OptiClear

Find & Delete iOS Firmware (.ipsw) Files on Mac

iOS Firmware (.ipsw) files pile up in ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates after installs, downloads or app activity. Most can be removed once you no longer need them — the risk level for this type is listed below.

Last updated: 2 min read

File Location
~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
Space Recovered
5 GB – 30 GB
Risk Level
Safe

Manual cleanup steps

  1. Quit the app completely (⌘+Q in the menu bar).
  2. Open Finder and press ⌘+Shift+G to open "Go to Folder".
  3. Paste this path and press Enter:
    ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
  4. Select the files you no longer need and move them to Trash. Empty Trash to reclaim the space.

See it working

OptiClear — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you
Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you
OptiClear — Scan overview — every category on one screen
Scan overview — every category on one screen
OptiClear — Photo library: duplicates and near-identical shots
Photo library: duplicates and near-identical shots

Let OptiClear find these files

Doing this by hand is slow and easy to get wrong. OptiClear scans your Mac, lists every related file with its size, and moves only what you select to the Trash, so you can still restore it. Scanning is free; cleaning requires OptiClear Pro.

View on the Mac App Store How OptiClear works

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to delete these files manually?
Usually, yes. Files in ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates are created by the app and can be removed once it has quit. Risk level: Safe. Move them to the Trash rather than deleting them permanently, so anything you still need can be restored; the app recreates what it requires.
Will I lose my settings or data?
Manual removal of the support folder resets the app to defaults. To keep settings, back up the location first or use OptiClear's selective cleanup.

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