Downgrading from iOS 8 for a smoother, snappier experience on older iPhones and iPads is no longer an option after Apple stopped signing iOS 7.1.2 on Friday afternoon. If you upgrade to the Cupertino company’s latest iOS 8.0.2 release now, there’s no going back.

iOS 8 is packed full of awesome new features, including things like Handoff and Continuity, Extensions and widgets, and support for third-party keyboards. If you have a more recent iOS device, then, it’s well worth the upgrade — but that’s not quite the case for everyone.

For those with an older iOS device — such as the iPhone 4S — iOS 8 can be incredibly slow and unstable. Until it’s better optimized for older devices, then, many users are better off with iOS 7, and for a short period, they had the option to downgrade. But as of Friday afternoon, Apple is no longer signing iOS 7.1.2.

Even if you attempt to install this release via iTunes, Apple’s servers will prevent you from doing so, and you’ll be forced to download the latest iOS 8 firmware instead. With that being the case, be sure you really want to update your device at this time before you hit that update button.

SOURCE APPADVICE