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Downgrade iPhone 3G & 3GS From iOS 4 To 3.1.2

Users who want to downgrade their iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS devices after accidentally upgrading to iOS 4 will find this guide useful, thanks to commenter Kamrul for the simple and straight forward steps. It has been tested to work on both iPhone 3G and  iPhone 3GS.

Please note that this only works with OLD bootrom and you need your SHSH blobs saved on cydia before you can do this downgrade.

1. Open the file C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts (Windows) or /etc/hosts (Mac OS X) and add the following entry to the bottom of the file.
74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

Restore
———-
2. Connect your iPhone to the USB and put it into DFU mode. iTunes will display an alert stating you need to restore your device, click ok then hold option + click restore and navigate to your previously downloaded 3.1.2 FW.

3. After the restore finishes you should be hit with a 1015 error. That’s expected. Your phone should be in Recovery mode now and iTunes will tell you to restore again. Click OK then hold option + click on restore again – this time you do not have to go into DFU mode – and navigate to the 3.1.2 FW.

Jailbreak
———–
4. After the restore finishes again it’ll throw another 1015 error. That’s expected again. This time, just select OK and close iTunes. Fire up redsn0w – make sure it’s the 0.9.4 version – and jailbreak as normal. Uncheck all the ticks while jailbreaking.

5. After the jailbreak is finalized your device should reboot and strange enough you successfully downgraded to 3.1.2.

– Heaps of ipsw available here
https://www.sinfuliphone.com/showthread.php?t=3306

Update: If your iPhone goes in Recovery Mode loop, use RecBoot to get out of it. It is a brilliant application which will get you out of continuous never-ending loop.

Disclaimer: Please make sure that you have ample hands-on experience before trying your hands on this one. AddictiveTips won’t be liable for any damages that may incur to your device during the process.

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228 Comments

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  7. Hi, I hav jailbreak 3G. Accidentally I update it to lates version.. And whiile jailbreak with redsnow I forgot to click ( iPad baseband) after this iPhone stuck to connect to tune mode. I tried all possible ways
    Tinyumbrella, snow,ibess, first dfu mode n then tune with custom ipsw. But still iPhone lock..
    Any suggestion

  8. Only One word to characterize such a great post “WOW” that was a very interesting read and i think an iphone case is necessary in some case

  9. Hello,
    I have iPhone 3 G, 16 GB with iPad base band running iOS 4.2.1. I installed whited00r Full 4.2 few days ago. I was happy to use multi-tasking, battery percentage etc. And I found I had many apps running only on iOS 4.0 and later. So I decided to restore to iOS 4.2.1. I pressed Shift + Restore in iTunes, selected the .ipsw file, then it says “can not restore this device, error 1015”. I tried nights and days to solve this problem using redsn0w, sn0wbreeze, ZiPhone etc. and even tried to restore using iPhone1,2_whited00r42FN.ipsw, but no results. I tried restoring online, still no result. Unistalled all the apple applications on my PC (Windows), still no solutions. Help me to solve this problem.

  10. Just wanted to say thanks for this. Been trying to sort out an 8gb 3G for hours and this sorted it! Much love for Recboot too, great piece of software!

  11. Hello,

    I found a very interesting way to downgrade the software of an iphone !!!

    So all the people stuck with the restarting problem you can go back by using this method !

    You just have to drain your battery and leave your Iphone off without charging for 5-7 days !!!!

    And then everything will be reinitialized the date, the hour and the IOS !!!!

    The unlock seems to be working from ios 4 the only thing missing is Cydia !!!

    Kind regards,

    Mohamed

  13. when i do this it puts me into recovery mode after i restore it the second time with 3.1.2 and it says to not put it into dfu. after i do that its in recovery mode and redsn0w wont work unless its in DFU which i cant do because its in recovery. what am i doing wrong?

  16. i did try to downgrade from 4.0.2 to 3.1.3 or 4.0 but every time it gives me the error saying that the iPhone can not be restored as the o.s is incompatible with it’
    please help me

  17. Yes its possible and dont listen to all these people saying you need the SHSH because you dont. the only SHSH i have is 4.0 and 4.1 and i downgraded yesterday to custom 3.1.2 on my ipod touch 2g MB. possible for ur iphone 3g and 3gs.

    heres the site that helped me through the process( I take no credit, just wanted to share with the community). http://www [dot] ipodtouchfans [dot] com/forums/showthread.php?t=302275

    NOTE: this is what I did. I downgraded 4.1 to 4.0 just through DFU mode. Then I tried jailbreakme but wasnt able to complete downgrade with that jailbreak. REDSNOW MUST BE THE JAILBREAK. & PLEASE FOLLOW the STEPS THOROUGHLY.

    I can say that the absence of the past SHSH doesnt mean its too late to go back to an old firmware. // jailbroken

  18. Hi, I have an unlocked/jailbroken iPhone 3G using iOS 4.0.1 (8A306) and baseband 05.13.04. I was wondering if there is any way to downgrade it to iOS 3.1.2? Would I just need to restore it to factory settings, then start from the instructions listed at the top of this page?

  20. I am havin issues down grading from 4.0.2 – I have followed loads of sites and when in DFU mode i try to restore the 3.1.3 firmware, it looks as though its installing but screen on Iphone remains blank and the 1015 error appears on ITunes before it will actually restore the 3.1.3 firmware, after about 1 minute. Ive been trying for 2 days now and have tried loads of different ways but it just will not actually load 3.1.3 onto my Iphone. I have tried downloading diff IPSW files too……. Any suggestions please?

