As expected, Apple has stopped signing both 11.1.1 and iOS 11.1.2 firmware for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This means that users won’t be able to downgrade from iOS 11.2.1 or iOS 11.2 to iOS 11.1.2, and will get Error 3194 – This device isn’t eligible for the requested build if they try to install iOS 11.1.2 using iTunes.
Downgrading can be useful in cases where the previous iOS software update can be jailbroken. With the release of the tpf0 iOS 11.1.2 exploit, and the possibility of an iOS 11.1.2 jailbreak, it would have been quite useful if it was possible to downgrade to iOS 11.1.2. Some users also prefer to downgrade back to the older version if they face problems after upgrading to the latest iOS software update.
This doesn’t come as a surprise, as over the last few years, Apple has used this strategy to keep jailbreakers at bay. It not only releases new software updates, that fixes the vulnerabilities used by the jailbreaks, it also stops signing the older iOS firmware file, which prevents users from downgrading back to the older iOS version that can be jailbroken.
Another jailbreak for iOS 11.2 and iOS 11.2.1 has also been developed, and that one surprisingly is untethered, allowing users to enjoy seamless jailbreak experience even after a reboot. However the Pandora Jailbreak for iOS 11 has been developed by Alibaba’s Pandora Lab and they have no intention of releasing it. Despite that it is good to know an untethered jailbreak is still possible.
You can actively track what versions of iOS Apple signs with the handy IPSW.me website.