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Home / Devices / iPad Air (M2, 11-inch, Cellular) / 23E261

About This Firmware

iPadOS 26.4.2 (build 23E261) is an official Apple IPSW for the iPad Air (M2, 11-inch, Cellular), released on 2026-04-22. The download is 9.69 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_Air_M2_26.4.2_23E261_Restore.ipsw

Checksums

SHA-256 f5679550d6b8024ceec742f00ed629f35c759849bae404ecef3c22537ba414a1
SHA-1 99e69b5648834318b7b8f91f9b76d01a433e015a
MD5 d9cc32cdac4e5aa8b1077e31bb9a8e27

Direct URL

https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2026SpringFCS/fullrestores/122-60824/475FD858-AF90-4651-89DF-1F1A0366B295/iPad_Air_M2_26.4.2_23E261_Restore.ipsw
Download IPSW

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iPad8,2
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iPad16,6

How to Restore with This IPSW

iTunes / Finder

macOS & Windows
  1. Download the .ipsw file to your computer.
  2. Connect your iPad Air (M2, 11-inch, 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 (M2, 11-inch, 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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