  22. I have a 3g iph and I can roll back or up to anyfirmware I like but I did not follow the way u said to do it I use blackra1n I’m on 3.1.2. 5.13 bb no blobs saved for it but there is a trick to it if u want to do this (oh u can also use quikpwn if it will work on your pc it won’t for me)for 3.1.2.first I’ll tell u for any firmwre of than 3.1.2 u simply restore wen u get the error MSG u simply press make it rain wait till u see the MSG come up then hold power and home to force a restart then it will finish wat it couldn’t do bfor the error MSG that’s it your on any firmware not 3.1.2. Now the trick to get u on 3.1.2 is do the same proceedure except u have to quikly unplug your iPhone within 3 seconds of pressing make it rain that should see u on your choice of firmware but please no this is my trick n in no way am I telling u it will work for u but has always worked for me cheers people if u try this email me how u go /////. remember at your risk

  23. i want to downgrade my ipodtouch 3g to 4.0 from 4.2 but it keeps saying error 3194
    help me please… email me @ cer3al_killer23@yahoo.com

  24. my ipod doesnt restore even if i hold shift and click restore then this error comes this is what come

    The Ipod “my ipod” could not be restored because firmware file is not compatible

    please help me i need help email me fast please

  25. Dear All, The latest Itunes software won’t allow you to downgrade
    1-please remove itunes 9.2.x and install itunes 9.1
    2-change the hosts file as mentioned before
    3-Downgrade the IPhone
    4-when Iphone upgrade process completes
    5-install itunes 9.2.x to activate your phone incase you downgrading to os 4.0.1
    I tried it and it works so if you need help please contact me

    • i have iphone 3gs can some 1 tell me how to downgrade software from 4.1 to 3.1.2 or 3 ill upgrade my iphone software & my iphone waz locked :(((((((((
      reply me sOOn plzzz

    • hey .. when i restore my iphone 3g.. its show error in last.
      i have itune 10.
      and i very confused plsss help me..
      i cant restore my i phone
      iphone screen shows only connect to i tunes
      09888873123 this is my ph no. plz help me

  26. I did everything it all worked find untill it powerd back on, And my Carrier and my Network are not avaliable? Whats up with that.

  27. I was ABLE to downgrade my iPhone 3GS from 4.0.2 to 4.0.1 WITHOUT SHSH blobs. I followed the following instructions:
    http://www.iphone-network.net/downgrade-your-3gs-from-4-0-2-to-4-0-without-having-your-shshs/

    With a little tweaking these instructions worked like a charm. I just jailbroke and unlocked the phone using jailbreakme and ultrasnow.

    • What tweaking did you try? I tried this on my iphone 4 and still didn’t work. I tried many tweaks

  28. For those of you trying to downgrade and receiving the 3194 error, here is a tip that might work.

    Providing you have already had your shsh saved with cydia and are trying to downgrade to 3.1.2, try downgrading to 3.1.3 first. I was getting the 3194 error and tried going to 3.1.3. Worked fine.

    Hope that helps some of you 😀

  29. hi, everyone! I need assistance my 3gs iphone is updated by my sis to ios 4.0.2, and its never jailbreak, is there any chance downgrade to do the jailbreak…. thanks

  30. I also have an iPhone 3G running iOS 4.0.2! Is there any way possible to downgrade back to os 3.1.2 or 3.1.3?

  34. Me too I use 3GS but when my itune upgrade so I try many way and every way if got love of us pls give us the good hacker to make downgrade tools becoz I don’t have shsh blob that why I can’t downgrade and tinyumbralla told me no way to get shsh 3.1.3 turn back to my phone (NO WAY) It told me that I try to do more than 100 Time so some time error sometime file occu now I just wait and wait for good guy to build downgrader tool for people so I post for good man guy hacker to help ANYWAY THANK ALOT

  35. I downgraded from 4.0.1 Baseband 05.13.04 to 3.1.2 (Which I think even more better). Downgraded firmware will not downgraded your baseband. People said after that I can use Blackra1n like I used to. I did but its not working on baseband 05.13.04. I lost hope. My iphone is not nothing but a piece of junk. Today, I stupidly, blindly, suddenly use jailbreakme.com to jailbreak my iphone. It went as usual (I felt strange??). Then I was shocked to see Cydia was there on my homescreen (Now I hv BIG ???)
    I immediately install Ultrasn0w…sadly my Iphone stuck for looooooooooooooggggg time…I turn off my precious Iphone felt frustrated. I tried to turn it back on. and again stupidly inserted my sim card. Waiting….waiting….and IT WORKED!!!! Now I can use it with any SIM CARD I want…I have stupidly jailbroke and unlocked my Iphone with my own stupid way…Now my iphone is not a junk anymore…hahahaha…just want to share with you guys!!

  36. If this fails, try podcast on “How to:Downgrade your 3G Iphone from iOS4” on itunes. Works a treat

  37. I’ve tried almost every guide regarding this subject and this guide worked for me: “http://www.ihackintosh.com/2010/04/downgrade-iphone-3g-os-4-0-to-3-1-3-or-lower/”

    I had an iphone 3g in 4.0 and downgraded successfully to 3.1.2 and got it working with calls etc. When I was done with the guide i got into recovery-mode, but I just used redsn0w 0.9.4 to jailbreak it!

