如果您使用 iPhone、iPad 或 iPod，您的Mac(Mac)或 PC的文件夹结构中很可能有一个或多个IPSW文件。(IPSW)但是，如果不是因为文件大小，您甚至可能不会注意到它们。单个IPSW文件通常位于 5 GB 以上，这可能会显着影响存储容量较少的内部HDD(HDDs)或SSD 。(SSDs)
但是什么是 IPSW 文件？从计算机中删除它们是否安全？您将在下面找到您需要知道的一切的答案。
什么是 IPSW 文件？
IPSW文件（代表(IPSW)iPhone Software、 iPad Software或 iPod Software）由 iPhone、iPad 和 iPod 的系统软件和固件组成。如果您曾经在Mac或 PC 上更新或恢复过(Mac)Apple设备，它会为 iTunes 或Finder应用程序提供该过程所需的数据。
尽管文件格式不熟悉，IPSW文件本质上是一个压缩档案。您可以使用Mac(Mac)上的存档实用程序或 PC 上的(Archive Utility)WinRAR或 7-Zip 等 第三方工具检查里面的内容。
您将看到几个DMG（Apple 磁盘映像(Apple Disk Image)）和PLIST（属性列表(Property List)）文件，包括一个保存 iPhone、iPad 或 iPod 固件的文件夹（如果您选择提取一个）。
但是，只有 iTunes 和Finder（以及第三方Apple设备管理软件，例如iMyFone Fixppo）可以破译IPSW文件中的内容。
IPSW 文件是如何下载的？
当您使用 iTunes 或 Finder 应用程序(using iTunes or the Finder app)更新或恢复Apple移动设备时，您的Mac或 PC 将自动从Apple服务器下载(Apple)IPSW文件。
但是，您的计算机可以检测到以前下载的与设备型号匹配的软件更新包。在这种情况下，只有在系统软件（iOS 或 iPadOS）的更新版本存在时，它才会下载新的IPSW文件（并覆盖旧副本）。
您还可以从IPSW.me等第三方网站手动下载IPSW文件，然后您可以使用这些网站来降级 iPhone 和 iPad 上的系统软件(downgrade the system software on the iPhone and iPad)。
IPSW 文件存储在哪里？
如果您想在Mac或 PC 上查找(Mac)IPSW文件的下载位置，请按以下步骤操作：
在 macOS (Mac) 上：(On macOS (Mac):)
打开 Finder 应用程序，然后按Command + Shift + G调出转到文件夹(Folder)框。然后，输入以下文件夹路径并按Enter：
~/Library/iTunes/
在 Windows (PC) 上：(On Windows (PC):)
按Windows + R打开运行(Run)框。然后，输入以下文件夹路径并按Enter：
%appdata%\Apple Computer\iTunes\
根据您通过 iTunes 或Finder更新或恢复的设备，您可能会在(Finder)Finder或文件资源管理器(File Explorer)中显示的目录中看到最多三个标有iPhone 软件更新(iPhone Software Updates)、iPod 软件更新(iPod Software Updates)或iPod 软件更新(iPod Software Updates )的文件夹。每个文件夹可能包含一个或多个 IPSW 文件。
提示：(Tip:)在Mac上，您还可以通过Storage Management实用程序查找(Storage Management)IPSW文件（打开Apple菜单并选择About This Mac > Storage > Storage Management > iOS Files）。
您应该删除 IPSW 文件吗？
完成更新或恢复 iPhone、iPad 或 iPod 后，只要您没有任何问题可能需要您在恢复模式(reinstall the system software in Recovery Mode)或DFU 模式下重新安装系统软件，您就可以安全地删除(DFU Mode)IPSW文件。
如果您急于存储，您仍然可以删除IPSW文件（只要互联网带宽不是问题）。如果 Finder 或 iTunes 未能找到匹配的或最新的IPSW文件，它将始终从Apple服务器重新下载系统软件。
此外，如果IPSW(IPSW)文件已损坏并且您在更新或恢复 iPhone 或 iPad 时不断遇到问题，您可能需要删除它。这应该会再次提示Finder或 iTunes 从Apple服务器下载新副本。
您可以更改IPSW 下载位置(IPSW Download Location)吗？
Finder和 iTunes 都不提供更改 IPSW(IPSW)文件(Finder)下载位置的内置选项。但是，如果您有存储问题但不想删除任何内容，请随时将内容复制到外部存储。如果您以后需要它们，您可以将它们复制回来。
或者，您可以使用 Mac(use symbolic links on the Mac )或PC上的符号链接来移动存储IPSW文件的目录。但是，如果您决定创建指向外部驱动器的符号链接，请确保在更新或恢复期间不要断开它。如果你这样做了，你最终可能会把你的 iPhone、iPad 或 iPod 变砖。
IPSW 文件：保留或删除(Delete Them)它们(Them)
回顾一下，IPSW文件包含 iPhone、iPad 和 iPod 的系统软件和固件，仅在更新或恢复移动设备时使用。因此，如果您一直用完磁盘空间，您可以安全地删除它们。
但是，如果您的计算机有大量可用存储空间，则无需担心，除非您怀疑文件损坏问题或您不再使用的任何Apple设备有多个(Apple)IPSW文件。
What Are IPSW Files and Should You Delete Them?
