How to Downgrade iPhone OS 3.0 to 2.2.1 | Downgrade iPhone OS 3.0

How to Downgrade iPhone OS 3.0 to 2.2.1

As we all know that iPhone OS 3.0 has been announced and is due this Summer. Till today, Apple has release two beta(s) for iPhone OS 3.0. Both of the beta releases can be downloaded from:

Beta says it all that it’s not a perfect iPhone OS at the time. It might have a lot of bugs. But because of a great new features in iPhone OS 3.0, many of you might have upgraded to iPhone OS 3.0. If anyone of those who have upgraded to iPhone OS 3.0 and wants to revert back, this guide is for you.

Before starting the downgrade process, download iPhone firmware 2.2.1 for your device from iPhone Firmwares mega post.

Downgrade iPhone OS 3.0 to 2.2.1 (iPhone 2G)

Step 1
Connect your iPhone to the Computer and open iTunes.

Step 2
Get your iPhone into DFU Mode

  • Hold both the power and home buttons for 10 seconds
  • Then Releasing power and continue holding down the home button until iTunes recognizes a phone in “recovery mode.”

Step 3
Hold down the shift key and hit Restore button and choose the firmware 2.2.1 .ipsw file (for iPhone 2G) that we downloaded earlier.

Step 4
Wait and let it do its job. When done restore your backup if any.

Jailbreak and unlock iPhone 2G if you want to.

Downgrade iPhone OS 3.0 to 2.2.1 (iPhone 3G)

Downgrading needs some more efforts in case of iPhone 3G. Because iPhone OS 3.0 flashes its Baseband and Baseband then cannot be downgraded which confuses iTunes when you try to do so. But don’t worry, we still can downgrade to Firmware 2.2.1.

Step 1
Connect your iPhone to the Computer and open iTunes.

Step 2
Get your iPhone into DFU Mode

  • Hold both the power and home buttons for 10 seconds
  • Then Releasing power and continue holding down the home button until iTunes recognizes a phone in “recovery mode.”

Step 3
Hold down the shift key (Windows) or Option (Mac) key and hit Restore button and choose the firmware 2.2.1 .ipsw file (for iPhone 3G) that we downloaded earlier.

While restoring an error will popup. If it’s a four digit number like: 10xx, don’t worry iTunes is just confused because of updated iPhone baseband. To get rid of this error you need to jailbreak your iPhone. That’s what we are going to do next.

Step 4
Download quickpwn and Jailbreak your iPhone 3G. (How to jailbreak iPhone 3G)

See what! Your iPhone is detected and activated.

Have Fun!

8 comments… add one
fikosss May 29, 2009, 1:53 pm

hey guys,when i am downgrading my 3G 8GB from 3.0 to 2.2.1 an error occur it says :
the iphone could not be restored.an unknown error occurred 1604
any help ?

NLP June 11, 2009, 12:25 pm

sorry . but i follow your steps but nathing done.. error 13, some time 1604 some times 1603

=(

Ajit June 12, 2009, 9:07 pm

i have error 1604 occurs while downgrade to 2.2.1

Jfk June 19, 2009, 5:55 pm

Yeah I’m getting 1601 when downgrading to 2.2.1. Can anyone here help?

BlacKHearT August 11, 2009, 12:11 pm

hye there..

i got some trouble from restoring my 2g iphone..
it cant be restore to previous firmware.. i try ur way got same result… help meee…… =((

dnns January 2, 2010, 11:58 pm

Try this. You need to go step by step. I had to downgrade from 3.1.2 to 3.1 first, then down grade to 3.0. I then assume you can do it from 3.0 to 2.2.1

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