Advice on upgrading to iOS 6 from iOS 5 only

Question

I'm in need of updating the iOS on my device from 5 to 6 only (for test purposes). I already have iOS 7 on another device.

Does anyone know how this can be done?

The only option I can currently see is going to iOS 7 and then back down to 6. The problem I have is I don't want to find out it's not possible once iOS 7 is running.

See my answer here: http://apple.stackexchange.com/a/110585/18387 — Andrew Larsson, Dec 10 '13 at 16:33

score 2 · Answer 1 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:45

2

Nope, once you update to iOS 7, you can't go back to iOS 6, since Apple stop signing the old software when the new software is released.

You can only install versions of iOS that are currently being signed by Apple for that device.

If your device can't update to iOS 7, then it is still possible to update to iOS 6 since the latest viable version of iOS continues to be signed for those devices.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:45

Community

1

answered Nov 28 '13 at 19:46

grg

201,078

1

This is correct, but it doesn't really answer the main question. As in how can I only go from 5 to 6 (with an iOS 7 capable device). – Xareyo Feb 19 '14 at 11:32
@Xareyo Edited answer – grg Jun 07 '15 at 11:37

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 29 '13 at 12:44

0

Download the iOS 6.13 software (IPSW) from http://osxdaily.com/2013/03/19/ios-6-1-3-released-with-minor-fixes-improvements/ and use iTunes to install it. Then don't update it to 7.0 when asked .

answered Nov 29 '13 at 12:44

mkaz

888

1

See my answer here for why you're not entirely correct: http://apple.stackexchange.com/a/110585/18387 – Andrew Larsson Dec 10 '13 at 16:34
I should note this did not work for me. The device kept crashing during the upgrade and then required an iOS 7 install to fix it. – Xareyo Feb 19 '14 at 11:25

Advice on upgrading to iOS 6 from iOS 5 only

2 Answers2