If you use an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, chances are you’ve got one or more IPSW files deep within the folder structure of yoυr Mac or PC. However, you likely wouldn’t even notice them if not for the file sіze. A single IPSW file typicallу falls north of a whopping five gigabytes, and that can significantly impact internal HDDs or SSDs with leѕs storage capacity.
But what are IPSW files? Is it safe to remove them from your computer? You’ll find the answers to everything you need to know below.
What Are IPSW Files?
An IPSW file (which stands for iPhone Software, iPad Software, or iPod Software) consists of both the system software and firmware for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. If you’ve ever updated or restored an Apple device on your Mac or PC, it’s what provides iTunes or the Finder app with the data required for the procedure.
Despite the unfamiliar nature of the file format, an IPSW file is essentially a compressed archive. You can check what’s inside using the Archive Utility on Mac or third-party tools such as WinRAR or 7-Zip on PC.
You’ll see several DMG (Apple Disk Image) and PLIST (Property List) files, including a folder holding the iPhone, iPad, or iPod firmware, if you ever choose to extract one.
However, only iTunes and Finder (and third-party Apple device management software such as iMyFone Fixppo) can decipher the contents within an IPSW file.
How Are IPSW Files Downloaded?
Your Mac or PC will automatically download an IPSW file from the Apple servers when you update or restore an Apple mobile device using iTunes or the Finder app.
However, your computer can detect a previously downloaded software update package that matches the device model. In that case, it’ll download a new IPSW file (and overwrite the older copy) only if there’s a more recent version of the system software (iOS or iPadOS).
You can also download IPSW files manually from third-party sites such as IPSW.me, which you can then use to downgrade the system software on the iPhone and iPad.
Where Are IPSW Files Stored?
If you want to find the download location of IPSW files on your Mac or PC, then here’s how to do that:
On macOS (Mac):
Open the Finder app and press Command + Shift + G to bring up the Go to Folder box. Then, type the following folder path and press Enter:
~/Library/iTunes/
On Windows (PC):
Press Windows + R to open the Run box. Then, type the following folder path and press Enter:
%appdata%\Apple Computer\iTunes\
Depending on the devices you’ve updated or restored via iTunes or Finder, you may see up to three folders labeled iPhone Software Updates, iPod Software Updates, or iPod Software Updates within the directory that shows up in Finder or File Explorer. Each folder may contain one or more IPSW files.
Tip: On Mac, you can also locate IPSW files via the Storage Management utility (open the Apple menu and select About This Mac > Storage > Storage Management > iOS Files).
Should You Delete IPSW Files?
Once you’ve finished updating or restoring an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, you can safely delete an IPSW file as long as you don’t have any issues that may require you to reinstall the system software in Recovery Mode or DFU Mode.
If you’re crunched for storage, you can still delete an IPSW file regardless (as long as internet bandwidth is not a concern). Finder or iTunes will always re-download the system software from the Apple servers if it fails to locate a matching or up-to-date IPSW file.
Additionally, you might want to delete an IPSW file if it’s corrupted and you keep running into issues while updating or restoring an iPhone or iPad. That should again prompt Finder or iTunes to download a fresh copy from the Apple servers.
Can You Change the IPSW Download Location?
Both Finder and iTunes do not provide a built-in option to change the download location of IPSW files. However, if you have issues with storage but don’t want to delete anything, feel free to copy the contents to external storage. You can then copy them back should you need them later.
Alternatively, you can use symbolic links on the Mac or PC to shift the directory that stores IPSW files. But if you decide to create a symlink to an external drive, make sure not to disconnect it during an update or restore. If you do, you could end up bricking your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
IPSW Files: Keep Them or Delete Them
To recap, IPSW files hold the system software and firmware for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod and are only used when updating or restoring your mobile devices. So if you keep running out of disk space, you can safely delete them.
However, if your computer has lots of free storage, you don’t have to worry unless you suspect issues with file corruption or if there are multiple IPSW files for any Apple devices that you no longer use.
