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Home / Devices / iPad Air 5 (Cellular) / 23E261

About This Firmware

iPadOS 26.4.2 (build 23E261) is an official Apple IPSW for the iPad Air 5 (Cellular), released on 2026-04-22. The download is 9.54 GB and is served directly from Apple's CDN. This firmware is no longer signed by Apple. Standard downgrades are not possible, but the file remains available for reference and advanced use.

Verify the download using the checksums below.

Filename

iPad_Spring_2022_26.4.2_23E261_Restore.ipsw

Checksums

SHA-256 0fdf0e340d8a9e3a58e17ece3771d2c326c61c20b4421ba6758fd633fd4b7a69
SHA-1 6d5dc35b8d4a3cd1274de8bfe11d2e140f1c04c8
MD5 8d4d975d53f2ac6442ee0185144b0fa0

Direct URL

https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2026SpringFCS/fullrestores/122-60832/80A75DAA-77E4-48FE-9BB0-FF57FEF9B193/iPad_Spring_2022_26.4.2_23E261_Restore.ipsw
Download IPSW

Other Devices

iPad 2 (WiFi)
iPad 2 (WiFi)
iPad2,1
 iPad 4 (GSM)
iPad 4 (GSM)
iPad3,5
 iPad Air 4 (WiFi)
iPad Air 4 (WiFi)
iPad13,1
 iPad Air 3 (Cellular)
iPad Air 3 (Cellular)
iPad11,4
 iPad Pro 13-inch (M5, WiFi)
iPad Pro 13-inch (M5, WiFi)
iPad17,3
 iPad Pro 4 (11-inch, WiFi)
iPad Pro 4 (11-inch, WiFi)
iPad8,9

How to Restore with This IPSW

iTunes / Finder

macOS & Windows
  1. Download the .ipsw file to your computer.
  2. Connect your iPad Air 5 (Cellular) via USB.
  3. Open iTunes (Windows / macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina+) and select your device.
  4. Update (keep data): hold Option (Mac) or Shift (Windows) and click Update, then pick the .ipsw file.
  5. Restore (erase & install): hold Option / Shift and click Restore iPhone…, then pick the .ipsw file.
  6. Wait for the process to finish - do not disconnect.
Restoring will erase all data on the device. Back up first.

3uTools

Windows
  1. Download and install 3uTools from 3u.com.
  2. Connect your iPad Air 5 (Cellular) via USB and trust the computer on the device.
  3. Go to Flash & JB > Easy Flash.
  4. Click Import and select the downloaded .ipsw file.
  5. Choose Flash mode: Update keeps data, Restore wipes the device.
  6. Click Flash and wait for the progress bar to complete - do not disconnect.
Only flash firmware that matches your exact device model.

DFU Mode

Recovery tip

If your device is stuck in a boot loop or iTunes/Finder does not recognise it, enter DFU mode first, then select the .ipsw file as normal.

iPhone 8 / X and later

  1. Quickly press & release Volume Up
  2. Quickly press & release Volume Down
  3. Hold Side button until screen goes black
  4. Hold Side + Volume Down for 5 s
  5. Release Side, hold Volume Down 5 more s
  6. Black screen = DFU active

iPhone 7 / 7 Plus

  1. Hold Sleep/Wake + Volume Down for 8 s
  2. Release Sleep/Wake, keep holding Volume Down for 5 s
  3. Black screen = DFU active

iPhone 6s and earlier

  1. Hold Sleep/Wake + Home for 8 s
  2. Release Sleep/Wake, keep holding Home for 5 s
  3. Black screen = DFU active
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