How to Downgrade iOS 17.0.3 without Data Loss

iPhone 15 users, specifically iPhone 15 Pro Max users, have been suffering from iPhone overheating issues since they got the device in September. From Reddit, you can see many people were complaining about it. As a fix, Apple rushed out iOS 17.0.3 to fix the overheating issue caused by fast charging.

Tested by ZDNET, it is said the overheating issue while using fast charging is resolved, as the screenshot below shows. It’s much cooler than before.

However, the bad news is that some users have reported that after installing the iOS 17.0.3 update when their phone's battery level is at 68%, many warnings say it has stopped charging due to excessive temperature. What’s worse, some users find that iPhone 15 will automatically turn off for hours for no reason, and users have to get it out of sleep manually, and some iPhone 15 reboot after hours of turning off.

When facing the overheating issue for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, there are two solutions: one is downgrading to iOS 17.0.2 if the overheating occurs after you upgrade to iOS 17.0.3. Another is waiting for the imminent iOS 17.1.

Can I downgrade iOS 17.0.3 to iOS 16?

Please note that there is no iOS 16 firmware available to download. It is closed. The only available versions available are iOS 17.0.3 and iOS 17.0.2. You can downgrade iOS 17.0.3 to iOS 17.0.2. If your iPhone is an old one, you can also check the available iOS version before the downgrading.

Prep Work for Downgrading iOS 17.0.3

#1. Backup iPhone before downgrading iOS 17.0.3

Put the first thing first. Data security is the first thing you should consider. Backing up your iPhone will avoid data loss issues. Apple officially offers three ways to back up the iPhone.

Backup iPhone with iCloud (easier and more convenient)

1. Make sure your iPhone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
2. Tap Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
3. Switch the "Back up This iPhone" option to ON and tap "Back Up Now."
4. Wait for the process to finish. After that, you can see the date and time of your last backup right below the "Back Up Now."

Backup iPhone with iTunes on Windows PC

1. Open iTunes on your PC.
2. Use a digital cable to connect your iPhone to your PC and tap "trust this computer" on your iPhone.
3. Launch iTunes and click Summary.
4. Click Back Up Now and wait for the backup process to finish.

Backup iPhone with Finder on Mac

Not all Mac supports backing up iPhone with Finder. Only macOS 10.15 and later will do it. If your Mac is running older macOS, you need to use iTunes to back up the iPhone on Mac.

1. Use a cable to connect your computer to your iPhone.
2. Choose your iPhone from the Finder sidebar on your Mac.
3. Click General in the Finder window's top menu.
4. Select "Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac."
5. Click Back Up Now. After that, you can see the last backup you've made.

#2. Check the iOS version you want to downgrade iOS 17.0.3 to

If your iPhone is an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 17.0.3 and iOS 17.0.2 are available to download. For old iPhones, you should check the available iOS version and download the corresponding version. Visit the website, select your iPhone, and check the available iOS version. Green indicates the system firmware versions are available to download, and red means it cannot be downgraded.

After that, select the firmware to download. For example, if you want to downgrade iOS 17.0.3 to iOS 17.0.2, select iOS 17.0.2 to download. Please note that you must know where the download file is located on your computer.

How to Downgrade iOS 17.0.3

If you're one of the many individuals who have upgraded to iOS 17.0.3 and are experiencing issues with your device, don't worry - downgrading is an option. The process may seem daunting, but you can choose the following ways based on your situation to downgrade iOS 17.0.3 without data loss in a few simple steps.

Ways 1. Downgrade iOS Using iTunes (Windows and Mac)

Restoring iOS to a previous version using iTunes is a process that involves several steps. You can do this by following the steps below.

1. Go to a website like IPSW.me or another trusted source and download the correct version of iOS that matches your device and the version you want to downgrade to.
2. Tap Settings on iOS device > [Your Name] > Find My device > Switch Find My iPhone/iPad to OFF.
3. Use a cable to connect the iPhone or iPad to your computer.
4. Launch iTunes and select your device from the list.
5. Hold the "Shift" key while clicking the "Restore iPhone" button.
6. In the dialog box, select the IPSW file you downloaded earlier.
7. Follow the prompts to confirm that iTunes will start the downgrade process.

Ways 2. Restore iOS to A Previous Version using Finder (Mac only)

Downgrading your iOS using Finder is a relatively straightforward process; here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Connect your iPhone/iPad to your Mac using a USB cable.
2. Open Finder and select your iOS device from the sidebar.
3. Hold the 'Option' key and click on 'Restore iPhone' in the Finder window.
4. Select the .ipsw file you downloaded.
5. Click 'Recover' to confirm and wait for the iOS downgrade to complete.

Ways 3. Downgrade iOS 17.0.3 by DFU Mode

Downgrading your iOS using DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode is more complex than the standard method, but it can be more effective for specific situations. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Cable to connect your iOS device to your computer.
2. Open iTunes/Finder and turn off "Find My iPhone/iPad" on iOS devices.
3. Enter DFU mode.

   For iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 8 and later (iPhone SE the 2nd generation included): Press and release the "Volume Up" key first, then press and release the "Volume Down" key. Next, hold and press the "Side" key until your screen goes black, then press and hold the "Side" and "Volume Down" keys at the same time. After 3 - 5 seconds, release the side button and hold down the volume down button until it says your iOS device is in DFU mode.

   For other old iPhone models: please check how to put the iPhone into recovery mode.
4. Hold down the Shift key (for Windows) or the Option key (for Mac) while clicking the Restore iPhone button.
5. Select the IPSW file you downloaded earlier and click "Restore."

Ways 4. Downgrade iOS with Tool

Although the above methods of downgrading iOS 17 are all officially recommended options, their steps are relatively cumbersome. If you want a tool to simplify the process, you can also use UltFix. It is a professional iOS system recovery tool that allows users to upgrade or downgrade their iOS version without data loss.

1. Install UltFix on your computer.
2. Launch it and connect the iOS device to your PC.
3. Go to "Upgrade/Downgrade iOS > iOS Downgrade."
4. Select the iOS version you want to downgrade from the list and click the Download button.
5. After downloading the firmware package, click "Start Downgrade."

When downgrading, please be careful not to touch the phone or unplug the digital cable to avoid iPhone downgrade failure. Wait for the progress bar to end patiently. The iPhone will automatically restart when it is downgraded. When it is finished, re-activate the iPhone, and then you can use it.

Tips: Getting Your Data Safe or Rescue Data

Nobody can guarantee that there will be no problem with downgrading iOS. Stuck in while Apple logo, losing all data, device frozen, etc. That's why it is essential to do the preparation work mentioned above to back up your iPhone. If you missed important data during the backup process, then you can also try iPhone data recovery software to get them back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Have you recently upgraded your iOS to the latest version - 17.0.3 - but regret your decision? You may have noticed some compatibility issues or bugs hindering your user experience. Don't worry! With help from this article, you can easily downgrade your iOS from 17.0.3. With a little effort, you'll have your old iOS version back without any data loss!