How to Update iPod Touch to 3.1 Firmware For Free

By Sandip Dedhia on September 11, 2009
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iPod Touch 3.1 OS

As per announcement of Apple at Rock and Roll event iTunes 9, iPhone OS 3.1 for iPhone and iPod touch and new line of iPod Touch are available. You can download latest version of iTunes 9 for free and iPhone users can update to firmware 3.1 for free unfortunately iPod Touch users need to pay $4.95 to upgrade to firmware 3.1.

In past we had written guide how to update iPod Touch to 3.0 firmware for free and now today we are here with one more guide and this time we will tell you how to update iPod Touch to 3.1 firmware for free.

How to Upgrade/Update iPod Touch 3.1 Firmware For Free

1. Download & Install iTunes 9

2. Download iPod Touch 3.1 Firmware using below links

iPod Touch 1G 3.1 Firmware

iPod Touch 2G 3.1 Firmware

iPod Touch 3G 3.1 Firmware

P.S Don’t use Safari or IE instead use Firefox to download firmware file. Use “Save As Link” Option to save the file on your machine. If saved file extension is .zip then change it to .ipsw.

3. Connect your iPod Touch

4. Start iTunes 9 and select iPod Touch from device list

5. On Windows Click Shift+ Restore

On Mac Click Option+Restore

6. Locate iPod Touch ipsw files downloaded in step 2

7. Do not disconnect till iTunes has completed updating iPod Touch

That’s it, Now enjoy your iPod Touch 3.1 Firmware.

Posted in , | Tagged , , , , | 67 Responses
Sandip Dedhia

Sandip Dedhia

Sandip Dedhia is the founder of Blogsdna.com, he loves to write on technology, gadgets & web services. At Blogsdna you can read his Windows tutorials, free and useful software related articles. He is on twitter too @sandipnd View author profile

  • http://- Rahul

    This method does not work for me. On selecting the ipsw file an error message pops up which reads: “The XYZ iPod could not be restored because the firmware file is not compatible.
    Tried the same even for firmware 3.0 with the same result! Please help.

  • kokjin99

    Hi there, the link for iPod Touch 1G 3.1 Firmware seems broken, any ideas? Thanks

  • steve

    the 1gen and 2 gen links are not working i get this.

    An error occurred while processing your request.

    Reference #50.d33b5c45.1252663078.4cf61b

    if you could fix that would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

  • http://digitalcandy.co.cc STRiKER

    Is thr a crack 4 this one ??
    and how 2 bkup my apps before updating ??
    (bcs i don’t store thm in itunes)
    pls reply !!

  • Ella

    When you say Restore, does that mean everything on the iPod will be erased?

  • Pingback: Free iPod Touch 3.1 Firmware Download Links()

  • http://www.mwd.com @JoeHobot

    Posted the downloading links my self at http://www.mwd.com , got credit my friend.

    TTYL.

  • p.

    http://bit.ly/ipod_touch_1g

    is not working, get this error

    An error occurred while processing your request.

    Reference #50.1f9ed740.1252718639.561f35b

    Thaks you so much

    p.

  • luisa

    why does it say: itunes will erase and restore your ipod to iphone 3.1.1 software and will verify the restore with Apple?

  • http://facebook/markusgatius markus Gatius

    look i have the version 3.1.1 on the itouch 2G and i can not restore it with the redsno.
    i need the version 3.1 on the 2G otherways the redns0w will say that ive got a unreconizable ipsw.
    i need it
    if nobody can answer the comment cuz you don`t know please explain me how i can change the itunes so i have the version 3.0…
    thanks

    ou sorry i have a mac so maybe it works different

    markus :)

  • Taylor

    I used the link for my iPod Touch 2G and it just reinstalled my 3.0 firmware. It didn’t install 3.1 firmware. What happened? I followed the steps correctly.

  • lauren

    i get this message when i open the ipod touch 2g 3.1 firmware:
    An error occurred while processing your request.

    Reference #50.94139918.1252775499.a3e584e

    help please

  • Luxury

    Why after I update my iPod touch from version 3.0 to 3.1. My cydia is lost????help!!!

  • Roops

    Even I am getting same error for 2g 3.1 firmware.
    Hope someone corrects it.

