A warning for those wanting to remain at iOS 6.x.x

[MadScience2006]

I have made the decision to remain at iOS 6.x.x on all of my iDevices (at least for the time being). With that said, I just checked my iPad mini and noticed that the iOS 7 OTA update had somehow been conveniently pushed/downloaded to the mini without my authorization. Now instead of having a button labeled "Download and Install", I now have a button labeled "Install" with the status of the update being changed to "Downloaded". My other iPad 3 and iPad 4 still have the status (or download size) as 916 MB for the iPad 3, 915 MB for the iPad 4. My iPad mini now has this large (size is unknown but I'll assume it's at least 700 MB) firmware update residing on it with no way to get rid of it aside from wiping out it's contents and restoring it as a new device with it's existing version iOS 6.1.3 (I've tried a restore from backup). The only other way to remove the OTA update file is to actually update the device, which I do NOT want to do.

I've researched this pretty extensively throughout the day & found that this unauthorized/pushed update has affected others as well (not just with iOS 6 to iOS 7) with no way to delete this "unknown data" from the device without restoring as new with the same firmware or jailbreaking the device, gaining access to the low-level file system to remove the offending files. The PC-based direct file access apps that are out there will not gain you low enough access to even find the file(s), let alone remove them.

I now have to worry about my kid (who uses the mini) going into settings and pushing that "Update" button. I've schooled him extensively on what NOT to do and hope that it doesn't somehow get updated.

I like Apple but really loathe these kinds of "conveniences" to the end-user.

 

[Fungi]

Oh good lord. Thanks for the warning. I just checked my Settings and under Software Update, it says that it can't install the update because it needs at least 3.4GB. and I only got 1. Well that's one less thing to worry about.

 

[superballs]

Oh good lord. Thanks for the warning. I just checked my Settings and under Software Update, it says that it can't install the update because it needs at least 3.4GB. and I only got 1. Well that's one less thing to worry about.

The look on your avatar's face and your post go so perfectly together.

 

[canuck]

WOW. I just checked my iPad 3 and iOS 7 is indeed downloaded, just have to click install. This pisses me off to a certain degree.
However, I have the 64 gig, so I'll tolerate the bloat. Just so long as I'm not forced to upgrade. Perhaps with a few patches iOS 7 will prove less of a resource hog, but from I've seen the chips in the iPad3 aren't 'snappy' enough for me. iOS6 FOREVER!!!

 

[Mayuh]

...that said, apple doesn't sign 6.x anymore. So you can't get rid of the data nor stay on 6.x. I know, I just received an iPad3 with some iOS 5 flavor, and all I could do was to update to 7. Due to the fact iCloud backups are not downwards compatible

Well 7 for me then. On a side note: 7 isn't that bad after all, if you got your shades ready all I do miss is swipe selection (jailbreak tweak: hover over the keyboard to move the cursor) - other than that apple pretty much borrowed everything from the job community to make the user's life easier.

 

[canuck]

...that said, apple doesn't sign 6.x anymore. So you can't get rid of the data nor stay on 6.x. I know, I just received an iPad3 with some iOS 5 flavor, and all I could do was to update to 7. Due to the fact iCloud backups are not downwards compatible

Well 7 for me then. On a side note: 7 isn't that bad after all, if you got your shades ready all I do miss is swipe selection (jailbreak tweak: hover over the keyboard to move the cursor) - other than that apple pretty much borrowed everything from the job community to make the user's life easier.

Here are links to the 6.1.3 restore files for various i devices. Download it for posterity.
http://www.letsunlockiphone.com/apple-launched-ios-6-1-3-ipad-iphone-download-links/

Also FYI, instructions on how to downgrade: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/5...e-ios613-ios614-iphone5s-iphone5-iphone4s.htm

 

[MadScience2006]

If you want to stay at 6.x.x and want to restore the device, you can do so on the iPad itself under:

Settings/General/Reset/Erase All Content and Settings.

This will *keep the currently installed iOS version at the same version* but will of course wipe the device clean. If you try to restore as new from the PC, I believe the newest iOS 7 will be installed on the device during the restore process.

Also note if you do this type of reset, you need to remove any & all passcodes (Passcode Lock and Restrictions Passcode) before doing so.

I've found a way to disable/remove the download if one feels brave enough to restore as a new device.

1. Backup ALL apps/music/data and make note of all your settings
2. Use "Erase All Content and Settings" on the device, as above, wiping it clean
3. Setup the device normally.
4. Important: turn off WiFi on the device after the device has activated and you have access to Settings
5. Important: When you connect the device to the PC, *disable the internet on the syncing PC*
6. Reinstall all of your Apps/music/etc. with the *internet turned OFF* and with Wi-Fi OFF on the device.

The installation of this "courtesy update" is caused mainly by the syncing PC, downloading the update, then transferring the update to the device. I've been through this reset numerous through testing the last few days and by the time I was done setting up apps/music/etc, the file was downloaded/transferred to the device!

Seems the only way to prevent this now is to keep both the PC and the device offline while syncing. This may cause issues for those who need the PC online while syncing. In my case, I have to remember to disconnect the PC from Wi-Fi until syncing is done. All my (updated and new) apps will be pre-downloaded, then transferred/synced while the PC is offline.

