"I have downloaded IPSW file to manually update my iPhone but now my device shows an Activation Lock, how do I fix this?” From Apple Discussion Community
Many Apple users are asking questions on how to download and install IPSW without iCloud Activation. Before solving this problem, we have to understand its root cause. As we know, security is of utmost concern in this ever evolving digital era and the broad adoption of smart devices. Therefore, apple has placed activation locks and codes to protect one’s personal information in case of any unforeseen incident.
IPSW iCloud activation error is also a result of this security measure. This error can really get to your nerves. However, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered! This article covers a step by step guide on how to download and install custom made IPSW without iCloud activation. So, without any further delay, let’s dig into it.
Part 1. Is it Possible to Download IPSW without iCloud Activation?
Basically, IPSW is a software update file that is used extensively in Apple devices. It’s an archive file format that not only compresses the files but also encrypts them for security purposes. Now coming back to the question, is it possible to download and install IPSW without iCloud Activation? The answer is, Yes!
However, even though this method has a favorable outcome, it is fairly complicated and may be difficult for some people. Moreover, this method is risky and unsafe, as well. Therefore, you have to proceed with the utmost care and follow our exact steps.
Part 2. How to Download Custom IPSW without iCloud Activation on Windows Computer
The procedure of creating custom IPSW is different on Mac and Windows computer. As we mentioned earlier, it’s a complicated task. Therefore, you need a hand in hand guideline to make sure your iDevice is safe from getting the Activation lock on it.
So here we are with a step-by-step guide on how to download and install iPSW without iCloud activation. You can also use this method for iPod Mini custom IPSW without iCloud activation download. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
- 1. Install the required IPSW on your Windows computer and alter the extension to .zip.
- 2. Now, extract the zip files to a new folder. Inside this folder, you will see files with .dmg extensions. These are the files that need to be decrypted.
- 3. You would need a key to decrypt these files that you can get from The iPhone Wiki.
- 4. Copy and paste the largest .dmg file on Desktop.
- 5. Now, you need to download a decryption tool to decrypt the file using the decryption key you got from The iPhone Wiki.
- 6. The next step is to go to the desktop, where the decrypted file would be saved, and open it. Then head into the “Applications” folder.
- 7. Here, find the “setup.app” file and delete it.
- 8. Now, save the decrypted file and encrypt it using the same encryption key.
- 9. Finally, rename the file similar to the original .dmg file and copy it back to the original zip folder. When copying, make sure to replace the new file with the original one.
That’s it. Now, you have successfully created a custom IPSW on your Windows PC. Now, all you need to do is to compress the file and turn it into an IPSW extension file.
Part 3. How to Download Custom IPSW without iCloud Activation on Mac Computer
Now it is time to see how you can create a custom IPSW file without any iCloud activation lock on your Mac. The procedure is definitely different from the one above and it is only compatible with a 32-bit device. The instructions for this part are relatively lengthier. So, make sure you go through each of them cautiously:
- 1. Download the iPSW file you need from the official website: IPSW.
- 2. Secondly, convert the iPSW file into a ZIP file by changing the extension and extract it.
- 3. Now open the extracted file folder, and you will see 3 different .dmg files in there.
- 4. Look for the biggest file and drag it to your desktop. You will notice that the .dmg files will not be able to open in one click. It’s because these files are encrypted.
- 5. You would need a firmware key to open this file. For this purpose, direct to “The iPhone WiKi” and find your firmware key.
- 6. Once you have the key, it’s time to use iDecrypt that is already on your Mac. Simply launch the software and open your .dmg file with it.
- 7. You will see a warning message on your screen. Simply click on the “OK” button and select your output folder and paste your key for “RootFilesystem."
- 8. Now, you need to click on “Decrypt DMG," and when the process is finished, you will see a success message.
- 9. Open the iPSW file that is decrypted and go to the Applications folder. Here, you need to delete the “Setup” file.
- 10. Then, exit this folder and right-click on your decrypted file and click on “Eject."
- 11. When the file is successfully saved, delete the original file and rename the new decrypted file matching the original file. Then, paste this file into the extracted folder again.
- 12. The last step is to compress the folder back to the IPSW format.
Part 4. How to Unlock iCloud Activation Lock without IPSW
If you have an inactivated iPhone 5s to X, then you can unlock the iCloud account by using an efficient tool named PassFab Activation Unlocker. It is manufactured by a well-organized and famous company, PassFab. So you can unquestionably be content with its working.
It's a pretty decent tool that not only yields great results but also saves a lot of time. Most importantly, it has a friendly user-interface, and it's quite easy to use. Follow all the instructions given below to remove iCloud lock with the help of this software:
- First of all, download PassFab Activation Unlocker on your computer system from the official website of PassFab. Then, install it on your PC using the installation wizard. Once you have installed the program, run it as an administrator.
Right after launching the program, you will see the main interface. Here, select Remove iCloud Activation Lock.
Click on the “Start” button to get the process started.
You will then be presented with an agreement on your screen. Read it thoroughly and click on the “Next” button to continue.
- Now, connect your iDevice to the computer system with the help of a USB cable. The software will detect the device automatically.
When your device is connected, the software will start downloading a jailbreak tool. Wait until the jailbreak tool is downloaded.
Once, the jailbreak tool is downloaded, insert a USB to burn the jailbreak tool in.
Follow the tutorial to jailbreak your device.
Once the jailbreaking process is finished, click on the “Start Remove” button to remove your iCloud Activation Lock.
Voila! You have successfully removed the iCloud Activation Lock. Just click on “Done” to finalize the process.
Final Words
There you go, guys! This article covers everything you need to know about IPSW, including how to download and install it without iCloud Activation Lock. We have separate guides on how to create custom IPSW on Windows PC as well as for Mac. As we mentioned earlier, this is a delicate process. So, even the slightest mistake can lead to the iCloud Activation Lock.
If that happens, you can always use PassFab Activation Unlocker to bypass the Activation Lock and get access to your iDevice. I hope this guide cleared all your doubts regarding IPSW without iCloud Activation. If you have any further questions, just let us know in the comments section. We will try our best to answer your queries as soon as possible. Cheers!
- Remove activation lock on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
- Turn off Find My iPhone/iPad without Apple ID password.
- Unlock Apple ID without password.
- Removing iCloud Activation Lock supports iOS 12-14.7.
- Removing Apple ID or FMI is now available on iOS 12-15.
- Compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, MacOS 10.11-11.1.