Downgrade iOS 16.1.1 To 16.1 & iPadOS 16.1.1 – 16.1 [How To]

You can downgrade iOS 16.1.1 to 16.1 on any compatible iPhone and iPad model. iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 are still signed, 10 days after the release of the 16.1.1 bug fixing release. Apple usually unsigns outdated versions within one week.

Why To Downgrade iOS 16.1.1 To 16.1

Although iOS 16.1.1 was released with improvement and bug fixes it fails to address many of the annoying issues reported since the initial release of iOS 16.

Apple seems to have rushed the update to patch an urgent ‘issue impacting SKAdNetwork for users on iOS 16.1’ according to the company’s system status page.

All other bugs seem to have been neglected and delayed for iOS 16.2, which is currently beta tested and expected in December or a potential 2nd iOS 16.1.2 bug fixing release.

Fact: Our iOS 16.1.1 review page has registered over 30 different reports of errors and issues in the past 10 days including: battery draining issues, WiFi disconnecting bug, Mobile data not working and more.

Downgrade iOS 16.1.1 To 16.1 Requirements

To revert you need the following:

• A computer, Mac or Windows and the Finder / iTunes apps.
• A Lightning to USB (USB-C) cable.
• The appropriate iOS 16.1 ipsw file for your iPhone or iPad model.
• Internet connectivity.

How To Downgrade iOS 16.1.1 To iOS 16.1

• 1. On computer: download the iOS 16.1 / iPadOS 16.1 ipsw file from ipsw.me (direct link). Select product (iPhone or iPad ) -> Click on your iPhone/iPad model -> Click on iOS 16.1 (20B82) -> Click Download.
  

Important: This only works if iOS 16.1 is labeled green (still signed by Apple). Else, abort the process.

• 2. On iPhone /iPad: Go for Settings -> Apple ID -> Find My -> Find My iPhone and turn this option Off.
• 3. Connect iPhone to computer (Mac or Windows) using the Lightning to USB /USB-C cable that shipped with the device.
• 4. Open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows).
• 5. In Finder, click on your [iPhone name], available in the left sidebar under Locations.
• 6. Perform an encrypted backup of your iPhone using the Back Up Now option.
• 7. Press & hold option key + click Restore iPhone option.
• 8. Select the recently downloaded iOS 16.1 ipsw file from Downloads or any other folder that you use to store downloaded files on Mac or Windows computer.

On Windows: press & hold shift key + click Restore iPhone to be able to select the iOS 16.1 ipsw file.

• 9. Click Open, followed by Restore to confirm that you want your Mac to erase and restore your iPhone to iOS 16.1.
  

Tip: Be patient until Mac extracts software, prepares iPhone to restore (the Apple logo is displayed on iPhone), restores the software, verifies the iPhone restore and restores iPhone firmware! iPhone reboots when the process ends.

Restore iPhone From Backup

• 10. Swipe-up on the ‘hello’ screen and return to Finder / iTunes, on computer. Click on iPhone, in the sidebar, under Locations and wait until device is activated!
• 11. Go for Restore from this backup option. Select the backup and enter the password to unlock backup. Click Restore and be patient.

Tip: If you’re prompted with the “Could not restore the iPhone ‘Mike’s iPhone’ because the backup was not compatible with the iPhone that is being restored.” you have to tweak the backup file and make it compatible with iOS 16.1!

Redo Step 11, after you modify the backup. and be patient until the data is restored! iPhone will reboot to mark the ends of the process.


• 12. On iPhone, tap Continue, on the Restore Completed screen. Configure Face ID, set up a new Passcode (can be the same as your old one), sign in to your Apple ID and be patient until the iCloud settings are updated! Follow the other on-screen prompts until you reach the Welcome to iPhone screen. Swipe up to get started!

That’s it you’re now back to iOS 16.1! If you’re not happy with it you can try iOS 16.2 beta too! Here is how to!

Have you successfully downgraded iOS 16.1.1 to 16.1? Do you have any questions or other problems to report? Share your feedback in the comments.

Related: If you’re not satisfied with this version either you can downgrade again all the way to iOS 15.6 RC.