Why can't I restore the same version IOS that's on my phone?

Question

Level 1

6 points

Why can't I restore the same version IOS that's on my phone?

My iPhone 4s has apps on it that are not iOS 6x or even 7x compatible. iTunes/Apple won't let me restore the same version of iOS 5 that is currently on my phone that won't boot up. I have no options anymore except to pay.

1. I can pay a developer to migrate the app I use for work to iOS7 and eventually run into the same problem later and pay AGAIN.

2. I can ditch Apple (because there is no logical reason for this) and pay to go over to a Google phone and pay to migrate my app over to android but have the peace of mind that I won't be forced to do what android wants me to do anymore.

I bought an iPhone, an iPhone 3G, an iPhone 3GS and an iPhone 4S. I don't like using the latest and greatest because I only really care about doing what *I* want to do with *MY* phone. I don't like being told I can't have what I've been using for the past 2 years because Apple has changed a policy or something.

Is Apple doing ANYTHING for people like me or are we just screwed? Can anyone explain why Apple would disallow reinstallation of an iOS i've been using for years now?

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Oct 11, 2013 2:11 PM

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Answer 1

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Oct 11, 2013 2:15 PM in response to klipe

Apple has never allowed rolling back to a previous operating system and a restore has always installed the currently signed OS. Ever.

Pay your developer and make your move now over to Android or to Windows 8. You are highly unlikely to ever run into a situation with Android that will be able to update the OS on your phone. But only do this is securily of the information on your phone is relatively unimportant to you. Otherwise go with Windows 8.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Oct 11, 2013 2:16 PM in response to klipe

You can upgrade your phone to iOS 7, nothing else. That is the latest version compatible with your device. The upgrade is free. Apple is not responsible for problems you have with other developers' apps.

Since you feel the way you do just stop using the iPhone. Apple policies have not changed. You have always been restricted to using only the most recent version of iOS. So your complaints are really unfounded. It is what it is. Get used to it and move on.

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Answer 3

app321

Level 1

0 points

Oct 11, 2013 2:40 PM in response to klipe

Is Apple doing ANYTHING for people like me or are we just screwed?

To put it simply your just screwed.

As it has been said above, the policies have not changed. And Apple themselves are not forcing you to pay anything. If you want to use an outdated and almost unsupported version of iOS then go ahead. The real issue sounds to me like you're too tight to pay your developer to update the app so it supports the more recent version of iOS.

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Answer 4

klipe Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 11, 2013 3:14 PM in response to Kappy

both of you are missing the point that i can't restore to the same version that is on my phone. apple has never disallowed users to reinstall the same version until now.

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Answer 5

klipe Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 11, 2013 3:16 PM in response to app321

i get the feeling everyone is going to take cheap shots at me for not wanting everything in my life to be the latest and greatest and falling into a pay-cycle with my developers... some people just want something that works.. period. if my phone can make calls and run the one app i use for work -- i'm happy.

i don't think it's apple's responsibility to say "oh no, you can't use the same ios you've been using for 2 years, you have to keep updating when we update and pay people to update the products you use"

i think it's ridiculous.

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Answer 6

klipe Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 11, 2013 3:16 PM in response to klipe

why can't anyone see that this is a HUGE policy change for them.. itunes has ALWAYS allowed you to reinstall same version IOS.

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Answer 7

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Oct 11, 2013 3:17 PM in response to deggie

.

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Answer 8

klipe Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 11, 2013 3:19 PM in response to deggie

I never said anything about going backwards. Title specifically states reinstalling same version that's currently installed (and broken) on my phone.

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Answer 9

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Oct 11, 2013 3:21 PM in response to klipe

Apple has NEVER, from the issuance of iPhone OS 1.0.1 on the iPhone 2G, supported rolling back the OS on an iDevice. Never. There are ways to do so but they will void the warranty (if you have one) and require you to hack or jailbreak your iPhone. We cannot discuss it here but Google will be of assistance to you or talk to your developer.

If you think it is ridiculous you need to go a different route than Apple has offered for almost 7 years and I already made some suggestions to you. Or you could consider signing an agreement with your developer that inlcudes a maintenance policy and includes updating the app.

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Answer 10

klipe Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 11, 2013 3:23 PM in response to deggie

again.. not rolling back.. reinstalling same version... apple has always previously allowed this... not sure how you're missing that point...

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Answer 11

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Oct 11, 2013 3:25 PM in response to klipe

klipe wrote:

both of you are missing the point that i can't restore to the same version that is on my phone. apple has never disallowed users to reinstall the same version until now.

If there's no newer IOS version available at the time of your restore then yes, you can restore the same version. There's no change in Apple policy from previous version.

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Answer 12

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Oct 11, 2013 3:25 PM in response to klipe

Again, Apple has never allowed that unless your device is at the highest OS it can run. For example, if you have an iPhone 3G and you restore it then it will be at iOS 4.2.1, which is the highest level it can run. If you have an iPhone 4, say running 4.3.5, and you restore it now it will be at 7.0.2.

It has always been thus.

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Answer 13

kb1951

Level 10

124,133 points

Oct 11, 2013 3:26 PM in response to klipe

If you are talking about restoring your phone, you can only restore to the current version which is 7. You cannot reinstall anything but that. Apple has never allowed reinstalling a prior version once a new version was released.

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Answer 14

klipe Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 11, 2013 3:32 PM in response to deggie

if you're saying the default function of 'restore' has always been update to latest for your device you'd all be correct.. but that's not what i'm talking about. shift+click restore and you'll be prompted to browse for your firmware. since the dawn of the iphone (ask anyone that's actually used this feature) you have always been able to use this feature to install same-version ios as to what version is on the device. in the past it was more open, allowing you to update to any version above the one you're on, but that was taken away back in IOS3.. for example.

i'm sure for the average user who has no idea what version ios they use or want this would be completely transparent so i don't really blame you for not knowing or using this feature. for others like me this is a big deal. hopefully someone else who is on the same page as i am will chime in..

i think it's a little crazy to force your users to only use the specific version ios you want them to. have you tried ios7 on an ipad2? hello lag. there are more reasons than mine to want to be able to control what software runs on YOUR hardware.. think about it.

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Answer 15

klipe Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 11, 2013 3:32 PM in response to kb1951

once again. not trying to install a prior version. trying to re-install same version that is installed.

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