Updating: OTA vs IPSW

[no0nefamous]

So, my understanding has always been that updating OTA (Over the Air) means you are installing a patch to the existing installed iOS version. Updating through connecting to Mac/PC (iTunes) downloads the entire IPSW firmware file and replaces your entire existing one with it. Is this still correct?

I prefer to update via iTunes because of this, but I wonder if it really matters or if its just an outdated belief. What do you guys do?

 

[mzanker]

OTA - never had an issue, even going from betas to final releases. Also do the same with macOS.

I can see the logic of updating with the IPSW but have never had to resort to it.

 

[chabig]

I think it’s an outdated belief.

 

[mzanker]

macOS now has system and data completely separated and I wouldn't be surprised if iOS is the same. With the IPSW method, you're replacing the system and with the OTA, you're patching it. The outcome should be the same (and it always has been whenever I've checked).

There are people who swear by using the IPSW and I wonder how much of it is a placebo effect...

 

[posguy99]

There are people who swear by using the IPSW and I wonder how much of it is a placebo effect...

Swear by it? Meh. I'm going to back the phone up before I install an update (of course), so it's connected to the computer. What, I should then unplug it just so I can do the update the other way?

 

[Paddle1]

Swear by it? Meh. I'm going to back the phone up before I install an update (of course), so it's connected to the computer. What, I should then unplug it just so I can do the update the other way?

I don't see why not. That might actually be more convenient at times. There's also the ability to backup in iCloud.

 

[taneff]

With bigger jumps, most of all iOS X to iOS Y I prefer to start from scratch and do an update via iTunes IPSW and restore it. Meaning I start with a new device, needing to set it up. No backup, nothing.

Almost never had any of those bugs and problems mentioned in the news so I prefer to stay with this method. Could be the same with OTA and no restore but I prefer to not find out. A little work once or twice a year but you have a "new" phone afterwards which is nice.

 

[dk001]

So, my understanding has always been that updating OTA (Over the Air) means you are installing a patch to the existing installed firmware. Updating through connecting to Mac/PC (iTunes) downloads the entire IPSW firmware file and replaces your entire existing one with it.

I prefer to update via iTunes because of this, but I wonder if it really matters or if its just an outdated belief. What do you guys do?

Not exactly true. I think.
There are some OTAs that are patches and then there are others that are the whole egg roll.
If this is incorrect kindly let me know.

Personally I usually do an IPSW when I have had a problematic beta or the initial install of a major update.

My thought goes out to those who have an iPhone/iPad and no PC/MB.

 

[TimFL1]

Not exactly true. I think.
There are some OTAs that are patches and then there are others that are the whole egg roll.
If this is incorrect kindly let me know.

Personally I usually do an IPSW when I have had a problematic beta or the initial install of a major update.

My thought goes out to those who have an iPhone/iPad and no PC/MB.

OTAs only really are the whole build / full download if you come from the beta train or skip major updates.

 

[no0nefamous]

Is forcing an IPSW update by downloading the file itself and holding Shift when clicking Update or Restore in iTunes the exact same thing as letting iTunes do it automatically if the IPSW is the current iOS version? I assume yes.

Also, is any type of update or restore through iTunes replacing the entire iOS installation with the new one? The iTunes updater logs seem to indicate yes.

 

[deep1]

Was Always OTA guy but iOS 15 is different beast.
Had few issues which started in beta process and stayed till iOS 15.0.1 official release (Over OTA) like storage issue, general slowness etc.

Did IPSW restore on 15.0.1 yesterday and it is different phone all together. - storage issue is fixed, phone is really responsive , Face ID is blazing fast and so far battery is better. iPhone 12 Pro.

if OTA and IPSW is really same then I should be seeing same issues but for me IPSW fixed most issues I had. so it might be better to do OTA over point release but major upgrade IPSW is better.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

+1 for OTA. Even on Apple TV.

-1 for deployment. Wish there was a way to push or trigger all my devices to install new betas from my couch.

 

[dk001]

Was Always OTA guy but iOS 15 is different beast.
Had few issues which started in beta process and stayed till iOS 15.0.1 official release (Over OTA) like storage issue, general slowness etc.

Did IPSW restore on 15.0.1 yesterday and it is different phone all together. - storage issue is fixed, phone is really responsive , Face ID is blazing fast and so far battery is better. iPhone 12 Pro.

if OTA and IPSW is really same then I should be seeing same issues but for me IPSW fixed most issues I had. so it might be better to do OTA over point release but major upgrade IPSW is better.

You will find that this is a hit or miss endeavor. For 15 I did an IPSW. I usually do this coming off of the betas. This is not the first time the initial launch has been buggy. The fresh install helps usually however it also frequently exposes new bugs. When the next .x comes, I will likely do the IPSW route again. Do I expect a decent fix? Not really seeing as to how problematic 15 has been so far.

