Use Apple Configurator to manage iOS software images

Use Apple Configurator to manage iOS software images to install a specific version of iOS.

You can use Apple Configurator to install a specific iOS software image (IPSW file). You might want to do this if:

• You already downloaded the iOS software image and don’t want Configurator to download it again.

• You joined an eligible program and want to use Configurator to install a beta version of iOS¹.

To install the IPSW file with Apple Configurator, you can use a command or drag the file into the Firmware folder.

Use the Edit Custom iOS Versions command

In Apple Configurator, hold down the Option key while you choose Devices > Edit Custom iOS Versions. You can then add or remove custom versions of iOS software, such as developer previews.

When you add an IPSW file this way, it appears in the iOS pop-up menu in Apple Configurator.

Place the iOS software in the Firmware folder

Drag the IPSW file to the Apple Configurator Firmware folder, located here²:

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

If iTunes hasn’t already downloaded the same version of the iOS software, Apple Configurator uses the file that you’ve added. It doesn’t download the software from the Internet.

If iTunes has already downloaded that version of the iOS software, Apple Configurator uses the version in the iTunes library.

1. You can only use Apple Configurator to install iOS versions that are currently approved for use with your hardware.

2. If you haven’t updated to Apple Configurator 2, you can find the Firmware folder here: ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.configurator/Data/Library/Caches/com.apple.configurator/Firmware/