Where are iPhone firmware files stored on my computer?

Apple doesn't go out of it's way to tell you where iTunes stores the firmware files it downloads before it updates your iPhone. Should you ever need to access these files, it helps to know where to find them.

Firmware files have an .ipsw extension and can be found at the following locations:

On Windows XP :
Documents and Settings\<User>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

On Windows Vista/Windows 7:
Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

On Mac:
~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates

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tags:

iPhone Firmware

Comments

Anonymous replied on September 23, 2010 - 9:22pmPermalink

I tried to shown all hidden folders under my username under C:// and it told me access denied for APPDATA after I allowed the permissions.

Anonymous replied on January 26, 2011 - 1:41amPermalink

when i got to Apple Computer\iTunes it does not come up with iphone software updates any ideas on how to find it elsewhere

Rana zohaib replied on January 7, 2014 - 10:27amPermalink

you make my day brother /... thnx

Anonymous replied on February 7, 2010 - 3:35amPermalink

For Win 7: (Note You have to be able to see All Hidden Files and Folders, thats the ONLY way to see the folder AppData)

C:\Users\(Main User Name)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

For Example: If It's Joe's PC

C:\Users\Joe\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

tml replied on March 11, 2010 - 3:16amPermalink

I can't find iPhone Software Updates folder.

Jay replied on May 2, 2010 - 4:42pmPermalink

Hi mate,
in windows 7 you can find it in
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

Hope it helped you

Dave replied on May 8, 2010 - 10:35amPermalink

I cannot open all the files in the "user" files. Im unable to locate the Apple updates, Any help please....Im using Windows 7

Anonymous replied on May 23, 2010 - 12:29amPermalink

If you are using Windows 7 you can type in the path in the top left search bar. Although if you haven't downloaded any new firmware the iPhone Software Updates folder will not exist. You can create it once you are in the iTunes folder. Unless there is something else I should know I still cannot locate the IPSW firmware file for my current installed firmware, any additional help is greatly appreciated.

Anonymous replied on November 20, 2011 - 5:13pmPermalink

where would the ipsw file be located ?

Anonymous replied on May 23, 2010 - 12:36amPermalink

Actually I've done some more searching and I found an iPhone Software Update folder similar to the path Joe here listed.
Try this path: C:\Users\(Name of Primary User)\AppData\Local\Apple\Apple Software Update
That should bring you to a location. Hope this helps.

Anonymous replied on October 21, 2010 - 10:00pmPermalink

Safari does not give access to open web nor files.
Also, where can I find my saved files on my IPhone 3GS?

Thanks in advance

Anonymous replied on May 3, 2010 - 5:41pmPermalink

THANK YOU!

I've been looking for a long time. Thanks soooo much! And thanks for keeping the community alive by contributing.

Anonymous replied on July 9, 2010 - 5:15pmPermalink

MAN!! Thank YOU! i was trying to find this stupid appdata folder in my windows 7, and you come along with the answer i needed. dam windows 7 hiding stuff from us, thank you!!! 2 thumbs up man :)

Anonymous replied on January 9, 2011 - 3:34amPermalink

hi i need your help. i got a iphone4 which is on iso 4.2.1 and i want to downgrade. i know how to downgrade but the problem i am having is, i cant find the ipsw firmware file. all the downloads i am getting are in zipped folders. i have tried to extract the folder, rename it an also download the file from many different sites and torrents but still wont work. would be glad if you could helpme thanks

Anonymous replied on October 22, 2010 - 5:43amPermalink

On a Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/

On Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

On Windows Vista and Windows 7: \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

Anonymous replied on February 6, 2012 - 3:11amPermalink

i think it has been updated, can’t find it using this : ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/

tml replied on March 11, 2010 - 3:17amPermalink

I don't see iPhone Software Updates folder!

Anonymous replied on April 17, 2010 - 3:04amPermalink

I dont have the iphone or ipod Software Updates

Anonymous replied on November 11, 2010 - 5:12pmPermalink

you probably accidentally deletted it , thats what i did when i tried to delete something

Eisa replied on December 10, 2010 - 4:56amPermalink

Location on Windows 7 >>>> C:\Users\owner\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\Device Support i found it over there hope its help

Anonymous replied on June 28, 2010 - 12:09pmPermalink

Thank you very much
helped alot

Anonymous replied on June 29, 2010 - 9:05amPermalink

works great thanks

con_man replied on July 7, 2010 - 3:33amPermalink

Where can i find my ipodtouch 2g firmware files on windows vista pls help :|

Anonymous replied on July 5, 2010 - 4:02pmPermalink

anyone else can't find the "iPhone Software Updates" folder? i can only see the "iTunes Plug-ins" folder under Library/iTunes. spotlight isn't detecting such a folder or the .ipsw file i just downloaded either.
any help appreciated.

Anonymous replied on July 21, 2010 - 11:51amPermalink

I had the same problem.

before searching, go my computer, tools, folder options, view, the click SHOW hidden files and folders. Then try again. this worked for me!

Location on Windows 7 & Vista: C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPod Software Updates

Location on Windows XP: Documents and Settings\User\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

Ashley replied on July 27, 2010 - 3:17pmPermalink

I'm sorry, but even after all of your responses I STILL cannot find this file on my computer! I have Windows XP and I have already updated my iPhone 3G to the iOS 4. I understand that you are supposed to type in C:\Users\(Name of Primary User)\AppData\Local\Apple\Apple Software Update to find the file, but WHERE do I type this in on my computer?! PLEASE help me!

Marc replied on July 27, 2010 - 7:42pmPermalink

Thanks for the info, however, once I locate and open the iPhone Software Updates, there is nothing in the folder. It's empty. Any suggestions as to where the updates are?

Thanks- Marc

Anonymous replied on August 8, 2010 - 9:14amPermalink

I have the same problem I go in the folder and there is nothing in there. It takes half hour to download and then on the last bit it says there was a network connection error but it has done it three times :(

Thanks all for the information but im still stuck :(

Trajer replied on August 13, 2010 - 5:06pmPermalink

I found the file just fine, but when I select it for redsn0w 0.9.5b5 it says "Unable to recognize specified IPSW"

Anonymous replied on August 21, 2010 - 4:04amPermalink

why isnt it recognizing the file, its the right file!

Where are iPhone firmware files stored on my computer?

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