How to Extract IPSW From iTunes
When a firmware update for an iOS device -- such as the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad -- is made available by Apple, it is downloaded and applied to the device through the iTunes multimedia management software. Before an update takes place, iTunes downloads the firmware in the form of an IPSW file and saves it to your computer. You can then extract the file by opening the correct folder and copying it.
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Instructions
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1
Launch iTunes by clicking its icon on the desktop.
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2
Connect your iPhone, iPod or other iOS-powered device to the computer using its USB cable. ITunes will automatically add it to the "Devices" list in the left-hand column.
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3
Select your iOS device from the "Devices" list and open the "Summary" tab. Click the "Update" button followed by the "Download Only" button in the dialog box that pops up. This will download the latest IPSW file from Apple to your computer, but won't install it on your iOS device.
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Open the "Home Folder" on your Mac and navigate to the "Library\Application Support\iTunes" folder. On a Windows PC, open the "My Documents" folder and navigate to the "AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes" folder.
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Click the folder that corresponds to your iOS device to open it. For example, if you downloaded the IPSW file for an iPhone, open the "iPhone Software Update" folder.
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Right-click the file that has an ".ipsw" file extension and select "Copy." Open the folder on your computer that you want to extract the IPSW file to, right-click anywhere inside the window and select "Paste."
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Tips & Warnings
Each IPSW file will have a different file name consisting of an alphanumeric string, but they can all be identified by the ".ipsw" file extension.
If you have previously used the "Download Only" function in iTunes, the IPSW file will already be in the iTunes folder.
The IPSW file can be quite large, and may take several minutes to download and extract from iTunes.
References
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