Is it safe to delete iPhone and iPad software updates?

Software files that were downloaded to update or restore an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch connected to this Mac.

Safe

Its owner recreates it by itself when it needs it, and nothing you made is lost.

~/Library/iTunes/{iPhone,iPad,iPod} Software Updates

What it is

When you update or restore a device from Finder, macOS downloads the device's software as an IPSW file of several gigabytes and keeps it here. A file is only useful for one kind of device, and only while Apple still allows that version to be installed. If Finder needs the software again, it downloads the current version from Apple. The folder is inside an iTunes folder for historical reasons, even though Finder now manages devices.

If it's removed

The next time you update or restore a device from this Mac, Finder downloads its software again, which takes time.

How it's removed

Moved to the Trash, where you can restore it.

PRO

The free analyzer finds it and explains it. Removing it is Pro, after a review sheet that lists every move and command. It starts checked in the Cleanup checklist, except inside Documents or Desktop.

Sources

Last checked on 26 Sep 2026. Every entry is written and checked by hand; the app and the command-line tool use the same words.