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If you’ve got an iPhone and need to find the IPSW file on Macs running OS X 10.7 Lion or above including the latest macOS Ventura, then just follow these steps.

It’s useful to know where the IPSW folder is located on your Mac because each time an iOS update is available, you can download and install the new iOS version via iTunes.

The firmware files are be saved by iTunes in the IPSW folder. It’s also useful in case you need to re-use, restore or create custom firmware rather than have to download it again.

Note that you do not need to plug in your phone to follow this.

This method works for all versions of OS X and macOS including Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.9 Mavericks, 10.10 Yosemite, 10.11 El Capitan, macOS 10.12 Sierra, macOS 10.13 High Sierra, macOS 10.14 Mojave, macOS 10.15 Catalina, macOS 11 Big Sur, macOS 12 Monterey and macOS 13 Ventura.

How To Find IPSW On Mac

Method 1

The IPSW file is saved in: 

~/Library /iTunes/iPhone Software Updates

. The easiest way to find it is to make sure you have selected Finder in your Dock (the smiley face icon on the far left of the Dock) hold down the ALT key and select Go from the Menu and then select Library.

 how to find ipsw on mac in finder

Note that if you don’t hold down the ALT key, you won’t see the Library option.

Then just simply browse to the folder: iTunes/iPhone Software Updates

.

Method 2

Alternatively, another way to find the IPSW location on Mac is:

1. Make sure that Finder is selected on your Mac

2. Hold down the SHIFT, CMD and G keys at the same time and enter this path into the box: ~/Library /iTunes/iPhone Software Updates:how to find ipsw on mac - folder

Then simply select the iTunes folder:

how to find IPSW on mac Library folderAnd then the iPhone Software Updates folder:

how to find ipsw on mac itunes folderAnd there you will find the IPSW folder:

ipsw on mac 4

If you’re still struggling, here’s a video about how to find the IPSW file on a Mac.

About The Author

Author

MacHow2 is a team of devoted and passionate Mac users that aim to help you get the most out of your Mac. Since 2013, we've been helping Mac users new and old with software and hardware recommendations or solving technical problems. If you've got any comments about this article, get involved by leaving a comment below. You can find out more About Us and how we work. You can also contact us using the contact form at the top of the site.

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