What is re-restoration?
Re-restoration is the process of restoring to the same firmware version you are currently on. For example, if you are on iOS 5.0.1 and you want to resrtore to iOS 5.0.1 itself, it is called re-restoration.
Why would I need this function?
Apple stops signing older firmware once it releases new firmware version. This stops you from restoring to a firmware version which is no longer being signed. So if you wanted to restore your device to iOS 5.0.1 or 5.1 or 5.1.1 after iOS 6.0 has been released, you will not be able to do so. This is Apple's way to keep you to the latest iOS versions only. So if you want to restore to an iOS version no longer being signed, you will need to follow this procedure.
What this process will do?
Following this process, you can restore to an iOS version which is no longer being signed by Apple. For example iOS 5.0.1, 5.1 etc. It can uppgrade to a later version, it can downgrade to a previous version or it can re-restore to the same version you are currently on. For example, iOS 5.0.1 to 5.0, 5.1 or 5.0.1 itself.
But isn't there already a method of restoring to an iOS version which is no longer being signed by creating a custom IPSW and restoring using it?
Oh yes, there is a method in which you can stitch shsh blobs to an IPSW and create a custom IPSW, and then restore in iTunes but there are so many steps involved while this method is supposed to be easy, less confusing and hassle-free. You can of course use the previous method using iFaith or redsn0w. Also, the ifaith methods will work on non-A5 devices only, which means it can not be used with iPhone 4S, iPad 2 or iPad 3. So if you want to restore your iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad 3 or iPod touch 5th generation, you have no other way then this method.
Okay I think everything is clear? Lets begin then.
How to restore to an iOS version no longer being signed by Apple using redsn0w 0.9.15b1.
Step 1
Download redsn0w.
You must have the IPSW you want to restore to. For example, if you are on iOS 5.0.1 and want to restore to iOS 5.1, you will need iOS 5.1 IPSW. If you don't have IPSW file, click here to download it now.
Step 2
Run redsn0w. The home screen looks like this.
Click Extras, then click Even More.
Now click Restore.
Step 3
Now click IPSW button and select the stock IPSW file you want to restore to. I will select iOS 5.0.1 IPSW as I want to re-restore from iOS 5.0.1 to 5.0.1.
Once you select the IPSW, redsn0w will ask you if you wanted to preserve baseband. Click yes.
Now, if your device is in normal mode (powered on), it will ask you to enter Pwned DFU mode. Click OK and redsn0w will guide you on how to enter Pwned DFU mode. Once your device is successfully in Pwned DFU mode, it will return to the previous screen.
Step 4
Now, you have to provide shsh blob for the iOS version you are restoring to, redsn0w provides two methods for the same - Local and Remote.
If you have saved shsh locally on your computer, click Local button and browse to the shsh file for the iOS version you want to restore to and select it. I will select shsh file of iOS 5.0.1.
If you don't have saved shsh locally, you can click Remote button and redsn0w will query Apple or Cydia servers if the particular shsh is available on their servers. If they do, it will fetch it and if not, it will be unable to proceed further. If it can't fetch shsh and you don't have them locally, you are out of luck and should stick to the current iOS version or upgrade to the latest.
As soon as you provide proper shsh by either mean - locally or remotely, redsn0w will start the restore process.
You can see the restore process on your device. Once the restore process is finished, redsn0w will show confirmation. Click OK.
Okay, so now your device is restored to the iOS version which was no longer being signed by Apple. If you couldn't get this method working because of any reason, you can still use the previous method of stitching shsh to IPSW and restoring using it in iTunes.
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