Downgrade iOS 12.4.1 to iOS 12.4 [iPhone & iPad]

This is the step-by-step guide to downgrade iOS 12.4.1 to iOS 12.4. This will work for all iPhones and iPads.

iPhone 7 downgraded to iOS 12.4

Contents

iOS 12.4.1 – Apple’s take on Jailbreak

Last night, Apple released a new iOS update. The iOS version has moved to iOS 12.4.1. The new public version of iOS fixes a bug that allowed Jailbreak on the previous version of iOS. Apple has released this update particularly to fix the Sock Puppet Exploit in the iOS 12.4. The new update means that the doors are once again closed for Jailbreak.

A couple of months back, Google’s security researchers found the Sock Puppet Exploit in iOS. Apple was informed about the bug. The bug existed in iOS 12.2 and lower. The developers of Unc0ver and Chimera were quick enough to cash in on the exploit. They both updated their tools that Jailbroke all iOS devices on those versions of iOS.

Apple went ahead and released the iOS 12.3 with a fix. The iOS 12.3 was foolproof. Jailbreakers were either sticking to the old iOS version or they were just saying goodbye to Jailbreak.

Apple felt the need for updating iOS further. It bumped the iOS version to iOS 12.4 with some new fixes. Mistakenly, they left the Sock Puppet Exploit open once again which put over 1.4 Billion devices on risk. Once again, Unc0ver and Chimera developers successfully Jailbroke the iOS, but things were different. In fact, they were very different.

iOS 12.4 Jailbreak – What makes it special?

First of all, the iOS 12.4 Jailbreak came out at a time when Apple, apparently, had the bug fixed. On top of that, this is the first time in years that a public-active version of iOS has been Jailbroken.

While Jailbreak comes with a lot of disadvantages and certainly puts your device’s security at risk, it comes with a lot of freedom that Apple won’t let you experience otherwise. The number of advantages, for the Jailbreak users, is a lot bigger than the disadvantages which is why they choose to stick to a Jailbroken device no matter what.

Going back to iOS 12.4 from iOS 12.4.1

If you haven’t already updated to iOS 12.4.1, you can stick to iOS 12.4 and enjoy Cydia and Sileo Tweaks for as long as you can.
In case you are on iOS 12.1, 12.2, or 12.3, you should immediately update to iOS 12.4, not the iOS 12.4.1.
For those of you who have already updated to iOS 12.4.1 and now want to go back to iOS 12.4 to get the Jailbreak back, you can follow this guide to do so.

It’s very important to take this decision of switching to iOS 12.4 right now for some obvious reasons. Apple is still signing the iOS 12.4, which means iTunes will allow its installation. Once Apple stops signing the iOS 12.4, your only option would be iOS 12.4.1 which means goodbye to Jailbreak.

When you add a firmware file to the iTunes, it first connects to Apple’s server to verify that firmware. When Apple stops signing a firmware, the verification fails and you can’t use that firmware anymore.

Before Apple completely wipes off your chances of Jailbreak, you can follow this guide to downgrade iOS 12.4.1 to iOS 12.4.

Preparations

You need an iPhone 5 or higher. This will work for all latest iPhones/iPads too.
To connect the iPhone to the computer, you must use the original data cable.
Backup each and everything from your iPhone.
You must be running the latest iTunes on your computer.
Also, you want to download the iOS 12.4 IPSW File for your iPhone.

For reference only. Your files may differ according to your iPhone.

Downgrade iOS 12.4.1 to iOS 12.4 [iPhone & iPad]

Time needed: 10 minutes.

These are the few easy steps to downgrade iOS 12.4.1 to iOS 12.4 right now.

Open iTunes and connect the iPhone.
On your Windows or Mac PC, open the iTunes. Connect your iPhone to the computer. Check iTunes if it has detected the iPhone or not.
In iTunes, select your iPhone.
In iTunes, click on the small iPhone icon on the top-left side to access the update options.
Add the IPSW File to iTunes on Windows/Mac.
On Windows, press and hold shift and click on “Update” in iTunes. Add the IPSW file in iTunes now.
For Mac, you will press and hold the Command button and click on the “Update” in iTunes. You can select the IPSW file now.
Start the Downgrade process.
As soon as you add the IPSW file, the firmware installation will start. This can take 2-5 minutes depending on the size of the firmware file. Hold on while it does what it has to.
The iPhone will restart itself once downgrade ends. Disconnect it.
The iPhone or iPad will restart itself as the downgrade finishes. You can disconnect the device and set it up. That’s all.

That’s all. I hope you find this guide useful. Below are all the guides that you may need after downgrading.

For any questions or queries, feel free to reach out to us. I will try my best to get back to you as soon as possible.

Usama M

Usama is a software engineer by profession and at TechBeasts.com he uses his expertise to solve everyday consumer tech problems with his main areas of interest being Android, iOS and Windows.