Where Are iPhone Software Update (IPSW) Files Stored?
Computer-downloaded iPhone firmware sits in iPhone Software Updates under the iTunes library folder.
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When a computer updates an iPhone, it downloads a full firmware file ending in .ipsw first. On Mac that file lands in ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates, even on modern macOS where Finder (not iTunes) does the updating. Windows iTunes uses %APPDATA%\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates.
These multi-gigabyte files linger after successful updates, which is why the folders matter for disk cleanup. iPads and iPods get sibling folders with matching names. Over-the-air updates never touch these paths; they live and die inside the phone's sealed storage.
Where iOS stores this, by platform
~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
Holds .ipsw firmware bundles per device. Go to Folder in Finder with the path; Library is hidden. Safe to delete after a successful update.
%APPDATA%\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates
Same .ipsw role for iTunes on Windows. iPad and iPod variants sit in sibling folders. Delete stale firmware to reclaim gigabytes.
Frequently asked questions
I updated over the air. Where is the IPSW?
Nowhere on the computer. On-device updates download to sealed system storage and vanish after install. The folders on this page only fill when Finder or iTunes on a computer performs the update.
Can I use a downloaded IPSW for a manual update?
Yes. Drop a signed IPSW for your exact model into the folder, then Option-click (Mac) or Shift-click (Windows) the update/check button and pick the file. Unsigned firmware is rejected, so old versions rarely work.
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