Any moment your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone is updated, you get a brand new IPSW file that, thanks to iTunes, in the iOS updates folder. Knowing the IPSW file location is useful when you troubleshoot or access an IPSW file for jailbreak or downgrade purposes. In this article, you will know what is the IPSW file location (the iTunes update/restore download path) for Windows and Mac. Read on to know.

IPSW File Location

The IPSW file location is as follows:

IPSW file location for Windows 10/8/7 Computers

The exact IPSW file location depends on the username, Windows version, and the iDevice user’s iOS hardware. For instance, here is the location pertaining to user “username” via an iPhone:

  • Windows 8 & Windows 10: Users/yourusername/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/iTunes
  • Windows 7 & Windows Vista: Users/yourusername/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
  • Windows XP: Documents and Settings/yourusername/Application Data/Apple Computer/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates

IPSW location Windows

iTunes IPSW File Location on Windows 7/8/10

With Windows 8 and Windows 10, search for appropriate Software Update folder within the directory. Windows 7 users searching for iPod Touch IPSW file would find it at:

C:/Users/yourusername/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/iTunes/iPod Software Updates

If you have more than one iOS device, you can search around in the iTunes directory.

IPSW file location for Mac OS X

ipsw location mac

iTunes IPSW File Location on Mac OS

Mac OS X users should know that the location of their IPSW files can slightly vary based on the iOS device that’s the subject, but they should be residing in the home directory.

~/Library/iTunes/

Once inside the folder, search for the device you have to guide you to the IPSW download. For instance, the iOS updates would be stored by an iPhone here:

~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates

Mac OS X older versions may store the data on this location in some variation of iPhone or iPod firmware:

~/Library/Application Support/iTunes/

Where to download IPSW files?

Fresh IPSW files can be downloaded directly from Apple. You just need to follow below mentioned links according to the hardware and then choose the iOS IPSW files you’re searching for:

Go to our downloads page to Download IPSW for all iOS versions and all devices.

You’ll discover links to each iOS firmware as IPSW files. What you see are all official iOS firmware versions that are hosted by Apple on official Apple servers.

Last Updated:
SHARE
Previous articleHow to Check If Android Phone is Unlocked or Locked
Next articleHow to Change APN on iPhone Easily in 3 Ways
Stephan Popov
When iDevice users experience problems with the iOS software or unlocking, it is not uncommon for their lives to unravel. My passion is providing answers to your problems. I help iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users by recommending fixes for common iOS bugs and tools that improves your experience. I conduct in-depth research for every topic i cover on this blog, to ensure that I cover everything Apple users need to troubleshoot their issues. When not writing for UnlockBoot, i enjoy swimming in my backyard pool. P.S. i prefers the Maldives for holidays. Connect with me on Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter.