Apple has just revealed the highly anticipated iOS 17 beta, introducing a plethora of exhilarating features. If you’re eager to get your hands on it, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide on downloading and installing the beta. However, it’s worth noting that as this is still in the early beta stage, brace yourself for an abundance of bugs and glitches accompanying these innovative additions.
In case you find these bugs a tad overwhelming, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to revert from the iOS 17 beta to iOS 16 update.
Table of Contents
Things to know before downgrading iOS 17
- To successfully downgrade from iOS 17 beta to iOS 16, you will need access to a Mac or PC.
- In order to download the IPSW file, it is essential to have a fast and stable internet connection.
- It is important to note that you cannot restore an iOS 17 backup on iOS 16. Therefore, it is recommended to manually back up any new documents, images, files, etc., that you have created while using iOS 17. You can store them on services such as iCloud Drive, Google Photos, or OneDrive. This way, you can easily re-download and access them once you have switched to iOS 16.
- If you have a saved backup of iOS 16, you can restore your phone’s data before installing the iOS 17 beta.
- If you don’t have any iOS 16 backups available, you will need to set up your iPhone as new after completing the downgrade process.
How to downgrade from iOS 17 beta to iOS 16
- Please download the device and restore the image on your computer.
- This link shows how and from where to download your iPhone’s latest iOS IPSW file.
The IPSW file size will be around 5.5GB. Please wait for it to download.
- This link shows how and from where to download your iPhone’s latest iOS IPSW file.

- To turn off Find My iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open your iPhone Settings.
- Tap on your name.
- Select “Find My.”
- Choose “Find My iPhone.”
- Toggle off the “Find My iPhone” option.
- Enter your device passcode when prompted.
- Tap “Turn Off” to confirm the action.

- Connect your iOS 17 iPhone to the computer using an appropriate cable. Make sure to use a cable that is compatible with both your iPhone and either a Mac or Windows PC. If a message appears on your iPhone saying “Unlock iPhone to Use Accessories,” use Touch ID, Face ID, or enter your device passcode to unlock it.
- If you are using a Mac running macOS Ventura or Monterey, open Finder. For Macs running macOS Mojave or an earlier version, as well as Windows PCs, open iTunes.
- To locate your iPhone, follow these steps:
- In Finder:
- Look for your iPhone in the left sidebar under “Locations.”
- If prompted, click “Trust” inside Finder.
- On your iPhone, tap “Trust” and enter your device passcode.
- In iTunes:
- Click on the small iPhone icon within iTunes.
- If asked, click “Trust” in Finder.
- On your iPhone, tap “Trust” and enter your device passcode.
- To put your device in Recovery Mode, the steps may vary depending on the model of your iPhone. For detailed instructions, please refer to this link.

- Either Finder or iTunes will notify you that a device in Recovery Mode has been detected.
- Restore iPhone using the IPSW file: On Mac (whether using Finder or iTunes), press and hold the Option key. On Windows PC, press and hold the Shift key. Now, select Restore iPhone.
- In the new window, locate the IPSW file that you downloaded in Step 1. Click on it to select it, and then click on the “Open” button.
- A confirmation pop-up will appear on your screen. Please carefully read the information provided and then click on the “Restore” button to proceed.
- Allow the computer to complete the process, which may take some time. You can monitor the progress on your Mac or PC screen. Meanwhile, your iPhone screen will display the Apple logo along with a progress bar. To prevent any accidental disconnection, make sure the iPhone is securely placed and avoid unnecessary movement during this time.
That’s it!
After the process is complete, your iPhone will restart. At this point, you will encounter the setup screen on your iPhone, now running iOS 16. From here, you have the option to restore from a previous backup if you have one available, or you can choose from other setup options.
We hope this comprehensive guide on downgrading iOS 17 and reinstalling iOS 16 has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask us in the comments section below.
FAQs
Q1: Can I downgrade from iOS 17 beta to iOS 16 without losing my data? Yes, by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can safely downgrade your device without losing any of your data.
Q2: Will downgrading to iOS 16 remove all the apps installed on my device? No, the downgrade process will not remove your installed apps. However, it is always recommended to back up your data before performing any major system changes.
Q3: Can I downgrade to iOS 16 if I don’t have a backup of my data? While it is highly recommended to have a backup of your data before downgrading, you can still perform the downgrade process without a backup. However, you may lose any data not backed up.
Q4: Is downgrading from iOS 17 beta to iOS 16 a permanent change? No, downgrading to iOS 16 is not a permanent change. You can choose to upgrade to a later version of iOS when it becomes available.
Q5: Are there any risks involved in downgrading my iOS version? Although the downgrade process itself is relatively safe when done correctly, there is always a risk associated with modifying the operating system. Ensure you follow the instructions carefully and understand the potential risks involved.
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