    GL

    • Ive used these instructions and they worked great. THank goodness. I’m so very disappointed with Apple right now. The iphone 4 crap and now this. APPLE get your freaking act together. Your gonna loose the loyalty you worked so hard over the years to get back.

  39. Guys …I have an Iphone 3GS….tried restoring to 3.1.2 using a windows machine…. updated the hosts file…restarted the machine…Disabled the DNS client(in that order)….in DFU mode tried restoring…went till the verifying with apple…and den error 3194…
    Dnt hve SHSH’s on saurik’s server…
    Help neededddddd!!!!

  40. it worked! now my iphone 3g is back to ios3!
    when first finished the above steps, my phone didn’t have network. but after restored with itune one more time and restared it again, everything is working perfectly ;-D

    thx so much Nakodari you are a genius!!!

  42. I am trying to apply this to my ipod 3g and i disabled the service and all but i still get the 3194 error… it just says verifying with apple and straight after that i get the error 3194… please assist 4.0 was a mistake

  44. This method totally worked. I really thought I was in some trouble but then I came across this great article that bailed me out! THANK YOU!!!

  45. You saved my life worked perfectly for me 🙂 well done man this brilliant

    You are a legend took me hours of searching to find your post but in ten minutes my iphone was un “bricked”

  46. i didn’t want to donwgrade
    i just did hard-reset and now i use XSysInfo app from appstore to clear memory each time when my 3g becomes slow

  47. I upgraded a week ago to 4.0 and have regretted it every since. It’s extremely slow and I don’t know if that’s because it’s OS 4 running on 3g or because it’s Jailbroken I have been trying to downgrade my phone to 3.1.3 and have had no luck. I was about to throw in the towel when I found this link tonight. I followed all the instructions and sure enough my iPhone is back on 3.1.2. Thanks for posting this information. Very good stuff.

    • hii! i have a iphone 3g too and stuck with same problem ! but i wannna ask u have u saved your shsh blobs on 3.1.2 or 3.1.3 ? please reply ! its important for me thanks !

  48. I am running now again with 3.1.2, but the problem is that it doesn’t see my network, and I am running on official network.
    Any thoughts about this??

    Thanks

  49. HOLY CRAP THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING THING I’VE READ IN THE LAST 613 YEARS!

    Thank you so much!

    After I “upgraded” (read: downgraded) to iOS4 on my 3G, I thought I’d have to live with that crap forever. Thanks to this article, 3.1.2 is working perfectly again on my phone. THANK YOU THANK YOU!

  51. hi.
    i try to downgrade my ipod touch 3g from os 4 to os 3.1.2 in windows 7 with more guides but i see error 3194 please help me

  52. Hi

    I am running a 3g on OS4, ive heard that if i downgrade it i cant unlock it because the baseband does not change. is this true?

    The os4 on the 3g really is a pain, i cant take it anymore. its driving me nuts!

    • i downgraded 2 iphone 3g from ios 4 to 3.1.3 and i also jailbreak them and unlocked them they seem to work fine… im just w8ing for the jailbreak for ios4 on 3gs now

    • Hay dude u can os4 sux for 3g I’m now on 3.1.2 blackra1n works great for me now and can still unlock if I choose to read my post below

  53. For those of you having the 3194 error, I fixed it on my 3GS (old bootrom).

    Sometimes Windows XP (what I am using) will cache the DNS and not read from the hosts file

    Click Start > Run > and type services.msc

    Look for the “DNS Client” and disable it – Then try to restore.

    • I have iphone 3gs old bootrom running on 4.0. Did everything including disabling DNS still having the 3194 error for iphone. I tried both windows vista and xp.
      please help

    • I got the same error, I added the ip at the very end after the # signs. On a new line. I tried with the most recent version and that didnt work, so i got itunes 9.0.1 and that didnt work, now what do i do?

    • I tried that ” I tried with the most recent version and that didnt work” I keep getting error 3194, I did not shsh my blobs, I didn’t even know what that was before trying this. Crapos for me, But still there, is a way to do it, i just havnt found it. Is their anyway to bypass the checking at apples servers, or cydias in this case? It may be a dumb question, but their has to be a way.

    • i also face the same problem with my ipod touch 3g.. i also didn’t shsh blobs first because this is my first time using ipod touch and first time to jailbreaking.. hmm.. if there is a way, let me know too.. i’m still depressed now.. 🙁

    • For people having trouble with this just watch this video i found it very helpful

      http://www.youtube.com/user/Dinozambas#p/u/7/4H0-Fk-d3gM

    • For the users of iphone 3gs if having error 3194.
      1st download firmware 4.1 ipsw
      Then go to run type %appdata% then press the enter botton.
      open folder apple computer, then folder itunes, then folder iphone software update. U will find a firmware with a diffrent version delete this file but not parmenantly make sure its in recycle bin.
      now make sure that u copy and paste the 4.1 version.
      after updating complete it will give u 9808 eror.
      go to run and type services.msc
      look for the dns client and restart it.
      then open itunes and connect your ihopne again. and it will work .

      then open itunes and
      then open itunes and restore.

  55. I’ve done everything and I always stop at redsn0w. I always get that “It wont recognize specified IPSW.”. Did no one else get this problem?! Everything was just like they said until this.

  56. Hi there,
    Can someone please help me with a detailed and accurate process with downgrading my iPod touch 3rd generation mc model downgrade from firmware 4.0 to 3.1.2? Because I have basically no idea. And when at 3.1.2 what would be the best jailbreak to use. This help would be so helpful!

