How to] Update & recover multiple iOS devices offline

Apple might seem infamous for their inability to let multiple iOS devices get updated with a single device updating to their latest OS. If you have more than one iOS devices say a combination of twoiPhones and looking to update to the latest iOS version 8.1.2, what most people would do is check for the huge gigabyte Apple updates and download it to their each iPhone individually. Hence, the rise in global petabytes used! The same applies to other iOS devices updating and recovering them, but fear not with a small work around you can update and recover multiple iOS (same model/version) devices that too offline saving your time and bandwidth.

However, there is work around to update (or recover) multiple iOS devices using the same update downloaded for one device – hence offline updating of other similar devices. Follow these steps, in this example we use an universal unlocked iPhone exhibiting an error “There is no SIM card installed in the iPhone you are attempting to activate. Please disconnect and insert a SIM card in the iPhone.

1. Open iTunes and connect your iPhone that requires update or recovery to the PC.

2. Once you download that entire GB (or sometimes few hundred MB) of iOS restore file (IPSW firmware) automatically done from the Apple’s official website. Now that you update your iPhone’s available update or recovery option update from the iTunes dashboard that is displayed afterconnecting iPhone to the PC.

However, such automatic download do not always work, say when you have a slower connection or you are on a metered connection. In such cases, iOS recovery or restore IPSW firmware can be downloaded directly from many websites, one is this.

When you place an IPSW file in the Firmware folder, Apple Configurator does not download that version of the software from the Internet. However, if iTunes has already downloaded that version to the user’s iTunes Library, Apple Configurator uses the version in the iTunes Library. ~ Official Apple Statement

Typical Apple Firmware folder specified from iTunes is available at

C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

While the iTunes media folder (not used for automatic download of the IPSW firmware)

\iTunes\iTunes Media\Automatically Add to iTunes

So, you are required to place your downloaded IPSW firmware recovery file to this file in AppData folder (complete folder as mentioned above.)

3. iTunes now prepares to extract this firmware recovery file, screenshot shown.

4. After extracting IPSW file, iTunes prepares iPhone for automatic restore.

5. When Apple verified iPhone restore, your iPhone will be successfully restored or upgraded with message “Your iPhone has been restored to factory settings, and is restarting. Please leave your iPhone connected…” iTunes home page will finally display information about your iOS device.

Now, you can use the same downloaded iOS firmware upgrade or recovery IPSW file to apply to multiple iOS devices. This avoids complete downloading of the huge firmware file.

Also Read: create a free Apple ID without credit card

Continue reading [How to] Update & recover multiple iOS devices offline →

Apple products are increasingly gaining popularity in all parts of the world now, thanks to the penetration of devices and their usage. However, using Apple iOS device’s full features require having a fully valid Apple ID, and we Nepalese – well most of us – do not have a valid credit card, hence we have problems you can imagine.

There are multiple ways to create a free Apple ID without providing valid credit card information, however, we present here the easiest way to create an Apple ID for free without using a credit card with Apple’s official website.

Go to Apple’s AppleID page here, head over to “Create an AppleID’, supply the required information including complete address. Do note, the email address you provide to register Apple ID will be the valid Apple ID afterwards – if you are lucky you might also get a free iCloud email address later which can be used as Apple ID.

The domain name used for creating the email address must not be the domain owned by apple – means you cannot use any Apple owned domain based emails, good to go with your Gmail or even company email.

A second method to create a free Apple ID without credit cardincludes you to start installing (or purchase) a free App from iTunes or any iOS device or even Apple Store. Ensure the app you are trying to install carry no in-app purchase facility.

This triggers you to supply valid information to register/create an Apple ID. Look for Billing Information below Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover or similar payment methods for “None” – select this None option so that no card information needs to be input- if you do not see this option, you will have to restart installing another free App.

Note: that iTunes gift cards and iTunes gifts code, however, can be applied irrespective of billing information supplied. Happy using Apple ID now!

Continue reading Create a free Apple ID for iOS without Credit Cards →