Menu
EN
Support
AdGuard Blog How to downgrade AdGuard Pro

How to downgrade AdGuard Pro

September 8, 2017 4 min read

This article is for AdGuard Pro for iOS users exclusively. If you are one, there’s a chance you would like to revert to version 1.2.1. How and why — find out here.

A bit of background story first. As you may have heard, about a month ago Apple had announced unexpected news about their policy regarding system-wide ad blockers, which have had major consequences for AdGuard Pro. We even wrote an article about the whole situation and why we were forced to cut some of the functionality.

One of the possible solutions we suggested was to not to update AdGuard to the new version. But what if you already did? There is a way to revert back to v1.2.1. Albeit not the easiest one, there’s nothing too hard either if you have an instruction like the one below.

  1. Download the latest version of the Charles Proxy application for your operating system here: https://www.charlesproxy.com/download/

  2. Install the application, then run it.

  3. Follow these instructions depending on your OS.

For Windows:

  • In Charles settings go to Help — SSL Proxying — Install Charles Root Certificate. Click Install Certificate, then choose Local machine store location, click Next:


  • After that, mark ‘Place all certificates in the following store’ and browse for Trusted Root Certification Authorities:


  • click OK, then Next and finally, Finish button.


For Mac:

  • In Charles top menu go to Help — SSL Proxying — Install Charles Root Certificate. In Keychain Access double-click on Charles Proxy CA and choose ‘Always Trust’ when using this certificate:


  1. Make sure that ‘Recording’ notice is present in the bottom-right corner. If it’s not, go to Proxy — Start Recording.

  2. Open iTunes and search the App Store for ‘AdGuard Pro’, then download the latest version of it.

  3. A string https://p30-buy.itunes.apple.com will appear in Charles, right click on it and press Enable SSL Proxying.

  4. In iTunes go to Library — Apps and delete AdGuard Pro.

  5. Search the App Store for ‘AdGuard Pro’, download it and then delete it one more time.

  6. In Charles expand the new string, find the buy product entry, right click on it and select Breakpoints.

  7. Open App Store, search for ‘Adguard Pro’ and download it once again.

  8. A ew window will open in Charles, open Edit Request tab at the top and then the XML Text tab at the bottom there.

  9. Replace the numbers you have in 5th string there with 821782275. Press the Execute button two times in a row:


>NB: Don’t forget to right-click on the https://p30-buy.itunes.apple.com string and disable SSL Proxying before you exit the Charles application.

  1. AdGuard Pro version 1.2.1 will be downloaded from App Store on your PC. You can connect iPhone to iTunes, click on the phone icon, then select Install for the AdGuard Pro app in Apps section and press Apply.


Provided you did everything according to the instruction, AdGuard 1.2.1 should be now successfully installed on your iPhone. Congratulations!

Do not forget to disable automatic app updates in iPhone settings, or the latest version will be installed again undoing all of your work:

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Swipe up until you find iTunes & App Store.
  • Under Automatic Downloads, turn off the toggle next to Updates.

We want to express our special gratitude to UmarFarq for the excellent idea and the instruction he shared with us.

There is another way to downgrade AdGuard Pro version, but it seems do not work on iOS 9 or iOS11.

  1. Download the latest version of the Cydia Impactor for your operating system.

  2. Download the latest version of the App Installer here: https://github.com/Sn0wCh1ld/App-Installer

  3. Connect your iPhone to PC and run the Cydia Impactor application. Be sure your phone is detected.

  4. In Settings - Device - Install Package choose App Installer .ipa file you've downloaded in paragraph 2. It will ask for your Apple ID and password before installation.

  5. In your iPhone go to Settings - General - Device management and tap on the developer app with your Apple ID name, then choose Trust it.

  6. Now you can run App Installer. Copy this URL: https://cdn.adtidy.org/public/Adguard/SpecialBuild/Pro1.2.1.ipa to the input field and press install.

AdGuard Pro v1.2.1 should be downloaded and installed!

Liked this post?
Upd: June 6, 2022 Originally posted on September 8, 2017 4 min read AdGuard for iOS The more you know
Maria Giganova Maria Giganova

Recommended articles
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard for Windows

AdGuard for Windows is more than an ad blocker. It is a multipurpose tool that blocks ads, controls access to dangerous sites, speeds up page loading, and protects children from inappropriate content.
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard for Mac

AdGuard for Mac is a unique ad blocker designed with macOS in mind. In addition to protecting you from annoying ads in browsers and apps, it shields you from tracking, phishing, and fraud.
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard for Android

AdGuard for Android is a perfect solution for Android devices. Unlike most other ad blockers, AdGuard doesn't require root access and provides a wide range of app management options.
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard for iOS

The best iOS ad blocker for iPhone and iPad. AdGuard eliminates all kinds of ads in Safari, protects your privacy, and speeds up page loading. AdGuard for iOS ad-blocking technology ensures the highest quality filtering and allows you to use multiple filters at the same time
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard VPN

74 locations worldwide

Access to any content

Strong encryption

No-logging policy

Fastest connection

24/7 support

Try for free
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard Content Blocker

AdGuard Content Blocker will eliminate all kinds of ads in mobile browsers that support content blocker technology — namely, Samsung Internet and Yandex.Browser. While being more limited than AdGuard for Android, it is free, easy to install and still provides high ad blocking quality.
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard Browser Extension

AdGuard is the fastest and most lightweight ad blocking extension that effectively blocks all types of ads on all web pages! Choose AdGuard for the browser you use and get ad-free, fast and safe browsing.
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard Assistant

A companion browser extension for AdGuard desktop apps. It offers an in-browser access to such features as custom element blocking, allowlisting a website or sending a report.
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard DNS

AdGuard DNS is a foolproof way to block Internet ads that does not require installing any applications. It is easy to use, absolutely free, easily set up on any device, and provides you with minimal necessary functions to block ads, counters, malicious websites, and adult content.
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard Home

AdGuard Home is a network-wide software for blocking ads & tracking. After you set it up, it’ll cover ALL your home devices, and you don’t need any client-side software for that. With the rise of Internet-Of-Things and connected devices, it becomes more and more important to be able to control your whole network.
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard Pro for iOS

AdGuard Pro has much to offer on top of the excellent iOS ad blocking in Safari already known to the users of the regular version. By providing access to custom DNS settings, the app allows you to block ads, protect your kids from adult content online, and safeguard your personal data from theft.
By downloading the program you accept the terms of the License agreement
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard for Safari

Ad blocking extensions for Safari are having hard time since Apple started to force everyone to use the new SDK. AdGuard extension is supposed to bring back the high quality ad blocking back to Safari.
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard Temp Mail

A free temporary email address generator that keeps you anonymous and protects your privacy. No spam in your main inbox!
Read more
9,934 9934 user reviews
Excellent!

AdGuard for Android TV

AdGuard for Android TV is the only app that blocks ads, guards your privacy, and acts as a firewall for your Smart TV. Get warnings about web threats, use secure DNS, and benefit from encrypted traffic. Relax and dive into your favorite shows with top-notch security and zero ads!
Read more
Downloading AdGuard To install AdGuard, click the file indicated by the arrow Select "Open" and click "OK", then wait for the file to be downloaded. In the opened window, drag the AdGuard icon to the "Applications" folder. Thank you for choosing AdGuard! Select "Open" and click "OK", then wait for the file to be downloaded. In the opened window, click "Install". Thank you for choosing AdGuard!
Install AdGuard on your mobile device