The iphone “iPhone” could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (1015)
I kept getting this error message while trying to restore my iPhone some few weeks back and I was stuck in a never ending recovery loop. Each time the restore was about to complete, the error was coming up and I was being prompted to restore the phone again:
iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes
I was confused about what to do but eventually came up with a solution. If you’ve previously jailbroken your iPhone and updated to iPad baseband, you’re most likely to encounter this issue. I was able to kick my phone out of recovery mode with this method and I guess it should work for you.
- Download redsn0w_win_0.9.10b6 (Windows) | redsn0w_mac_0.9.10b6 (Mac)
- Run the software and click on Extras
-Select your IPSW file. If you haven’t downloaded it, you should get it from here. Be sure you download the one that corresponds with your device!
- After that, click on Recovery Fix
- Turn off your iPhone by holding the power button for some seconds.
- Hit the Next button
- Follow the instruction on the next page to get your phone into DFU mode
At this stage you will be presented with a screen where you will be guided on how to enter DFU mode. Quickly hold “Power” button and then while holding the “Power” button, you will now have to hold “Home” button too. Now after few seconds release “Power” button but keep holding “Home” button until installation begins.
- In some seconds, your phone should restart and boot normally. This should fix your the error 1015 update error.
About Don Caprio
Twitter: ikev61
says:
oooow my life…you really saved me, i don’t know how to appreciate this
thank you and remain blessed
You’re welcom, Kevin. The pleaure’s mine.
Twitter: utoyhonri
says:
Bro. I cannot attempt the last step cause.. there is something that appears on my screen. It says ” You have ended up in Recovery Mode Instead of DFU mode. bla bla bla.” What should i do??
You have to go over the steps again. You didn’t get your phone into DFU mode.
After that, need to do what? just wait for the phone?
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If it fails to some up after some minutes, I think you should try again. Besides, directly jailbreaking the phone when error 1015 gets it stuck in recovery mode works.
Oh thanks a lot, this saved me from soo much trouble. My iPhone is rescued.
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ive downloaded red snow but when I connect my iphone 3G it still displays iphone 1st gen but then I download the firmware to match my phone but it still displays 1st gen iphone please help.
I was able to kick my phone out of recovery mode with your method but when I restored official firmware, I am getting (1015) error message
Once kicked out of recovery, you don’t need to restore anymore since the process is complete already.
How Can Fix The Problem IPhone 3g 8gb The iphone “iPhone” could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (1015)
The guide above should fix it.
Can i do this method offline?
Yes, I think so.
hi there, i have the same trouble.. and my power button does not function.. i cant get my iphone3g to DFU mode..
I’m afraid you have to fix that button. In some cases though, pressing the front and back cover around the power button together, applying a little pressure around that area can get it to work. I once had the same problem with the power button on my iPhone 3GS and that temporary fix got it working. you can give it a shot.
It says “Connected: iPhone 3G (WTF Mode)” and on the last instruction, it says “To exit WTF mode without using buttons, enable “Auto-exit WTF” in the Preference pane.” Now, since my iphone is literally off, where can I find the preference pane?
The preferences pane in Redsn0w, not in the phone( Extras – Even More – Preferences)
My iphone wont go into DFU just into recovery mode
Its sitting at waiting for reboot
Yeah
Me too 
when I try to get in to DFU mode, it automatically puts me in recovery mode. I’m unsure what to do as I’m following the instructions to the letter, my phone is totally boned.
HI, I have no clue why I can’t use the IPSW that I downloaded, there is the only option “back”?
Twitter: kunleezek1
says:
please,after followed due process, it took me to itunes in a recovery mode….Please help me
After you’ve kicked it out of recovery mode, there’s no need to restore again.
I successfully did it but now my phone’s locked and in Spanish. Can’t do anything except make emergency call.
Please help
The phone needs to be unlocked. First jailbreak and then use hacktivate with Ultrasn0w
Twitter: katsdennis
says:
Well Don for my iphone, the redsn0w runs perfectly well into DFU and at the end it shows “DONE” The rest of this process takes place on your device. Thats fine based on your instructions but my iphone is stuck with dim back light in the background screen. how long should it for my iphone to startup normally after redsn0w is done.
Thanks!!
It shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes normally. Did you finally get it to work?
Hey .. I got a problem here, i don’t know what is my IPSW, i have iPhone 3G 1,2 .. i don’t know things about an iPhone , can someone help me ?
Sorry for bad en
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Your IPSW is the firmware file you downloaded.
I did the same thing with my Iphone 3gs and now it’s locked.Can you tell me how to unlocked it?I have no idea what’s jailbreak(ing),mostly my knowlege of this is pretty much poor.
Dear Don,
I tried the method but my Redsnow gave me an error saying “sorry, auto-detection isn’t supported yet on the 1st-gen device. Please specify the IPSW for the currently installed firmware with the “Select IPSW” button before proceeding. I tried to start over the prcess but Redsnow wouldn’t even let me. It just kept giving me the same error. I’m using an iPhone 3G and I really don’t know what to do now.
Thanks for your time.
As explained on the post, you have to select your downloaded (IPSW) firmware under Extras.
mine is stuck in waiting for reboot
never mind this worked
hello Don, i followed all the procedure mentioned above and successfully install ios 4.2 and jailbreak it but now it shows the that network not available and i cant make any calls…plzzz help….thankx
You will need to unlock the phone with Ultrasn0w as explained on this post: Step by Step Guide on how to Unlock iPhone 3GS With Ultrasn0w
thnks a lot…gr8 job Caprio…!!! may god bless u..n one more tym thnQ very much dude!
