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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?

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1 Answer

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1). I don't believe this file will get deleted.

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!)

For more info click here.

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+1 for referencing Felix Burn's iOS Firmware Library. I love that place (too bad he hasn't updated it for iOS 5, though). – Andrew Larsson Apr 23 '12 at 17:13
He has iOS 5? At least last time I checked he did... – anon173 Apr 25 '12 at 1:46
I could have sworn I just checked when you posted the link (because I remembered him not having it a few months ago when I needed it), and he didn't have it. Though he has it now, so it's all good. I could have just been blind, though. – Andrew Larsson Apr 25 '12 at 4:43

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