 

[posguy99]

I don't see why not. That might actually be more convenient at times. There's also the ability to backup in iCloud.

While I pay my 99c for the phone to be able to back itself up to iCloud, it's not my primary iPhone backup and it's not something I'd trust to actually work reliably. If it does, fine, if it doesn't, meh.

 

[MacCheetah3]

I have no proof wired updating is more reliable, etc. However, it seems logical to me the process would be by having the entire OS image available locally, and I don’t have a problem with the additional time requirement. I only consider OTA with minor versions (e.g., 15.0.1).

 

[zorinlynx]

Part of the OTA upgrade process is checksumming the entire OS partition to make sure the update applied correctly. Theoretically if there's corruption this checksum should fail.

There should be no difference between the two. Remember that 99% of iPhone users go through their entire iPhone-owning life never doing an ipsw upgrade or restore. If the OTA process had problems, they would be a HUGE thorn in Apple's side dealing with millions of users with botched updates. They have every motivation to make sure the process is perfect.

That said, if you're a beta user, all bets are off.

 

[Bobout]

I agree with @zorinlynx there should be no difference BUT I have had different results with OTA vs IPSW ..my opinion is it has made a difference on the Beta’s as I am not seeing the same bugs as others going the IPSW route.. I’m on 15.1 beta 3 running with no issues so far but its only been 7 hours but I’m hopeful as others are already saying they are have some issues..

 

[dk001]

For now I am skipping this go round of betas. If, If 15 settles down, I might rejoin around .3 or .4

 

[taneff]

Part of the OTA upgrade process is checksumming the entire OS partition to make sure the update applied correctly. Theoretically if there's corruption this checksum should fail.

There should be no difference between the two. Remember that 99% of iPhone users go through their entire iPhone-owning life never doing an ipsw upgrade or restore. If the OTA process had problems, they would be a HUGE thorn in Apple's side dealing with millions of users with botched updates. They have every motivation to make sure the process is perfect.

That said, if you're a beta user, all bets are off.

I agree with most users always doing OTA updates, never doing a fresh clean install etc. Always installing backups from other phones.

But with these devices of friends and family I also see many iPhones someday having issues I mostly never had. Wifi connecting issues, strange behavior across the system, iMessage with very old phone number and no way to activate latest number without a clean install, iPhone getting slower etc. There is a limit to which you can update and backup till the phone shows bugs. So I am all for doing a clean iTunes install without any backup at least once a year. And I don't have 95-99% of the bugs written in the update information or in forums like this. Rarely any bugs.

 

[pw5a29]

I remember there were indeed OTA exclusive hiccups during iOS 5, iOS 6 days when it just came out. Therefore since then, I always update with IPSW.

I think the process is now more stable and mature, but given the habit, I still go through the IPSW step, beta or official.

 

[three]

Was Always OTA guy but iOS 15 is different beast.
Had few issues which started in beta process and stayed till iOS 15.0.1 official release (Over OTA) like storage issue, general slowness etc.

Did IPSW restore on 15.0.1 yesterday and it is different phone all together. - storage issue is fixed, phone is really responsive , Face ID is blazing fast and so far battery is better. iPhone 12 Pro.

if OTA and IPSW is really same then I should be seeing same issues but for me IPSW fixed most issues I had. so it might be better to do OTA over point release but major upgrade IPSW is better.

With this, do you start from fresh or restore from a backup after you've IPSW restored?

 

[srbNYC]

I'm sorry to ask a basic question here, but does updating via iTunes (vs. OTA on your phone) mean you'll get the ipsw, or is something else required?

UPDATED/CORRECTED to say "vs. OTA"

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I'm sorry to ask a basic question here, but does updating via iTunes (via OTA on your phone) mean you'll get the ipsw, or is something else required?

Those are two different things, if you update OTA you don't use iTunes at all. If you use iTunes you connect your device to your Mac or PC with a lightning cable then download the complete update which is usually 4-5gb then install it on your device.

 

[srbNYC]

Those are two different things, if you update OTA you don't use iTunes at all. If you use iTunes you connect your device to your Mac or PC with a lightning cable then download the complete update which is usually 4-5gb then install it on your device.

Yes sorry, that was a typo on my part. I meant "vs. OTA on your phone"!

Thanks for the response. Does that mean that iTunes (wired) update will do the ipsw that so many here refer to?

 

[Paddle1]

Yes sorry, that was a typo on my part. I meant "vs. OTA on your phone"!

Thanks for the response. Does that mean that iTunes (wired) update will do the ipsw that so many here refer to?

iTunes will automatically get the latest software if you try to do an update with it. If you want to install something different from the current stable version then that's when you have to deal with IPSW files.