apple configurator 2 ipsw files

Question

Level 1

34 points

apple configurator 2 ipsw files

Guys, I've done all the reading, tried things several times but I'm still faced with the situation that attached devices insist on connecting to the Internet to download iOS updates. I do some work for a shool that has a few hundred iPads and it's starting to cause issues with bandwidth and excessive downloads so I really need to sort this out.

I've gone to a reputable site like ipsw.me etc, and placed the .ipsw file here:

~/Library/Group Containers/K36BKF7T3D.group.com.apple.configurator/Library/Caches/Firmware/

But when I go through the usual process of updating the iOS, all the devices continue to download from the Internet. I even tried dragging the .ipsw file on to the devices in AC2 and the devices once again demanded an Internet connection.

Can someone talk me through how the heck I can store either .ipsw update files or full .ipsw files offline and use these to update all the attached devices? Ideally, I'd really like to work off the update files because that takes less time to deploy but if it has to be a complete .ipsw, then so be it.

iPad 2 Wi-Fi, iOS 10.3.2

Posted on Aug 24, 2017 11:24 AM

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Answer 1

sberman

Level 10

268,263 points

Aug 24, 2017 2:24 PM in response to marky000

You have not mentioned whether you are considering that you need current files when considering iOS updates. For example, the current version of iOS right now is iOS 10.3.3. So files associated with iOS 10.3.2 or earlier are no longer signed by Apple.

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Answer 2

marky000 Author

Level 1

34 points

Aug 24, 2017 7:39 PM in response to sberman

Well,

At this point in time they are new iPads fresh out of the box, so whether the method overwrites files or not at this point isn't a concern.

Ultimately down the line, the method needs to preserve the apps and profiles that are controlled by an MDM solution.

It's just been so frustrating. I'm a lot more skilled with Windows but I consider this task within my reach regarding Apple products.

At the end of the day, I want to know where the .ipsw files need to be placed to make this work. The folder I mentioned above is for a full image it seems that will most likely overwrite all data. What about the .ipsw update files. Where are they stored and can I use them. I'm thinking those files are managed via iTunes and are most likely stored in an iTunes directory.

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Answer 3

Aug 25, 2017 9:16 AM in response to marky000

When iTunes downloads an update, it is purely temporary, and deleted as soon as the connected device has been updated.

If you want things to work automatically, I don't believe you can get there by hacking the filesystem. Have you looked at the Caching Server? It's designed to buffer downloaded updates, so every user does not need a new download from the internet. It's basically as the corresponding version for Windows updates.

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Answer 4

Aug 24, 2017 2:26 PM in response to marky000

Hi. You can run the Caching Server on a Mac on your LAN. See link: macOS Server - Official Apple Support.

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