    An error occurred while processing your request.
    Reference #50.14fc7c7c.1253011913.67873f4

  • Khalifa

    Here is a link for a down-loadable and working copy of ipod/iphone touch 3.1 firmware. To answer a copy of questions: First, If it says that itunes will erase and restore your ipod, then that is what will happen. You are doing a restore (if you hold down the shift and click on restore), so it thinks you have already had the firmware before. Second, If redsn0w is not working, try upgrading to the latest version. Keep trouble shooting, and remember to keep reading. Google is your best friend:-)

  • Khalifa

    Let me try this again…sorry! Here is a link for a down-loadable and working copy of ipod/iphone touch 3.1 firmware: Here is a link for a down-loadable and working copy of ipod/iphone touch 3.1 firmware: http://www.technobuzz.net/update-ipod-touch-to-firmware-3-1-free/. To answer a copy of questions: First, If it says that itunes will erase and restore your ipod, then that is what will happen. You are doing a restore (if you hold down the shift and click on restore), so it thinks you have already had the firmware before. Second, If redsn0w is not working, try upgrading to the latest version. Keep trouble shooting, and remember to keep reading. Google is your best friend:-)

  • Jeff

    when i push shift and click restore it doesn’t let me search for file and it just installs 2.1.1 again. Please help.

  • http://drmikessteakdinner.com Dr. Mike Wendell

    We go through this every time.

    Get the most up to date download links here as Apple updates them nearly every day:

    http://www.felixbruns.de/iPod/firmware/

    Make sure you’re grabbing the correct generation files as well. There’s a form on that page to verify that you have a 1G or a 2G or whatever. Also remember to grab the iPhone files if you have an iPhone and the iPod Touch if you have an iPod Touch. You have to have the correct restore file.

  • Nick

    Thanks! This worked perfectly the first time.

  • Paul

    http://www.felixbruns.de/iPod/firmware/

    The above website has working downloads for 1G and 2G ipsw files.

  • Paul

    Again my attention to detail fails me and I read all of the posts and see that someone posted the same link 4 days ago. lol And why not one more time for fun? http://www.felixbruns.de/iPod/firmware/ <– Bam! There it is.

  • http://www.goodies4free.net ndev2k

    This worked perfectly for me. Thanks for the info. I was about to update and pay for it as well.

  • Kassandra

    Hi!!! i jus tried to update my refurbished 2nd gen 8 gig ipod touch…it had the 2.1 version. I tried to download de 3.0 and 3.1 and nothing, i tried several times and followed each step here but nothing!…my ipod isn’t jailbraked…what can i do??? Help!! and thanx!!!

  • KIng

    dosent work bad explanation it dosent allow me to search just installs 2.2.1 all over again…..

  • Skype

    Thankkkkkkkkkkkkkk yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

  • Carmn

    How do you change the .zip into .ipsw?
    :o

  • Jess

    My ipod touch version is 2.2.1, can i upgrade directly to version 3.1?
    thanks

  • Taha

    the link doesn’t work
    it says
    An error occurred while processing your request.
    Reference #50.7d17a5c.1256700965.6b6632

  • Tim

    People, please read the instructions COMPLETELY before posting questions that have already been answered.

    If you read the steps, there is a PS. It says don’t use IE or Safari and use Firefox. It then says use the ‘Save Link As’ option. This is obtained if you RIGHT CLICK on the link.

    Let’s all take a minute to read the instructions before getting excited and then complaining when something doesn’t work.

  • jay

    kinda new to this and im no expert with ipods. just want to know how will i check what generation my ipod is?

  • paco

    Ay all of ya doin this shit wrong ya have
    to go to firefox and save as link and there you
    go

  • mervin Dizon

    THANK YOU!!! It worked for me…my IPod came from 1.1.4…a big leap, indeed…:)

  • tekxtreme

    Successfully updated my iTouch 2G to fw312. A millions thanks to Sandip from blogsdna for this guide.

    For those who were previously asking questions & for those who will come to this guide, please ensure you read the steps carefully.

    Also please note that, you need to BACKUP your iTouch settings and ALL of your stuff (vids, pix, music, etc) before doing this upgrade or you will lose everything!

    1. If you download from this url http://www.felixbruns.de/iPod/firmware/, make sure you download the fw for YOUR iTouch (there are 312 for 1G, 312 for 2G, etc.)

    2. Backup your current iTouch settings (contacts, mail settings, safari bookmarks, etc). To do this, right click your iTouch under Devices in iTunes and choose Backup

    3. Follow the steps outlined in this useful guide. Hold down Shift key and click Restore in iTunes. It certainly asks you to choose file.

    4. Once you choose the fw you downloaded, it will say it will restore your iTouch to the new fw and VERIFY with Apple. That is OK! Just go for it!

