Apps

How to downgrade to iOS 9 from iOS 10 on your iPhone or iPad

Published

September 14, 2016

Monch Lopez

So iOS 10 is out. And while we do think Apple’s “biggest release ever” is great and works as advertised on newer devices, the software update might not be to your liking, or it simply doesn’t run well on your iPhone or iPad. Which leaves you with one option: downgrade to the previous version of iOS.

Reverting to iOS 9 isn’t complicated and the process itself should only take minutes to complete. But you should do it sooner than later, as there’s only a small window of opportunity before Apple stops signing (read: approving) the last iOS build before a software upgrade. In due time (perhaps when the next update rolls out), downgrading won’t be possible, and you’ll be stuck with your least favorite iOS version.

But before we walk you through the roll-back process, make sure to backup your device first, either via iCloud or iTunes on a Mac or Windows computer. You won’t be able to use the backup on iOS 9 or older, but it’s better to have a fall-back option just in case things don’t go down so well. Your computer should be using the latest version of iTunes as well.

Oh, and one more thing: The downgrade process will install a fresh version of iOS 9.3.5 onto your device. If you don’t have an iOS 9 backup on iCloud or your computer, you’ll be left with a blank device with a few pre-installed applications.

So here’s how to revert to iOS 9 from iOS 10.

1. Download the appropriate iOS 9.3.5 file (ending in .ipsw) for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod model.

2. While the download is in progress, turn off the “Find My iPhone/iPad/iPod” feature on your phone (head to Settings > iCloud > Find My iPhone/iPad/iPod).

3. Connect your device to your Mac or Windows machine using a Lightning cable.

4. Launch iTunes,

5. Put your iOS device into DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode. To do that, hold down both the home and power buttons for at least 10 seconds. When you see the Apple logo, let go of the power button but continue holding down the home button until the device enters DFU mode. iTunes will notify you when it is in recovery mode.

6. Select the device icon in the upper-left side of the iTunes window, then click on the “Summary” tab in the left column.

7. In the iTunes window, hold down the Option key on a Mac or the Shift key on a Windows computer, and choose the “Restore iPhone…” option.

8. A navigation window will appear, prompting you to select the file you downloaded earlier. Navigate to the folder where you saved the file, then select it.

9. iTunes will proceed to install iOS 9.3.5. Do not unplug your device for any reason until it reboots to the “Hello” screen.

10. At this point, you can restore an iOS 9.3.5 or older backup to get all your data and settings back. Again, you can’t use a backup made using iOS 10.

Were you able to roll back to a previous installation? Sound off in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you.

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Related Topics:Apple downgrade iOS 10 iOS 9

Apps

Netflix expands its cheaper ad-supported tier to Southeast Asia

This also includes more countries in Europe and South America.

Published

May 15, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

If you don’t care about seeing a deluge of ads on your platforms, you’re an incredibly rare breed these days. That same skill will come in handy for those nicely priced subscription tiers that comes with ads. Netflix, for one, has one of those tiers, and it’s now coming out in more countries.

As is prevalent in other platforms today, an ad-supported subscription tier lowers the price you have to pay every month. The catch, however, is that there will be an occasional sprinkling of ads here and there.

Netflix offers this service, which allows subscribers to get the service for cheap at the expense of their time. Currently, it is limited to only a few major markets in the world. However, the platform is expanding the tier’s reach to more countries in Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia.

Starting in 2027, Netflix’s ad-supported tier will expand to 15 countries: Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Denmark, Indonesia, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Thailand.

Netflix says that the ad-supported tier is a popular option for subscribers. Currently, the tier has around 250 million subscribers worldwide. Since some of the new countries have a more budget-conscious attitude when it comes to purchasing services, this number will likely go up after the expansion in 2027.

Apps

Google might limit free storage to only 5GB

The change will affect new users.

Published

May 15, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Google One is a monthly subscription that gives you at least 200GB of cloud storage for your files and photos. For most people, a Google One subscription starts when Google inevitably tells them that their free storage space is running out and will soon stop backing up files. Starting today, new users might get that warning sooner rather than later as Google tests a lower limit to free storage.

Historically, Google offers users 15GB of free storage as a start. However, especially these days, 15GB can run out rapidly, prompting a Google One upgrade. Still, despite how “little” it is, Google’s free storage is generous compared to its contemporaries.

Now, Google is reportedly going to be more at par with the rest. As spotted on Reddit (via 9to5Google), new users will receive only 5GB of free storage. Based on Wayback Machine, the company changed its policy sometime between February to March.

Notably, 15GB is still available as an option, but users have to link their phone numbers to their accounts first.

According to Google, the policy change is meant to encourage users to upgrade their security. However, critics will point out that it just enables the company to collect more data about their users. Of note, the platform is already pushy about linking phone numbers before the change, but this adds another layer to entice people.

Also, Google confirms that the new policy is only a regional test for now. They have not announced when (or if) the change comes out for real.

Apps

Instagram takes on Snapchat yet again with new Instants feature

Posts disappear after they’re viewed once.

Published

May 14, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The popularity of Snapchat’s competitors is as fleeting as their disappearing messages. However, despite how volatile the market is, Instagram wants to try again with a new feature (and app) called Instants.

Pardon me if you’ve heard this premise before. Instants is a feature that lets users share disappearing photos. However, unlike the 24 hours allotted for Stories, Instants will disappear right after a friend views them, but they can still react and reply to them.

The idea of Instants is to trim the excess fat from what Instagram is these days. Instagram’s Adam Mosseri admits as much when he said users want as easier way to shoot content.

As such, users won’t have access to Instagram’s editing tools. They also can’t upload pre-shot content from their camera roll. Like its contemporaries like BeReal, the new Instants feature is about living in the moment and sharing exactly what users see.

Despite disappearing after a single view, Instants will be automatically archived, so they can be reuploaded as normal Stories later on.

It isn’t the Wild West, though. Even if it pares down all the extra features, Instants will still use the safety features available to all of Instagram. Users, especially young ones, can mute and block others’ Instants. Likewise, parents will have control over when and how their young children interact with the feature.