How to Fix iPhone/iTunes Error 56 Quickly? [Ultra Tutorial]

"I am getting unknown error 56 on an iPhone X. I have used three different computers. I changed the screen on this phone, but I did retain the same Home button. The phone was working perfectly fine up until trying to upgrade to 16. Thanks for any help."

- Posted by Garry Anderson in iFixit.com

Do you receive a message from iTunes that says, "iPhone cannot be updated, an unknown error 56 occurred", or "Software update failed, an error occurred while downloading iOS 9.3.2"? iPhone error 56 usually happens during iOS update with iTunes. Don't panic if iTunes error 56 occurs on your device. Refer to the following twelve optional methods to fix it swiftly.

Part 1. What Is iTunes Error 56 and Why Does It Occur?
Part 2. How to Fix iTunes/iPhone Error 56?

Part 1. What Is iTunes Error 56 and Why Does It Occur?

As we mentioned at the beginning of the passage, iPhone error 56 usually happens when updating or restoring your iOS device with iTunes using a USB cable. It may occur on both iPhone and iPad. Below are the possible reasons responsible for the iTunes error code 56.

• The faulty connection between the iOS device and the computer.
• Incompatibility between iTunes and the computer.
• USB errors.
• Software bugs or glitches.
• Mistakenly detected by an antivirus app.
• Outdated version of iTunes.
• Poor internet connection.

Part 2. How to Fix iTunes/iPhone Error 56?

Try the effective troubleshooting methods below if you are bothered by the iPhone error 56.

Trick 1. Check the USB Port, Cable, and Connector

First of all, you can connect your iPhone to the computer using another USB cable, port, or connector to check if iTunes still prompts iPhone error 56. If yes, continue to the next solution.

Here's how to check them.

• Make sure that you use the original USB cable or standard Apple lightning cable.
• Check the USB connection between the iPhone and the computer and ensure no loose connection exists.
• Unplug your iPhone into the computer and reconnect it to a different USB port.
• Ensure that the USB cable and port on iPhone are directly connected. Try to eject any third-party cases or packs.

Trick 2. Force Restart the iPhone/iPad

One of the most effective ways to fix the iPhone error 56 is force restarting it. If you don't know what to do, repeat these steps.

For iPhone 8 and above models:

• Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
• Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
• Press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo turns up on the screen.

For iPhone 7/7 Plus:

• Press and hold the Volume Down + Power buttons simultaneously.
• Keep holding the buttons until the Apple logo displays on the screen.

For iPhone 6s and below models:

• Press and hold the Power + Home buttons together.
• Continue holding them until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Learn more: Intending to transfer multiple videos from your Mac to your iPad? Follow this step-by-step guide, and you cam complete the transfer without hassle.

Trick 3. Restart iTunes

You might be surprised at how this resolves the iPhone error 56. If the glitches lie in your computer, restarting iTunes does fix the issue. For that,

• Launch the Task Manager on your Windows PC by pressing and holding three keys together - CTRL + ALT + DEL. Search for the Activity Monitor in the Spotlight on a Mac to access the Task Manager directly.
• Stop the iTunes process by tapping Processes > iTunes > End Task on a Windows PC or iTunes > Quit Process > Quit on a Mac.
• Open iTunes on your computer and connect your iPhone to see if iPhone error 56 disappears.

Trick 4. Update iTunes to the Latest Version

You are always advised to use the latest version of iTunes on your computer to avoid such glitches. If your iTunes runs an older version, follow the steps below to update it right now.

On Windows PC:

• Run iTunes on your computer.
• Click Help > Check for Updates on the top-left corner of the iTunes window.
• Tap Install if there is a newer version.

On Mac:

• Launch the App Store on your Mac.
• Click the Updates section on the top.
• If a new update is available, hit Install.

Trick 5. Check Security Software and Firewall

The security software or firewall of Windows PC will mark iTunes as a virus and cause unexpected iPhone error 56. To solve this, you need to set them up on your computer.

• Run the antivirus software on your computer and check if it has blocked iTunes or excluded in the exception list.
• Open the firewall on Windows PC and ensure whether iTunes is on the exempted list.
• Exit virtualization apps on your computer since the outdated apps will block USB communications.
• Ensure that you have updated the security software and operating system to the latest version.

Perhaps you need: Wonder how to back up your iPhone data without a computer? The solutions you need are all in this article.

