How to Install iOS 13 from Windows 10 Command Line (not iTunes)

Install iOS 13 Windows 10 Command Line

Apple finally announced the iOS 13 Beta at WWDC 2019 yesterday. But getting the software installed on compatible devices has been a challenge for both macOS and Windows users. Since the current version of iTunes doesn’t support iOS 13, there’s no official way to install iOS 13 on a Windows PC.

However, thanks to the this Github repo by developer Devjam81 which lets you install iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 on supported devices using your Windows 10 PC.

🔔 Update
Great news! iTunes 12.10 will release soon and it’ll support iOS 13 IPSW files.

Downloads

If you haven’t downloaded iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 Beta IPSW firmware files yet, get it for your (compatible) iPhone or iPad Model from the links below:

Also, download the libimobile2019 zip from file from Github (link below) to be able to flash IPSW firmware files over the command line.

Important Note: Installing iOS 13 without using iTunes will probably result in a full data wipe of the device. So make sure you take a backup of your iPhone using iTunes or iCloud before proceeding.

How to Backup iPhone

Instructions

Follow the instructions below to install iOS 13 on your iPhone or iPadOS 13 on your iPad without iTunes from your Windows 10 PC.

  1. Make sure you have iTunes downloaded from Apple’s website

    Although we won’t be using iTunes to install iOS 13 on your iPhone, we still need it installed on your PC. And it should be the one downloaded from Apple’s website (download link below).

    Download iTunes Installer (.exe)

    If you’ve installed iTunes from the Microsoft Store on your PC, uninstall it and run installer linked above.

    Note: If you took a backup on the MS Store version of iTunes, make sure you archive the backup from C:Users<username>AppleMobileSyncBackup folder on your PC before uninstalling it.

  2. Extract libimobile2019-master.zip file

    Extract/Unzip the contents of libimobile2019-master.zip file to a separate folder in the C: drive of your PC.

  3. Rename, Copy and Paste the iOS 13 IPSW firmware file

    Rename the iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 IPSW firmware file to something like ios13.ipsw or ipados-13.ipsw and Copy/Paste the files into the same folder where you extracted the libimobile2019 files in the Step above.

  4. Launch Command Prompt as Administrator

    Open Start menu on your PC, type CMD, then select Run as administrator from the right panel.
    Open CMD as Administrator

  5. Set libimobile2019 directory as the folder path in CMD

    Direct the command line prompt to the folder where we saved the files in the step above. On our PC, the folder location is C:libimobile2019-master, so we’ll use the following command below:

    cd C:libimobile2019-master

    But you may have used a different folder name, so change the command accordingly. Basically, it’s cd /your/folder/address

  6. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the PC

    Connect your iPhone or iPad to the PC with a USB to Lightning cable.

  7. Flash the iOS 13 IPSW firmware

    Issue the following command in the command prompt window to finally flash the iOS 13 Beta to your iPhone.

    idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw



    Let your device install the restore image. If your device boots up fine, skip to the next step.

    If not, you may be getting the following errors in the command prompt window:
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC component: Unable to find device
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC to device.
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC


    Side note: iTunes will show up when your device is in recovery mode. It’ll ask you to either Update or Restore the device, but you need to click on the Cancel button.

    To fix iBEC errors, follow the instructions below.

    Keep your iPhone connected to the PC. Open Device Manager on the PC (search for it in the Start menu), then expand the Universal Serial Bus devices dropdown, you should see the Apple Recovery (iBoot) USB Composite Device listed.


    Right-click on Apple Recovery (iBoot) USB Composite Device and select “Uninstall device”. Also, tick the “Delete the driver software for this device” checkbox on the confirmation popup.



    All three Apple Mobile device entries under Universal Serial Bus devices should disappear.

    Now disconnect, and then re-connect your iPhone.

    Wait for 5-10 few seconds to let Windows reinstall device drivers, then issue the restore image installation command again in the same CMD window.
    idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw

    This time, you won’t see the iBEC errors.

