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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 suddenly resurrects 30-day free trials

It’s available only in some countries.

Published

July 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Over the weekend, a report emerged about Disney+ allegedly considering a new tier offered to users for absolutely free. Apparently, Disney isn’t the only one. Netflix is now resurrecting its free trial program in select countries.

Back in the day, it was easy to get into Netflix. With a 30-day free trial, you can watch the shows you’ve always wanted to catch. If you liked what you saw, you can pay the monthly fee to access the entire library without constraints. Eventually, the platform got rid of this system to favor a cheaper ad-supported tier.

Perhaps not seeing the benefits of ad-supported tiers, Netflix has suddenly resurrected its free trial program. Spotted online (via Android Authority), some countries, including Brazil and India, are experimenting with the program again. New users can get 30 days of free Netflix access.

Because only regular users are spotting this (rather than an official announcement), we don’t have a list of where the free trials are available.

Still, it’s an interesting move. Cable isn’t a thing anymore so “cutting the cable” isn’t a popular phrase anymore, but people are definitely cancelling subscriptions over rising prices. Some even rely on short clips from YouTube to catch up with their shows. Having a free trial opens up more possibilities for users, but it remains to be seen whether it’s enough for users to return to Netflix.

Apps

Disney+ might get a free tier

What would you like to see in a free Disney+ tier?

Published

July 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

In a world disappointingly obsessed with increasing prices beyond our means, Disney+ has miraculously remembered the phrase, “free sample.” According to a report, the streaming platform is considering making a free subscription tier.

As of late, it’s been difficult to maintain a healthy collection of streaming services. When you have to pay the equivalent of a full-course meal every month for just a single platform, you start to evaluate which ones really matter.

Perhaps feeling the sting of users leaving the platform over pricing, Disney+ is reportedly experimenting with a tier that comes at no cost to users (via Business Insider). According to two sources, adding such a tier might help the platform reach customers more.

Now, it’s still a mystery how this tier might work. Disney+ already offers an ad-supported tier, so it’s unlikely to be another one like that.

One possibility is a heavily curated feed of content either designed specifically for free users or limited exactly to give users a free sample. For the latter, think of the limited content you get on a plane. Sure, you might get the first three episodes of The Mandalorian, but you’ll have to fork over cash if you want to see the rest of the story.

And for the former, you can imagine short-form content available for free. Going back to Star Wars, you might see a short anthology series like Star Wars: Visions.

Either way, it’s an interesting concept. If the tier does offer full content, it’s a great way to get into franchises you were thinking of trying without the need to spend for a taste.

Apps

WhatsApp will introduce usernames to hide your phone number

Hide your number from others.

Published

June 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

WhatsApp is about to get an extra later of protection. After thriving on number-based chatting, the platform will soon add usernames, eliminating the need to share your number with strangers.

Usernames are the standard way of maintaining your anonymity online. Though most platforms today require users to log their email addresses or phone numbers, establishing a username can prevent other users from seeing this information way too easily.

Today, Meta has started rolling out reservations for WhatsApp usernames. The feature itself isn’t available yet, but early adopters can grab theirs as soon as the setting becomes available on their app.

To access the reservation, users can go to Settings > Account > Username. Of note, this isn’t available for everyone yet. But if you want to take dibs on a specific name, be on the lookout for the setting.

As for the username itself, users can reserve anything as long as it’s unique. Business owners and creators can also use their Facebook or Instagram handles as their WhatsApp usernames.

The feature, once it launches, will stop users from accessing your phone number when messaging. Similarly, other users will now need your exact username to start a conversation. Users can also set a separate code to protect conversations further.