iOS 14 Downgrade Boot Loop Fix: Step-by-Step

If you tried downgrading from iOS 15 or a beta back to iOS 14 and your iPhone is now stuck in a boot loopâ€”showing the Apple logo, restarting, or hanging on a progress barâ€”this guide walks you through the exact steps to restore it to a working state. The fix involves putting your device into recovery mode and reinstalling iOS 14 via Finder or iTunes, which erases your data but resolves the loop.

What You’ll Need

A Mac (with Finder) or a Windows PC (with iTunes installed).
The correct iOS 14 IPSW file for your exact iPhone model. Download it from a trusted source before starting.
A USB cable that can reliably connect your iPhone to the computer.
Enough free disk space on your computer (about 5â€“6 GB for the IPSW file).
Your Apple ID password, in case activation locks appear after restore.

Step-by-Step

Back up your data (if possible). If your iPhone occasionally boots far enough to show the home screen, connect it to your computer and make an encrypted backup in Finder/iTunes. If it never gets past the Apple logo, skip this stepâ€”you will lose data.
Download the correct IPSW file. Go to a reliable IPSW download site, select your exact iPhone model (e.g., iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Pro), and download the iOS 14 IPSW you want. Make sure it matches your device’s model identifier (A-number) to avoid errors.
Put your iPhone into recovery mode. The method varies by model:
- iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release Volume Up, then Volume Down. Press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears (a computer icon with a cable).
- iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the Side (or Top) button and the Volume Down button together until the recovery mode screen shows.
- iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button together until recovery mode appears.
Connect your iPhone to the computer. Use a USB cable. If you see a dialog asking to trust this computer, accept it (if possible).
Open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (Windows or older macOS). Your iPhone should appear in the sidebar or top-left corner. If it shows a message saying your iPhone is in recovery mode and needs to be restored, that’s expected.
Restore with the IPSW file. On a Mac, hold the Option key and click Restore iPhoneâ€¦. On Windows, hold the Shift key and click Restore. Browse to the IPSW file you downloaded and select it.
Confirm the restore. A warning will appear saying this will erase your iPhone and install the selected iOS version. Click Restore and wait. The progress bar on your computer will show the process. Do not disconnect the cable.
Wait for completion. The iPhone will restart once or twice during the restore. When the progress bar on the phone finishes, it will boot to the Hello screen. Set it up as new or restore from a backup.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong IPSW file. Downloading an IPSW for a different model or region causes an error (usually error 11 or 14). Double-check your exact model number.
Not putting the device into recovery mode properly. If you don’t hold the buttons long enough, the iPhone may just restart normally and stay in the loop. Wait until the recovery screen appears.
Letting the battery die. A dead battery during restore can brick the device temporarily. Keep it plugged in.
Using a faulty cable or port. A damaged cable can cause disconnects mid-restore. Try a different cable or USB port.
Interrupting the restore. Clicking â€œStopâ€� or unplugging the phone during restore can worsen the problem.

Tips

Always verify the IPSW’s SHA1 checksum if the download site provides it. This ensures the file isn’t corrupted.
If you’re downgrading from a beta, erase all content and settings first (if you can boot) before restoring, to avoid leftover beta data.
Disable Find My iPhone before downgrading if possible; it can complicate activation after restore.
Use a wired connection, not Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, for the restore.
Keep your iPhone connected to power for at least 30 minutes after restore to ensure it completes setup.

Troubleshooting

If the restore fails or the boot loop persists, try these in order:

Force restart. Quickly press Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold Side until the Apple logo appears. This sometimes clears a temporary glitch.
Re-enter recovery mode. If the iPhone exits recovery mode and goes back to the loop, put it back into recovery mode and try again.
Update instead of restore. In Finder/iTunes, hold Option/Shift and click â€œUpdateâ€� instead of â€œRestore.â€� This attempts to reinstall iOS without wiping data, but it may not work if the system is corrupted.
Use a different computer. Sometimes USB drivers or security software interfere. Try another PC or Mac.
Check for error codes. If you see error 9, 14, or 4013, it’s often USB-related. Try a different cable, port, or computer. Error 11 or 14 usually means the IPSW is wrong or corrupted.
If all else fails, restore to the latest iOS. Download the latest iOS IPSW (or let Finder/iTunes download it automatically) and restore. This will get your device working, but you’ll lose the downgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this erase my data?

Yes, restoring from an IPSW wipes all data. If you have a backup made before the downgrade attempt, you can restore it after the process.

Can I downgrade from iOS 15 to iOS 14 without a computer?

No, Apple doesn’t allow over-the-air downgrades. You must use a computer with Finder or iTunes.

Why does my iPhone keep restarting after restore?

This can happen if the IPSW is corrupted, the wrong model, or if the restore was interrupted. Re-download the IPSW and try again.

How long does the restore take?

Typically 10â€“20 minutes, depending on your internet speed and computer. The progress bar may seem stuck; give it at least 30 minutes before assuming it failed.

Is it safe to downgrade to iOS 14 after Apple stops signing it?

No. Once Apple stops signing an iOS version, the restore will fail with an error (like 3194). Check signing status before attempting.

What if I don’t know my exact iPhone model?

Go to Settings > General > About > Model Name on the device (if it boots). If not, look at the back of the phone for the model number (e.g., A2215).

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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