when itunes downloads ipsw where does it go

FOR WINDOWS :

C:\Users\"your name"\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

Can anyone tell me how to copy a downloaded ipsw to itunes

I do not have an Apple Computer folder in the Roaming file. Where else might the updates be downloaded to? I am having issues updating my phone and now my computer just lost 20G of storage because it is stuck in a loop! Please help!

Hey doyawannaluv,

Thanks for the question. The following article provides the location of the .ipsw file:

iTunes: Specific update-and-restore error messages and advanced troubleshooting

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3694

Rename, move, or delete the iOS software file (.ipsw)

iTunes uses IPSW files to restore your device. If those files are unusable, try deleting them, renaming them, or moving the file to a different directory. This will cause iTunes to download a new copy of the IPSW. When a restore issue is specific to a user, it's likely due to an unusable .ipsw file. If removing the .ipsw file doesn't resolve a user-specific restore issue, then the issue is caused by other user-specific security software settings or iTunes preferences. Creating a new user will also cause new .ipsw restore files to be downloaded in the new user. You can find the .ipsw files in these locations.

Mac OS X

iPhone	~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
iPad	~/Library/iTunes/iPad Software Updates
iPod touch	~/Library/iTunes/iPod Software Updates
Note: The tilde "~" represents your Home directory.

Windows XP

iPhone	C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates
iPad	C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPad Software Updates
iPod touch	C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPod Software Updates
Note: To quickly access the Application Data folder, choose Start > Run. Type %appdata% and click OK.

Windows Vista, 7, and 8

iPhone	C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates
iPad	C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPad Software Updates
iPod touch	C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPod Software Updates
Note: To quickly access the AppData folder, click Start, type %appdata% in the search bar, and press the Return key. Windows 8: Move the cursor to the upper right, click the magnifying glass, type %appdata%, and press the Return key.

Thanks,

Matt M.

When a new iOS update is released does iTunes overwrite the old version?

Since most of the IPSW files are around a gigabyte in size I don't want to keep old versions on my hard drive taking up space.

I do believe they remove the old ispw. I had updated to 7.0.6 and then I had to restore my dads phone for him and it updated his to 7.1. I was just looking at what was on my computer and could only find 7.1.

can i use this downloaded ipsw again to restore my device

i phone 4 , ios 7.1.2
thanks

no. When you restore your device it will contact Apple to verify the iOS file. Apple only supports installation of the most recent version of the iOS that the device supports. So the verification will fail.

I'm having this issue still with ios 9.1 , i downloaded it 3 times now, my internet is slower and takes awhile to download, so i dowload it without updating it right away, but i plug my phone in the next time and click update, and it downloads it again and again each time. what could be the problem here i go to the location to where it is supposed to be downloaded on windows 8 and its not there.

Hi, iTunes 12.3, when I downloaded, i cannot find under ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates. maybe I delete folder /iPhone Software Updates.. so where the ipsw software?

Thank you So much ... and now I am able to restore my iPhone 5S whenever I need 🙂

I AM ON VACATION IN INDIA, PUNJAB STATE

That is nice. I hope you have a good time.

Thanks

Nanana