    5. iTunes will go through a series of verifying, then finally you will see the progress of ‘Restoring iPod software’. The progress bar on your iTouch shows the total progress. Just watch and let the software do its work.

    6. When all is done, it device will disappear in iTunes for a moment, but don’t panic! Just wait patiently. Your iTouch’s screen will return to the screen as when you first brought your iTouch home.

    7. You will finally be presented with the ‘Setup your iPod’ screen in iTunes with 2 options: a) Set up a new iPod or b) Restore from the back up of… If you want to restore your previously back-upped settings, choose to restore, and all of your contacts, mail settings will be transferred to your so-called new iPod.

    8. Enjoy the new fw.

  • Jibran

    When I click the link to download iPod 1G 3.1 Firmware, it says this page cannot be displayed and the most likely cause is because I have to be logged in…Can you help me out, please???

  • Basu

    1. What is the difference between iPod touch 2G 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 version?
    2. How to change ipod touch 2G Version 3.1.2 to 3.1.1?

  • Ed K

    tekxtreme said
    “When I click the link to download iPod 1G 3.1 Firmware, it says this page cannot be displayed and the most likely cause is because I have to be logged in…Can you help me out, please???”

    The answer was posted by mervin Dizon on November 9th, 2009

  • Ed K

    Coorection, sorry for mixup…

    On November 11th, 2009 Jibran posted:

    “When I click the link to download iPod 1G 3.1 Firmware, it says this page cannot be displayed and the most likely cause is because I have to be logged in…Can you help me out, please???”

    The answer was posted by tekxtreme on November 10th, 2009. The links work fine for me there. Yesterday I updated a iPod Touch 1G with fw2.2.1 to fw3.1 with no problems.

  • sammie

    hiyaaa
    when i try to do the instructions it says that it cannot apcept firmware pleassseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee HELP!
    w.b.f.pleasseee

  • awindofsuchviolence

    cheers! thank you tekxtreme for that clear and helpful instructions. i am able to update my iTouch 2G from 2.1 OS.

  • Rhi

    I have a 2G Touch, and like all the others I’ve tried to update my firmware to 3.1. When I click the link, I’m directed to a page saying nothing but

    An error occurred while processing your request.

    Reference #50.24daf180.1258796415.136819f

    Am I doing something wrong? :[

  • Jay

    Ok I figured I’d write my own little “How-To”. Mervin did a great job, but you don’t have to treat this as a restore. It can instead be treated as an update:

    1) Once you’ve downloaded the appropriate file for your device open iTunes (Be sure your device is plugged in before continuing)

    2) Back-Up your device by right-clicking on it and selecting “Back-Up” (Hopefully you won’t actually need to use this, but safety 1st I suppose)

    3) Now left-click once on your device to bring up its information screen. The middle of the screen should be the “Version” section and you’ll have 2 options: “Check for Updates” and “Restore” (If it already says just “Update” skip step 4)

    4) Left-click on “Check for Updates” so iTunes will search for the latest update, but do NOT download it. Instead go click cancel and go back to your devices information screen

    5) Now where it used to say “Check for Updates” it will now just say “Update”. Hold Shift and click on “Update”. Search for the file you downloaded and select it. Your device should now start updating. Since this is being treated as an update you will lose none of the information that was on your device before when the update is finished

    If this doesn’t work hopefully you followed my advice in step 2 and made a back-up. However, I’ve tried this twice to be sure and it worked flawlessly for me

  • Jay

    Whoops, I credited Mervin with the previous guide but I think it was actually Tekxtreme

    My apologies

  • Jay

    Ok I figured I’d write my own little “How-To”. Tekxtreme did a great job, but you don’t have to treat this as a restore. It can instead be treated as an update:

    1) Once you’ve downloaded the appropriate file for your device open iTunes (Be sure your device is plugged in before continuing)

    2) Back-Up your device by right-clicking on it and selecting “Back-Up” (Hopefully you won’t actually need to use this, but safety 1st I suppose)

    3) Now left-click once on your device to bring up its information screen. The middle of the screen should be the “Version” section and you’ll have 2 options: “Check for Updates” and “Restore” (If it already says just “Update” skip step 4)

    4) Left-click on “Check for Updates” so iTunes will search for the latest update, but do NOT download it. Instead go click cancel and go back to your devices information screen

    5) Now where it used to say “Check for Updates” it will now just say “Update”. Hold Shift and click on “Update”. Search for the file you downloaded and select it. Your device should now start updating. Since this is being treated as an update you will lose none of the information that was on your device before when the update is finished

    If this doesn’t work hopefully you followed my advice in step 2 and made a back-up. However, I’ve tried this twice to be sure and it worked flawlessly for me

  • Ace Zachary

    thanks. works perfectly

  • Joe

    So I followed your guys’ instructions perfectly (thanks btw), however, after itunes updated my ipod touch 2g with firmware 3.1, the original version remained. Is this b/c it is not jailbroken?

