It appears that Apple has stopped signing every firmware version for a lot of older devices that used A5 chips. All devices whose latest firmware update was either iOS 9.3.5 or iOS 5.1.1 has lost its ability to update or restore. That means if an issue occurs, such as a brick, iTunes will be unable to restore the iDevice. Oddly enough, devices who's latest firmware was iOS 6.1.6 are not affected by this. This comes recently after the controversy over Apple slowing down the performance of its older devices. Hopefully this will be fixed soon.

EDIT: It appears 9.3.5 for all versions of the first iPad mini and the iPod Touch 5 is being signed again.

EDIT 2: It appears apple has noticed and is resigning more devices. The iPad 2, iPad 3, and iPhone 4 iOS 9.3.5 was resigned and iPod Touch 3 and iPad 1 iOS 5.1.1 was also resigned.

Source: r/Jailbreak thread

 

[mbcrazed]

Uhm.. are they trying to make themselves look worse than they already do right now? This is possibly the worst time for this to happen! Well, maybe people will finally be like, "Hm, maybe it's time I don't pay for an overpriced status symbol." Don't get me wrong, I used to like my iPhone 6, regardless of its flaws, but lately it tends to freeze up when opening apps and trying to do a few other simple tasks. It's time Apple, you must reap what you sow. I'm glad to be switching back to Android by the end of this month.

 

[Deleted User]

does this affect my 2g? its on 3.1.3

 

[Dionicio3]

does this affect my 2g? its on 3.1.3

iPhone 2G is fine

 

[the_randomizer]

Cue the Curb your Enthusiasm theme, I can hear it now at Apple HQ.

 

[Randy95354]

Apple is restricted overpriced shit compared to windows and android i would never buy apple maybe used if it was cheap enough

 

[sj33]

You gotta hope this is a mistake or temporary. To make a specific group of legacy devices unfixable is bizarre.

 

[OctolingRift]

Doesn't matter what they say or do, sheep will always buy their products.

 

[markehmus]

still running my 4S from 2012 ....so all i gotta say is FUKU apple for screwin me becuz i managed to take care of my old phone , wont buy an apple anything ever again

 

[cracker]

If it is something they've purposely done then they won't only be hit with lawsuits but will lose many customers. I don't understand why there is even a need to use iTunes to reset an iDevice except if it is for this alterior reason. Android devices can be locked up tight yet allow people to freely reset them when they have problems so there is no excuse.

 

[sj33]

Doesn't matter what they say or do, sheep will always buy their products.

I forgot Samsung and Sony we’re start-up, mom-and-pop companies.

 

[CMDreamer]

One more reason added to my list for not buying or even accepting as a gift any Apple iJunk.

Besides being ridiculously overpriced products, now add abandoned one's. Programmed obsolescence comes to my mind.

 

[CeeDee]

not buying

I can respect that

or even accepting as a gift any Apple iJunk

But why not? It's not like Apple is the worst thing in the world. If it's a gift, there's no reason not to.
(And you could just resell it too - Apple stuff tends to be worth a lot as it is expensive as all hell)

 

[keven3477]

This doesn't affect my ipod touch right? I'm assuming this affects iphones but I'm asking just in case.

 

[sj33]

I can respect that

But why not? It's not like Apple is the worst thing in the world. If it's a gift, there's no reason not to.
(And you could just resell it too - Apple stuff tends to be worth a lot as it is expensive as all hell)

It’s bizarre. I don’t like Apple myself but they’re just one of many massive companies who sell products based on image. Samsung, LG, Sharp, Sony etc. aren’t massive? Do these people also avoid Coca-Cola, Starbucks, McDonalds etc.?

 

[comput3rus3r]

It’s bizarre. I don’t like Apple myself but they’re just one of many massive companies who sell products based on image. Samsung, LG, Sharp, Sony etc. aren’t massive? Do these people also avoid Coca-Cola, Starbucks, McDonalds etc.?

errm, if you don't avoid coke, Starbucks and McDonalds I see a patient gown in your future.

 

[bahamut920]

It’s bizarre. I don’t like Apple myself but they’re just one of many massive companies who sell products based on image. Samsung, LG, Sharp, Sony etc. aren’t massive? Do these people also avoid Coca-Cola, Starbucks, McDonalds etc.?

I'm not entirely certain what you mean by "sell products based on image". Literally every company lives or dies based on their image, from the largest megacorps right down to the mom 'n pop pizza place in the local strip mall. Marketing and PR have always been more important than what you're actually selling, and a superior product will lose out to a better-marketed inferior product.

 

[incidentallyscribble]

Ugh.......
I hadn't updated my iPhone 4S (backup phone) to ios 9.3.5, it's stop at ios 8......
No joke, I was going to do it TOMORROW.
I'm literally stuck on this iOS and cant get any apps made for iOS 9+.
Wow Apple....

 

[Argonitious]

Apple is doing what they do best... making life difficult.

I have some crazy stories about how unreliable Apple computers I've owned were. I've never had an iPhone, but I would say they aren't too reliable either. I've been to the Apple store during weekdays and on weekends. There are people lined up out the door to get repairs (I was one of them). That says something, doesn't it?

TLDR: Apple is a horrible company. Their hardware looks high-end on the outside, but it's worthless and unreliable junk on the inside.

 

[genxor]

Can't really blame em. They treat consumers like shit but they lap up every new release so eh, why not keep treating em like shit? It nets them billions

 

[driverdis]

Apple will probably make some excuse like that they are fixing vulnerabilities if anyone tries to sue them.