Downgrade to iOS 8.4 No Longer Possible

If you updated to iOS 8.4.1 but are wanting to downgrade to iOS 8.4, you can no longer do so since Apple stopped signing iOS 8.4.

Apple released iOS 8.4.1 last week, which came with a handful of bug fixes and performance improvements, as well as patched up the exploits used for the iOS 8.4 jailbreak, making iOS 8.4.1 unjailbreakable, sadly.

However, those who updated to iOS 8.4.1 on accident had the opportunity to downgrade to iOS 8.4 and then jailbreak their devices. That was because Apple was still signing iOS 8.4 at the time, meaning that users could still install that version of iOS onto their devices. However, that’s no longer the case and Apple has closed the window to downgrading iOS devices.

This means that if you updated to iOS 8.4.1 and haven’t downgraded yet, then you’re out of luck and will have to stick with iOS 8.4.1 until iOS 9 releases next month.

Normally, Apple doesn’t allow you to downgrade to an older version of iOS, but usually after they release a new version or update, the company keeps the old version open for a couple of weeks, which allows users to downgrade by using a special restore method in iTunes, which is really easy to do.

Again, what this means for jailbreakers is that if you’re currently jailbroken or want to jailbreak your iPhone or iPad, do not update to iOS 8.4.1, as you won’t be able to jailbreak and you won’t be able to downgrade to iOS 8.4 from there.

As for an iOS 8.4.1 jailbreak, Pangu teased it over the weekend, potentially pointing to a release to the public, but we’re not entirely sure that will happen. The Pangu demo appeared to only be a proof of concept and isn’t intended for public consumption in its current state, so we’re still crossing our fingers.

iOS 9 is right around the corner anyway, and it’s likely that Pangu and TaiG will most likely be focusing all of their efforts on jailbreaking iOS 9 and any versions after that, since the release of iOS is likely less than a month away.

Plus, many jailbreak users are actually hoping that Pangu doesn’t release its iOS 8.4.1 jailbreak in the first place, mostly because it would be a waste with iOS 9 so close, and it would also give Apple another shot at patching up any known jailbreak exploits before iOS 9 would officially release.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that an iOS 9 jailbreak hasn’t been discovered yet, but jailbreak developers likely won’t start working hard on it until the final version is released to the public, and even then it could take several months for an iOS 9 jailbreak to release.

iOS 9 is rumored to release next month alongside the release of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Then, new iPads are expected in October alongside an iOS 9.1 update. If that turns out to be true, it’s possible that TaiG or Pangu may wait until after iOS 9.1 is released before working on a jailbreak, as releasing it before iOS 9.1 would Apple the opportunity to quickly patch up any exploits used so that iOS 9.1 would be unjailbreakable.

Of course, devs could simply just go back to work on iOS 9.1, but waiting until that update is released would mean less time would be wasted, which is something that the developers and the jailbreaking community in general are big fans of.

Until then, iOS 8.4.1 will likely remain the last version of iOS 8 that Apple will release and we likely won’t see a jailbreak for it before iOS 9 is released, so if you’re currently running iOS 8.4.1, you’ll be out of luck until an iOS 9 jailbreak is released to the public.