Public Beta IPSW

[shandyman]

Does anyone know where to get the PB IPSW? I am having some random issues on PB3 that I was hoping to try a clean install might clear.

I've looked on the beta site and it doesn't have it, just the profile to install.

I'm hoping I don't have to go back to 8.4, then back to 9 and then restore profile, as that will be a pain!

 

[lagwagon]

There is no download ipsw for PB. It's all done OTA.

 

[shandyman]

There is no download ipsw for PB. It's all done OTA.

That's an Arse. What if you need/want to do a restore from backup. Only way is to DFU to 8.4, het that to PB3 then restore the backup from PB3?!

 

[batting1000]

That's an Arse. What if you need/want to do a restore from backup. Only way is to DFU to 8.4, het that to PB3 then restore the backup from PB3?!

There's really no need for a public beta .ipsw. The general public probably doesn't know what a .ipsw is or how to use it. Apple assumes you'll load the profile, update the device to the public beta, and that's that.

 

[docal97]

Agree with above opinions. The best option is to back up your device, restore to 8.41 then to iOS 9. You can then either restore from back up or just log into iCloud and then individually restore your apps.

 

[shandyman]

There's really no need for a public beta .ipsw. The general public probably doesn't know what a .ipsw is or how to use it. Apple assumes you'll load the profile, update the device to the public beta, and that's that.

Well, to follow your logic, the public can do a normal restore to 8.4, Apple should make it possible for the ones on PB to do the same with 9.

 

[shandyman]

Agree with above opinions. The best option is to back up your device, restore to 8.41 then to iOS 9. You can then either restore from back up or just log into iCloud and then individually restore your apps.

I ended up doing this. Took twice as long as it could have done and had some niggly annoyances in restoring apps, but I'm back on 9 with my backup restored.

Want to see if the bug I reported is a one off or if it still happens now I did this.

 

[batting1000]

Well, to follow your logic, the public can do a normal restore to 8.4, Apple should make it possible for the ones on PB to do the same with 9.

iOS 8.4 is the latest software running on the devices of the general public...even though users may not know how to use a .ipsw, Apple has to make it available for various purposes...and for that reason, they have a support document on how to use it. You accept all responsibility when you download a public beta.

 

[shandyman]

iOS 8.4 is the latest software running on the devices of the general public...even though users may not know how to use a .ipsw, Apple has to make it available for various purposes...and for that reason, they have a support document on how to use it. You accept all responsibility when you download a public beta.

None of what you posted actually means they couldn't do the same for public beta though....... The various purposes you claim, also apply when on public beta.

 

[seamer]

Creating it for public beta would suggest to users that it's ready for prime time, and is much easier to control who has access to it when provisioned via profiles.

 

[KALLT]

Well, to follow your logic, the public can do a normal restore to 8.4, Apple should make it possible for the ones on PB to do the same with 9.

The ‘general public’ doesn’t care, because Apple doesn’t sign multiple releases per device model. There is a small window of opportunity for you to restore to a backup with a previous version, but it’s not something Apple generally advertises and other than that you’re stuck with iTunes. I am also not sure what a ‘clean install’ is going to accomplish, unless you have a reason to believe that your settings are causing the problem. The beta itself ist just buggy at the moment.

 

[shandyman]

Creating it for public beta would suggest to users that it's ready for prime time, and is much easier to control who has access to it when provisioned via profiles.

Your post makes no sense. How does making it available for the public beta suggest that?!

The ‘general public’ doesn’t care, because Apple doesn’t sign multiple releases per device model. There is a small window of opportunity for you to restore to a backup with a previous version, but it’s not something Apple generally advertises and other than that you’re stuck with iTunes. I am also not sure what a ‘clean install’ is going to accomplish, unless you have a reason to believe that your settings are causing the problem. The beta itself ist just buggy at the moment.

I want to do a clean install to rule some things out, as, from what I have seen, no one else is having the issue I am.

Apple could easily have made it happen if they wanted, they could have given people on the PB the option to do it the way devs do.

It's absurd that people here are arguing that Apple shouldn't give the public beta users access to the IPSW, claiming that the general public 'probably doesn't know how to use it', when the people going for the public beta are ones that are more likely to. The general public doesn't really notice or care about the public beta. It's just the 'power users' and serious iOS fans that do.

 

[KALLT]

I want to do a clean install to rule some things out, as, from what I have seen, no one else is having the issue I am.

Apple could easily have made it happen if they wanted, they could have given people on the PB the option to do it the way devs do.

It's absurd that people here are arguing that Apple shouldn't give the public beta users access to the IPSW, claiming that the general public 'probably doesn't know how to use it', when the people going for the public beta are ones that are more likely to. The general public doesn't really notice or care about the public beta. It's just the 'power users' and serious iOS fans that do.

You’ve asked your question, the answer is no. Some of us are trying to give an explanation as to why Apple might not want to offer the same tools. I don’t think that there is a need for an IPSW file and you’re assuming that the issue you have is related to your install. Report the bugs or start fresh with the usual methods. That’s all there is to it. Even though more technically inclined people might go for the beta, it doesn’t mean that inexperienced users don’t ever do it. Apple is making sure that the process is as smooth as the typical update and restore process, so there is nothing new to learn. I find that reasonable. If you want more control, you are free to join the developer programme.

