Due to its lengthy list of advertised interesting features, including the Apple fitness app, a lock screen that can be customized, haptic feedback, a redesigned Photos app, and more, the most recent 16 version published at WWDC 2022 drew the attention of iOS consumers. Although these features are undoubtedly helpful and interesting, users who have updated their smartphone to this most recent OS version have also encountered a number of problems, including bugs, device crashes, incorrect configuration, and others.
Therefore, if you are one of the individuals experiencing issues with the most recent iOS 16 and are looking for ways to downgrade to iOS 15 or another OS version, this post is just what you need to read.
In the parts below we will talk about the prerequisites as well as the methods that can be used for finding solution on how to downgrade from iOS 16.
Upgrading an iPhone to the beta version of iOS 16 does give an early look at all the new features of Apple’s latest update to its iPhone operating system, but this also comes with bugs and performance issues that occur with any beta software.
While the iOS 16 beta has all the cool features like the customized lock screen and automatically removing objects from photos, it’s also less stable and more prone to errors than the final release of the software will be.
For some people trying out this beta software, the instability might not be worth it. If you want to go back to how your iPhone worked previously, I’ll show you how to downgrade your phone from the iOS 16 beta back to iOS 15, whether you’re running the public beta of iOS 16 or the developer beta,
For more on iOS 16 and iPhone 14, discover everything Apple revealed at this week’s big event. And if you decide you don’t want to downgrade your iPhone, learn how to turn off the annoying features in iOS 16.
Before you get started downgrading iOS 16 beta to iOS 15
To downgrade your iPhone from iOS 16 to iOS 15, you basically need to erase your current phone and then restore it with the new operating system. In order not to lose any of the data on your iPhone, you’ll need to have made a backup before you installed the iOS 16 beta.
In the unfortunate event you didn’t make a backup before installing iOS 16 beta, and you still want to downgrade, I recommend syncing all of your important files using iCloud or other online storage. In Settings, tap your name and then iCloud. Toggle on everything you don’t want to lose, like photos, messages, notes and contacts.
Making a backup while you have iOS 16 beta still installed won’t help, because it can’t be used with iOS 15.
Part 1. What Should You Know Before Downgrading from iOS 16
If you are planning for downgrading from iOS 16 on your iOS device, there are some important points to be considered and taken care of. Check them out below.
- If before installing the iOS developer on your device you have taken the backup then you can simply remove the latest version of the software and then restore the device using the backup. If the backup is not taken and you remove the iOS 16 restoring will lead to data loss.
- iCloud backup of iOS or iPadOS 16 cannot be used while restoring to the 15.5 OS version.
- To save the new content, you can sync the data with iCloud before going through the downgrading process.
- The image can be downloaded and restored manually for the failsafe downgrade. Alternatively, you can also let your system work in recovery mode.
Part 2. How to Downgrade from iOS 16 – Fast & Safe
So, now it’s time to downgrade from iOS 16 in a fast and safe manner. The guide will help you take through the process in a hassle-free manner.
2.1 Back Up Your Data – Optional
Before you proceed to downgrade your iOS, it is recommended to back up your iPhone data so that in case of any unforeseen event, if the device data is lost, it can be recovered using the backup.
Here you can use any desired method to take the backup like iTunes or iCloud.
Simple steps to take up iPhone back using iTunes are enlisted below.
Step 1. First of all, using a WIFI connection, USB, or USB-C cable connect your iOS device to the computer to which you generally sync your device.
Step 2. Launch the iTunes devices on your System and then tap on the Device button present at the top-left of the window.
Step 3. Next, tap on the Summary button and then click on the Back Up Now button present under Backups. iTunes will start taking the backup of your connected device to your system.
Click on the Done button when the process is complete.
2.2 The Best Way to Downgrade iOS 16 without Losing Data
Now when you have successfully taken the data backup in case of any unforeseen situation, the next step is to downgrade the device. The best tool that we recommend and suggest here is iMyFone Fixppo. Using this excellent software, the downgrading process can be done and that too without worries of data loss.
This is an excellent Windows and Mac-based iOS System Recovery software that can help you perform multiple tasks like a pro. Some of the supported functions include downgrading iOS to the previous version without jailbreak, fixing iOS devices without any fear of data loss, enter and exit the Recovery Mode on iOS devices, reset the device option, and more. The iMyFone Fixppo software support all the iOS devices and versions including iPhone 14 and the ones running on iOS 16 .
The software also has a free trial version that lets you check the basic features of the tool before you buy the premium version. Though the free version does not support the iOS downgrading function, you can use it for checking the device compatibility and entering and exiting the recovery mode.
Steps on how to downgrade from iOS without data loss using iMyFone Fixppo
Step 1. Launch the software, choose Standard Mode and connect the device.
First of all, download, install and launch the iMyFone Fixppo software on your system. On the main interface, choose the option of Standard Mode. Next, connect your device to the system and then tap on the Next button.
Step 2. Download the firmware
Now to fix your connected device, you need to download the firmware. The software will detect the device model automatically and will show all the available versions of the firmware from which you need to select the desired one and click on the Download button.
Note: For downgrading the iOS, if an older version is available choose that version to move ahead else you will not be able to downgrade the device.
Step 3. Fix the issue
After the firmware is downloaded, verification will be done and the software will be extracted. Next, check for the device and the firmware information after which click on the Start button.
The software will start fixing the device and the device will restart after the process is complete.
The detailed steps for the above-given process can be checked in the iMyFone Fixppo guide.
Part 3. Another Way to Downgrade from iOS 16 – Complicate
Another method for downgrading from iOS 16 is by using iTunes. Though this method does not require you to download any additional software or tool, the process is complicated and will result in data loss. To use the iTunes methods, you need to have an Apple IS and an iTunes account.
Before proceeding with this process, we suggest taking the back of your data.
Steps on how to downgrade from iOS 16 using iTunes
Step 1. First of all, launch iTunes on your system, and then using a USB cable connect your device to your system.
Step 2. Next, choose the IPSW file for the model of your device and also the version number after which click on the Open button.
The IPSW file that you have selected will automatically appear at the iTunes window after it is searched in the directories.
If the file does not appear, click on Restore again.
Step 3. Next, if you are using Windows then hold down the Shift Key (while for Mac, use the Option key) while you click on the Restore iPhone/iPad option in the iTunes window.
When prompted, tap on the Restore button.
Step 4. Finally, after the device is restored, it will have the iOS 15 version. You can now restore from the backup taken earlier.
Final Words
If the most recent iOS 16 is causing problems rather than being helpful, you can downgrade the version using the procedures indicated above. Utilize the most appropriate technique while following the instructions.