    When the installation is complete, you’ll get a Status: Restore Finished message.

  8. Recover your data

    You may get an Apple logo with a white screen, and it may reboot a few times. It’s normal. Disconnect your device from the PC, and give it 15-20 minutes to finally get to the “Swipe up to recover” screen.

    Do a Swipe up, enter your Passcode (twice) then let the device recover your data. This might take another 10-15 minutes. The screen will go black in a minute or so, but it’ll be working in the background. You can (single) press the power key to turn on the screen and check Data recovery progress.



    After successful data recovery, your device will reboot one last time and then you will have iOS 13 running on your iPhone or iPad.

Cheers!

107 Comments

  1. Did all as above and it worked. When my iPhone started it now says I cant activate it due to the servers. Also doesn’t work with iTunes. Any ideas?

    1. No idea. Maybe try installing again?

    2. I successfully updated my two iPhone XS Max and an iPad 6th Gen. with this method.

      1. Did u need to register your UDID?

    3. I still get ERROR: Unable to send iBEC component: Unable to find device
      ERROR: Unable to send iBEC to device.
      ERROR: Unable to send iBEC

      I have the ITunes from the apple website and Itunes 12.9.5, can you help?

  2. Did all as above and it worked. When my iPhone started it now says I cant activate it due to the servers. Also doesn’t work with iTunes. Any ideas?

  3. It shows
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC component: Unable to find device
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC to device.
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC
    over and over

    1. Make sure you don’t have the MS Store iTunes installed. If you’re not sure, just uninstall iTunes and download from the link provided on the post.

      Also, follow the instructions for resolving iBEC error.

      1. I had same problem, but I installed iTunes with your link and everything is working! Thank you so much for your work! 🙂

  4. It shows
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC component: Unable to find device
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC to device.
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC
    over and over

  5. Hi, i follop all the steps but it keep showing ERROR: Unable to send iBEC component: Unable to find device
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC to device.
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC

    1. Uninstall iTunes and then re-install from iTunes Installer from Apple’s site, not Microsoft Store

      1. now it is working… You were right!, it was the MS store iTunes versión. THANK YOU.

  6. Hi, i follop all the steps but it keep showing ERROR: Unable to send iBEC component: Unable to find device
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC to device.
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC

  7. hi. thanks

  8. hi. thanks

  9. The itunes I have installed is from apple´s site, for sure. And it does not work either. Thank you

  10. The itunes I have installed is from apple´s site, for sure. And it does not work either. Thank you

  11. Thanks!

  12. Thanks!

  13. NOTE: using cached version data
    Found device in Normal mode
    Identified device as d221ap, iPhone10,6
    ERROR: Firmware file ios13.ipsw does not exist.

  14. NOTE: using cached version data
    Found device in Normal mode
    Identified device as d221ap, iPhone10,6
    ERROR: Firmware file ios13.ipsw does not exist.

  15. ERROR: Firmware file ios13.ipsw does not exist but the firmware. but the firmware is there, with the name ios13.ipsw. what happen? thank you

    1. i fixed it just tipying ios13, without “.ipsw”… installing right now. hope it ends fine

  16. ERROR: Firmware file ios13.ipsw does not exist but the firmware. but the firmware is there, with the name ios13.ipsw. what happen? thank you

  17. ttps://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/bwj1lj/guide_install_ios_13_with_windows_10/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app
    referring to this tutorial I would suggest using idevicerestore -d restore.ipsw instead of idevicerestore -e restore.ipsw If you do this your data won’t be erased.

    1. Updated the post. Thanks for the tip!

    2. after doing above my iphone is stuck in apple logo what next ??

  18. ttps://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/bwj1lj/guide_install_ios_13_with_windows_10/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app
    referring to this tutorial I would suggest using idevicerestore -d restore.ipsw instead of idevicerestore -e restore.ipsw If you do this your data won’t be erased.

  19. ERROR: Unable to send RestoreLogo component: Unable to upload data to device

    ERROR: Unable to send RestoreLogo to device.

