Apple recently released its latest iOS 9 version to developers in beta format. As the new software quickly achieved popularity, non-developers also began to install the latest OS version as beta testers.
User reactions between the two groups show that while developers anticipated the new version to be buggy, the bugs didn't go down as easy for beta testers —who would have preferred going back to an earlier version of firmware.
There's a way to do that. With just a few simple steps, iOS 9 beta testers can restore the current iOS 8.3 on their devices and say goodbye to crashes, inconsistencies and non-functioning applications brought on by using a software that is still in beta stage.
Here are the simple steps to downgrading and restoring iOS 8.3 after installing iOS 9.
First step: Disable "Find My iPhone"
Users should go to Settings on their iOS device, scroll down and tap iCloud, choose "Find My iPhone," then tap the green toggle to disable the feature. Keep in mind that doing so will require putting in the Apple ID password.
Second step: Download an iOS 8.3 firmware
At this point, it may take a while to complete the whole downloading process, if the files are larger than 1.5GB. Downloading the iOS 8.3 firmware should be done on a PC or Mac. Users must choose the firmware that corresponds to their Apple device. For example, iPhone 6 users should download "iPhone 7,2_8.3_12F70_Restore.ipsw." IPad 2 GSM users should download "iPad2,2_8.3_12F69_Restore.ipsw."
Third step: Connect and Open
After successfully downloading the right firmware, the next thing to do is to connect the iDevice to the PC or Mac and then open iTunes.
Fourth step: Get into DFU mode
In order to get into the Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode, the user should hold the iDevice's power and home buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds. Then, release the power button while keeping a finger on the home button.
Fifth step: Tap OK
The user should be able see a notification message, which would pop up in iTunes. The message will say that the iDevice was successfully placed in DFU mode and that it requires the user to restore it before using it. A small box that says "OK" can be found at the bottom right of the notification, which should then be tapped in order to proceed.
Sixth step: Choose the "Restore iPhone" option
At this point, the user will be asked by iTunes to confirm restoring the device to an earlier firmware. Afterward, two more taps ("Next" and "Agree"), coupled with a short wait time, should wrap up the process.