  58. my phone uses old boot rom and it is already upgraded to ios 4.0
    the problem i have is that i did not save the back up file when i upgrade the phone to ios.4.0 from 3.1.3. so, basically, i do not have shsh file. i used spirit to jailbreak for 3.1.3 and the phone is using ios4.0 now.
    is there any method that i can down grade my phone to 3.1.3. from ios 4.0 without 3.1.3. shsh file?
    if someone knows the way to solve my problem, please help me.
    thanks.

  59. How can you make sure the contacts and data are intact for downgrading a 3g from os4.01 to 3.3.1..

    Thanks!

  60. It works! thanks man. all you have to do is follow this guide, when you stuck on recovery loop just run recboot. make sure your iphone recognized by irecovery. you can follow to this guide to install libusb.

  61. Well I already learn two things.

    1st. You will need SHSH ALLWAYS. Without this file WE CAND DO ANY DOWNGRADE, since Cydia and Apple sites verify and confirms the SHSH to let us downgrade firmware. And SHSH are not compatible between iphone each iphone has their own SHSH EICD, also each SHSH must be created un their original firmware.

    Example: SHSH of 3.1.2 is different from 3.1.3, you can only restor the phone to the SHSH was createt at the moment. That’s the reason WE the people that has been upgraded iphones to the stock iOS 4 for any reason, from iTunes/Apple site are totally unluck if we don;t have these SHSH files on cydia.

    2nd. We need to read more and more about this matters because we are now bricked, until Dev Team or someone else make a NEW Jailbreak for STOCK iOS 4. Since the upgraded iOS4 CUSTOM from previous 3.x.x firmwares are not working with us.

    Thats why, everyting we trie are a total failure, becuade WE DON’T HAVE THE SHH files to downgrade our phones.

    🙁 Too sad (even for me) next time is wise read a little about this matter unless we want a new brick.

    I see difficult to Dev Team and all the other make and Jailbreak for iOS 4, they are more focused in iOS 4.1 since this OS is about to see the daylight any time soon.

    We need to hold on our horses and wait until the new files arrive, or joint in the large file of ebay sellers selling their AT&T devices because they already bricked and don’t have any hope to realeas thei iphones from lock.

  62. i have sucssfully completed every step but my iphone 3g 8gb is giving no service i downgraded from 4.0 to 3.1.2 please help me.

  63. I have a problem now. The downgrade worked, but now my iphone isnt recognized by itunes. It still pops up as a camera, just doesnt get recognized

  64. Hi all,
    I recently bought Iphone 3gs frm USA (3.1.2)jailbroke it with SPIRIT… was unlocking using blacksn0w i think… it got hanged while the process was about to end… and when I rebooted it, it showed apple logo only and couldnt go into the main menu screen,,,, so out of frustration or my impatience, I restored it using itunes with OS 4.0 firmware… now it shows emergency calls only and iTunes doesn’t recognize my SIM as I dont have an official carrier’s SIM (I am in middle east). So th ebasically it has been restored to factory settings and is currently inactivated. How can I jailbreak and activate it ?? Any help would be much appreciated…. is there any other option for eg hardware unlock ??

  65. how do i downgrade an iPhone 3GS with iOs 4 firmware?
    it is in emergency call mode so i cannot use any features. it was unlocked at one point in time until i accidentally updated to the new firmware so i dont know if it was jailbroken or not when it was in 3.1.2 can u help please?

  67. Thanks for the tutorial. It worked on my MB model 8GB iPhone 3G. I followed it through once just like you said. However, I rely on an unlock, which means cydia, so I hacked it once more with redsn0w and now lets see if it unlocks.

  68. hey…i just updated my iphone 3gs 3.0.1 to 4.0 and its now on a new bootroom and it just like and ipod touch to me.can anyone plz tell me when the snowbreeze has planned to release the jailbreak for 4.0 with the new boot-room. really in a terrible situation

  69. Hey I just bought an Iphone 3gs that has an old bootrom but it already had the 4.0 firmware and I do not have the SHSH files for it and have no Idea if it was jailbroken before is it possible for me to downgrade or jailbreak or anything plz help.

  71. I forgot to save my SHSH to Cydia before I upgraded and now i cannot downgrade to jailbreak and unlock. Can anyone help please?
    thank you

  73. Hello guys..

    I’m having 3GS iphone Factory Unlock 3.1.2 MC model with old bootrom and now updated with OS 4.0 cause unsuccesfully jailbrake before.
    I intend to downgrade it to OS 3.1.2. however, i don’t have the old SHSH
    any other way i can do to downgrade the OS 4 to 3.1.2 ?

    Pls help

  74. Success at first, got the iphone 3G back to 3.1.2, but no carrier signal. And I have the original phone’s SIM card.

    I tried to restore my iPhone again with iTunes (to the same 3.1.2) in order to unlock it via iTunes (with original SIM card) and I got the same 1015 error at the end of the restore. It is not like if returns it to 3.1.2 factory settings.

    Can anybody comment if they had the same problem and how they got around same?.
    Thanks in advance.

    Manolo.

  75. hi i cant write this 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com on file and save ! when i want to save it it says was denied! help

  76. I have a locked iPhone 3GS new bootrom with iOS4 on it.

    I was tempted to first downgrade it to iOS 3.1.2 so I can follow the new available iOS4 jailbreak method.
    I did change apple’s host address to the 74.208.10.249 IP. However iTunes refuses the server !