    ERROR: Unable to send AppleLogo

    ERROR: Unable to place device into restore mode

    1. Have you ran CMD as administrator?

  20. ERROR: Unable to send RestoreLogo component: Unable to upload data to device

    ERROR: Unable to send RestoreLogo to device.

    ERROR: Unable to send AppleLogo

    ERROR: Unable to place device into restore mode

  21. i got to the ibec errors and followed the instructions but now i get told
    C:\libimobile2019-master>idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw
    Reading data from version.xml
    NOTE: using cached version data
    ERROR: Unable to discover device mode. Please make sure a device is attached.

    its plugged back in and it looked like it reinstalled the drivers please help

  22. i got to the ibec errors and followed the instructions but now i get told
    C:libimobile2019-master>idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw
    Reading data from version.xml
    NOTE: using cached version data
    ERROR: Unable to discover device mode. Please make sure a device is attached.

    its plugged back in and it looked like it reinstalled the drivers please help

  23. does not work on iPad Air 3rd Gen

    Reading data from version.xml
    NOTE: using cached version data
    Found device in Normal mode
    ERROR: Unable to discover device type

  24. does not work on iPad Air 3rd Gen

    Reading data from version.xml
    NOTE: using cached version data
    Found device in Normal mode
    ERROR: Unable to discover device type

  25. Thanks a lot!!!! i searched so long for a method like this. It worked Perfectly. I´m working on the Data restore right now. i hope it´s going to be all good.

  26. Thanks a lot!!!! i searched so long for a method like this. It worked Perfectly. I´m working on the Data restore right now. i hope it´s going to be all good.

  27. hi i got
    C:\libimobile2019-master>idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw
    Reading data from version.xml
    NOTE: using cached version data
    Found device in Normal mode
    Identified device as j71bap, iPad7,5
    ERROR: Firmware file ios13.ipsw does not exist.

  28. hi i got
    C:libimobile2019-master>idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw
    Reading data from version.xml
    NOTE: using cached version data
    Found device in Normal mode
    Identified device as j71bap, iPad7,5
    ERROR: Firmware file ios13.ipsw does not exist.

  29. when i put in the cmd idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw i got a popup sayin that i dont have the access and i have to install some app to run this application altought i am in admin mode in the cmd

  30. when i put in the cmd idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw i got a popup sayin that i dont have the access and i have to install some app to run this application altought i am in admin mode in the cmd

  31. I ran through this on my XS Max. it came to the “Status Restore Finished” and “Done” now my phone is alternating from black screen with white apple logo, and white screen with black apple logo.

    1. This is normal. Give it time.

  32. I ran through this on my XS Max. it came to the “Status Restore Finished” and “Done” now my phone is alternating from black screen with white apple logo, and white screen with black apple logo.

  33. i am stuck at rebooting loop ….guys any suggestions?

  34. i am stuck at rebooting loop ….guys any suggestions?

  35. It did work for me, perfect!

  36. It did work for me, perfect!

  37. Worked perfectly on both iPad Pro 11″ and iPhone XS Max BUT Face ID does not work on either device now 🙁

    1. Works fine for me. Try restarting your devices, or do a reset.

      1. Done both still no good… it opens the setup but stays black and it crashes and tells you it’s not available and to try later

      2. does not work on iPad Air 3rd Gen

        Reading data from version.xml
        NOTE: using cached version data
        Found device in Normal mode
        ERROR: Unable to discover device type

  38. Worked perfectly on both iPad Pro 11″ and iPhone XS Max BUT Face ID does not work on either device now 🙁

  39. It works for me thx

  40. It works for me thx

  41. Thanks ^*^

  42. Do I have to put my iPhone in recovery mode before flashing iOS 13?

    1. Not necessary. The tool works in both states — switched on and recovery mode.

  43. Do I have to put my iPhone in recovery mode before flashing iOS 13?

  44. do you know how to solve the “ERROR: Unable to send RestoreLogo component: Unable to find device
    ERROR: Unable to send RestoreLogo to device.
    ERROR: Unable to send AppleLogo
    ERROR: Unable to place device into restore mode’

  45. after installation on ipad 105 its in a step attempting data recovery its should be like this?

