How to downgrade iOS?

• Anyone who would want to downgrade the iOS version can refer to this article. 
• This article is also for someone whose iPhone automation scripts started failing with “Legacy accessibility snapshot is no longer supported” after upgrading to iOS13. 

This article is no way encouraging the usage of lower version; this should be used as a workaround if encountering issues while upgrading. Irrespective of the release following the steps would ensure the version downgrade.

It is recommended ensuring ‘Find My iPhone’ is disabled before proceeding with steps. Following these steps would downgrade the iPhone with restored image and all data would be wiped. Hence the device should be backed up either in iCloud or iTunes. The downgrade is a two-step procedure starting with downloading the restoration image followed by the installation of that.

Download the restoration image.

The image file for restoration would be a file with the IPSW  extension. An IPSW  file is an Apple device software update file used with Apple devices. During the installation of the IPSW file, iTunes calls to the Apple servers and ask for that approval signature. So only signed IPSW files could be restored and others cant be done via iTunes. E.g. currently iOS13 and iOS 12.4.1 are the only signed versions and hence downgrade is only possible for users in iOS13. https://ipsw.me/ is the best place to understand which versions are signed IPSW. The download link would be made available after selecting the product and platform. The download file size is increasing as the release is getting upgraded in this example iOS12.4.1 is around 3.41GB.   

Installing the restoration image

Unlock the iPhone for installing the older iOS version through iTunes. For first time connectors follow the onscreen instructions to trust the computer. Once successfully connected restore iPhone button should appear when selecting the phone icon appears under Devices in the sidebar. Restoration to an older version would be initiated only after pressing the option key before clicking the ‘Restore iPhone’ button. Else would be restored to the latest version. After combining the option key and clicking the ‘Restore iPhone’ button, follow the onscreen instructions to confirm the process. After restoring the image, the iPhone would reboot, and the welcome screen would appear.

Apple has released the iOS 13 on September 19th based on trend they would stop supporting iOS12 by October midway, so this can’t be a long term solution as well. Apple always had a higher migration rate when iOS12 launched a year ago, 50% of all active iOS devices migrated within a month of release. Another interesting fact is iOS 13 sees the end of a combined iOS for iPhones and iPads.So starting with iOS 13, iPads will enjoy their specialized version of the mobile OS, called iPadOS.