    So I think I just have to throw this fucking iPhone to the trash.

  77. Ive followed instructions. It goes through the jailbreak then goes to the recovery screen. What do I do to get it off?

    • same question, how to add 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com to the file?

      host file should be open under what file?
      etc microsoft word? notepad? IE?

      Need help~~

    • to edit the host file, first open up notepad, and then drag the host file into the notepad window. then add the last string at the bottom, spacing it just like the ones above.

      hope that helps. 🙂

  83. i did not have my SHSH blobs saved on cydia, so does it means i cannot downgrade my iphone 3g?

  84. hello ! guys

    i have iphone 3gs it was 3.1.3 with bb 5.12.01 now i upgrade it to ios4

    i want to go back to 3.1.2 firmware please help me downgrade this

    thanks

  85. i fixed the problem about the firmware, but now it gives me error 3194. can anyone PLEASE help me? im using iphone 3gs, SHSH before

  86. “the iphone cannot be restored because the firmware is not compatible” why? D:

    i do save my SHSH to cydia… i jailbreak on 3.1.2… what happened? please help me!

  87. Hey. I am trying to “downgrade” the firmware on a 3GS from 4.0 back to 3.1.2. Can anyone give me a really plain and easy to follow method. Telling me exactly where I will find each file? I am very new to this and it is frustrating me already!! This darn 4.0 rubbish has confused me. I havent even got cydia on my 3GS anymore!

  88. Hey I was wondering if you got a new iphone 3gs with ios 4 and downgraded it to 3.1.2 (using this guide) could you then jailbreak and unlock it back up to ios4?

  89. will it be possible to downgrade from OS4 to 3 on a iphone 3Gs without these SHSH file you talk about.. in future?

    I bricked my phone from jailbreak so had to restore it, and it restored to OS4. I hate this OS.

  90. Followed all the steps and everything when according to the instructions. The only problem is, when I restore, I no longer have a carrier! Anyone encounter this problem and have a solution?

  92. how do i downgrade an iPhone 3GS with iOs 4 firmware ??
    it is in emergency call mode so i cannot use any feature !! . .
    this was actually gifted to me so i m new to iPhone . . i dont know anything on OLd n NEW bootroom nor SHSH. . what should i do?? . plz help!!

  93. I’m having 3GS iphone and now already updated with OS 4.0.
    I intend to downgrade it to OS 3.1.2. however, i don’t have the old SHSH saved from cydia…
    any other way i can do to downgrade the OS 4 to 3.1.2 ?

    Pls help

  94. hey guys thanks for this post. i am having trouble adding the 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com entry. it says it can not save. im on a PC and i have an iphone 3G on 4.0. Also can i get a quick tutorial on how to save SHSH blobs on cydia plz. sorry for the noob questions. thanks in advance.

    • Alex,

      If you are unable to save the HOSTs file, then chances are it is marked as READ ONLY. Right-click on the file and goto properties. Check to see if the READ ONLY attribute is checked. If so, uncheck it and then hit OK

      If you have not saved your SHSH data prior to upgrading to 4.0, then it is too late at this point – at least with current methods of downgrading. If you’ve jailbroken your phone on older firmwares, there MAY be a chance that they were saved. You can check by opening CYDIA and up near the top of the screen on the home page, it will show in green the words “This phone has SHSH data on file…” or in red ” This phone does not have SHSH data..”

    • This happen with Win7 (too many dumb security concern). Right click on the hosts file, security tab, click on your profile or name now grants all the permissions once done click apply.

  95. Anybody have any suggestions for me if your stuck in downloading jailbreak data.

  96. I tried this on my 3G and now have a bricked phone.
    I had upgraded to iOS 4, found it sluggish and got freezes, white screens.
    So I tried to down grade, but am now getting error 23 on restore.
    I have a dead phone. UHHH!

  98. Works like a charm on iPhone 3G BTW, you dont need to save your SHSH on iPhone 3G, you need it only for iPhone 3Gs and iPod Touch 3G and MC models, good luck folks!

  99. just a question
    i have to activate the iphone 3gs
    its from usa and im german and in germany
    do i need to put the at and t card in the phone to activate it?
    or is there any shortcut
    thanks
    iRecovery didn’t work

    • Have you downgraded the phone to 3.1.2? Or did you buy a newer phone with phone with 4.0 already on it?

    • no we got in in usa with 3.1.3
      and i were stupid and updatet to 4.0
      now i have no unlock and no activation
      so it’s completely useless
      and now the same thing happened to my iphone classic

    • ok if you are on 4.0, u can jailbreak and unlock your phone.

      Jailbreak using redsn0w 0.9.5 and then load cydia, add source repo666.ultrasn0w.com
      and install ultrasn0w. Now you should have a fully unlock iphone on 4.0.

    • Hello
      I bought 3Gs from ebay it came without any firmware i downloaded and upgraded it with iOS 4 now its locked it came with AT&T sim in it
      As per the other listening on the web i checked my serial number and it 87920d ,,, which means it an old bootrom i am guessing
      I don’t know if it has been ever jail broken or unlocked the seller won’t say much can you please help me to get this unlock or to downgrade its firmware in anyway would really appreciate it I am using windows.

  100. I have a iPhone 3GS mc model 4.0 and I saved my SHSH blobs through cydia. I do what it tells me but it doesn’t give me a 1015 error. It gives me a different error.. Anyone have a legit website?

