I have an iPad2 still on iOS 6. I want to update the iOS to version 7 as some newer apps require that as a minimum. I don't want to go to 8 or 9 as I've heard performance of those on my aging tablet is terrible. I already understand Apple is not signing iOS 7 so those on 9 wanting to go back cannot. Is there any work-around though for those of us that are still on an old iOS wanting to go forward but only to a particular version? I played around with iFaith and TinyUmbrella but didn't get anywhere with either. Thanks!
There is no workaround. You'll be able to update to software versions signed by Apple. During the update/restore process, iTunes/your iPad connect to Apple's servers to make sure you install the right software. If you don't, you'll get an error and won't be able to "update". The only versions available right now are 9.0.1 and 9.0.2.
I'm afraid that the only iOS versions you can update to are ios 9.0.1 or iOS 9.0.2. Apple is no longer signing any iOS 7 or iOS 8 versions. Unless Apple is still signing a particular version, you can't update to it as part of the update process is an online verification with Apple servers. It Apple detects that the iOS version you're trying to install is no longer signed, the update will fail.
Came across this, it's looking like if I am able to Jailbreak my iOS 6 iPad 2 I can update to whatever I want: [Discussion] For those who were unaware, Odysseus can also be used to upgrade to a firmware that's no longer being signed. • /r/jailbreak
Old thread I know but I never too any action last time. Through jailbreaking is it possible to update to an 8.x version of ios? I am still on 6.x currently.
The iOS version you'll get when you try updating depends on software signed by Apple at the moment you're updating. For the iPad 2 and 3, that's 9.3.5. The iPad 4 and later can be updated to 10.1, 10.1.1 and 10.2 right now. Afaik, all of these software versions can't be jailbroken, so if your device is jailbroken, you'll lose your jailbreak. Trying to jailbreak/a jailbreak won't help getting a different iOS than the one signed by Apple.
I didn't know if jailbreaking allowed you to manually update to another version in any way to 8.x like Odysseus allows for 6.x to 7.x
So I just had something kind of odd happen. I factory reset my iPad 2, went through the setup but did not sign into apple. I then did an update though the iPad itself (NOT using iTunes) and instead of updating from 6.0 to the latest 9.3.5, it updated to 8.4.1. I thought this was not possible with the ios versions needing to be signed? The iPad is now asking me to update to 9.3.5 but what caused this stop at iOS8? Either way this is exactly what I wanted for now.
What you're describing can't possibly happen as an iOS update will not succeed unless it passes online verification from Apple servers. Since Apple is no longer signing iOS 8.4.1, it will not install.
