iOS 27 IPSW Download

Which iOS 27 IPSW files are available right now?

As of 19 October 2026, Apple has published two current tracks for iPhone, and the finder above lists both for every supported model:

• Public release: iOS 27.0.1 (24A446), released 28 September 2026. It followed iOS 27.0 (24A437) on 14 September.
• Beta: iOS 27.2 beta 4 (24B5110a), released 13 October 2026. iPadOS 27.2 beta 4 shares the same build number.

The full history of iOS 27 builds for iPhone looks like this:

Older builds stay listed for reference, but you can only install the ones Apple still signs. The signing badge next to each file in the finder is the part to check before you download.

What is an IPSW file?

IPSW is Apple's firmware package format: a ZIP archive that holds a complete copy of iOS or iPadOS for a specific device. Rename the extension from .ipsw to .zip and you can open it to see the contents:

• BuildManifest.plist, which describes the build and the devices it supports.
• Restore.plist, the configuration Finder or Apple Devices reads during installation.
• Several disk images holding the iOS file system.
• A kernelcache compiled for that hardware.
• The bootloaders (iBSS, iBEC and LLB) used during recovery and restore.
• A Firmware folder with the device's own component firmware, such as the baseband and Secure Enclave.

Because each file carries firmware for particular chips and components, an IPSW only installs on the models named in its file name. Try to use the wrong one and Finder refuses it before anything is written to the device.

How big is an iOS 27 IPSW?

Bigger than many older guides suggest. Current iOS 27 iPhone restore files run from about 10.7 GB to 13.7 GB. A few examples for iOS 27.0.1: about 11.3 GB for the iPhone 15, 12.2 GB for the iPhone 15 Pro and 12.3 GB for the iPhone 16 Pro. The 27.2 betas are slightly larger. Leave at least 25 to 30 GB free on your computer so it has room to download and unpack the file.

How to find the right IPSW for your device

Every model has an identifier such as iPhone17,1, and that identifier appears at the start of the IPSW file name. Some files cover two models at once, which is why you will see names like iPhone13,2,iPhone13,3_…_Restore.ipsw.

1. Open Settings › General › About on the device.
2. Read the Model Name. That is usually all you need: choose the same name in the finder above.
3. If you are unsure, tap the Model Number line until it shows a number starting with A, then match it on the device page.

Identifiers for recent iPhones:

iOS 27 runs on 33 iPhones, from the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE (2nd generation) to the iPhone 18 Pro Max. If you are not sure your model is one of them, the iOS 27 supported devices list settles it.

What does Apple signing mean?

Apple has to approve every installation. When you update or restore, Finder or Apple Devices sends details of the device and the build to Apple, and the restore only continues if Apple still signs that build for that device. Once Apple stops signing a version, the file on your disk becomes useless for installation, and the restore fails, typically with error 3194.

At the time of writing, Apple signs iOS 27.0.1 and the iOS 27.2 betas on supported iPhones, plus iOS 26.6.1 RC (23G82) for anyone going back to iOS 26. Older iPads that stop at iPadOS 26 get iPadOS 26.7.1 instead. Signing changes without notice, so treat the badge in the finder as the current answer rather than any date you read elsewhere.

IPSW or over-the-air update: which should you use?

For a routine update, the over-the-air route in Settings › General › Software Update is simpler and keeps your data automatically. An IPSW is the better tool when something has gone wrong or when you need a specific build.

The common reasons to reach for an IPSW: a clean install after weeks of beta builds, rescuing a phone stuck on the Apple logo or in recovery mode, going back to iOS 26, and recovering from an over-the-air update that failed halfway.

How to install an iOS 27 IPSW

Before you start, back up the device to your computer. If you are installing a beta, archive that backup, because a backup made on a beta cannot be restored onto an older iOS version. Our guide to backing up before the iOS 27 beta covers the archive step.

Update with an IPSW (keeps your data)

1. Download the IPSW for your exact model from the finder above and confirm it is signed.
2. Connect the iPhone or iPad to your computer with a USB cable and enter the passcode. Tap Trust if asked.
3. Open Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app on Windows, then select the device.
4. Hold Option on a Mac or Shift on Windows and click Check for Update.
5. Choose the IPSW file you downloaded and confirm.
6. Leave the cable connected while the device restarts several times. When it is done, check the version in Settings › General › About.

Restore with an IPSW (erases the device)

1. Turn off Find My on the device at Settings › [your name] › Find My. Finder will not restore while it is on.
2. Connect the device and open Finder or Apple Devices.
3. Hold Option or Shift and click Restore iPhone (or Restore iPad).
4. Choose the IPSW and confirm that you want to erase the device.
5. When setup starts, restore your backup or set the device up as new.

If the device will not start normally, put it into recovery mode first and Finder will offer Update or Restore on its own. The same IPSW works there. For a full walkthrough of going back to the public release, read how to downgrade from the iOS 27 beta to iOS 26.

How to verify an IPSW with its SHA-256 checksum

A large download can arrive incomplete. Each file in the finder shows its SHA-256 checksum, so you can confirm your copy matches Apple's before you use it.

• Mac: in Terminal, run shasum -a 256 /path/to/file.ipsw
• Windows: in Command Prompt, run certutil -hashfile C:\path\to\file.ipsw SHA256

The result is a 64-character string. It must match the published checksum exactly. If a single character differs, delete the file and download it again.

Common IPSW errors and fixes

If the restore keeps failing, the troubleshooting steps in our guide to common iOS 27 beta installation errors go further, including recovery mode.

Is it safe to install an IPSW?

Yes, as long as the file comes from Apple. Apple's signing check rejects modified firmware and files meant for other models before installation begins, which is why a standard IPSW restore is not the risk older jailbreak-era stories describe. The real risks are losing data with the wrong button and getting stuck on a beta with no compatible backup. Both are avoided by making and archiving a computer backup first and choosing Update unless you mean to erase.

What to do next

If you only want the newest beta and your device is working normally, you do not need an IPSW at all: our iOS 27 beta download guide shows the over-the-air route through Beta Updates. If you are here to fix or reset a device, pick it in the finder at the top of this page and follow the restore steps above.

Frequently asked questions