    1. Yes, that’s part of the process.

  46. its been more then 30min, i am stuck in apple logo black& white loop

  47. Reading data from version.xml
    NOTE: using cached version data
    Found device in Normal mode
    Identified device as d221ap, iPhone10,6
    Extracting BuildManifest from IPSW
    Product Version: 13.0
    Product Build: 17A5492t Major: 17
    Device supports Image4: true
    Variant: Developer Upgrade Install (IPSW)
    This restore will update your device without losing data.
    Extracting filesystem from IPSW

  48. ASR: __decompressChunk() error: 1000XSTA
    ASR: fail
    ASR: Could not restore – error 1
    ASR: 000
    ASR STATUS: fail

    Suggerstions?
    Thanks!

  49. C:\libimobile2019-master>idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw
    Reading data from version.xml
    NOTE: using cached version data
    Found device in Normal mode
    Identified device as n841ap, iPhone11,8
    ERROR: Firmware file ios13.ipsw does not exist.
    i got this error Help!

  50. I dont if you can help me …. but here the message I have : idevicerestore.exe ‘is not recognized as an internal command
    or external, an executable program or a batch file.

  51. Can someone help me…… I receive the message :

    idevicerestore.exe ‘is not recognized as an internal command
    or external, an executable program or a batch file.

  52. Im getting
    C:libimobile2019-master>idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw
    Reading data from version.xml
    NOTE: using cached version data
    Found device in Normal mode
    Identified device as d321ap, iPhone11,2
    ERROR: Firmware file ios13.ipsw does not exist.

    Please Help me

  53. guys i am stuck at apple logo please help

  54. C:libimobile2019-master>idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw
    Reading data from version.xml
    NOTE: using cached version data
    Found device in Normal mode
    Identified device as d221ap, iPhone10,6
    Extracting BuildManifest from IPSW
    ERROR: Could not make sure this firmware is suitable for the current device. Refusing to continue.

    Help this is all i get! I’m using iPhone X.

  55. not working for iphone 6s plus its saying
    FDR 0000000004BB9470 Timeout

    what do i do?

  56. Thanks, this worked great, exactly as expected and it retained all of my data.

  57. Why does it say firmware not found???

  58. Once I updated to ios 13 Face ID stopped working anybody have a fix or can help

  59. iphone 8 says firmware file ios13.ipsw does not exist

  60. C:WINDOWSsystem32>cd C:libimobile2019-master

    C:libimobile2019-master>idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw
    Reading data from version.xml
    NOTE: using cached version data
    Found device in Normal mode
    Identified device as d321ap, iPhone11,2
    ERROR: Firmware file ios13.ipsw does not exist.

    C:libimobile2019-master>

    So what am I doing wrong here?

  61. any solutions to face id not working?

  62. Any solutions to the firmware not existing or could someone drop a very detailed step by step tutorial

  63. Please help. iPhone 6s
    FDR 0000000004A8F3D0 timeout waiting for command
    FDR 0000000004A8F3D0 terminating…
    ERROR: Unable to restore device

  64. mine just keeps saying: No Data to read

  65. I tried doing the fix for the iBEC errors but that do not work. I’ve tried the steps 3 times now and I continue to get the same error

    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC component: Unable to find device
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC to device.
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC

    Can anyone tell me how to resolve this issue because removing the drivers with Device Manager still is not resolving the issue. I have an XS Max

  66. Ok, for all of you who can’t seem to do simple instructions, stop. Do not pass go. This is not the thing for you.

    Fucking n00bs. If you can’t understand how to rename a file or move it to the right place, you really shouldn’t be installing a beta.

