Apple
How to Install iOS 7 Early for Free
If you absolutely can’t wait for the iOS 7 release date to try all the amazing new iOS 7 features that will come to the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch later this month users with sense of adventure can install iOS 7 early without paying $99 to join Apple’s developer program.
Apple announced the iOS 7 GM, or Gold Master earlier today offering downloads to registered iOS 7 developers who need to finish up their iOS 7 app updates ahead of the official IOS 7 release date on September 18th.
Like many Apple iOS GM releases, the iOS 7 GM is one that users can install without registering their device with the Apple developer program. We’ve confirmed that anyone with a supported iOS 7 device can install the iOS 7 GM to use the near final version of Apple’s new iOS software.
Read: 23 Amazing iOS 7 Features
The iOS 7 GM download lets anyone with a supported device install IOS 7 early.
Before you go looking for an iOS 7 download link and start installing iOS 7 on your iPhone or iPad, there are a few warnings. First off the iOS 7 GM is not meant for the general public so there could still be a few bugs. It’s also important to note that you’ll need to find an iOS 7 GM download link that is not from Apple, which means you will be downloading software that breaks a software agreement with Apple. Finally, if you plan to jailbreak and are holding out hope for an iOS 6.1.4 jailbreak it’s a good idea to simply wait this one out.
Read: iOS 7 Release Date for iPhone & iPad Confirmed
The iOS 7 release date is just over a week away when users will be able to install it as a free over the air update with a much smoother process, and one that won’t need repeating in the near future.
How to Install the iOS 7 GM
The iOS 7 GM is available for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and installing iOS 7 early is free thanks to the iOS 7 GM not requiring a UDID activation or coming with an expiration date like the normal iOS 7 betas.
1. Find an iOS 7 GM download link from a site like IMZDL or on social media.
2. Download the right iOS 7 GM for your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
3. Plug the device into the computer and perform a backup. Installing the iOS 7 beta will erase your iPhone so plan to wait for a restore and sync. We didn’t lose any data, but if this sounds like a hassle, wait until the official iOS 7 release date.
4. Open iTunes and upgrade to the iOS 7 Beta by choosing Restore.
- Be sure to hold alt/option on Mac when you click Restore.
- On Windows, hold Shift when you click Restore.
5. Find and click on the .ipsw file you downloaded.
6. Complete the iOS 7 installation and restore from backup.
Users can install the iOS 7 GM on the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPad 4, iPad 3, iPad 2 and iPad mini as well as the iPod touch 5th gen.
Read: iOS 7 Release Date Breakdown
Apple announced the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C today at a special event where the focus was on iPhone and iOS 7. We expect a new iPad and new MacBook Pro units at a different event in the near future.
Zahid
09/10/2013 at 7:19 pm
Are they available for ipad
Victoria Mudaraya
09/11/2013 at 1:58 am
Thank you for the detailed how to, but I fullly agree that iti is good and has sense only for iPhone developers, who want to test their apps on new system beforehand, not fpr general public
Eric
09/11/2013 at 4:11 pm
I would normally agree but seeing as this isn’t an early beta and is the final one that will have little changes compared to the final release some people would just want an early release considering that it is the GM version
Afiq
09/11/2013 at 3:31 am
If i update my ios now, on 18 sept i can still update it again through the phone or i’m stuck in the ios7gm forever?
Max
09/11/2013 at 4:11 am
UDID from my device not in developer acc. list. I can instal iOS7 GM now?
TAC (@takeaclic)
09/11/2013 at 5:07 am
Apple has announced that developers will not access to the touch id sensor atleast for now. Read more below.
Dont know what Apple is thinking but a lot of cool apps could be developed and apps like dropbix and evernote could be made more secure.
https://www.takeaclick.com/2013/09/11/developers-will-not-get-access-to-touch-id-sensor-for-now/1214/
KM
09/11/2013 at 5:43 am
You cant restore the backup when updated to ios 7GM without the new itunes (11.1)!!
pbns1979
09/11/2013 at 10:36 am
Install the iTunes 11.1 beta then :)
Nick Fakis
09/11/2013 at 7:20 am
I can’t see why anybody’s pants would be on fire to the point where they can’t wait just one week to get the official release.
PJ Brenton
09/11/2013 at 7:28 am
I’ve had the iOS 7 since June and love it!
DAG's
09/11/2013 at 8:57 am
ok so this is what I just did.
I have an iPhone 5 with ios 7 beta running on it. I downloaded ios 7 gm and installed it on the most current iTunes software (NOT The Beta) in windows.
I clicked shift and clicked “Check for update” and after 10-15 minutes … Viola
Ios 7 GM running on my iphone AND all my data stayed on my phone. :)
bobbybrown
09/11/2013 at 3:01 pm
thank you soooo much :D
allison
09/11/2013 at 1:03 pm
I have iOS 7 beta 6 on my phone, just to clarify when it comes out on September 18th I’ll be able to update to the finished iOS 7, correct?
Jacob
09/11/2013 at 5:32 pm
yes :) you have pretty much the final version
min
09/11/2013 at 3:20 pm
If you’re not a developer, you can download it here: make sure you go to the “rest of the world” part of the list. So if you were looking to download it for our iphone5, go to the 2nd paragraph and it will say “rest of the world” and those will be the likes you click.
https://adf.ly/VZYzo
Johnny Mabry
09/11/2013 at 3:34 pm
“Installing the iOS 7 beta will erase your iPhone so plan to wait for a restore and sync.”
Uh, no, it won’t. From iTunes, hold down Option while selecting Update, *NOT* Restore. This will allow you to update your device normally WITHOUT having to erase and restore.
The only people who would need to Restore instead of Update are those who are working with Jailbroken or otherwise corrupted devices. For everyone else, Updating will work normally.
Don’t quit your day job, Josh. Hope you’re better at editing than tech advising. And it’s iOS 7 GM, not beta GM. There’s no such thing as a beta GM. This is the exact build that will be released to the public on the 18th, so YES it very much IS intended for the general public at this point.
Alin Patru
09/12/2013 at 3:32 am
Can i use your method (option + update) if i have iOS7 beta on my phone already?
I think i red somewhere that you need iOS 6 on your phone…
danielk
09/11/2013 at 4:48 pm
Updated my iphone 5 with the holding option while clicking update method, worked like a charm!
Tadd Hunt
09/11/2013 at 6:11 pm
After the iOS7 GM installation, do I have to restore from a backup on my Mac or can I just restore from a recent iCloud backup like usual?
Joe
09/15/2013 at 3:04 am
I restored from iCloud.
Saahil Jaffer
09/12/2013 at 2:13 pm
After I follow the above mentioned steps, it says udid not registered with apple developer program
DHjain
09/15/2013 at 8:02 am
My iphone 5 is running on IOS 7 Beta.
Will it be a problem installing IOS 7 official released version on 18th??
iOS 7 download links
10/08/2013 at 2:19 am
No surprise in installing iOS 7 GM before the public launch of iOS 7. Because, many people were providing iOS 7 GM download links for users to download and update their devices to latest firmware version.
Roksana
07/10/2019 at 1:30 am
Thank you for installing iOS 7. It’s interesting to keep track of how Apple evolves.