The iPhone 4s reached the end of its software life years ago: its final signed build is iOS 9.3.6 (13G37), dated July 22, 2019. There is a single hardware identifier to worry about, and no newer version is coming.
iPhone 4s Model Identifier
| Model | Identifier | Final Signed Build |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 4s | iPhone4,1 | iOS 9.3.6 (13G37) |
Unlike later iPhones, the 4s shipped as a single global identifier — there is no GSM/CDMA or region split to worry about when matching your IPSW.
What "End of Life" Means for the iPhone 4s
The iPhone 4s never received iOS 10 — it topped out at iOS 9.3.6, and Apple is not going to sign anything newer for it. If you're restoring or reinstalling on a 4s today, 9.3.6 is not a recommendation, it is the only version a standard restore will accept.
How to Restore an iPhone 4s with an IPSW
The iPhone 4s predates both the Apple Devices app and any current version of macOS, so restoring one requires older tools:
- Use iTunes — either an older macOS installation with legacy iTunes, or iTunes on Windows.
- Download the iOS 9.3.6 (13G37) IPSW matching identifier iPhone4,1.
- Put the device into DFU or recovery mode, then Shift-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac) "Restore" in iTunes and point it at the downloaded file.
More iPhone Firmware Guides
See our full iPhone model directory for every generation, or check the guide for a much later, still-supported device line:
- iPhone 5 & 5c Firmware — the next generation up
- iPhone 6, 6s & 6s Plus Firmware — several generations newer, with a far longer support window than the 4s
iPhone 4s Firmware FAQ
What is the final iOS version for the iPhone 4s?
iOS 9.3.6, build 13G37, signed as of July 22, 2019. This applies to the single iPhone4,1 identifier.
Can I install iOS 10 or later on an iPhone 4s?
No. Apple never released iOS 10 for the iPhone 4s, and no newer build will ever be signed for it. iOS 9.3.6 is permanent.
Do I need a specific tool to restore an iPhone 4s?
Yes — the current Apple Devices app does not support hardware this old. You need iTunes, on an older macOS installation or on Windows.
Are there multiple iPhone 4s hardware variants to worry about?
No. Unlike some later iPhones, the 4s used a single global identifier, iPhone4,1, with no separate GSM/CDMA split.