  • lolee

    when i open the link it said website declined to show this webpages

  • blah

    JAY YOURE A GENIUS!!! THANK YOU!!
    IF ANYONE HAS PROBLEMS VERIFYING
    SIMPLY LOOK FOR JAY’s POST DOWN HERE
    I FOLLOWED IT AND WORKED!
    THANK YOU!

  • rosy

    I pressed the shift button with restore but it doesnt allow me to choose files? whats wrong?

  • Wei

    when i select the ipsw file an error message pops up which reads: “The XYZ iPod could not be restored because the firmware file is not compatible.

    How to resolve this?

  • crucio

    thnx alot! worked like a charm!

  • James

    HELP~~~~ i tried this method but it stopped at verifying with Apple step. It says “This device is not eligible for the requested build”.

    I’m pretty sure it not the compatibility issue some ppl were having as i did download the firmware for ipod touch 2G. It seems Apple server is able to check that I didn’t actually purchase the newest firmware and therefore would not let me update/restore.

    But how come it worked like magic on some people’s ipod touch? Did i do something wrong?

    Thanks in advance.

  • Slick

    Thank you Jay! Worked like a charm on my 16GB 2nd gen. :c)

  • Nima

    hi
    Please help me.
    When i had Restore my Itouch Cable disconnected and Device Dose not work now.
    I can not Turn it off and in itunes N/A .
    Please give me comment Thanks

  • surya

    i used by mervin dizon, and you know what? it works. my iPod touch became fw 3.1.2, what’s great? thanks buddy, heart you :))

  • Justin

    Help Urgent Please E-mail me..
    if i updated my 8g 2.1.1 gen 2 ipodtouch to 3.1.2
    will all my data music and vids will be lost?
    rf_yves08@yahoo.com

  • JordanScott

    When I first tried, it came up with a message saying “This device is not supported for the requested build.”

    So then I tried usings Jay’s instructions, but it’s been sitting here for ten minutes saying “verifying iPod update with Apple.”

    Help? :(

  • http://pglewis.co.uk Paul Lewis

    Works a treat. All I would say to some people is make sure you change the file extension of the Zip file from the Zip file. Don’t unpack the Zip file as it will not be recognised.

  • Erhaby Ebn El Erhaby

    THANK YOU GUYS very much…. I tried this thing and it worked very well and from the first time!!!! I’m now enjoying the new firmware with all new apps, really appreciate your efforts and thank for all who helped in this thing !!!!!!!!!!! xD

  • Brian

    i have a 16 gb 3rd version.is there any updates for that?

  • Adrian

    Hey guys I have a
    iPod touch 8gb 2gen
    software version: 2.2.1
    And I have been trying to update it to 3.1.1 using Jay’s method. Everything works fine until it comes to “verifying iPod update with Apple.”

    It will fail at this stage =/ and come up with a message saying “The iPod “Adrian’s iPod” could not be updated. This device isn’t eligible for the requested build.”

    Any ideas? Please help me I would really appreciate it.
    If you can help me and/or know how to, please can you email me on
    adrian.ftw@hotmail.co.uk

    Thank you up ahead,
    Adrian.

  • kkyyllee771

    it was rubish it didnt let me do it!

  • Guest

    hey thats wrong

  • Juan_Roque93

    I have the 1G iPod touch & i paid around $10 to upgrade it to 2.2.1 , what can i do to update it to firmware 3.1

  • Lil-mizz-sonia

    i want to put my ipod touch back to 3.1.3 how do you do this??? it is know on 4.2.1 and when i restore it comes up with errors .. Some please help me :(

  • SB

    Pleas help me! i have iPod Touch 1g and i have not app store? why, wher can i download app store?

  • Valeria

    ummm i have a question , when I clicked restore and i clicked on the download it said “theyre not compatible” i really need help thanks!

  • mike

    trying to view movies from i touch 2nd gen to tv..got sound but no vidio. have the correct cord..any ideas?. thanks, mike

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