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\u2019s latest iOS 8.0.2 release now, there\u2019s no going back.<\/p>\n
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iOS 8 is packed full of awesome new features, including things like Handoff and Continuity, Extensions and widgets, and\u00a0support for third-party keyboards. If you have a more recent iOS device, then, it\u2019s well worth the upgrade \u2014 but that\u2019s not quite the case for everyone.<\/p>\n
For those with an older iOS device \u2014 such as the iPhone 4S \u2014 iOS 8 can be incredibly slow and unstable. Until it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Even if you attempt to install this release via iTunes, Apple\u2019s servers will prevent you from doing so, and you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n