How To Downgrade iPhone 4 / iPhone 3GS / iPod Touch From iOS 6 To iOS 5.1.1 Using Redsn0w

Truth be told, the Apple iOS 6 is uncool (that is, some things which iPhone users enjoyed in the previous versions have been discontinued in iOS 6), plus the fact that it only works on A4 oriented devices (iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPod Touch 4G). Many iPhone users are disappointed with this iOS version and have found ways to downgrade their iPhone or iPad or iPod Touch to a lower version, e.g iOS 5.1.1.

Currently, the best choice of iOS version to downgrade to from the iOS 6 is iOS 5.1.1, this is because the iOS 5.1.1 has the latest and most stable untethered jailbreak unlike the iOS 6 which has no untethered jailbreak available for now as at the time of writing this. In any case, those who would like to settle for a tethered jailbreak for iOS 6 may check the links below:

In this article, the iPhoneMonk will show you how to downgrade your iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch from the iOS 6.0 to iOS 5.1.1

1. Note that the guide in this article is only for A4 based devices, that is, the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPod Touch 4G, since it is only these devices that support the Apple iOS 6.

2. You need already saved SHSH blobs for iOS 5.1.1. Unfortunately, Apple no longer signs the window for iOS 5.1.1, so  in order to use this guide successfully, you must have the SHSH blobs for iOS 5.1.1 already saved in Cydia or locally.

When you have checked the two requirements above, proceed to the main guide.

Step 1: To perform this downgrade, you will need the latest version of the Redsn0w software. As at writing, the current Redsn0w version is 0.9.14b2

Step 2: Make sure you have the iOS 5.1.1 IPSW file for your device. If you do not, use the direct download links here: All Apple iOS IPSW Firmware Direct Download Links

Step 3: Now, if your SHSH blobs for iOS 5.1.1 are saved on Cydia, then continue to Step 4, but if they are saved locally, then move them to the same folder as the IPSW file.

Step 4: Open the Redsn0w software you downloaded earlier. (If it is in a .zip file, then extract the contents to find the Redsn0w executable program).

Step 5: Go to Extras, then click SHSH Blobs

Step 6: On the next screen, click on Stitch (personalize an IPSW with blobs)

Step 7: On the next screen, click on the IPSW button (IPSW file to be personalized with blobs. Custom IPSWs are acceptable). You would then be shown a screen where you need to browse to the iOS 5.1.1 IPSW file you saved on your computer.

Step 8: Now, for the SHSH blobs, there are two options: Local and Cydia. If the SHSH blobs for iOS 5.1.1 are saved on Cydia, then click the Cydia button. But if they are saved on your computer (in the same folder as the IPSW file as instructed in step 3), then click Local to browse to the blobs.

Step 9: After proceeding, Redsn0w will prepare a custom iOS 5.1.1 firmware for you to downgrade to.

Hurray? not yet…

IMPORTANT: Now read carefully, as this is where many people make mistakes. If you go ahead to restore or downgrade with that custom-built firmware, you will most likely end up with an iTunes error 1600. So, in order to avoid this error, you need to put your iPhone or iPad or iPod Touch into Pwned DFU mode instead of the regular DFU mode. Proceed to Step 10 for instructions.

Step 10: On the Redsn0w window, click the Back button two times to reveal the Extras screen. Then look for the button decribed as Pwned DFU (Enter DFU mode in preparation for restoring to a custom IPSW via iTunes.) This should be the second button. Click on it, then follow the instructions provided to put your iPhone in Pwned DFU mode.

Step 11: After putting your iPhone or iPod Touch into Pwned DFU mode, open iTunes and confirm it says: “iTunes has detected a device in recovery mode. You must restore this device before it can be used with iTunes.”

Now it’s time to restore.

Step 12: For windows users: Hold SHIFT, then click on Restore. For Mac users: Hold Option, then click on Restore.

Now select the stictched firmware that Redsn0w created for you earlier. The firmware file begins with a bunch of numbers or so.

Step 13: After iTunes restores your iPhone or iPod Touch, you will be greeted with an iTunes error -1 which says “The iPhone “iPhone” could not be restored. An unknown error occured (-1)”, but do not be alarmed. Open Redsn0w (if it is not already open), then navigate to Extras -> Recovery Fix (get out of recovery mode caused by an itunes restore error). Click on the Recovery Fix button and you will be told to put your iPhone in DFU mode to continue.

Step 14: When the Recovery Fix process is completed, your iPhone would be running on the iOS 5.1.1. Hurray!

Congratulations, you have successfully downgraded your iPhone / iPod Touch from iOS 6 to iOS 5.1.1.

Did you encounter an error or get stuck somewhere? Let me know by posting a comment below.