Trick 6. Try Another Computer

If there is an iPhone error 56 with the computer you are using, try another computer to see if the thing is different. Also, install the latest version of iTunes on your Windows PC or Mac to check if the issue still occurs.

Trick 7. Clear Safari Cookies & History

In rare cases, clearing the Safari cookies, history, temp files, or caches fix the iPhone error 56.

• Open the iPhone's Settings and select Safari.
• Tap Clear History and Website Data.
• Once done, plug your iPhone into the computer and check whether it removes the iPhone error 56.

Trick 8. Replace U5301RF IC

If you have dropped your iPhone onto the hard surface before, the chances are that there are physical damages on the inner component U5301RF. To fix this, you can take your iPhone to the nearby Apple Store to replace U5301RF or DIY it by following a reliable online video tutorial.

Trick 9. Replace the Battery

Here is another method that may work for the iPhone error 56. If the battery is in bad condition, replace it with a new one to avoid the issue.

Trick 10. Restore the iPhone to Factory Settings

It will erase all content and settings on your iPhone. Before taking the steps, back up your iPhone to avoid data loss.

To restore your iPhone to factory settings:

• Ensure that your computer runs the latest version of iTunes.
• Open iPhone's Settings > tap your name > click iCloud > turn off the Find My iPhone option.
• Launch iTunes on your computer and connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable.
• If asked, tap Trust on your iPhone.
• Click the iPhone icon when it appears in the iTunes window.
• Tap Restore iPhone under the Summary tab and hit Restore again to confirm the operation.
• Then iTunes will erase the device content and install the latest iOS version.
• When it finishes, your iPhone will restart. You can set it up as new.

See also: Would you like to remove MDM from an iPad with ease? If yes, please don't miss this post.

Trick 11. Restore Your iPhone/iPad in DFU Mode

Another way to fix the iPhone error 56 is to restore your device in DFU mode. Let's check how it works.

1. Enter your iPhone/iPad in DFU mode.

For iPhone 8 and newer:

• Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
• Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
• Press and hold the Side button for seconds until it displays the recovery-mode screen.

For iPhone 7/7 Plus:

• Press and hold the Volume Down + Power buttons together for 10 seconds.
• Release the Volume Down button but continue holding the Power button for another 10 seconds until the recovery-mode screen shows up.

For iPhone 6 and older:

• Press and hold the Home + Side buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds.
• Release the Side button but keep holding the Home button until the recovery-mode screen turns up.

2. Connect your iPhone to the computer while in DFU mode. When iTunes detects your iPhone in DFU mode, let go of the Home/Power/Side button.

3. Your iPhone will turn black, and you will see a popup on the iTunes window. Tap OK to move on.

4. Click System Restore on your iPhone and wait until the process is complete.

Bonus: How can you fix it when your iPhone is stuck on the zoom screen? Actually, it is easy to solve. Let's check it out.

Trick 12. Fix iTunes Error 56 with a Professional App

What if nothing above works for the iPhone error 56? Is there a higher-success-rate way to fix the iTunes error 56 without data loss? Of course. iOS System Repair is a powerful tool that can fix over 32 kinds of iPhone system errors, including iPhone/iTunes error 56. Aside from this, it also makes it easy to upgrade or downgrade the iOS version on your iPhone or iPad as you want.

What's more, this foolproof tool is widely compatible with all iPhone models running iOS 15 and earlier versions, like iPhone 13 Pro Max/13 Pro/13/13 mini/12 Pro Max/12 Pro/12/12 mini/SE/11 Pro Max/11 Pro/11/XS Max/XS/XR/X/8/8 Plus/7 Plus/7/6S Plus/6S/6 Plus/6/5S/5C/5/4S/4, etc.

How to fix iTunes error 56 without data loss?

1. Open the software after installing it on your computer and connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. Then, click More tools > iOS System Recovery on the interface.

2. The program will detect the iPhone error automatically and display it on the interface. Later, click Start to continue.

3. Confirm the iPhone information. If necessary, choose the correct information from the drop-down menu. Once done, click the Repair button to repair the iPhone error 56 immediately.

Further reading:

Full Guide on How to Fix iTunes Error 4005 or iPhone Error 4005

13 Easy Tricks to iPhone/iPad Error 4013 or Error Code 4013

The Bottom Line

I hope this guide will help you successfully remove the iPhone error 56. If you prefer an easy, safe, and fast way to fix this issue, make iOS System Repair your prior choice. It has a much higher success rate, and you won't disappoint with it.

If you have something to let us know, don't hesitate to leave a comment below.

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