IOS – Is it safe to delete ipsw files

disk-spaceiositunes

I just updated my iPod Touch to iOS 5.1. During the process, iTunes downloaded a 750MB file: ~/Library/iTunes/iPod Software Updates/iPod4,1_5.1_9B176_Restore.ipsw. I have no use for this file anymore, and it's just using up my limited disk space, so I want to get rid of it.

Questions:

  1. Will this file ever get deleted automatically, or will it stay there
    indefinitely?

  2. Is there any GUI command in iTunes that will delete all such files?

  3. Is it safe to manually delete this file?

  4. If I manually delete it, will I be able to easily download it again if I ever do need it?

Update: Ipsw files now appear in ~/Library/MobileDevice/Software Images, and they take up 1+ GB.

Best Answer

  1. I think that old .ispws will eventually get deleted, depending on the quantity and version.
  2. I don't think there are any commands
  3. Yes, it shouldn't harm your computer or device in any way.
  4. Yes, by using Felix Burns or if you click restore iPhone, let iTunes download the *.ispw, but eject before it can restore (this worked for me once, but I can't be certain, so don't loose all of your data!).
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