Any way to update now from iOS 7.0.4 to 7.1.2? I am trying to restore my iPhone 5s to iOS 7.1.2 but I only get error 3194. My hosts file is cleaned and I think it’s just Apple that doesn’t let me update to something other than iOS 8. Is there any other way to restore my phone to iOS 7? While trying to restore content and settings it got stuck in an endless spinner.
Apple is no longer signing iOS 7, while you can manually update to v7.1.2, it won't activate.

http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/09/26/apple-stops-ios-712-code-signing-restricts-downgrading-from-ios-8