iOS 8.1.3 to iOS 8.1.2 Downgrade: What You Need to Know

For two weeks, Apple allowed iPhone and iPad users to downgrade from iOS 8.1.3 to iOS 8.1.2. Today, that came to an end as the company is no longer signing off on the iOS 8.1.2 update.

At the end of last year, Apple released a small iOS 8.1.2 update to tackle at least one iOS 8 problem. Many iPhone and iPad users installed the software, some due to the bug fixes on board, others due to the iOS 8.1.2 jailbreak. Two weeks ago, Apple replaced the iOS 8.1.2 update with a new version of iOS 8 called iOS 8.1.3.

iOS 8.1.3 is also a bug fix update though it’s much larger than iOS 8.1.2. It comes with several bug fixes including one that decreases the amount of storage needed to install iOS updates Over-the-Air.

Many iPhone and iPad users have installed iOS 8.1.3 during its two weeks of availability. While some iPhone and iPad users are signing its praises, others have encountered iOS 8.1.3 problems and lingering iOS 8 issues. While there are fixes for some of the more common iOS 8.1.3 problems, users have also run into unfixable issues with the software.

Up until today, iPhone and iPad users experiencing problems on iOS 8.1.3 had the ability to downgrade to iOS 8.1.2. Unfortunately, Apple only signs off on its older updates for a limited amount of time, often for a week or two. Once Apple stops signing for an update, iPhone and iPad users can no longer downgrade to the older version.

iOS 8.1.3 to iOS 8.1.2 Downgrade No Longer Possible

Today, Apple stopped signing off on the iOS 8.1.2 update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. What this means is that there is now no going back to iOS 8.1.2. Once iOS 8.1.3 is installed, it’s installed forever.

This primarily affects two kinds of iOS 8 users: iPhone and iPad users who want to jailbreak and those who are dealing with iOS 8.1.3 problems.

As of right now, there is no iOS 8.1.3 jailbreak. And as we’ve pointed out, there’s a very good chance the developers are waiting for Apple to release its next big iOS 8 update, iOS 8.2, before releasing their new jailbreak method. An iOS 8.2 jailbreak isn’t confirmed at this point either so there’s no telling what will happen in the future.

What this means is that iPhone and iPad users still on iOS 8.1.2 who are thinking about jailbreaking must remain on iOS 8.1.2 in order to jailbreak anytime in the near future. The iOS 8.2 release date is rumored for the second week of March. Apple still hasn’t released any release date details regarding iOS 8.2 or its upcoming iOS 8.3 update.

There are some iOS 8.1.3 problems but as we’ve noted in our reviews of the software, there doesn’t seem to be anything catastrophic on board the iOS 8.1.3 update. iPhone and iPad users already on the iOS 8.1.3 update dealing with iOS 8.1.3 problems with no way to go back will want to take a look at some of the fixes for common iOS 8 issues.

iOS 8.1.3 Reviews

iPhone and iPad users that aren’t on iOS 8.1.3 or aren’t interested in jailbreaking should note that the iOS 8.1.3 update is performing well on several of Apple’s iOS 8 powered smartphones and tablets.

We’ve taken a deep dive into the software on some of the company’s more popular tablets and handsets and before making the move, we recommend absorbing that feedback and feedback from other iPhone and iPad users.

In recent weeks, we’ve look at the iOS 8.1.3 update on the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5, iPhone 4s, iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad 3, and the iPad 2. For some users, the iOS 8.1.3 is going to be worth the download. For others, it might be worth holding out a bit longer for Apple’s upcoming iOS 8.2 update to arrive. Without a way to downgrade, the upgrade to iOS 8.1.3 is a little riskier.

Keep all of this in mind for when Apple’s next iOS update comes out. Again, Apple usually signs off on updates for a week or so. So if iOS 8.2 isn’t up to snuff, you iPhone and iPad users will need to move fast back down to iOS 8.1.3.