iOS 9.3.5 is the last official version for the iPad 2 (A5 chip), but on 512 MB RAM it’s painfully slow — laggy keyboard, app reloads, stuttery animations. iOS 8.4.1 is noticeably smoother on the same hardware, and many users prefer its performance and interface.
Because Apple stopped "signing" iOS 8.4.1 years ago, a standard restore through iTunes is impossible. However, a specific trick involving OTA (Over-The-Air) update spoofing made this downgrade famous in the hobbyist community: Apple Support Community The Jailbreak
This guide applies strictly to the (Models: iPad 2,1 / iPad 2,2 / iPad 2,3 / iPad 2,4). Do not attempt this on an iPad 3 or newer using these exact files. 2. Backup Your Data Downgrading wipes your device completely. downgrade ipad 2 ios 9.3.5 to 8.4.1
This is generally considered the most user-friendly method for Windows users:
This is aimed at users who find iOS 9 painfully slow on the aging iPad 2 (released in 2011). Backup Your Data Downgrading wipes your device completely
Download and install from its official GitHub repository onto your Mac or Linux machine. Open a Terminal window and launch the script. Select Restore Device from the main menu. Choose iOS 8.4.1 from the list of available firmwares.
On your iPad, navigate to (or Profile Management), select your Apple ID, and tap Trust . On your iPad
git clone https://github.com/LukeZGD/iOS-OTA-Downgrader.git cd iOS-OTA-Downgrader ./restore.sh # Select iPad2,x model, then option 8.4.1
The downgrade process requires a factory restore. Back up your essential photos and data manually. Note that iOS 9 backups cannot be restored onto iOS 8.