blobsaver is a free, open-source Mac application that automates the capture and local storage of SHSH2 blobs — the cryptographic tickets Apple uses to control which firmware versions iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple TV owners can restore to.
What is blobsaver?
blobsaver is a desktop GUI tool for macOS (and other platforms) that silently and automatically saves SHSH2 blobs for your Apple devices on a recurring schedule, so you never have to think about it — until the day you desperately need them. SHSH2 blobs are device-specific signatures that Apple's servers issue only while a particular firmware version is still being "signed." Once Apple stops signing an older iOS build, your window to downgrade to it closes permanently — unless you saved the blobs in time.
Without a tool like blobsaver running in the background, most people only discover SHSH blobs exist the moment they want to escape a buggy iOS update and find it's already too late. blobsaver solves that regret problem at the root.
What does blobsaver do best?
The killer feature is its automatic background saving: configure your devices once, and blobsaver quietly polls the SHSH server (TSS) on a schedule, storing new blobs locally as each new iOS release gets signed. You accumulate a library of blobs without ever opening the app again. This is the critical difference from manual tools — by the time you remember to save manually, Apple has often closed the signing window.
- Supports saving blobs for multiple devices simultaneously — useful if you manage several iPhones or test devices in a household or small lab
- Reads device identifiers directly via USB (no need to manually hunt down your ECID in iTunes)
- Stores blobs as standard .shsh2 files compatible with restoration tools like futurerestore
- Offers an optional background service so it can save blobs even when the main window is closed
- Open-source under the GNU GPL, so you can audit exactly what it does with your device identifiers
The interface is refreshingly clear for what is inherently a niche, technical task. You add devices, set a save path, choose a schedule, and you're done. It doesn't try to be a full jailbreak suite or restoration wizard — it does one thing and does it reliably.
Is blobsaver free?
Yes — blobsaver is completely free and open-source, hosted on GitHub. There is no paid tier, no subscription, and no feature gating. You can install it via Homebrew Cask or download directly from the GitHub releases page. Because it's open-source, you can also inspect, fork, or contribute to the codebase.
Who should use blobsaver?
If you've ever jailbroken a device, downgraded iOS to escape a bad update, or simply want the option to restore to a specific firmware version in the future, blobsaver belongs in your toolkit — installed, configured, and forgotten until you need it. The core audience is iOS enthusiasts, security researchers, and anyone who prefers to maintain control over their own device's software stack.
Casual iPhone owners who have never thought about firmware signing probably don't need it. But if you've ever visited r/jailbreak, used futurerestore, or found yourself saying "I wish I'd saved blobs before upgrading," then blobsaver is exactly the insurance policy you've been missing. I've been running it on my Mac for months with half a dozen devices registered — it just works quietly in the dock and I've never had to touch it.
It's also a sensible tool for anyone who manages devices for a small team or family, where different people may want to stay on different iOS versions for compatibility reasons.
What are the best blobsaver alternatives?
The closest alternative is TSSSaver, a web-based service where you paste your ECID and device identifiers to save blobs remotely — convenient for a one-off save, but it requires trusting a third-party server and gives you no automation. savethemblobs is an older command-line option that technically still works but hasn't been actively maintained in years. For the actual restoration step (using your saved blobs to downgrade), blobsaver pairs with futurerestore, though that's a separate tool entirely. blobsaver's combination of a native GUI, automatic scheduling, and USB-based device detection makes it the strongest all-around choice for Mac users who want a set-and-forget workflow.
How actively maintained is blobsaver?
blobsaver is actively maintained on GitHub by its original author and has accumulated a substantial community of contributors and issue reporters. The project tracks changes in Apple's signing infrastructure and iOS release cadence, which is exactly the kind of ongoing attention this type of tool requires. Releases appear in response to both new iOS versions and changes in the underlying TSS API. For an open-source niche utility, its maintenance cadence is genuinely impressive.
