How To Downgrade iOS 14.5 And iPadOS 14.5 [Guide]

Here’s how to downgrade iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 to iOS 14.4.2 and iPadOS 14.4.2 on your compatible iPhone or iPad device.

This process is the perfect simplistic tonic for anyone who has taken a leap of faith with the recent release of iOS14.5/iPadOS 14.5 but now wants to be running an earlier version that they know works for them.

The desire to downgrade come stem from one of many reasons but whatever that reason, the process that you need to follow is highlighted below.

Step 1: Make sure that you are running the latest version of iTunes on your PC or Mac. If you are using a Mac with macOS Catalina or Big Sur, then you don’t need to worry yourself with iTunes as the functionality is built directly into the Finder app.

Step 2: You will need to be in possession of the correct IPSW iOS/iPadOS 14.4.2 file that has been compiled by Apple and that is intended for your specific device. This is the IPSW file that you will be using to perform the downgrade. You can grab it from here.

Step 3: Make sure that the Find My feature is disabled on your device. If you decide to skip this step, then you won’t be able to continue. Launch Settings > iCloud > Find My and toggle the switch into the Off position. Enter the Apple ID and password that’s signed into the device to confirm the decision.

Step 4: Connect your device to your PC or Mac. If iTunes doesn’t load automatically, then launch it manually. Once again, if you are running Big Sur or Catalina, then don’t worry about iTunes, just make sure that you invoke a Finder window. Put your device into DFU mode using the quick guides below (if you don’t already know how to do it):

Step 5: Once the device has been recognized in DFU mode, head into iTunes or Finder and press and hold the Option key on a Mac or the Shift key on a PC and click the Restore iPhone/iPad option.

Step 6: Choose the IPSW file (iOS/iPadOS 14.4) that you downloaded earlier. Allow iTunes/Finder to go through the standard process and leave you with an iPhone or iPad that has been downgraded from iOS/iPadOS 14.5 to the version included within the IPSW file that you’ve chosen.

All done! You now have an iPhone or iPad downgraded from iOS 14.5 or iPadOS 14.5 to iOS 14.4.2 or iPadOS 14.4.2.

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