it won't re-incorporate hardware that it has once removed, and it certainly won't let you use older versions of its iOS once you've updated your device. In order for an iOS build to be installed on your iPhone, it needs to be "signed" by Apple's servers. Usually, once a new version is out, the previous one will be signed for a couple of weeks, after which Apple pulls the plug on it entirely.

Yesterday, however, the company had a slight mishap and was signing multiple old versions of iOS for a small window of time. A bunch of users had the oppurtunity to switch away from iOS 11 and nabbed it. Most went for iOS 10, but there are reports over Reddit that some managed to install iOS 9 and some even went as far back as iOS 6.1.3.

Some users have been feeling disheartened with iOS 11 — not just the fact that it intentionally throttles performance when one's battery is degraded, but also the fact that it seems to put a strain on older hardware from the get-go. So, owners of iPhones older than a couple of years yearn for the days of iOS 10 or even 9, which is why the few ones that were online during the Apple mishap were quick to jump ship.

However, the wardrobe door is closed now, guys, and we are, again, anchored in iOS 11's Narnia.

Apple iOS downgrade mishap

sources: 9to5Mac; Reddit

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83 Comments

1. Supah

Posts: 692; Member since: Mar 08, 2017

iOS's the worst mobile OS in 2018.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 8:42 AM 52

5. Supah

Posts: 692; Member since: Mar 08, 2017

In 2017, too.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 8:46 AM 42

26. Xavier1415

Posts: 231; Member since: Feb 26, 2012

2016 aswell

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 10:36 AM 32

28. Hollowmost

Posts: 425; Member since: Oct 10, 2017

I think 2015 too

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 10:47 AM 32

33. mammary.moon

Posts: 31; Member since: Jun 30, 2016

Your mom is the worst mobile OS . Joking aside , isn't w10m the worse OS in 2018 ?

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 11:02 AM 1

43. SIGPRO

Posts: 2817; Member since: Oct 03, 2012

Not that crap as iOS!

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 11:25 AM 7

8. kiko007

Posts: 7521; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Nah, a good deal of Android is still garbage (literally). Apps are half-assed. Random crashes are still a thing. Security is non-existent for the majority, and the minority don't see those fixes until a few weeks later. Both platforms have there share of issues, you just like one more than the other.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 8:58 AM 9

9. peace247 unregistered

So, u r comparing those cheap a** androids to apple....fyi..my $130 redmi 4 is stable af....amazing speed and fluidity....

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 9:03 AM 29

11. Supah

Posts: 692; Member since: Mar 08, 2017

He says stuff even when he knows he's 100% wrong. That's a vintage Kellyanne Conway moment LMAOOO Mentalism is strong with this iHero, too. He loves to mock and judge people with disabilities. Usually angry judgmental people like him are racist also. He's so angry and judgmental, I wouldn't be surprised if he beats women & discriminates against his own race. https://www.phonearena.com/news/Google-Duo-will-soon-featute-group-video-calls_id101541/comments/sort/threaded/ratelimit/all/viewalways/1 Post 28 I don't know why some a$$holes, including this GREAT angry iMan who I'm talking about now, think it's ok but it is NEVER ok to discriminate against people based on age, race, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities, etc.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 9:16 AM 17

18. kiko007

Posts: 7521; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Fam, there is no "post 28" to read in the article you linked. Also, you've made yourself look like enough of tool, take it down a notch with the hyperbole.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 9:52 AM 1

20. maherk

Posts: 7054; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Actually there is, you called him autistic, which was stupid from you to use this as an insult. I have a family member who is autistic, and just reading your comment made me sick to my stomach.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 10:14 AM 10

22. kiko007

Posts: 7521; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Calling someone who behaves autistically autistic is a pretty normal thing to do.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 10:21 AM 0

24. maherk

Posts: 7054; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Wow, doubling down on your dumb statement isn't the smartest thing to do. You have no right to call out Techie anymore, because you did the exact same thing he always do when he loses an argument, which is using a pathetic personal insult as his comeback.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 10:28 AM 15

25. kiko007

Posts: 7521; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Yeah, except the guy you're defending LITERALLY attacks me every chance he gets. Sorry not sorry that I don't feel the slightest bit of sympathy for clowns who use mental disorders as a scapegoat to act like asshats.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 10:32 AM 2

27. maherk

Posts: 7054; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Where did you see me defending him? I called him out on numerous occasions about what he types. Maybe you should start doing that while we are at it, because it's pretty obvious who sides with the dumbest fanboys on this site, simply because they share with you their unconditional love to Apple. And no, no one is asking you to have sympathy for him, but you just showed your true colors by using autism as an insult.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 10:37 AM 6