 

[shandyman]

You’ve asked your question, the answer is no. Some of us are trying to give an explanation as to why Apple might not want to offer the same tools. I don’t think that there is a need for an IPSW file and you’re assuming that the issue you have is related to your install. Report the bugs or start fresh with the usual methods. That’s all there is to it. Even though more technically inclined people might go for the beta, it doesn’t mean that inexperienced users don’t ever do it. Apple is making sure that the process is as smooth as the typical update and restore process, so there is nothing new to learn. I find that reasonable. If you want more control, you are free to join the developer programme.

It's a flawed explanation though. I reported the bug, but I wanted to be sure that it wasn't just a weird hiccup that was caused by something on my end.

I can bet you that an extreme majority, if not all, people on the public beta will be people who know what an IPSW is or how to use it. I know that the general public don't know or care about a public beta.

I have no need to join the developer programme as it wouldn't be cost effective. Daft suggestion to pay $99 for access to an IPSW (so I'm not free to join it really...)....

 

[lagwagon]

It's a flawed explanation though. I reported the bug, but I wanted to be sure that it wasn't just a weird hiccup that was caused by something on my end.

I can bet you that an extreme majority, if not all, people on the public beta will be people who know what an IPSW is or how to use it. I know that the general public don't know or care about a public beta.

I have no need to join the developer programme as it wouldn't be cost effective. Daft suggestion to pay $99 for access to an IPSW (so I'm not free to join it really...)....

"An extreme majority"? Hardly. It's more like the majority on PB don't know what they're doing and only installed it for the free "preview" of the new iOS. Not knowing what they got into and start complaining about heat, battery, bugs and app crashes. Declaring the new iOS is a turd and no one should update because they got so upset from beta issues.

 

[C DM]

It's a flawed explanation though. I reported the bug, but I wanted to be sure that it wasn't just a weird hiccup that was caused by something on my end.

I can bet you that an extreme majority, if not all, people on the public beta will be people who know what an IPSW is or how to use it. I know that the general public don't know or care about a public beta.

I have no need to join the developer programme as it wouldn't be cost effective. Daft suggestion to pay $99 for access to an IPSW (so I'm not free to join it really...)....

Unfortunately, whatever the explanation might or might not be, or whether one exists at all, the ultimate point in all of this is that Apple doesn't offer it so far and it's really only up to them to decides to offer it if and when the might decide to do it.

 

[KALLT]

I can bet you that an extreme majority, if not all, people on the public beta will be people who know what an IPSW is or how to use it.

I would bet against that.

I have no need to join the developer programme as it wouldn't be cost effective. Daft suggestion to pay $99 for access to an IPSW (so I'm not free to join it really...)....

It doesn’t matter, the option is there. Apple reserves the more technical betas to developers and they get all the support they need. The public beta is a preview for everyone else and you will not get any support. It is in Apple’s interest to make the process not more complicated when they have no intention of helping anyone. The fact is that Apple doesn’t normally use IPSW files and I see no reason why they should do it now, even if you find it practical.

 

[shandyman]

It doesn’t matter, the option is there. Apple reserves the more technical betas to developers and they get all the support they need. The public beta is a preview for everyone else and you will not get any support. It is in Apple’s interest to make the process not more complicated when they have no intention of helping anyone. The fact is that Apple doesn’t normally use IPSW files and I see no reason why they should do it now, even if you find it practical.

There's a hole in your post though. If anIPSW is too technical for a person using it for the public beta, then why is it available for the general release? If your 'get out' clause is that there is a document on how to use an IPSW, then that could just be used for the public beta too. Additionally, Apple don't widely advertise the public beta, which means people have to be looking for it or on sites like this. Those people are not the same as general public.

Im just bemused by the people that have posted contradictory information in this thread.

Oh and by the way, my bug that I had, I no longer have since I did a clean install (via 8.4), then restoring to my backup of 9 PB 3, so if anything, there's a valid use case for letting us access IPSW's on public beta. I've now wasted someone at Apple's time for a bug that wasn't affecting anyone else, which was resolved by doing a restore.....

 

[seamer]

Your post makes no sense. How does making it available for the public beta suggest that?!

You clearly have little experience working with users who are not very technically savvy but still want the newest stuff.

 

[Zcott]

It's the same build number as the developer version. I can confirm that you can fresh install the developer version even as part of the public beta programme.

 

[0000757]

Well, to follow your logic, the public can do a normal restore to 8.4, Apple should make it possible for the ones on PB to do the same with 9.

Just do it on the device.

 

[C DM]

It's the same build number as the developer version. I can confirm that you can fresh install the developer version even as part of the public beta programme.

But you don't have access to that file when you are simply part of the public beta program.

 

[Zcott]

But you don't have access to that file when you are simply part of the public beta program.

There are numerous sites you can get it from. I don't have a problem acquiring the file somewhere else when I'm installing it anyway.

 

[maflynn]

[MOD NOTE]
Asking for links, or providing them outside of Apple's licensing is against out rules. I'm closing this discussion since the OP can join the developer program.