What Is an IPSW File?
Everything you need to know before your first IPSW download.
An IPSW file (iPhone Software) is the official firmware package Apple uses to install or restore the operating system on an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, Apple Watch, or Mac. Whenever you update through Settings or restore your device in Finder, Apple is quietly delivering an IPSW behind the scenes. By downloading the file directly, you gain full control over which exact version you install — something the automatic updater never offers.
Each IPSW is locked to a specific device model and a specific OS build. That is why an IPSW download for an iPhone 15 will not work on an iPhone 14, and a file built for iOS 26.5 cannot be used to install iOS 26.6. The firmware contains the kernel, system partition, baseband, and a cryptographic signature that Apple's servers verify during installation. Our database reads Apple's live signing status, so every signed IPSW shown above is genuinely installable at this moment — no guesswork, no dead links.
People reach for a direct IPSW download for several reasons: to restore a device that is stuck in a boot loop or recovery mode, to perform a clean install without waiting for an over-the-air update to roll out, to downgrade from a buggy release while it is still signed, or to install a developer or public beta early. Whatever your reason, restoring from an IPSW is the most reliable way to get a clean, fully working version of iOS onto your hardware.
Stable IPSW vs. Beta IPSW
A stable IPSW is a public release — the polished version Apple ships to everyone. It is the safest choice for a daily-driver device. A beta IPSW, on the other hand, is an early developer or public-beta build released ahead of the final version. Beta firmware lets you preview upcoming features, but it can contain bugs, drain battery faster, and break some apps. Use the toggle near the top of this page to switch between the two libraries. If a device is your only phone, stick with stable; if you have a spare device for testing, an IPSW beta download is a great way to explore what is coming next.
Where Do These IPSW Downloads Come From?
Every IPSW download link on this page points straight to Apple's own content-delivery network — the same servers Finder and iTunes use during a normal update. We do not rehost, repackage, or modify firmware in any way, which means there is no risk of tampered files or hidden malware. The version list itself is built from a live firmware database and cross-checked against Apple's current signing status, so what you see reflects reality at the moment you load the page rather than a stale cached list. This matters because signing status can change daily: a build that is installable this morning may be closed by the afternoon once Apple promotes a newer release.
When Do You Actually Need an IPSW?
For most people, the built-in software updater is enough. But there are clear moments when a manual IPSW is the better — or only — option. If your device is stuck on the Apple logo, trapped in a recovery loop, or shows a "connect to computer" screen, a clean restore from a signed IPSW is the standard fix. If a new release introduces a bug that ruins your daily use, downloading the previous version while it is still signed lets you roll back. Developers and enthusiasts use an IPSW beta download to test upcoming releases before they reach the public. And if you are selling or handing on a device, restoring with a fresh IPSW guarantees a clean, deactivated state for the next owner.
How to Download & Install an IPSW
A step-by-step guide to restoring your device with a signed IPSW file using Finder or iTunes.
Installing firmware from an IPSW download is straightforward once you know the steps. The whole process takes about 15–30 minutes depending on your connection and device. Follow each step in order, and never disconnect your device while it is restoring.
Back up your device
Restoring with an IPSW erases all content. Create a full backup to iCloud or to your computer first so you can recover your photos, messages, and apps afterward.
Download the correct IPSW
Use the library on this page to pick your exact model, then choose a firmware marked Signed. Only signed versions can be installed. Save the .ipsw file somewhere easy to find.
Connect to a computer
Plug your iPhone or iPad into a Mac or PC with a reliable cable. Open Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (Windows and older macOS) and select your device.
Open the Restore dialog with the IPSW
Hold Option on a Mac, or Shift on a PC, and click the Restore iPhone button. A file picker appears — select the IPSW you downloaded.
Confirm and wait
Confirm that you want to restore. Finder verifies the firmware with Apple, erases the device, and installs the new OS. Keep everything plugged in until the Apple logo and progress bar finish.
Set up and restore your backup
When the device reboots to the welcome screen, follow the setup assistant and restore the backup you made in step one. Your data returns and you are running the firmware you chose.
Tip: if your device is stuck and Finder cannot see it, put it into Recovery Mode or DFU Mode first, then repeat the restore. The exact button combination depends on your model — see the troubleshooting section below.
Common IPSW Errors & How to Fix Them
Restore failed? These are the errors people hit most often, and the fixes that actually work.
This almost always means the IPSW you chose is no longer signed by Apple. Return to the library above and pick a version still marked Signed. Apple stops signing older builds within days or weeks of a new release, so a green Signed badge is your guarantee. A wrong or outdated entry in your computer's hosts file can also cause this — remove any line mentioning gs.apple.com.
These are usually connection problems, not firmware problems. Swap to a known-good Apple cable, plug directly into a rear USB port (not a hub), and avoid USB-C adapters where possible. Restarting both the computer and the device clears most cases. Then re-run the restore with the same IPSW.
You downloaded an IPSW built for a different device model. Double-check the identifier (for example iPhone16,1) against your own device. The library on this page labels every file with both its marketing name and identifier so you grab the right one.
Apple only allows installing versions it is currently signing. Once the signing window closes — typically a week or two after a newer release — downgrading is no longer possible, even with the correct IPSW. Check the signing badge before you plan a downgrade; if it is unsigned, the door is already shut.
Force a clean state with DFU Mode. On an iPhone 8 or later: quick-press Volume Up, quick-press Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the screen goes fully black, and keep holding while adding Volume Down for five seconds. Release the Side button but keep Volume Down until the computer detects a device in recovery. Then restore the signed IPSW.
IPSW Download FAQ
Quick answers to the questions we get most about IPSW files.
Is downloading an IPSW file safe and legal?
Yes. IPSW files are Apple's own firmware, hosted on Apple's servers. The download links on this page point directly to Apple, so you are getting the genuine, unmodified file. Restoring with an official IPSW is a normal, supported operation — it is exactly what Finder and iTunes do automatically.
What does "signed" mean and why does it matter?
"Signed" means Apple's servers will still authorize that firmware for installation. You can only install a signed IPSW — unsigned ones are rejected during the restore. We check Apple's signing status live, so the green Signed badge tells you a file is installable right now.
Can I downgrade iOS using an IPSW?
Only while the older version is still signed. Apple usually keeps the previous release signed for one to two weeks after a new update. If the version you want shows as unsigned in our library, downgrading is no longer possible for that build.
How do I install a beta IPSW?
Switch to the Beta IPSW tab, pick your device, and download a signed beta or RC build. Then follow the same Finder/iTunes restore steps in the guide above. Because betas can be unstable, we recommend installing an IPSW beta download on a secondary device rather than your main phone.
Will an IPSW restore erase my data?
Yes — restoring from an IPSW performs a clean install and wipes the device. Always back up to iCloud or your computer before you start, then restore that backup once the new firmware is installed.
Why is there no signed IPSW for my device?
If a device shows no signed firmware, Apple has stopped signing all available builds for it — common with older models that no longer receive updates. In that case you cannot restore via IPSW, though your device will keep running its current installed version.