    • What is the error/code? Knowing the exact error may better help up provide a solution.

  101. A lot of these comments usually never points out that you need your SHSH blobs saved on cydia before you can do this downgrade. It’d be nice if this post is updated with this info added.

  102. Every time I try this it works through the whole process until it restarts at the end and just freezes up on the apple logo. I’ve been going back to DFU mode and retrying. Anybody have any suggestions?

    • Retrying everything or just the jailbreak? I was stuck on Apple logo – then did the jailbreak again and it worked.

  105. By the way you only have to change the host file for the 3gs it dosnt apply for the 3g they can always be downgraded as apple dosnt check it like it does the 3gs

  106. all guys
    i was successful to downgrade my 3g 8g firmware 4.0 to 3.1.2 , also jailbreaked and unlocked it. using notepad to Open the file C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts (Windows), and add 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com . important note: uncheck all ticks while jailbreaking = uncheck the box of install cydia aslo. then follow from step 3 in this link to jailbreak and unlock the phone http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=10188.

  107. For people with the 3194 error error in the host file remove the “#” before the ip address it worked for me =) yay

  108. here is wat i got so far.
    I successfully downgrade my Iphone 3gs 16gb OS 4.0 firmware 5.13 to OS 3.1.3 Firmware 5.13 and that was this afternoon. Using the above method and some other guide.

    BTW : if you getting error 1015 Congratulation you done the downgrade. All you need to do is get Recboot to get out of Recovery Mode and you are back to the normal springboard.

    Then I tried again with my cousin iphone same model same OS and firmware. BAM now it give me error 3194 every single time. I was like WTF ?

    I dont get it at all.
    The IP : 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com “worked” but not anymore for some reason
    74.208.105.171 never worked for me but who know.

  110. Awesome Hack works Perfect on iPhone 3gs iOs4 MC model BB 5.13. For all of u who can’t get it to work just follow the steps. It works perfect if u use a original apple restore ipsw. Upgraded back to iOs4 jailbroken and unlocked using Sn0wbreeze 1.6.1. Thanks a lot Nakodri

  111. you are a Genius!!!…thank you very very very much!!!!
    I’m free…and kicking….it simply worked…

  112. Not working for me.. It doesnt matter which version I take for restore, iTunes keeps coming with error 1600 upon restoring in both DFU and recovery mode. Anyone else has this problem?
    Grtz

    • i too have this problem. running 3gs, newq boot rom with vista. tried three computers (2 laptops and one desk top) diffrent usb ports, delted files, run in admin and so on and still get error 1600. i am lost.

  113. i have a cuestion, does this work on 3gs NEWbootrom?????????, because i head that if you upgrade to official 4.0 (upgrade the baseband) and then downgrade to “3.1.2 official FM” use black rain, unlock with ultrasnow for the new baseband and then your able to upgrade to a custom 4.0 that was imposible because of the bootrom, is that posible? is that the solution for de 3gs newbootom?

  114. iPhone 3G using Win 7, iTunes 9.1.1. Put phone into DFU mode, shift+click the “restore” button, select the file “iPhone1,2_3.1.2_7D11_Restore.ipsw” which I’ve download multiple times from different sources to get it to work, and I’m finally thrown the error: “The iPhone ‘iPhone’ could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (13).”

    Googled the error, followed Apple’s advise for resolution to no avail. I’ve tried this on more than one computer with different Windows builds. one being Windows XP and one being Windows 7. Ran iTunes as administrator. Can’t get this to work.

    Can anyone help????

  115. I did save my SHSH to cydia 9 month ago and I very happy for that! I successfully downgraded from 4.0 to 3.1.2 and jailbreaked it with Redsn0w 0.9.4. Then jailbreaked IOS 4.0 IPSW with sn0wbreeze-V1.6.1. I put the iphone in recovery mode (not DFU) and recovered the iphone in itunes with the jailbreaked IOS 4 IPSW. I’m now running jailbreaked 4.0 with full success! Thank you very much!

  116. This downgrade is functional for users who have saved SHSH on cydia of 3.1.2 or everyone ?

  120. I have the same problem with Viv… I have an iPhone 3G, did everything right, unchecked all boxes, and now when it’s jailbroken, there is not signal and/or carrier available. Please help.

  121. When I try a shift+restore I don’t get the browser window to select a different firmware. I’m running the latest iTunes on a 64bit windows7 machine. Help?

    • I am also stuck with the same…I restored it back and unticked all the boxes…now I dont even have a phone signal…carrier: Not available…someone please help…

    • follow the step on the link below
      http://www.redmondpie.com/downgrade-ios-4-iphone-3gs-3g-and-ipod-touch-to-iphone-3.1.3-3.1.2-how-to-guide/

    • http://www.redmondpie.com/downgrade-ios-4-iphone-3gs-3g-and-ipod-touch-to-iphone-3.1.3-3.1.2-how-to-guide/

  125. When I try to jailbreak with the redsn0w 0.9.4 the process starts but doesn’t finish.
    What can it be? I have the 3GS =/

    • Hi,
      are you getting any message about UAC (User Account Control)? If so please do the following:
      Go to Start AllPrograms Then try to open the application Notepad in this submenu by RightClicking on Notepad and Select Run as Administrator then confirm if asked. Once Notepad pops open then go to File menu and then Open. On the left side of the window find Computer and the go to your Hosts file location (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc). You should now be able to open the hosts file and edit it to implement the line which will redirect the Itunes from apple signature server to saurik server. Hope this helps.

