How do I install an iPSW on a mac

To install an IPSW file on a Mac, you typically use Finder or iTunes, depending on your macOS version. Here are the general steps:

1. Download the IPSW File: Ensure you have the correct IPSW file for your device. You can download it from a trusted source.

2. Connect Your Device: Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your Mac.

3. Open Finder or iTunes:

   • macOS Catalina and later: Open Finder.
   • macOS Mojave and earlier: Open iTunes.

4. Select Your Device: In Finder, you should see your device listed in the sidebar. In iTunes, you will see an icon for your device near the top left.

5. Enter Recovery Mode (if necessary): Sometimes, you need to put your device into recovery mode to install the IPSW file. This can be done by:

   • iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
   • iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down and Sleep/Wake buttons simultaneously until you see the recovery mode screen.
   • iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad, or iPod touch: Press and hold the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons simultaneously until you see the recovery mode screen.

6. Install the IPSW File:

   • In Finder or iTunes, hold down the Option key (on Mac) and click the Restore iPhone button.
   • A file dialog will appear. Navigate to the location where you saved the IPSW file, select it, and click Open.

7. Confirm and Install: Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm and start the installation process. Your device will restart once the installation is complete.

For more detailed instructions or troubleshooting, you might want to refer to Apple's official documentation or support resources.

If you have any specific questions about device management or software updates, you might find the session What’s new in device management helpful.