Skip to main content

Error: What to do if your iOS 5 update doesn’t work

iphone 4  iOS 5
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Excited for the new iOS 5 update? Yeah, me too. Or at least I was, four hours ago, when I started the whole hellacious process. First came the massively slow download speed, which I fixed by restarting the process from the beginning, after my connection timed out. Once the download was complete, however, that’s when the real problems began: error messages.

I have so far tried to update to iOS 5 nine times. Maybe more. I can’t tell at this point, as I’ve begun to lose my marbles due to lack of oxygen from screaming at my computer. Each time, after the 15 minute process of backing up the phone, extracting the software and trying to verify the update with Apple, I’d receive an error message, which read, “The iPhone ‘iPhone’ could not be restored. An unknown error has occurred.” Thanks, Apple. I hate you.

screenshot.19
Image used with permission by copyright holder

That cheery bit of text was always followed by a number. The first five times it was 3002, then 3200, then 3014, then 3004. Each time this happened, I’d frantically scour blog posts, forums and all colors of Internet resources in an attempt to figure out what to do. At the time of this writing, nothing has worked so far.

Recommended Videos

The primary problem seems to be due to an overload of Apple’s servers. When iTunes attempts to verify the update with Apple – something that happens so close to the end of the process that you can almost taste victory – everything goes to hell. So the only surefire way to fix the issue is to wait until everyone else has had their fun, then swoop in an snag the update while nobody’s looking. I’d suggest holding off for a few hours, at least.

If, however, you’re as impatient as I am, here are a few things you can try, for better or worse.

Option 1: Download firmware directly from Apple’s servers (not through iTunes)

Rather than hit the “Update” button under “Summary” in iTunes, instead download the firmware for your device directly from Apple. Here are the links:

iPhone 3GS
iPhone 4 (CDMA)
iPhone 4 (GSM)
iPad
iPad 2 (CDMA)
iPad 2 (GSM)
iPad 2 (Wi-Fi)
iPod touch (third generation)
iPod touch (fourth Generation)

Make sure to download the software to a place that you’ll remember. Once download is complete, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) and click “Restore”in iTunes. You’ll then be asked to point iTunes to the correct software, which you just downloaded. Your update will then begin. NOTE: This method will delete all your apps, music, contacts, etc, as it is a complete restore to factory settings, so make sure your device is backed up before proceeding.

Option 2: Put your phone in DFU mode (a.k.a. “restore mode”)

This is one of the first suggestions I found, but it is NOT one I’d recommend. Right now, my iPhone 4 is completely useless. It won’t even connect to iTunes (error 0xE8000065). But if you want to take a chance, here’s the simplest way to do it:

  • Plug your phone into your computer (as if it isn’t already).

  • Shut off your phone.

  • Once off, hold down both the power button and home button, as if you’re doing a soft restore.

  • When you see the Apple logo, let go of the power button, but continue to hold down the home button.

  • Open iTunes.

  • Once your device is connected, you will be in DFU mode.

  • Click “Restore” in iTunes, and go through all the subsequent prompts.

  • Cross your fingers.

Please note, this method can be just as tedious and frustrating as the original updating process, so only use it if you’re desperate.

Option 3: Wait

Grab some food, go see a movie, crack a beer, hang out with your dog, do ANYTHING other than try to update your iPhone. Once you’re good and relaxed, Apple’s servers should be better equipped to handle your need for the latest and greatest iOS in the land. Start from the top, and hope I’m right.

UPDATE: My phone is now working (6:40pm ET) after using option 1. To the rest of you who haven’t yet had any luck, godspeed.

Andrew Couts
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…
Have an iPhone that won’t turn off? Here’s how to fix it
person holding an iphne 15 pro max.

When you try to turn off your iPhone 15 or any other model, you may encounter a situation where it doesn’t turn off as expected. Maybe you're getting ready for bed, want to keep your phone silent while you head to the movies, or it's acting up and you need to reset it. There are numerous situations where you may want to turn your iPhone off, and if it refuses to, that can obviously be quite annoying.

Read more
Google is making it easier to ditch your iPhone for an Android phone
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro in hand.

Switching phones is never a smooth process, even if you’re switching between two different Android phones. However, when you’re trying to switch from an iPhone to Android or vice versa, it can be extra complicated -- and you can lose data and apps that you rely on. This is especially the case with Apple-to-Android transfers because the iPhone has a much stronger ecosystem lock-in with things like iMessage, iCloud backups, and exclusive apps like Overcast and Hyperlapse.

The good news is that with its Data Transfer Tool (also called Pixel Migrate on Pixel devices), Google may be trying to mitigate some of the phone-switching problems that arise -- specifically, losing access to your Live Photos. According to an APK teardown from Android Authority, Google’s Data Transfer Tool will finally resolve the problem of migrating iOS Live Photos to Android. It will do this by converting them over as Motion Photos.

Read more
The OnePlus 13 is coming on January 7 — along with a surprise
The OnePlus logo on the back of the OnePlus Open Apex Edition.

It's official: the OnePlus 13 will launch on January 7, 2025. Preempting the anticipated event by several weeks, OnePlus has officially confirmed the date we’ll see its next major smartphone release outside of China. Additionally, it has revealed some key features and news of a surprise new launch to go along with the phone.

OnePlus will release the OnePlus 13 in three different colors — Black Eclipse, Arctic Dawn, and Midnight Ocean. It’s the latter that is likely to be the model to have, as it is wrapped in a material called micro-fiber vegan leather, which is apparently corrosion and scratch-resistant but still luxurious to the touch. For the Arctic Dawn phone, the glass will have a special coating to give it a silky-smooth finish. It’s likely these are the same colors offered in China, where the phone has already been announced, just with different names.

Read more