How do I restore my iPhone 4S to iOS 6 (instead of 6.1.2)?

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Level 1

8 points

How do I restore my iPhone 4S to iOS 6 (instead of 6.1.2)?

My phone has had serious issues with dropping calls since I upgraded to iOS 6.1, and then 6.1.2. I frequently get the "calls failed" message. I think the iOS is the problem, so I want to roll back from 6.1.2. I made a backup through iTunes, although I later read that you can only use a backup with the same iOS. Alright, I guess I'm just going to have to restore the phone anyway. The "Restoring iOS Software" page states that it will "restore all settings to their factory condition." I assumed that would bring the phone back to iOS 5.0, which is how I received the phone. Instead, iTunes reset the phone, then loaded 6.1.2. I DON'T WANT THAT IOS. So my question is, how can I get my phone to an earlier iOS? I don't care if it's 5 or 6, I just don't want anything 6.1.0, 6.1.1, or 6.1.2. Thanks in advance for your help.

iPhone 4S, iOS 6.1.2

Posted on Mar 4, 2013 6:41 AM

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Answer 1

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Mar 4, 2013 6:55 AM in response to TAG42481

There is no legit way to go back at all.

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Answer 2

TAG42481 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 4, 2013 7:10 AM in response to roaminggnome

So Apple never lets you go back to a previous iOS? So when you do a "factory reset" you're going MOST of the way, but not ALL of the way to a factory reset. And I just have to wait until another iOS update comes out that hopefully handles the problem? I understand many people probably wouldn't want to go to the trouble of rolling back their iOS, but to not allow it seems incredibly frustrating.

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Answer 3

diesel vdub

Level 7

22,178 points

Mar 4, 2013 10:07 AM in response to TAG42481

There is no reason to downgrade the iOS on a device.

If you believe the issue is with your data or a setting on the device, restore as new and the device will be on the current iOS as if it were just pulled out of the box.

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Answer 4

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Mar 4, 2013 10:09 AM in response to TAG42481

"So Apple never lets you go back to a previous iOS? "

Correct.

" So when you do a "factory reset" you're going MOST of the way, but not ALL of the way to a factory reset."

It always restores to the latest available software.

"And I just have to wait until another iOS update comes out that hopefully handles the problem?"

Or try basic troubleshooting: restart, reset, restore.

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