How to Downgrade From iOS 6 Back to iOS 5.1.1

While Apple’s new iOS 6 update brings a lot of new features, and significantly improves the iOS experience for most users, not everyone is thrilled with Apple’s changes. Fortunately for you, it’s still possible to downgrade back to iOS 5.1.1!

 As Mac|Life notes, the process involves downloading the iOS 5.1.1, and forcing a restore through iTunes.

• First, put your device into DFU mode – this is done by turning the device off, then holding the power and home buttons down simultaneously for a full 10 seconds (we recommend using a timer). Then, release the power button, but continue holding the home button until iTunes tells you your device is in recovery mode.

• If you’ve made any changes to your computer’s “hosts” file (you’ll know if you’ve done this), make sure you remove the changes before proceeding. Otherwise, don’t worry about it and simply proceed.

• Now, go into iTunes, hold down the Option key, and click on “restore” from the summary tab.Then, select where you saved the iOS 5.1.1 firmware, and select it.

• iTunes will do its thing, and once the process is complete, you should have a device that has been successfully restored back to iOS 5.1,1, and should have no issues.

It’s also worth noting that the downgrade doesn’t always work using iTunes 10.7, and downgrading your firmware is absolutely not supported by Apple. I’ve successfully downgraded my iPhone 4S using this method, and can confirm that it worked for me.

This will also stop working once Apple stops signing the iOS 5.1.1 update, so proceed at your own risk. Neither MacTrast nor Mac|Life are responsible for any damage to your device. Check out the original link at Mac|Life for download links and full instructions.

Update: The below video from iJailbreakMovies explains the process, and may make it easier for some. The video was intended to provide instructions for downgrading iOS 6 beta, but the instructions remain the same.