How to Downgrade iOS 18/17 to iOS 16 Without Losing Data

The upcoming iOS brings many new features, like editing/switching lock screen, undo send messages and emails, website settings sync, etc., making it attractive for every iPhone users.

However, it also brings annoying bugs to earlier users like you that prevent you from using your iPhone normally. Can’t stand iOS 17 anymore? Learn how to downgrade iOS 18/17 to 16 from the following part of this guide.

How to downgrade iOS 17 to iOS 16 without losing data

You may not know it, but it is true that due to Apple’s security settings, an iTunes or iCloud backup created on a higher iOS version is not supported to be restored to your iPhone running a lower iOS version.

Therefore, to downgrade iOS 17 to 16 without losing data, you have to rely on a third-party backup tool to back up your iPhone in advance and perform a restore to get data back after the downgrade. Keep reading, and get the best solution.

Preparation: Fully backup iPhone data with AOMEI FoneBackup

AOMEI FoneBackup, one free iOS backup tool, offers you an easy and complete iPhone backup and restore solution.

With three simple steps, all your iPhone data will be backed up, including apps (data files, preference), Safari (history, bookmarks), system settings, as well as common data like photos, contacts, text messages, music, videos, etc.

Free download the powerful tool to your computer by clicking the icon below, and follow the steps below to create a full iPhone backup.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer with a compatible USB cable > Launch AOMEI FoneBackup, and click Phone Backup and go to Full Backup.

Step 2.  If needed, you can enable backup encryption to protect your private.

Step 3. Finally, choose a storage path to save your backup files, and click Start Backup to begin the task.

When the task is finished, you can safely downgrade iOS 17 to 16 without worrying about data loss.

AOMEI FoneBackup also enables you to backup iPhone to PC with its Selective Backup function. It helps backup selective files like photos, music, videos, messages, and contacts to computer.

Detailed Steps: How to downgrade iOS 18/17 to 16 on Windows PC

Now, it’s time to downgrade to iOS 16, please make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on computer. Then, turn off Find My iPhone function from Settings > [your name] > iCloud. Tutorials about how to downgrade iOS 17 to 16 using iTunes are as follow.

Step 1. Download the iOS 16 firmware file from Apple IPSW Downloads: Go to https://ipsw.me/ > Choose your iPhone type and the IPSW you need > Click Download.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your computer > Launch iTunes and tap the phone icon > Click the Summary from the left pane > Click Restore iPhone... option.

Step 3. Choose the IPSW file and click Open > A pop-up windows will appear and tell you that iTunes will restore your device to iOS 15.5, click Restore to confirm.

When it is done, you will be welcomed by the Hello screen. Just set up your iPhone like the way you used to do.

After the setup process is finished, you can restore the backup to your iPhone. Just open AOMEI FoneBackup and choose Backup History > click the three-dots icon and choose Restore icon > select the recent backup to make it.

Conclusion

That’s all for how to downgrade iOS 17 to iOS 16. If you downgrade iOS 18/17 to 16 without backup, you may encounter data loss more or less. Therefore, you can back up everything on your iPhone and downgrade iOS with the help of iTunes. If this guide helps you, please share it with others.