A lot of users upgraded to iOS 10.3.3 now that we have a jailbreak. However, a lot of them are still willing to go back due to performance issues. Here’s how you can downgrade iOS 10 to iOS 8.4.1 without SHSH Blobs.
Table of Contents
Why should you downgrade to iOS 8.4.1?
iOS 10.3.3 runs just fine on iPhone 5s and above devices based on the 64-bit architecture. However, the same can’t be said for iPhone 5 and other 32-bit devices.
If you own a 32-bit device, you will experience poor performance and slowdowns on this version.
Although you can’t fix this issue while staying on this firmware, you can still go back in time to iOS 8.4.1.
Downgrading to iOS 8.4.1 from iOS 10.3.3 has several advantages. Firstly, you will have significantly better performance. Secondly, you will still be able to jailbreak your device and run Cydia tweaks.
Remember, once you try this tutorial, you can’t update to iOS 10.3.3 again via OTA. Apart from that, you will lose all your data if you try it.
Which methods are not working?
The method given below is the only method that works right now. Do not try the following methods as they will result in an activation error –
- Using the Beehind tool to create a custom hacktivated firmware build doesn’t work.
- Odysseus OTA fails at the baseband stage and leaves your device stuck in DFU mode.
- OTA Spoofing method will not work.
Compatibility
You can try this method on the following devices –
- iPhone 5
- iPad 4
Keep in mind that iPhone 5c does have a jailbreak but it won’t work with this method since it shipped with iOS 7.
- Update – This tutorial will not work on iPhone 5 64GB model due to unknown reasons. The 32GB and 16GB models should work just fine.
Requirements
- A compatible iPhone or iPad
- A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux
- Internet
Downgrade iOS 10-10.3.3 to iOS 8.4.1 firmware
Method 1 – Modify NVRAM
This method makes changes to your NVRAM and thus allows downgrading. The alternative method now needs a modified MAC address because Apple blocked the previous address.
I recommend everyone to only try this procedure as it’s completely automatic and way more easier to use.
Step 1 Jailbreak your device on iOS 10.3.3.
Step 2 Launch Cydia and repo.ftios.vn repository.
Step 3 Install the Downgrade iOS 10.x to 8.x package from this source.
Step 4 Restart your iPhone or iPad.
Step 5 Open the Settings app and go to General > Software Update.
Step 6 Install the iOS 8.4.1 update via OTA.
Step 7 Open Settings again and go to General > Reset > Erase all Contents and Settings.
Method 2 – Modify MAC Address
Step 1 Firstly, jailbreak your iPhone or iPad on iOS 10-10.3.3 with h3lix jailbreak tool.
Step 2 Launch Cydia and install the following jailbreak tweaks –
- MTerminal
- Filza
- Apple File Conduit 2
Step 3 Open Filza from your home screen and navigate to this location – /System/Library/CoreServices/SystemVersion.plist.
Step 4 Modify its details as follows –
- Version number – 6.1.3
- Build number – 10B329
Step 5 Go to Settings > General > About and note your Wi-Fi Adress.
Step 6 Launch MTerminal and enter the following commands. Don’t forget to press enter/return key after each line. This command will change the MAC address of your device. If your MAC address is XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:A5, change its last digit such that your MAC address becomes something like XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:A4.
su
alpine
nvram wifiaddr=[New MAC Adress]
Step 7 Restart your iPhone or iPad.
Step 8 Open the stock Settings application and go to General > Software Update.
Step 9 You will now get the latest iOS 8.4.1 update via OTA as it’s signing window is still open. Download and install this update.
Step 10 Setup your device.
Step 11 Open the Settings app and go to General > Reset and select the Erase All Content and Settings option.
Step 12 Jailbreak your device with etasonJB.
If you change the MAC address of your device again, it will deactivate and you must restore it again.
For more downgrade and update tutorials, give us a thumbs up on Twitter and Facebook.
Hi, I am trying to downgrade my ipad 4 a1458, wifi only, unfortunately, repo.ftios.vn is down, and the second method is also tried, my wifiaddress last number are :1E, i changed it to nothing and then also tried with 1F as instruction suggested, but after reboot when i try to check update it says error. I am very much frustrated, wasted my 3 days, please any suggestions will be welcome
Hi bro it works and downgraded my 5 to 8.4.1. but what if i get a problem or crashes by using cydia tweak and bootloop, how do i restore the firmware back to 8.4.1 again? Not 10.3.3?
You will then need to repeat the process again. Don’t worry much about bootloop. You won’t get it if you use compatible tweaks.
It’s possible intalling IOS 6 using this method?
No, that’s not possible.
Hi, I’m currently on 10.3 and want to downgrade, what if I regret and want to go back 10.3?
Sorry, you can’t downgrade.
Can’t I downgrade to 8.4? But isn’t that the point of this article?
No, that’s not possible as it isn’t signed anymore. You will have to go to 8.4.1 only.
i’ll try on a iPad 4 sim model 😬, but its 128gb
it shall work?
Yes, you can try.
Hello there,
Is this method works for ios 9.x.x?
I want to downgrade my iPhone 5 iOS 10.3.3 to 9.3.3 – 9.3.5 . Is there any way for this? (Without SHSH blobs 🙁 )
No, that’s not possible anymore as it not signed.