  67. I”m stuck at the Apple logo. Is there a fix? It’s been almost an hour.

  68. my iphone XR got a problem with Face ID after restoring……

  69. If it doesn’t work (BACKUP !!!!) try this command : idevicerestore.exe -d .-l ios13.ipsw THEN idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw

  70. Callum Derbyshire

    I keep getting C:libimobile2019 is not recognised as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file0

  71. ERROR: Unable to get UniqueChipID from lockdownd
    ERROR: Unable to find device ECID

  72. Worked for me this way: removed .ipsw from the filename. But kept .ipsw on the command line

  73. WARNING: set interface failed, error -8
    INFO: device serial number is DV6X63PHJC67
    DEBUG: tss_response_get_path_by_entry: No entry ‘iBEC’ in TSS response
    NOTE: No path for component iBEC in TSS, will fetch from build_identity
    Extracting iBEC.d20.RELEASE.im4p…
    Personalizing IMG4 component iBEC…
    Tag found
    Sending iBEC (996947 bytes)…
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC component: Unable to find device
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC to device.
    ERROR: Unable to send iBEC

    Appears to be restored by iTunes and does not proceed.

  74. Please help me…

    How do I deal with this?

    ERROR: Could not open ZIP archive ‘C:Users****AppDataLocalTempffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff000000022’: 18
    ERROR: Unable to send baseband data
    ERROR: Unable to successfully restore device

  75. i’m getting:
    Extracting BuildManifest from IPSW
    ERROR: zip_open: ios13.ipsw: 19
    ERROR: zip_open: ios13.ipsw: 19
    ERROR: Invalid archive
    ERROR: Unable to extract BuildManifest from ios13.ipsw. Firmware file might be corrupt.

    what do I do??

  76. No data to read
    Update: It’s ok (thanks god)

  77. I followed the directions to a tee and installed on my iPhone SE. NO ERRORS.

  78. “Unable to restore device” message appears in cmd
    what is the solution ?

  79. I keep getting timed out, with an error connecting to the server, ‘no alternative certificate subject name matches target host name “gs.apple.com”‘ It tries 15 times, then times out. When I ping gs.apple.com, it is a diferent IP.

    Do I need to change the IP it pings?

  80. I’m stuck at the White Apple logo with Black background for more than one hour and a half. Can someone help me please?

  81. C:libimobile2019-master>idevicerestore.exe -d ios13.ipsw
    Reading data from version.xml
    NOTE: using cached version data
    Found device in Normal mode
    Identified device as d111ap, iPhone9,4
    ERROR: Firmware file ios13.ipsw does not exist.

    Pleas help me, I’m using iPhone 7 Plus

    1. Successfully IOS13 updated without any data loose.

  82. restore-step-user-progress = 32
    [12:30:40.0467-GMT]{3>5} CHECKPOINT BEGIN: RESTORED:[0x0648] cleanup_send_final_status
    restore-step-ids = {0x11030677:40;0x1103065B:47;0x11030648:50}
    restore-step-names = {0x11030677:perform_main_os_prepare;0x1103065B:asr_and_invert_image;0x11030648:cleanup_send_final_status}
    restore-step-uptime = 185
    restore-step-user-progress = 32

    FDR 0000000004B0B430 timeout waiting for command
    FDR 0000000004B0B430 terminating…
    ERROR: Unable to restore device

    what do i do?

  83. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD! You will not have FaceID working after this upgrade. Either wait for the public beta, or the dev profile or if you can’t wait find a friend with a Mac or install a Mac on VMWare….

  84. ERROR: Could not make sure this firmware is suitable for the current device. Refusing to continue.

    I go downlaod the beta profile.

  85. Sorry it s my fault dont take the good downlaod maybee i test it again but my true its :

    With this method is it possible to downgrade or maybee the betas .ipsw doesn’t need an apple verification?

  86. Thanks, this worked perfectly and I was finally able to get rid of a pesky error message that prevented my phone from even checking for an OTA and also updating from iTunes.

  87. Updating Baseband in progress…
    ERROR: device didn’t accept BasebandData
    ERROR: Unable to successfully restore device
    Updating baseband (19)
    Cleaning up…
    DONE

    :-//

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