iPhone Techie

Downgrade iPad – Apple released the new iPad iOS 3.2.2 in respect to patch the famous PDF / JailbreakMe exploit and as you know at the moment there is no jailbreak available for iPad iOS 3.2.2/

In addition to that, Apple has already stopped signing the iOS 3.2.1 Firmware Restore files. And what that means is this; You can NOT restore any firmware other than 3.2.2 with your iPad unless you have saved your SHSH blobs on Cydia.

If any of you have accidentally updated to the latest iOS 3.2.2 and lost you Jailbreak I have a solution for you… As long as you saved your SHSH blobs on Cydia Server you can go back to OS 3.2.1 or lower by following the following step by step guide on how to downgrade your iPad OS 3.2.2 to 3.2.1 or lower.

F.Y.I. = You will need to DOWNLOAD the iOS 3.2.1 Firmware for iPad from HERE or the link listed at the end of this tutorial.

This Downgrade iPad hack will only work for those users have who saved their SHSH to Cydia Server via Cydia (“make my life easier” button.) or the Tiny Umbrella Application before the official Apple Release of OS 3.2.2

See screenshot below… If you have / had this at the top of your Cydia Screen then you are good to go…
NOTE: the reason why I’m being very detailed is because a lot of users don’t even know about the fact that their SHSH blobs are saved in Cydia… So if you have seen something like this at the top of your Cydia screen then you should give this tutorial a try. Good luck…

The process is very simple so all you have to do is to add Saurik’s Server address to your system hosts file before you can Downgrade iPad, iPhone 4, 3GS or the 3G iPod Touch…

By doing so your iTunes will (“think”) it is communicating to Apple, when in reality it is talking to Cydia instead while the restoring process is taking place on your iDevice.

So basically once you modify the system host file you will allow iTunes to access signatures (SHSH blobs) already stored on Cydia / “on file” feature. In simple words this duplicates the functionality exposed by Apple’s signature server, except using “on file” results rather than live request. Never mind this technical nonsense if you’re a noob…

Just a reminder: This process will only work for those users have who saved their SHSH to Cydia Server via Cydia (“make my life easier” button.) or the Tiny Umbrella Application before the official Apple Release of OS 3.2.2

How to Edit and Save Hosts file in Windows

Open Notepad with Administrative privileges by clicking Start >> All Programs >> Accessories, and then right-click Notepad and select to open as Administrator.

Now that Notepad is open with Administrative privileges browse to this directory (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc) in Notepad and open the hosts file. Or just browse to the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc , directory and open the “hosts” file by right clicking on it and choosing OPEN option.

Once the “hosts” files is open in your Notepad you will have to add the following entry to the bottom of the file just like you see in the screenshot below.

74.208.10.249    gs.apple.com

Now all you have to do is SAVE this file so go up to the “FILE” Menu and click on SAVE option to save the hosts file.

By doing this you will change the communication server from Apple to Sauriks Server and since your ECID is on that server you will be able to put your iPad in recovery mode to restore to iOS 3.2.1 firmware.

How to Edit and Save Hosts file in Mac

Navigate to /etc and look for hosts file, right click on hosts file and open with Text Edit, and add the following entry to the bottom of the file.

74.208.10.249    gs.apple.com

Now save the file and click on Save As. Because Text Editor can’t save your system files, here is what you will have to do; in Save As windows use the same settings you see in the following image listed below;

In the “Where” dropdown window, choose to locate to your Desktop. Also, this is a big one… Uncheck the “ If no extension is provide, use .txt “ and then press the Save button.

A host file will be appear on your Desktop, at this point all you have to do is just drag and drop it into the /etc and follow the onscreen instructions.

By doing this you will change the communication server from Apple to Sauriks Server and since your ECID is on that server you will be able to put your iPad in recovery mode to restore to iOS 3.2.1 firmware.

Restoring your iPad to the earlier iOS version (3.2.1)

OK… at this point (after you do everything listed above) all you have to do is restore you iPad to the iOS 3.2.1 which you can download from HERE or at the end of this tutorial.

Connect your iPad to the computer using your USB cable. iTunes should automatically start, but in case iTunes did not start after you connected the iPad then start iTunes manually.

Select your iPad from the list of devices on the left side (in iTunes). On Windows hold down the SHIFT key on your keyboard and click the “RESTORE” button. On Mac hold down the OPTION key on your keyboard and click the “RESTORE” button

NOTE: Do not click on the “Check for Update / Update” button (located directly above RESTORE). Restore is preferred as it won’t create any wasted space on your iPhone.

Browse / Navigate to the iOS 3.2.1 Firmware file you have downloaded and let your device restore to it. Sit back, have some coffee or beer and wait for it to be completed.

Your iPad screen at this point will be showing a progress bar indicating installation progress. At some point during the installation process, iTunes will give you the 1011, 1013 or 1015 error message. This is normal, just ignore this error as the firmware has already been successfully installed on the device.

Now you will need to exit your device from Recovery Mode. To do this, download a program called RecBoot (Windows / Mac). Run it and the click on “Exit Recovery Mode” button. Your device will now restart normally.

• You can get the latest version of RecBoot for OS X from here: RecBoot for Mac
  
• You can get the latest version of RecBoot for Windows from here: RecBoot for Windows

After your iPad restores you will be able to Jailbreak it again using the JailbreakME method listed in this article.

Good Luck and have fun with your “Once Again” jailbroken iPad.

DOWNLOADS:

DOWNLOAD – iPad Official Apple 3.2.1 iOS Firmware File

DOWNLOAD – RecBoot for Windows

DOWNLOAD – RecBoot for Mac

Please share this article with others so they use the same Downgrade iPad procedure as well.