I tried first method on iPhone 5 32GB GLOBAL
and it when it show OTA update to 8.4.1 I downloaded and when presses Install it waits for some time and then shows verification error that it can’t verify software update
SORRY FOR MY TOO GOOD ENGLISH 🙂
which method worked for someone on iPHONE 5 32GB GLOBAL
You can use any method.
tried first method but didn’t worked for me
trying 2nd method after dfu restoring
currently downloading ios 8.4.1 over OTA
lets see what happens
when I changed the MAC Address I rebooted the phone but in settings the wifi address is same like the old
IS there any PROBLEM?
2nd method worked now tell me how can I jailbreak it?
everything worked fine with method 2 with no issue
THANKS
now can you tell me some good tweaks for ios 8.4.1
and can I apply any theme like ios 10 or 11?
Yes, most of the new themes should work on iOS 8.4.1. Some good tweaks are TypeStatus, Cylinder, Barrel, Cask, Eclipse.
first method worked on Ipad 4 with ios 10.3.3 .
a lot thanks for this tutorial 😡
ios 10 was really slow on my device …
2nd method worked finally many thanks!!! I was trying with the 1st method many times but it wasnt activating, then tried the 2nd method and it worked, on first method my sim card wasnt being detected, on the 2nd method it worked and i got the activation error too, but i restarted the phone and it launched already on ios 8.4.1 home screen , so glad now my phone is fast and smooth again
That’s great, Bruno!
i did the first and second methods on my ipad 4 global model A1460, everything was smooth until after installing the ios 8.4.1 ota and got stuck on the CONNECT TO ITUNES and so i was force to restore it again to ios 10.3.3. any other ideas or help on how to downgrade it? I’ll appreciate it if you can help me..
Try using this method – https://www.reddit .com/r/jailbreak/comments/7mjc5s/news_activation_records_from_ios_10_can_activate/druvon4/
None of these worked…
Did you change the MAC manually?
Second method on an iPhone 5 16GB worked flawlesly…
You MUST decrease the last digit of the MAC address by one in order for it to work.
Does this still work? Hope there’s no signing issue, also if my iPhone 5,2 is factory unlocked is it still possible to run into activation issue?
Yes, it’s still working.
Both methods not working for me… seems to be fixed as it always wants to update to OTA 10.3.3 instead of 8.4.1.
No, they are still working. You should try changing your MAC address manually and it will work.
I did the method 2 on my iPhone 5 16gb, it worked fine until the activation, it says “could not activate iPhone” also its stuck on searching service top left
Did you change the MAC address properly?
Was your iPhone factory unlocked? Did u manage to get it work?
Hi, I have an iPhone 5 16GB, two days I try to perform the two methods shown, but I can not solve the last step or Activation of the Phone!
It gives me Error, it is first that according to the method …
Does anyone have any advice?
I’m sure to perform all the steps described and to use the required tools, only asking me for activation.
Try downgrading now, Apple seems to have disabled the activation error altogether.
2nd method don’t work iPad4 10.3.3
I need to try the 1st method too so I’ll brb
Sure. Report back with your results.
The 1st one works on ipad4 10.3.3 thanks man 🙂
Welcome, mate.
what ipad 4 do u have? is it the model A1458?
I do not recommend Method1.
This Cydia “tweak” change WiFi MAC address always to same – no randomization. I ended with 2 devices with same MAC address on same WLAN and fighting for connection.
I recommend Method2. (with swap WiFi and BT MAC)
Write down your WiFi and Bluetooth MAC address fallow Method2 guide
nvram wifiaddr=”put here your Bluetooth MAC address”
nvram btaddr=”put here your WiFi MAC address”
This way your MAC address stays unique.
Method 1 doesn’t work as it doesn’t activate.
https://imgur.com/r4hMVv5
https://imgur.com/SvJI4Kb
There was another error activating message I got a couple times to but didn’t capture, it gave me option for emergency call and change wifi settings.
I can’t seem to replicate it (could be due to iCloud/Apple ID?)
I’m going to dfu restore and try again without iCloud and Apple ID setup. Do you think that will help?
yes, you can try that.
hello after downgrade from 10.3.3 to 8.4.1 the iPhone 5 activate but no service?
my sim card work great on another device but in this iphone no way
Using method 2, Works perfectly, thanks a lot! iPad 3,4. But I removed appleid from my device b4 I downgrade.
Glad to have slide to unlock back 😀 I downgrade just to get this thingy back haha. Not a jailbreak user xD
Thanks again!
Glad it worked for you, Lee.
thanks. btw is it fine if I didn’t perform a factory reset? i saw some traces of ios10 stuffs in settings and there’s quite a lot of space eaten up (due to leftovers of ios10?) everything working fine till now including icloud and find my iphone. can I continue use as normal or should I factory reset?
I recommend doing a reset.
OOh this did actually work on Iphone 5 Downgraded and activated without issues! YES you saved me IOS 10 was worst!
Great!
Oh My God. It ‘s worked on iphone 5 (GSM) 16GB ( First Method). Thanks a lot . You Make Me So Happy
Great!
all done but (no service) issue , no call no message , with phone not allowed
and before that everything ok in this phone
Use the chmod command given in here – https://yalujailbreak.net/h3lix-errors-and-fixes/
Method 1 on iPad 4 worked fine, thank you.
Glad it worked for you.
I’ve tried both methods and after installing 8.4.1 and restarting it won’t activate and I can’t do the last step to reset.
failed;-(
after OTA update(8.4), its not activated.
it shows contact apple for activation…
Which method are you using? Which device/firmware are you on?
Both methods. iPhone 5 10.3.3
Do you have the 64GB model?
No, I have the 16GB model.
It should work then.
I have try first method.