Files with ipsw extension can be found as firmware update files for iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. IPSW archive contains DSG Apple disk images with iOS system installation, updates and fixes that are installed to iOS device via iTunes.

Detailed description

Software that open ipsw file

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IPSW file extension - iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch iOS software firmware update

What is ipsw file? How to open ipsw files?

File type specification:

Mobile phones related file type icon Mobile phones related file type

ipsw file icon: ipsw filetype icon

File extension ipsw is best know for the firmware update files for Apple portable devices (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) based on the iOS operating system and Apple iTunes.

IPSW archive contains encrypted DMG Apple disk images with iOS system installation, updates and fixes.

IPSW packages are automatically downloaded from Apple update servers by iTunes that can also installs data from .ipsw file to iOS device. iTunes stores only the last downloaded .ipsw file, because iOS device can be officially only updated, or restored to factory settings. Users cannot downgrade iOS to older versions, however all versions of IPSW images are unofficially available to download on iOS fan Internet servers.

IPSW file location in Microsoft Windows:

Users\<UserName>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\<iOS device> Software Updates

IPSW file location in macOS:

Users/<UserName>/Library/iTunes/<iOS device> Software Updates/

The ipsw file is also need if users want to jailbreak their iOS device. Special iOS hacking tools, such as PwnageTools and redsn0w customize the IPSW file with jailbreak that allows users access to tweaks, 3rd party application installers (Cydia), the root directory and the file system. This customized IPSW can be also installed via iTunes.

If you want to select ipsw file manually in iTunes use:

iTunes for Windows:

Hold Shift key and click the Restore button on Device Summary window.

iTunes for Mac:

Hold Alt key and click the Restore button on Device Summary window.

DMG images and settings files can be extracted from .ipsw file by compression utilities that support ZIP compression file format. Only rename ipsw file extension to ZIP.

Updated: November 13, 2023

The default software associated to open ipsw file:

Apple iTunes for Windows icon

Apple, Inc. logoApple iTunes for Windows  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Apple, Inc.

A digital media application for playing and organizing digital music and video files. Also is used to manage Apple portable devices such as iPod, iPhone and iPad. iTunes has integrated iTunes Store service, where can users buy and download digital music, videos, applications for iOS devices, audiobooks, podcasts, ringtones etc. iTunes is distributed as a free software.

Apple iTunes for Mac icon

Apple, Inc. logoApple iTunes for Mac  Apple macOS / Mac OS X software

Company or developer:
Apple, Inc.

Apple iTunes is multimedia application distributed with Apple macOS operating system. It organizes and plays digital music and videos. iTunes is also used to manage Apple's portable devices, such as iPod, iPhone and iPad.

Apple iOS icon

Apple, Inc. logoApple iOS  Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch devices) software

Company or developer:
Apple, Inc.

Apple iOS is the latest version of iOS operating system for Apple mobile platform devices such as Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. iOS is based on XNU hybrid kernel from Mac OS X (macOS).

iOS contains multi-touch interface (also known as SpringBoard GUI), and various default apps, such as Phone, Mail, Safari, Music, Videos, Messages, Photos, Camera, FaceTime, Maps, Weather, Notes, etc. Other apps are available in App Store.

Related articles:

iOS 7 review

Where to find IPSW files for iPhone

Help how to open:

To install the ipsw firmware update file to iOS device, use Apple iTunes or reds0w utility.

To open ipsw archive, rename IPSW file extension to ZIP. Use compression utility that supports ZIP archive format and use it to extract data from renamed ipsw archive.

How to convert:

There is no way how to convert *.ipsw files to other formats.

Find conversions from ipsw file:

ipsw to dmg

ipsw to mp3

Find converter to ipsw file type:

dmg to ipsw

List of software applications associated to the .ipsw file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open ipsw file, edit ipsw file, convert ipsw file, view ipsw file, play ipsw file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting ipsw files.

ipsw file editor and apps that can edit ipsw file - iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch iOS software firmware update

Programs supporting the exension ipsw on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for edit ipsw file action.

Apple macOS / Mac OS X:

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