if you wanted to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS, you can very easily do that via the Settings app or by connecting the device to your computer and using iTunes or Finder.
But when you find yourself in a situation where you need to downgrade the version of iOS, these two methods are no longer viable.
But one of the following iOS firmware installers can help you find the version of iOS that you want and easily install it on your device, sometimes even without losing data.
TinyFix iOS System Repair is one of the best solutions to not just install firmware on your device but also to repair any system issues that the device may exhibit.
It can downgrade the version of iOS that is running on your device without causing data loss and it is very easy to use.
The following simple steps show you how to use this tool to install firmware on the device:
Step 1: Open the TinyFix on your computer and use a USB cable to connect the iPhone to the computer. From the main screen, choose "iOS System Repair."
Step 2: On the next screen, select the "Standard Mode" to install firmware on the device without losing any data.
Step 3: The program will then allow you to select the version of iOS that you would like to install on the device. Choose your preferred version and click "Download" to begin downloading the IPSW file needed.
Step 4: When the download is complete, click on the "Fix Now" button to begin installing the selected firmware. Your device will restart when the installation process is complete.
AnyFix is also a good option when looking for an easy way to install firmware on your device, especially when you want to downgrade the version of iOS on the device.
As the name suggests, this is also another great tool to repair any iOS system issues that may affect the device and it can be used to enter and exit recovery mode on the device.
Pros
Cons
FonePaw iOS System Recovery (now named as passvers) is another very simple to use and highly effective solution to downgrade the version of iOS on your device, but it can also come in handy when faced with some of the most common iOS system issues.
It has a simple user interface that will significantly simplify the process and you can install firmware on the device without losing data.
Pros
Cons
Tenorshare ReiBoot is another very simple to use and easily accessible third-party tool that you can use to install firmware on your device.
This makes it a great solution when you need to downgrade iOS, but it is also one of the best ways to fix the most common iOS system errors.
ReiBoot is very easy to use, allowing users to install the firmware in just a few simple steps.
Pros
Cons
If you are looking for a free solution, TinyUmbrella is a good option. Available for PC, this tool can be used to manage iOS devices in various ways including installing the firmware on the device.
It can be used to both downgrade and upgrade the version of iOS on the device. But as useful as it is, TinyUmbrella is not an ideal solution for non-jailbroken devices.
Pros
Cons
Any file that has the extension "IPSW" is an Apple Device Software Update file that can be used on Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Apple TV. This file is used to store encrypted DMG, PLISTs, IM4Ps, and BBFWs.
Apple will often release an IPSW file when they need to add new features or fix system vulnerabilities in the system. These files can also be used to downgrade the device to a previous version of iOS.
The IPSW file is released via iTunes although you can also go to https://ipsw.me/ to get the current version for your device.
While it can be easier to update the device via iTunes or OTA in the Settings app, the IPSW file can be useful in certain instances, including the following:
There are various online sources that you can use to download the IPSW file. One of the safest is https://ipsw.me/ where you can find the IPSW files listed by device.
If you had downloaded the iOS update, the IPSW file may already be on your device. Click here to learn how you can find the file on your Mac or PC.
All the tools above can help you access the IPSW file you need to update or downgrade the version of iOS on your device.