What is IPSW file?

A file with IPSW extension is an Apple Device Software Update file that is used on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Apple TV devices. This is an archive file format that stores encrypted DMG files and other files like PLISTs, BBFWs and IM4P.

IPSW files are released by Apple and used for the purpose of adding new features and fixing security holes in compatible devices. The IPSW file can also be used to install an Apple device to its default settings.

Although Apple always releases new IPSW files on iTunes, users can download existing and old firmware versions on websites such as IPSW Downloads.

How to open IPSW file

When connecting a computer-compatible device to update, the IPSW file will be downloaded automatically via iTunes after accepting the device update notification. If you have downloaded the IPSW file via iTunes earlier or downloaded from the web site, simply double-click the IPSW file to open it in iTunes.

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IPSW files downloaded via iTunes are stored in the following folders:

Windows 10/8/7

Location

Iphone

C: Users [username] AppDataRoamingApple ComputeriTunesiPhone Software Updates

iPad

C: Users [username] AppDataRoamingApple ComputeriTunesiPad Software Updates

iPod touch

C: Users [username] AppDataRoamingApple ComputeriTunesiPod Software Updates

Windows XP

Iphone

C: Documents and Settings [User DataApple username] ComputeriTunesiPhone Software Updates

iPad

C: Documents and Settings [username] Application DataApple ComputeriTunesiPad Software Updates

iPod touch

C: Documents and Settings [User DataApple username] ComputeriTunesiPod Software Updates

macOS

Iphone

~ / Library / iTunes / iPhone Software Updates

iPad

~ / Library / iTunes / iPad Software Updates

iPod touch

~ / Library / iTunes / iPod Software Updates

Note: Replace '[username]' in the Windows path with your user account name.

If the update does not work properly or iTunes does not recognize the IPSW file it has downloaded, you can delete the file to force iTunes to download the new IPSW file when updating the device.

Because these files are stored in ZIP format, you can open the IPSW file using the zip compression and decompression tool like 7-Zip. When decompressing, you will see different DMG files that make up the IPSW file but cannot use this file to update the software for Apple devices because iTunes needs to use the .IPSW file.

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How to convert IPSW file

There is no reason to convert an IPSW file to another format. The IPSW file used to exchange information between software updates via iTunes and Apple devices, converting it to another format will invalidate the IPSW file. If you want to open the Apple Device Software Update file as an archive file, you can use the decompression tools mentioned above and do not need to convert IPSW to ZIP, ISO and other formats.

Still can't open the IPSW file ?

Some file formats that use the same file extension can be confusing when having trouble opening a file. Although the two files have the same ending, they do not mean they have the same format.

For example, Internal Patching System Patch files have an IPS end, which looks a lot like IPSW. Although they have 3 similar characters, these are different file formats. IPS files are opened with Internal Patching System software like IPS Peek.

PSW files are often mistaken for IPSW files, but they are actually Windows Password Reset Disk, Password Depot 3-5 or Pocket Word Document files. There is no format associated with an Apple device or iTunes program, so if you can't open the IPSW file, check the file extension.

Another is often mistaken for the IPSW file, IPSPOT, which is used for iPhoto Spot files on Macs. They are not used with iTunes but for Photos app on macOS.

See also: How to open and read the .DAT file?