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No matter whether developer beta or public beta of iOS 14 or iPadOS 14: It can happen that you want to use the normal operating system again. This is especially the case if a bug that has not yet been fixed makes working on the device difficult. A look at the instructions from Apple does not bode well for this, it says: “In order to remove the developer beta version immediately, you have to delete and restore your device. If you have archived a backup, you can then use the Set up backup again. ” However, it has been shown in practice that there are definitely solutions without having to set up the Apple device again. Apple itself gives an indication of how this could be done in its support documents.
The implementation is relatively simple: If you have a PC or macOS computer, you can replace the firmware using the Finder (for macOS> = 10.15) or via iTunes (for macOS <10.15 or for Windows computers). For this purpose, connect the iOS / iPadOS device to your computer and start the Finder or iTunes - if the program does not open automatically. Then simply press "Restore" or "Update", but does not help. But you can use a trick. In the iPhone view, click on "Restore iPhone" while holding down the Option key (macOS) or Shift key (Windows). Now a file browser opens and you can select a firmware file (IPSW file) yourself. But where should this file come from? Apple does not (usually) offer them for download for downgrades.
The website that you can use for this is called IPSW.me. On this page you will find all previous OS versions of iOS / iPadOS / tvOS and for all Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, AppleTV and iPod touch). As soon as the page is open, first click in the “Choose a product” field and select the category of your device (e.g. iPhone) from the list. You can then select the exact model from a list in a second step.
Photo: Mark Zimmermann
Now you will be shown all firmware versions that are and were available for the selected model. The coloring of the links is relevant here. A green link means that this version of Apple is still signed and can be installed with it. Red means that this is no longer the case. Select a green version and then click on the download link for the firmware. Important: These download links lead you directly to official Apple servers. It is therefore not manipulated files, but Apple’s official files, even if the website itself is not from Apple.
With this download you will receive the required IPSW file. Specify it in the Finder or in iTunes when the file browser opens. If everything works correctly, the old firmware will be offered to you as an “update” via the beta and your data should be retained.
The described way is of course only one way to quickly and easily return to the previous firmware version. In order to avoid the loss of important data, you should have created a backup before the installation of the beta version, which you can access in an emergency. (mb)