benny335
Level 1 (4 points)
iTunes

Q: iTunes Taking Too Long to Extract Software

Hi all,

I need some help. I'm trying to downgrade from iOS 10 back to iOS 9.3 but every time I try to do it, iTunes takes so long to extract that the phone automatically restarts out of recovery mode and can't be updated (or downgraded). What do I do?

Posted on Jul 8, 2016 3:48 PM

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benny335

Q: iTunes Taking Too Long to Extract Software

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  • by darren.s,

    darren.s darren.s Jul 9, 2016 12:44 PM in response to benny335
    Community Specialists
    Jul 9, 2016 12:44 PM in response to benny335

    Hello benny335,

     

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities! Thanks for coming with your question about downgrading from iOS 10 beta to iOS 9.3 using iTunes for Windows.  I had a similar issue on my iPhone and Mac and was able to resolve it.  I'm happy to offer suggestions.

     

    This article references the process to restore from the backup you made prior to installing the beta software:

     

    About iOS beta software

     

    You'll notice they mention archiving your iTunes backup of your iPhone prior to installing the beta.  

     

    Archive an iOS backup with iTunes

    Before you install prerelease software, back up your device in iTunes, then archive the backup. You won’t be able to use an iCloud backup or one you didn’t archive if you go back to the current version of iOS.

    Follow these steps to archive a backup:

    1. Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes.
    2. Connect your device to your computer and open iTunes. 
    3. If you want to save Health and Activity data from your iOS device or Apple Watch, you'll need to encrypt your backup: Select the box called Encrypt [device] backup and make a memorable password.

      Write down your password and store it somewhere safe, because there's no way to recover your iTunes backups without this password.
      If you don't need to save your Health and Activity data, you can make a backup that isn't encrypted. Just click Back Up Now.
    4. Wait for the backup to finish. Then go to iTunes > Preferences > Devices on your computer.
    5. Control-click the backup you just made. Then choose Archive to save it. If you decide to go back to the current version of iOS, you'll need this archived backup.
    6. Now you can install iOS beta.

     

    You're at the stage where you want to go back:

     

    Go back to the current version of iOS

    If you're using iOS beta and want to go back to the current version of iOS, follow these steps:

    1. Make sure that you're using the latest version of iTunes.
    2. Put your device in recovery mode and restore it. If you turned on Find My iPhone, enter your Apple ID and password after the restore to activate your device.
    3. If you can't finish the restore, get help.
    4. After the restore is complete, you can set up your device from your archived backup. This backup should be from an earlier version of iOS.

     

    When I ran into issues, I started up my Mac in Safe Mode and was able to restore my iPhone to iOS 9.  Perhaps you'll want to start up your Windows PC in some version of Safe Mode as well.

     

    Best wishes!