    • Also,
      remember that all this works only if you previously saved your shsh blob of your apple device on the saurik server through an app like Autoshsh. Every apple device is uniquely identified through hardcoded code. Cant mess with that… very much.

  128. I am trying to change the file but it will not work… i am running windows 7 and it says i am not an administrator so i cannot change the file.. however i am the admin so i don’t know what to do..

    • Right click on the host file The click > properties > Security > Edit

      Then click Add and put in your user name you are logged in with and grant yourself FULL Permissions. You should then be able to save

    • you need to right click on notepad and select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR, then click on open and look for the file, when you get to the folder ETC, and you dont see the file, select show all files and then o pen it and edit it and save it. and thats it.

  129. Hello. can anyone please help me.. i have an iPhone 3GS. used to be in 3.1.3 firmware. it is an MC model. has not been unlocked nor jailbroken even once. I didnt back up my SHSH because i didnt know what that was.. then i upgraded to 4.0 through iTunes.. can this be jailbroken and unlocked?
    I cant downgrade to 3.1.3 it says firmware – the firmware is not compatible.
    when i try to restore a 4.0 custom firmware it gives me errors like 3194,1604,1600. Please i really need your expertise.

    • I have the exact same issue. Help pls! Is this compatible with itunes 9.2 or must I downgrade?

  131. Thanks for posting this tutorial. Just downgrade iOS4 to 3.1.2 with success on my 3G.
    Cheers!

  132. I keep getting a could not be restored as the firmware file is not supported error. Any help please…thanks

  135. OK- so I kept getting 1015 errors when following steps to downgrade my 3G from iOS4 to 3.1.3
    Did the blackra1n break
    now- can I restore my pre iOS4 backup? Through iTunes?
    How?
    Thanks in advance.

    • Hi David,

      no it is not possible to restore a backup from iOS4 … because it is not the same OS … different backup format.

  136. I can’t even try downgrade as Apple won’t verify any earlier version. So what am I supposed to do?

  137. Just for Info, another way to do it:

    I coudn’t get my iPhone in DFU, I tried EVERYTHING but no chance, the redsh0w would not accept it on the last step of Jailbreaking. I tought I am stuck with the iOS 4.0 but then I found this Solution for those who CANNOT GET THE PHONE IN DFU!!

    1. Step stays the Same!
    2. Even if you are not in DFU, just start the Restore over iTunes with Official 3.1.2 Firmware, you will get error code as result (Error 1015).
    3. Do it second time olso with the same error code as result (Error 1015).
    4. Do not use redsh0w becouse it will not accept the iPhone, and will ask for DFU mode. Use the blackra1n and Jailbreak the iPhone!!! It will restart the iPhone and after that get all the rest (Cydia etc).

    Thanks for the Tutorial … you saved my day!

    • Thanks Armin – had a similar problem. Although I could get my phone in DFU, I couldn’t get past the 1015 issues using redsn0w. Used blackra1n as you suggested and it went through great. 3G from iOS4 to 3.1.2 on Win XP Pro SP3.

  138. I followed the updated instructions with this guide and was happy to see it worked. Unfortunately though after restoring to 3.1.2 in DFU Mode, and then restoring a second time per the instructions, the device was still in recovery mode, but it was jailbroken. At this point I went and utilized PwnageTool 4.01 to customize my 4.0 IPSW. I then restored using Option+Click and the new IPSW. My device is now jailbroken on iOS 4.0.

    If you are having trouble with DFU mode, the best guide I’ve found is here: http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=1034

    Additionally, if you are unable to edit your hosts file as I was (on Mac OS X) follow these steps:
    1. Open Terminal and type in: sudo pico /etc/hosts
    2. Hit Enter to submit the previous text entry.
    3. You will be prompted for your password, enter it and hit enter (You will not see characters, just type the password and hit enter)
    4. Use the arrow keys to position the ‘cursor’ at the bottom of the file.
    5. Enter the server information provided in the updated instructions.
    6. Hit Ctrl+X when finished, then hit Enter.
    7. Close Terminal.

  139. You guys ever heard of SHSH blobs? ONLY IF you ever saved (when they could be saved, they can’t now) your SHSH blobs in Cydia or Firmware Umbrella for 3.1.2 or 3.1.3 versions, you can downgrade to those firmwares in true DFU if you have the hosts file modified. SHSH blobs are unique for each iPhone 3GS. If you didn’t save your SHSH, you CANNOT downgrade. You should learn to read some forums and realize that 100,000+ users with this problem are not so dumb.

    The IP address mentioned in the post is Saurik’s TSS server. Not a *special* magical TSS server that allows anyone to downgrade to any firmware. Atleast know what you are doing or saying! And I can’t believe this is an apple employee who only talks about jailbreaking and can’t ever spell right (regardless of whether it’s night or day). He has no idea how the firmware restore process works. And he’s talking about ingenious ideas like OTA re-locking?

    Nothing against you, Nakodari, but if you want people to have nothing against you you should probably have a more detailed disclaimer. On the contrary you seem to delight in your friendship with Alpha (who by the way @MuscleNerd has already pwned – check his twitter).

