Where does Apple Configurator store ipsw downloads?

Question

Every time Apple releases new iOS software, it's a bit of a rush to get things downloaded and the servers can be slow in delivering the bits.

I would like to know where the Apple Configurator Version 1.2.1 (169) stores downloaded iOS software so I could transfer the files from iTunes or another computer so I can have several machines grab one each of the builds and then distribute them to avoid having each machine have to re-download all images each time.

Can I move IPSW in to or out of Apple Configurator rather than having it control the downloads from Apple for iOS software?

Answer 1

Since Apple Configurator 2.0 they are downloaded in:

~/Library/Group Containers/K36BKF7T3D.group.com.apple.configurator/Library/Caches/Downloads/ACUDownloadFileOperation/

and stored in:

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

Answer 2

I've figured out how to point Apple Configurator at the IPSW that iTunes has downloaded as follows:

Then use the dialog with Other... to add each and every IPSW that you've already downloaded. Since ~Library is normally hidden, you may need the go to shortcut to type command-shift-G and then ~/Library/iTunes to get to the filesystem location where iTunes has downloaded current IPSW files.

By adding multiple iOS versions, you can point the configurator at already downloaded IPSW and avoid the wait / duplication of Configurator re-downloading the same file and storing it away in some obfuscated database file at ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.configurator/Data/Library/Application Support/com.apple.configurator/Resources

I haven't found a way to remove IPSW from Apple Configurator, but knowing I can keep them where iTunes prefers is workable for my case when I'd rather not wait for a long download and/or a duplicate set of IPSW on a particular Mac.

Answer 3

I am using version 1.3.1 (274) of Apple configurator, the following worked for me:

Apple Configurator: Managing iOS device software had the correct location for the IPSW files in my situation.

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.configurator/Data/Library/Caches/com.apple.configurator/Firmware/

I had to create the Firmware folder as it didn't exist yet but it I was able to successfully copy the required IPSW file to this location and deploy it to an iPhone without AC going to the internet to download it again.

Answer 4

As far as I know, the IPSWs are stored under ~/Library/Application Support/com.apple.configurator/IPSWs .

The IPSWs, stored per device's model and iOS version, are automatically downloaded here when you perform a restore using the Apple Configurator.

So, copying, the newest IPSW into this directory should do the trick.

Answer 5

Apple Configurator Version 1.5 (424):

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.configurator/Data/Library/Caches/com.apple.configurator/Firmware

I copied the manually downloaded files to the location above. Apple Configurator used those files to update my devices. You may want to note, Configurator still requires an internet connection to run. I suggest submitting a feature request to support updating devices while offline.

Answer 6

Apple Configurator Version 1.7.1 (550) checks ~/Library/iTunes/iPad Software Updates for iPad _Restore.ipsw files.

Placing files in the appropriate directory

~/Library/iTunes/<some iOS device>

It is easy to remember and it makes sense for Configurator to be looking here in case an iOS device has been restored or updated using iTunes.