Apple iOS is getting better and smarter every year when the company releases new updates. iOS 11 has been through several software updates since the launch day, adding more features and skills for a better user experience.
Apple has recently released iOS 11.4, the fourth major update to the operating system. Like any other iOS update, iOS 11.4 comes with fixes for bugs and errors. However, that does not mean it has nothing new. The update brings in some features we have been dying for since the days of iOS 10, including AirPlay 2 and stereo pairing for HomePod.
However, iOS 11.4 has its own issues that may negatively impact your experience. We have started to hear some of the issues users are facing with Apple’s latest software update, like heavy battery drain, AirPlay not working, lag, sound problems, and Touch ID issues. iPhone owners are also reporting that they reboot their device multiple times, but some of the problems still persist.
If you are among those users who have been hit by the above issues, then you can get back to a more stable iOS version. Thankfully, Apple is still signing the iOS 11.3.1 release, meaning that you can downgrade your phone to a previous iOS version.
However, the downgrade process may not be straightforward to many users out there. With that in mind, we can help you out. We are going to walk you through the steps on how to downgrade from iOS 11.4 back to iOS 11.3.1.
Before we proceed with how to do this, there are a couple of things you should know about downgrading an iPhone.
You will be able to downgrade to a version that Apple is still signing (iOS 11.3.1) only. Apple is signing the iOS 11.3.1 firmware, so we recommend you go back to that iOS version. Besides, you should back up your iOS device before moving ahead in case something goes wrong during the process.
Assuming that you have met all the above requirements, then let’s proceed with how to downgrade your iOS version.
There are two methods to downgrade your iPhone back to iOS 11.3.1. One of them will remove all data stored on your iPhone. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make a full backup of your device.
Method 1:
There is a method that allows you to go back to a stable iOS version. Following this method, your personal files are well preserved in their original state. However, it may be a little bit risky.
Before we begin, make sure you have already disabled Find My iPhone. To do this, head over to Settings > iCloud > Find My iPhone. Once you are done, download the iOS 11.3.1 firmware on your device.
To download the iOS firmware, open your web browser and head over to this link. Make sure you download the correct firmware for your device. Once you are done, let’s dive in how to downgrade back to iOS 11.3.1.
Step one: Connect your iPhone to your computer and then launch iTunes (make sure you now have the latest iTunes version on your computer)
Step two: Next up, select your iOS device when it shows up in iTunes. After that, hit Summary from the left sidebar
Step three: Once you are done, hold the Alt/Option key (Mac) or Shift key (Windows) and hit the Check for Update button
Step four: Select the firmware you downloaded earlier and then hit the Update button
Step five: iTunes will start downgrading your iOS device to iOS 11.3.1.
Method 2:
Alternatively, you can downgrade your iOS 11.4 back to iOS 11.3.1 by putting your device in Recovery mode. However, keep in mind that following this method will wipe your device, so make sure you have a full backup of your phone. You can back up your iPhone using iTunes and iCloud and then restore it from a backup.
Step one: First off, download the iOS 11.3.1 firmware to your device. To do this, head over to this link and then select the correct firmware for your phone
Step two: Put your device into the Recovery mode, and then hit the OK button
Step three: Hold the Alt/Option key (Mac) or Shift key (Windows) and then click the Restore iPhone (make sure you keep the Alt/Option key or Shift key pressed)
Step four: Select the iOS 11.3.1 firmware file you downloaded earlier and then hit the Restore and Update
Step five: Hit the Next button and then Agree to terms and conditions. After that, iTunes will start installing it on your device. Once done, you should see the “Hello” screen.
Also read: 5 things Amazon Echo can do that HomePod cannot
Got any issues during the process? Let us know in the comments below.
