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

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 2

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.