Note, having the iDevice connected to the internet normally is fine. The "courtesy" iOS7 download will NOT be downloaded/transferred to the device *unless the syncing PC is connected to the internet and the iDevice is connected to that PC*

Man, what a HUGE load of crap Apple has created for us...

 

[canuck]

It is annoying, but at least we're not forced to upgrade.

 

[MadScience2006]

Well, after all that, I just checked the mini a few minutes (from when I checked it this morning) and the update was *again* installed/transferred to the device. It was NOT connected to the PC but *was* connected to Wi-Fi and was on the charger. So it appears the only way to not get the forced update is to never connect the device to the internet for an extended period of time. It will otherwise download regardless of if it's connected to a PC...it's just that connecting it to a PC accelerates the process.

 

[Wizened]

Well, after all that, I just checked the mini a few minutes (from when I checked it this morning) and the update was *again* installed/transferred to the device. It was NOT connected to the PC but *was* connected to Wi-Fi and was on the charger. So it appears the only way to not get the forced update is to never connect the device to the internet for an extended period of time. It will otherwise download regardless of if it's connected to a PC...it's just that connecting it to a PC accelerates the process.

I have no idea what your settings are, but the IOS7 update sat on my ipad4, my wife's iPad mini, and both our iPhone 5's until WE chose to update on Saturday after doing backups/sync first. Do you have a setting that uses "auto-update"?
And I'm happy to report no TPA issues at all.

 

[MadScience2006]

No, no kind of auto update is enabled on the device. The device (iPad mini) has NOT been updated to iOS 7 but the update file was pushed to it where it remains. The issue I (and others) have is that the update file was pushed to our devices without our intervention nor permission. The update file (~1GB) now resides on the device, taking up that ~1GB of space with no way to remove it. As I outlined above in my other posts, I've tried numerous ways to remove the file, with some success. However, once the device is either connected to a PC with an internet connection or is simply on the charging cable with a Wi-Fi connection to the internet, ~1GB update file is once again pushed to the device, where it stays. All that needs to be done is to push that "Update" button which I refuse (at this time) to press.

 

[dagwood]

Unless your iPad is JB'd then I recommend the update to iOS 7. It works great on both my iPads 3 & 4 and there are no probs with TPA, Zaccaria Pinball or Zen

 

[Worf]

Well, other than occupying space, as long as it doesn't install automatically, it's not as big a deal. If it auto-installs then it's a big problem.

And you cannot downgrade anymore I think - Apple stopped signing 6.1.3/6.1.4 so if you try to downgrade, you'll be forced to upgrade.

 

[norbert26]

get used to it taking up space. at some point in the future you will want to upgrade to iOS 7. When it does upgrade the OS footprint will be bigger . I came up with around ABOUT 500 mb less storage on both my iPhone and iPad mini. I am not sure of exact figure as i had to delete a few apps on both for the OS foot print.

 

[Mayuh]

Being a jai breaker from day 1, I have to admit that iOS 7 isn't that bad after all. They borrowed everything from the jb community minus swipe selection, which I miss a lot. Everything else is there: sbsettings, etc. TPA runs like a charme...

Well it even runs (tales of) Monkey Island faster than 6.x did... So, why wait?

 

[MadScience2006]

I know that eventually, I'll update regardless of how I feel right now. True, it's not a device-breaking issue...

IMO, it's the principle; by pushing this update file to the device without the user's knowledge nor permission along with no way to remove it under normal means (not being jailbroken), on top of there being virtually no way to keep it off the device almost categorizes this update as a virus. I'm not saying it is but viruses behave in much the same way.

 

[canuck]

I would be on iOS 7 right now, only that all tables in TPA suffered a noticeable slowdown once I upgraded my ipad 3. Perhaps I should have completed a clean install instead of the quick update process. Regardless, I'll wait for Apple to iron out the kinks and then attempt to upgrade again.

 

[Worf]

Well, just live with it. On Android it's a bit worse - not only does it download the update package for you, but it will prompt to update your device. You can't really postpone it long - after a certain period of time or a reboot, it'll auto-apply. At least on iOS it doesn't auto-apply.

 

[Baron Rubik]

Well, just live with it. On Android it's a bit worse - not only does it download the update package for you, but it will prompt to update your device. You can't really postpone it long - after a certain period of time or a reboot, it'll auto-apply.

That's not true for Android.

It downloads the package, and puts a symbol and notification on the task bar, but it doesn't auto apply.

I've had an update sat on my N7 for 2 months now and restarted many times with no problem.
If rooted there is even a way to hide the notification if you wish.

 

[norbert26]

I would be on iOS 7 right now, only that all tables in TPA suffered a noticeable slowdown once I upgraded my ipad 3. Perhaps I should have completed a clean install instead of the quick update process. Regardless, I'll wait for Apple to iron out the kinks and then attempt to upgrade again.

for the first few days (hours) of use i noticed this. However it cleared up on its own and flight 2000 is flying again along with centaur and SS . thats a minor stutter issue when BH first loads after a minute of gameplay it clears up.