Please help me, i am seriously stuck, i followed ur instructions and all seems to go well but after a reboot my phone says emergency calls and when connected to itunes it says The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported. please i really needed this phone back quickly please
You have to unlock the iPhone to get it to work. What’s the iPhone model and firmware version? Either of these articles should help:
How to Unlock iOS 6.0.1 on iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4
How to Unlock iPhone 3G / 3GS and iPhone 4 without Wi-Fi Using Ultrasnow
and funnily it is still showing the USB itune logo, i think in the restore mode and yet still bring the emergency call thing.
please i really needed your help.
Thanks for your quick reply, the model is 3G
i just use the redsn0w to install the 4.2.1 IOS,
i only see the imei and the ICCID
Little history of the phone before all this
it was working fine but i wanted to upgrade the firmware to 4.2.1 so i used the latest itunes but it kept on recycling in the restore mode, so i find your step by step to take it off the mode, this it did before this problem now.
thanks in advance
Hi Don,
oooooooooooo! It worked for me, i jailbreak and unlock the iphone all from your manual and all worked fine for my iphone 3G.
thanks a million times.
Glad to be of help
sir don i have problem
redsnow said
sorry that isn’t supported yet on the 1st-gen device
any update for this?
my phone is iphone 3g…
plz help
Hi Vhin,
This definitely works if you follow the steps closely. I suggest you go over the steps again and be sure to select your IPSW file before proceeding as explained above.
mine is stuck on waiting for iphone 4… it’s really make me desperate…
my rednow nothing work after DONE hoe to out please i m n trouble help please?
the IPSW is not suported by this version of redsnow
What version of Redsn0w and what iOS version? Perhaps you should try the latest Redsn0w version.
Twitter: iamsummer12
says:
Hi DOn,
Im stucked at part where is says , Please wait while your build is being processed
and then at the bottom it says, Exploiting with limera1n..
it sits there for half an hour now..
is that normal?
Thanks
It’s definitely not normal. It shouldn’t take that long unless something isn’t right. Can cancel and you try again?
Hi don, i believe that this thing is working…but i can’t get it to go myself… i dont know what certaing ispw is good for my device… this is an iphone 3g got it from my brother but we both don’t know what was the previous firmware(im not sure if im making sense..i have no idea about iphones
)
anyways final got thru the part and im stucked in the part where it says… “please wait while your build is being processed” and on the middle part it say “waiting for reboot”..does it normally take this long?
It may take up to 10 minutes. Got it working already?
Darn it, the same thing just happened to me. Stuck in the “waiting to reboot” for over 30 min now. I’m also not entirely sure of my ispw but went with 4.2.1 because I have a 3G. Does it seem like getting that wrong would be the problem? Thanks for the site!
Can you do a fresh restore with iOS 4? Or better still, create a custom iOS 4.2.1 firmware with Sn0wbreeze?
i tried but it stucks
It’s likely to be iOS 4.2.1, that’s the highest supported OS on iPhone 3G.
Thank you SOOO MUCH for your blog. I was searching for various blogs and vids on how to get this 1015 prob solved. Good thing I bumped into this post. Although could you please link the blogs you posted about how to unlock the phone + the jailbreak thing. It would help other users as well. Gee, thanks!
Hi Cathy,
Glad you found the post useful. Can I know your iPhone model and firware so I can provide a link to a working jailbreak?
Hi there, I have followed all of your instructions, and I am at the screen that says: “Please Wait While Your Build is Processed” followed by: “Waiting for Reboot”
my question… what happens next? What should I look for?
Thanks!
If it’s stuck for too long… say 15 minutes, you may have to go through the steps all over.
thank Don Coprio what can i do know all this stuff its amazing me and can please help i got htc x7500 i want to install a new version of windows what can i do please.
Sorry, Khetan. I really don’t use a Windows phone and may not be able to help in that regard.
Hi Don,
I just want to thank you a million times for the excellent advice and this wonderful blog! I had all the problems posted and only after reading your blog, was I finally able to get my iphone 3g running. I am so attached to it and can continue my love affair with it without worries. Thank you once again for all your help. If you would like me to sing more praises, just keep up the great work.
Lily
The pleasure is mine, Lily. Glad you got it working.
Cant do nothing after done all the steps above. Just emergency call. Help me please..
Then you have to unlock the phone.
Hey Don, I have a iPhone 3G It wont let me click next it says “1st gen-device(recovery mode)” HELP !?
You can try to get the phone into DFU mode first.
Hold the power and home button for ten seconds, then release the power button while keeping the home button still pressed for about 12 more seconds.
hello don, Im still stuck at waiting for reboot? but is 4.2.1 for 3g ok? thank u
Yes, it’s for 3G. Got it working?
im on the black screen already… with a word DONE.. how manay minutes will this be?
m not getting…. where to find for IPSW files… plz tell me how to do it ….
It’s right there in the article, Tachu.
http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=750
auto detection is not supported yet on the 1st gin device
please speceify the ipsw for currentlt instal fimware with select IPSW before proceeding what does it mean
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You have to download and select your .IPSW firmware before proceeding as explained in the post.
I cant even open the \”redsn0w_win_0.9.10b6\” y is that? I have win 7-zip but it still wont open what shud i do?
Glad to see this can be done using free tool. However I still prefer Wondershare Dr.Fone to recover data from iPhone.
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i stuckon (waiting for reboot)
wait for 10 mint but no response….heil me don
The method works. I suggest you disconnect and try again.
I tried everything, recboot, tiny umbrella, redsnow, downloading firmware, alt+restore, Terminal, ETC I can’t get to DFU mode. Im stuck in recovery mode. Using a mac Mountain Lion… Please help. Txs
One other thing I tried that worked: even with the phone in recovery mode, jailbreaking directly with Redsn0w will fix it.