The device that started it all in 2007, and the two generations that followed it, have no page on this site. Here is exactly which final iOS build applies to the original iPhone, the iPhone 3G, and the iPhone 3GS — including one genuinely unusual case.
You can browse every model from the iPhone firmware page. For the generation that followed, see iPhone 4 Firmware and iPhone 4s Firmware.
Direct Answer: The original iPhone (2007) cannot be restored through a standard signed IPSW at all — it has no signed build. The iPhone 3G ends at iOS 4.2.1 (build 8C148). The iPhone 3GS ends at iOS 6.1.6 (build 10B500).
Original iPhone, 3G & 3GS Model Identifiers and Final Builds
| Model | Identifier | Final iOS | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original iPhone (2G) | iPhone1,1 | iOS 3.1.3 (7E18) — unsigned | iPhone1,1 firmware |
| iPhone 3G | iPhone1,2 | iOS 4.2.1 (8C148) | iPhone1,2 firmware |
| iPhone 3GS | iPhone2,1 | iOS 6.1.6 (10B500) | iPhone2,1 firmware |
Confirm your model at Settings → General → About, or by the model number printed on the back for devices too old to boot.
The Original iPhone Cannot Be Restored Through a Standard Signed IPSW
This is the same situation as the 1st-generation iPod touch. Checked directly against Apple's firmware catalog, the original iPhone (iPhone1,1) has no signed build at all — its highest recorded version, iOS 3.1.3, shows as unsigned, and nothing in its firmware history is currently signed. In practice this means Finder, the Apple Devices app, and iTunes will all reject a restore attempt on this specific model, regardless of which IPSW file you have. The original iPhone predates the per-build signing infrastructure that every device since has relied on.
Why the 3G and 3GS Reached Different Ceilings
The iPhone 3G and 3GS are separated by one hardware generation, and that gap shows in their final builds: the 3G stopped at iOS 4.2.1, while the 3GS — helped by its faster processor and more RAM — reached iOS 6.1.6, three additional major versions later. Both are now permanent ceilings; neither device will ever run a newer build.
What EOL Means for These Devices
- All three have a genuine 32-bit problem: their chips predate Apple's 64-bit transition entirely, so the overwhelming majority of current apps cannot install on any of them, regardless of iOS version.
- The App Store is effectively unusable on all three: even where the App Store client still loads, almost nothing currently listed will install.
- Security patching ended years ago for all three: their final builds are the permanent end of the line, not a current snapshot.
- Realistic use case: these devices function today mainly as collector's items or basic offline devices — not as tools for any current software.
Currently Signed Builds (Verify Live)
Because the iPhone 3G and 3GS reached end-of-life years ago, their final builds have remained the only signed options and are unlikely to change — and the original iPhone has no signed option at all. Confirm current status on the device page before restoring — see how to check IPSW signing status.
Restoring an iPhone 3G or 3GS Using an IPSW File
- Back up any data you need — restoring erases the device.
- Download the IPSW for your exact identifier (iPhone1,2 or iPhone2,1). Confirm it is signed — and note that the original iPhone cannot be restored this way at all.
- Disable Find My iPhone if enabled, under Settings → iCloud → Find My iPhone → Off, the pre-iOS-10.3 menu location.
- Connect the iPhone to a Mac or PC using its 30-pin dock connector cable — all three of these devices predate Lightning, which arrived with the iPhone 5.
- Open iTunes on an older macOS installation or on Windows. Devices this old generally require iTunes rather than Finder or the Apple Devices app.
- Hold Option (Mac) or Shift (Windows), click Restore iPhone, and select the downloaded IPSW file.
If the device gets stuck during restore, see Boot Loop Fix: Recover Without Losing Data for DFU-mode recovery steps.
You can browse every model from the iPhone firmware page. For the generations that followed, see iPhone 4 Firmware and iPhone 4s Firmware.
FAQ
Can the original iPhone be restored with an IPSW?
Not through a standard restore. Checked directly against Apple's firmware catalog, the original iPhone (iPhone1,1) has no signed build at all, so Finder, Apple Devices, and iTunes will all reject a restore attempt regardless of the file used.
What is the last iOS version for the iPhone 3G?
iOS 4.2.1 (build 8C148), for identifier iPhone1,2.
What is the last iOS version for the iPhone 3GS?
iOS 6.1.6 (build 10B500), for identifier iPhone2,1 — three major versions further than the 3G, thanks to its faster hardware.
What cable do these iPhones use to restore?
The 30-pin dock connector, not Lightning. The original iPhone, 3G, and 3GS all predate Lightning, which Apple introduced with the iPhone 5 in 2012.
Are these devices still useful in 2026?
Mostly as collector's items. Their 32-bit chips cannot run the vast majority of apps currently on the App Store, and the original iPhone cannot be restored to a signed build at all.