    • yes – i used tinyumrella (google4it) for that – unfortunately my life “is not easy” =)
      after being mad on apple for 3 days of mazohistic behavioral gave up and wait for some jb

  140. @Kenneth:::
    have you previously used that Cydia “make my life easier” button and are you AT&T?
    Thanks!!! My phone is stuck in the “connect to itunes” mode.
    Also, did you use iTunes 9.2….
    Sorry about all these questions, please help!!!

  141. I get the 3194 error when trying to downgrade…I also put the 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com in the host file. But nothing seams to work, any help would be great.

    • I’m same as well 🙁
      3194 error even with 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com in the host file….
      Using Windows 7 (64 bit) system…
      Anyone confirm if it’s still working or not? 🙂

      Thanks!

  142. Will editing the host files work on an ipod touch? I’m looking to use spirit on my ipod tough 3G blackra1n 3.1.2. I need to restore it in order to use spirit and apple doesn’t verify 3.1.2 and if what someone said above, they won’t do .1.3 either. I’d be fine to upgrade to 3.1.3 if they will verify it.

    • So am I out of luck with trying to get spirit? I’m going to Europe for 5 weeks and don’t know if I can use blackra1n one the road. My ipod will shut off sometimes and I need to rejailbreak it as it sits on the connect to itunes screen. Anyone know if I can just keep blackra1n on a USB stick and run it from there to jailbreak it if I need to?

  143. I followed a similar path…was hasty. Was stucj with Connect to iTunes once I went up to ios4 with 5.13.03 baseband.

    This was my fix:
    1. Go into DFU (check web) and Shift-Restore with firmware 3.1.2. I got the 1016 error but that was okay..the downgrade was in.

    2. 1 then used Blackrain rc2 to jailbreak and was on 3.1.2 with newest baseband.

    3. I then downloaded a Custom ios4 firmware and upgraded to ios4 UNLOCKED!!!!

    4. I am free

  144. is there a way to get back to 3.1.3 instead of 3.1.2. I want to jailbreak without being teathered.

    • You can try the same process, and jailbreak by using sn0wbreeze. I didn’t test it, but should work. What’s the specialty in 3.1.3? Once you roll back to 3.1.2, life is easier. You will many solutions for activating, jailbreaking, unlocking, etc.

  145. @ Kamrul thanks a lot. Worked like a dream. Gone from 4.0 on my 3GS back to 3.1.2

    *gives finger to apple*

    • paul, you added the ip in the host file…then ran the restore from itunes? Where did you get a ‘legit’ firmware 3.1.2? When i try using the firmware i have, iTunes doesnt verify it.

      trying to downgrade from a corrupt iOS4 to ANYTHING that’s working…lol

  146. i 100% guarantee that following these steps on an iphone 3gs will not work. this one little slip up on this whole “leak story” has just proven that the information is less than reliable. what i’m still trying to figure out is why someone would peddle such nonsense.

    • man I follow steps and it worked out for me… just run redsn0w twice and it will work…
      I hope this help

  147. This solution perfectly worked for me:

    Bypassing the Overlord
    ——————————
    1. Open the file C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts (Windows) or /etc/hosts (Mac OS X) and add the following entry to the bottom of the file.
    74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

    Restore
    ———-
    2. Connect your iPhone to the USB and put it into DFU mode. iTunes will display an alert stating you need to restore your device, click ok then hold option + click restore and navigate to your previously downloaded 3.1.2 FW.

    3. After the restore finishes you should be hit with a 1015 error. That’s expected. Your phone should be in Recovery mode now and iTunes will tell you to restore again. Click OK then hold option + click on restore again – this time you do not have to go into DFU mode – and navigate to the 3.1.2 FW.

    Jailbreak
    ———–
    4. After the restore finishes again it’ll throw another 1015 error. That’s expected again. This time, just select OK and close iTunes. Fire up redsn0w – make sure it’s the 0.9.4 version – and jailbreak as normal. Uncheck all the ticks while jailbreaking.

    5. After the jailbreak is finalized your device should reboot and strange enough you successfully downgraded to 3.1.2.

    — Heaps of ipsw available here
    http://www.sinfuliphone.com/showthread.php?t=3306

    • I can verify that adding that info to the hosts file does indeed work. The first time I tried, iTunes told me I could not load that on my device. I added that info to the host file using the Terminal and then the downgrade worked perfectly.

    • Pretty nice, THIS guide actually works !
      Just finish downgrading iOS4 to 3.1.2 on iPhone 3G !!!

      THANKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!! im happy again !

    • will this work for iphone 3g … ios4 .. i didnt saved any shsh files in 3.1.2 firmware ? please reply me back !

  148. This can’t be right. Apple stopped signing firmware 3.1.2 a long time ago. 3.1.3 isnt even signed anymore.

    • Exactly, according to Alpha it worked for him and for some more people. He said that it might work for a few more hours before Apple staff updates it and prevents this procedure.

    • …you people are idiots. You DO realize that the entry you put in your hosts file redirects Apple’s TSS server to Saurik’s server, and if he doesn’t have your firmware signatures backed up, this won’t work.

    • If you read the directions, it show you how to fake out the apple server with an IP address in the hosts file.

      You get the error because you canno0t follow directions

    • But unless you backed them up, your SHSH blobs won’t be on the redirected server either, thus that won’t work.

  150. I get the same problem as Sahand. the 3194 error when I try downgrading. 🙁 Help anyone?

  152. you need to put your device in DFU mode and then restore it (not update it) using the apple original 3.1.2 for you device. Mine iTouch 2g works just fine

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