34. kiko007

Posts: 7521; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

"Maybe you should start doing that while we are at it, because it's pretty obvious who sides with the dumbest fanboys on this site, simply because they share with you their unconditional love to Apple." For the last time: it is not my job to condemn Apple fanboys so stop trying to make me their f**king policing unit. It pisses me off. Besides, with the rampant trolling heap on this site in the fruity company's direction, I'm not seeing why THEY are the problem... and not the other group of idiots parading this site. Cnour and Piyath are annoying af, yeah, but at least they have the decency to keep their trolling short and direct. Lately this site has been nothing short of an "Android or death" circle jerk.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 11:05 AM 2

41. maherk

Posts: 7054; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

I know it's not your job, but when you don't skip a chance to attack Android fanboys for their trolling efforts, and call them annoying, yet turn your blind eye and even go as far as to agreeing with Apple trolls, then that's cherry picking at it's best.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 11:20 AM 11

42. sissy246

Posts: 7129; Member since: Mar 04, 2015

"Lately this site has been nothing short of an "Android or death" circle jerk." And is the same with some apple fans, you included. If people don't agree with you get pissed off.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 11:25 AM 7

69. whatev

Posts: 2444; Member since: Oct 28, 2015

So instead of trying to change this it’s better to contribute to the flame war and troll more, isn’t it sis?

posted on Jan 13, 2018, 3:21 AM 0

77. sissy246

Posts: 7129; Member since: Mar 04, 2015

Just stating the truth. It goes on with both sides.

posted on Jan 13, 2018, 10:53 PM 0

47. makatijules

Posts: 835; Member since: Dec 11, 2017

Also, Autism is a verified handicap that affects many children as well as adults. Using that as a slur to attack someone is very low. Calling someone stupid or foolish is far different. I have never seen people you talk about attack others the way you do. And we already know you are a racist, yet again you're still here. If you hate Android so much, why do you come to Android articles? Unlike many here you do';t use both platforms on the daily. So the very thing you call people out for is exactly what you are guilty of. Doesn't that make you hypocritical?

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 11:34 AM 3

49. maherk

Posts: 7054; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Again, and I am not defending Kiko's sickening remarks, but you're in no place to criticize him. You wished death on people and their kids and families during the whole Note 7 fiasco. You attacked some users' parents because they didn't share the same ideas as yours. You wished cancer on some, and the list goes on and on. You taking advantage of this whole mess to portray yourself as this saint isn't gonna work. Few seem to agree with your comments on this issue, but I'm 100% sure they weren't here when your account was put on limit bunch of times per month for all of your stupid personal insults you used to throw at users on this site. And you can keep telling us that you're Julius and have no idea who Techie is, but if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a freakin duck.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 11:43 AM 4

57. makatijules

Posts: 835; Member since: Dec 11, 2017

Oh but I am. And I personally don't care what you think. Just letting you know. I don't care about your opinion. If I buy a product and it has an issue, and I choose to keep it; its my choice. If you attack me for MY choice, where I spent MY money, then yes you should suffer or even die for attacking someone and telling them they should die for putting their own family at risk, when its basically none of your business. As far as my name? My name is Julius. It is a fact. You have a right to believe whatever you like, it won't change a fact.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 1:06 PM 0

59. maherk

Posts: 7054; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Oh really? I'm pretty sure everyone on here remember wishing death on someone's kids and family for filing a complaint against Samsung because of the Note 7. It wasn't me, it wasn't anyone else, it was you. And Techie, you exposed your identity with your style, your typos, your blind love to Samsung and blind hate to Apple. And the best part of it, you act like you're new to this site, yet you mentioned my whole story with the Note 7 and where I bought it from just few days ago, even used the same argument as you did with your old account. Trust me "Julius", no one is buying your bs, we all know who's running this account. Now I hope you deleted that sick gif about DJ you posted on Flickr you dirty old sicko.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 1:34 PM 4

44. makatijules

Posts: 835; Member since: Dec 11, 2017

No one here attacks you. You are the attacker here. You must work for PA, because no matter how much you troll, you never get banned. You come on every Android article and talk about cheap android phones as if somehow they compare to an iPhone to begin with. I have never seen you call Apple on any wrong doing. Even when they admit to it,m you defend them. You are a worthless sad human being to give ANY corporation that screws its customers any benefit of doubt.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 11:27 AM 4

48. maherk

Posts: 7054; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Julius, aka Techie, how ironic from you to call him out for defending Apple when you throw personal insults even at Samsung fanboys whenever they dare and criticize your precious Gods. I love Samsung products, and I do like Samsung, but sometimes you make me hate everything about them with your absurd ass kissing.

posted on Jan 12, 2018, 11:36 AM 5

73. lyndon420

Posts: 6915; Member since: Jul 11, 2012

You're absolutely right kiko. My son has autism, and when he does something stupid my first reaction is to point out his mental disability...makes me feel superior.