iOS 7 Configurator using custom OS

[GabeShack]

So it sounds like we can no longer use apple's tool to deploy 6.1.3 to iPads since they flipped the switch keeping the activation servers from acknowledging earlier systems. Very frustrating since we want to keep the ipads on the same system that all the others are on. Anyone know a work around? We have already tried the hold down option key to select a custom os in configurator, however it just fails when trying to load it.
Gabe Shackney
Princeton Public Schools

[stoneacheck]

I think you're right, as I had trouble with this yesterday too. Error 3194. When trying DFU in iTunes, I would get "Device is not eligible for this build". Tried on multiple networks, multiple computers.

[anne_benson]

According to Apple Enterprise support the final step in installing the iOS is to go out to Apple and verify the iOS and Apple is only signing 7. I got the same messages before I called them.

[mm2270]

Yeah, there was actually an article somewhat related to this on Macworld.com penned by Christopher Breen, talking about downgrading to iOS 6. Apple only had a signed version of iOS 6 up there for a short while after releasing iOS 7, but now that that's the only signed OS, its all your going to get.
I can understand the frustration on this, especially for school environments that may want to stay on the older OS, but I believe Apple does this for security purposes. Meaning, if someone could downgrade an iOS device to an earlier version they could potentially take advantage of old security flaws that were fixed in the newer OS. At least that's part of the explanation. I'm sure Apple also has an incentive to see iOS 7 adopted in huge numbers, even if its done partly by force. Kinda sucks though.

[nsdjoe]

Yeah, unfortunately Apple has stopped signing all versions of iOS 6 for iPad. So even with a complete wipe of an iOS 7 iPad in an attempt to restore an old iOS 6 encrypted backup, a restore via iTunes will force the device to check in with Apple and the latest version of iOS 7 will install on the iPad. I too tried importing an old ipsw file for 6.1.3 into iTunes and into Apple Configurator to try and force loading iOS 6.1.3, but niether iTunes or Apple Configurator would install it. Here's a website that lists what ipsw files are still being signed: http://www.icj.me/ios/all

~Joe