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Home / Devices / iPad Air 11-inch (M3, Cellular) / 23E261

About This Firmware

iPadOS 26.4.2 (build 23E261) is an official Apple IPSW for the iPad Air 11-inch (M3, Cellular), released on 2026-04-22. The download is 9.66 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

iPad15,3,iPad15,4,iPad15,5,iPad15,6_26.4.2_23E261_Restore.ipsw

Checksums

SHA-256 335827e13777a0e3a4bbe8e8a61ef14668491520c3919ded64859cb291ebec82
SHA-1 9dd6bd8b8cf8156d5610a10ec55af86d8abb0221
MD5 83458ba173ebe19b1ee8030bf3025ed1

Direct URL

https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2026SpringFCS/fullrestores/122-60254/E881A5D5-8452-4196-964E-A8614FF16AA6/iPad15,3,iPad15,4,iPad15,5,iPad15,6_26.4.2_23E261_Restore.ipsw
Download IPSW

Other Devices

iPad 4 (Global)
iPad 4 (Global)
iPad3,6
 iPad Air (M2, 13-inch, Cellular)
iPad Air (M2, 13-inch, Cellular)
iPad14,11
 iPad Pro (12.9-inch, WiFi) (5th generation)
iPad Pro (12.9-inch, WiFi) (5th generation)
iPad13,8
 iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, WiFi)
iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, WiFi)
iPad17,1
 iPad mini 6 (Cellular)
iPad mini 6 (Cellular)
iPad14,2
 iPad 8 (WiFi)
iPad 8 (WiFi)
iPad11,6

How to Restore with This IPSW

iTunes / Finder

macOS & Windows
  1. Download the .ipsw file to your computer.
  2. Connect your iPad Air 11-inch (M3, 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 11-inch (M3, 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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