Skip to main content

How to get iOS 7 before it’s actually out

So along with the release of the new iPhone 5S and 5C, Apple also announced the release date for the much-anticipated iOS 7. It’s official: the new mobile operating system will be available to the public on September 18, but if you don’t feel like waiting another week, you can actually download and install it right now.

To be fair, anyone willing to sign up for an iOS developer account could get iOS 7 just a few hours after it was announced back in June – but that was the beta version. Thanks to an early leak, you can now get the Gold Master iOS 7 (the final, bug-free, complete version) before it’s officially released. Here’s how to get it on your iDevice before everyone else:

Recommended Videos

warning32Be warned! This upgrade works fine, but unless you have iTunes 11.1 beta (download link below) installed you will not be able to sync your device with iTunes after the upgrade is complete. The current public iTunes will allow you to upgrade, but will not read your phone after the upgrade, so iTunes 11.1 is required. If you have any need to sync your device, do not upgrade to iOS 7 until the new iTunes is released, or you have installed iTunes 11.1 beta. Digital Trends takes no responsibility for damaged or malfunctioning devices. Proceed at your own risk.

How to Install iOS 7 Gold Master

  1. Before you do anything else, connect your phone to your computer and back it up in iTunes, just to be safe.
  2. Download the appropriate update for your device to your Mac. Below we’ve listed links to all of the versions that are currently available. (Note: GSM means AT&T and CDMA means Verizon. If something isn’t working, you may have the wrong version.)
  3. Open up the disk image (.dmg) you just downloaded and find the iPhone Software Update file, which should have the .ipsw file extension at the end.
  4. Drag the .ipsw file to your desktop or the folder of your choosing for easy access.
  5. If you haven’t done so already, open up iTunes and connect your iDevice.
  6. Once it’s connected, select the device you own and click on the Summary tab.
  7. Hold down the Option key (OS X) or the Shift key (Windows) and click the Restore button. Navigate to the .ipsw file you downloaded, select it, and wait for the update to finish.

If everything goes smoothly, you should have iOS 7 up and running after the update finishes. Enjoy your flat new mobile OS and be sure to show it off at every opportunity to demonstrate just how trendy and cutting-edge you are.

Drew Prindle
Former Senior Editor, Features
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
Will my iPad get iPadOS 26? Here’s every supported model
We've got the full list of iPadOS 26 supported devices - find out if you're getting the new iPad update
iPadOS 26 home screen on an iPad

Apple announced iPadOS 26 at WWDC 2025, and the new iPad update comes with a fresh new look and plenty of features. Apple has ensured there are plenty of iPadOS 26 supported slates, so if you have a relatively new iPad you should get the update this year.

And no, you haven't missed a volley of updates since iPadOS 18 in 2024. Apple has skipped a bunch of numbers, so instead of giving us iPadOS 19 in 2025, we got iPadOS 26 alongside iOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26 and tvOS 26.

Read more
Will my iPhone get iOS 26? Here’s every supported model
We've got the full list of iOS 26 supported devices - find out if you're getting the new iPhone update
iOS 26 features on a series of iPhone screens

Apple announced iOS 26 at WWDC 2025, and the new iPhone update comes with a fresh new 'Liquid Glass' look and plenty of features - and there are loads of iOS 26 supported devices, which is great news.

And no, you haven't missed a volley of updates since iOS 18 in 2024. Apple has skipped a bunch of numbers, so instead of giving us iOS 19 in 2025, we got iOS 26 alongside iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26 and tvOS 26. In short, Apple's brought its operating system numbering into line. Nice.

Read more
3 big iOS 19 changes that I hope Apple reveals at WWDC 2025
iOS 19 sample logo.

We’re less than two days away from Apple’s big WWDC 2025 keynote, where the company will reveal new versions of each of its software platforms. One of the biggest changes this year is the expected shift from iOS 19 to iOS 26, with new versions of macOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS also set to follow suit. We're also expecting to see the evolution of Apple Health, including a new AI doctor and Health subscription.

iOS 26, if it is to be named that, is expected to introduce one of the biggest evolutions in design for Apple software since the first iPhone was launched. Inspired by visionOS and the Apple Vision Pro, it’s expected to be a monumental redesign, but I hope that Apple also takes the time to make a few improvements.

Read more