Guide to futurerestore Part 2: How to use futurerestore to restore to unsigned firmwares

This is Part 2 of a two-part guide on how to use futurerestore.

Before attempting this guide, everyone should read the introductory article, Guide to futurerestore: Introduction. This will explain whether the guides apply to you, as well as making sure that you fulfil the requirements for it to work.

If you currently have a jailbreak and you want to move to a different firmware with futurerestore’s generator mode, you must follow Part 1 of the guide before following Part 2.

If you currently have no jailbreak, and you want to move to a different firmware with futurerestore’s Apnonce collision mode, do only this part of the guide. This method does not apply to most users.

Before you begin following the instructions, read the entire article through once. This will save time and errors. Make sure you have all the required files ready before you begin. These are listed in the introductory article.

The method works on iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS, given that you have already followed the previous guides correctly. It can be performed on Mac, Windows, or Linux, and the commands will be the same. Just make sure you have downloaded the futurerestore program for your computer’s OS, and are using your OS’s respective Terminal.

This guide can be used to move between any two firmwares in principle, BUT ONLY IF you meet all the requirements listed in the introductory article. Examples of futurerestores which are possible at the time of writing include, but are in no way limited to, iOS 13.5 > 14.3, iPadOS 13.2 > 14.3, iOS 12.4 > 14.3, iOS 11.4.1 > 14.2, and tvOS 13.4.8 > 14.4.

Instructions

1) Download the IPSW file for your destination firmware from this source.

For example, if I wanted to move to unsigned iOS 14.3, I would download the IPSW for iOS 14.3 (my destination firmware). It does not matter what your starting firmware is.

Bear in mind, If there is no currently signed firmware which is compatible with your destination firmware, you cannot use futurerestore with the generator nor the Apnonce collision mode. For example, signed iOS 14.x firmwares are not compatible with unsigned iOS 13.x firmwares, so I cannot restore to iOS 13.x with futurerestore, but I can restore to iOS 14.x.

Make sure you download the correct IPSW file for your specific device. Remember: some devices, like the iPhone 7, have multiple models (GSM vs. Global) with different IPSWs. Select the correct ones, or your restore could fail.

2) Download the latest version of futurerestore. Unzip the file.

3) Create a folder on your Desktop and call it futurerestore.

4) Find the futurerestore executable inside the folder you downloaded and unzipped in Step 2. Rename the futurerestore executable to just futurerestore if it has a more complex name. Move it into the futurerestore folder you created on your Desktop. Copy your IPSW file and your .shsh2 blob for your destination firmware into the Desktop futurerestore folder too.

5) The futurerestore folder on your Desktop should now contain these files:

  • Destination firmware IPSW
  • Destination firmware .shsh2 file
  • the futurerestore executable

6) Open a new Terminal window. Terminal can be found in /Applications/Utilities, or via Spotlight. If using the Windows binary, you will need to use the Windows Command Line instead.

7) Type cd followed by a space, and drag your futurerestore folder onto the Terminal window. Then press the Enter key. Afterwards, your command prompt should show your current path as your futurerestore folder.

8) Now type in:

chmod +x futurerestore

9) We will now prepare the futurerestore command, but do not enter it yet. The easiest way to insert the filenames into the command is to type the first few letters of their name, and then press the Tab key on your keyboard to autocomplete the filename. Make sure the correct file has been filled in before continuing, because some files such as the .shsh2 and IPSW may have similar names, and may be autocompleted incorrectly as each other.

a) If you are using the generator method, currently have a jailbreak, and already followed Part 1 of this guide to set your generator, use the following command:

./futurerestore -t YOUR-DESTINATION-SHSH-HERE YOUR-DESTINATION-IPSW-HERE --latest-sep --latest-baseband

If you are restoring a WiFi only iPad, or an Apple TV 4, replace –latest-baseband with –no-baseband. Cellular iPads, and all iPhones, should use –latest-baseband.

Do not enter it yet.

b) If you are using the Apnonce collision method, currently have no jailbreak, and started this guide at Part 2, use the following command:

./futurerestore -t YOUR-DESTINATION-SHSH-HERE -w YOUR-DESTINATION-IPSW-HERE --latest-sep --latest-baseband

If you are restoring a WiFi only iPad, or an Apple TV 4, replace –latest-baseband with –no-baseband. Cellular iPads, and all iPhones, should use –latest-baseband.

Remember, method b) only applies to specific users, do not try this unless you know it applies to you.

Do not enter the command yet.

Replace all sections in capital letters in the above commands with the names of the corresponding files in your futurerestore folder. For example, I would type ./futurerestore -t, then a SPACE, then type the first letters of my SHSH filename, then Tab to complete it, then a SPACE, then -b, SPACE, then type the first letters of my baseband filename, then Tab to complete it, and so on. Leave the phrases –latest-sep and –latest-baseband as they are. Take your time and check the command thoroughly.

Below is an example of the finished command for an iPhone 7, moving to a destination firmware of iOS 14.3, using the –latest-sep and –latest-baseband options (which will grab some files we need from the latest signed firmware, 14.4.1 at the time of writing).

Note that the Apnonce collision method has the -w variable, but the generator method does not.

Do not enter the command yet. 

10) a) Generator mode users: ensure your device has your generator set (see Part 1 of the guide), is Trusted by your computer, and is plugged into your computer.

10) b) Apnonce collision mode users: ensure your device is plugged into your computer, and manually place it into Recovery mode (A7 devices on iOS 9.1-10.2/10.3b1) or DFU mode (eligible A7, A8 and A8X devices on all firmwares).

11) Press Enter in your Terminal window to execute your futurerestore command, and initiate the restore process to your destination firmware.

If everything has gone correctly, Terminal will now show futurerestore restoring your device. If you are using the Apnonce collision method you will have to wait until the correct Apnonce is generated for the restore to begin. This can take a varying amount of time, from 30 seconds to never (if you are requesting an Apnonce which does not collide – do not try this). Terminal will print out a list of Apnonces which your device generates until the generated Apnonce matches the one in your blob. Patience is key.

If you are using the generator method, your device should already have the correct set-up thanks to Part 1 of the guide, so the restore should initiate immediately.

12) For generator mode users it is quite likely that after executing the futurerestore command the device will reboot into Recovery mode and then hang, before reporting an error that the device could not enter Recovery mode, or similar. This is normal, and if it occurs, simply re-enter the futurerestore command into Terminal after the error, without rebooting your device, unplugging it, or quitting Terminal.

13) Do not unplug your device, manually reboot your device, allow your laptop battery to die, restart or shut down your computer, quit Terminal, or allow your computer to sleep, until the process is complete.

14) Wait until the restore completes, and your phone returns to the setup screens. You are now on your destination firmware!

The futurerestore process is  a little complicated, and has several parts which can be followed incorrectly. Take your time and read every step all the way through before following it.

If you encounter errors with the process, re-read the guide and browse /r/jailbreak for your issue before asking. It has probably been answered before. If you still have no luck, feel free to ask me in the comments section below, but provide information. iOS, iPadOS, or tvOS version, exact device, computer OS, futurerestore mode, exact Terminal error you are getting, etc.

Good luck!