iPhone is the most popular mobile device on the market, providing numerous functions. However, it is not always perfect and has many problems, of which the most common is the inability to restore their devices. Why does this problem occur? How to solve this problem?
In this article, we will explore some common reasons why an iPhone won't restore and provide practical troubleshooting skills to help you get your device back on track.
Before jumping into solutions, it's important to understand the root causes of the iPhone won't restore or update issue.
* USB connection is unstable or the cable is damaged.
* iTunes / Finder on the computer is outdated.
* iOS firmware download failed or is corrupted.
* iPhone system has crashed or is stuck in recovery mode.
* Insufficient storage space or device malfunction.
* Security software (such as a firewall) is interfering with the recovery process.
After we know the reason why my iPhone won't restore, it's time to take measures to fix it. In this part, we will introduce ten basic fixes you can try.
One of the primary causes of an iPhone won't restore on iTunes can be faulty USB cables or unstable network connections. A damaged USB cable or a USB cable that's not verified by the Apple MFI may prevent you from restoring your iPhone.
For this, you can try a different USB cable to see if it works. Besides, you can switch to another USB port on your computer to have a try. If the USB port is not workable and can't provide enough power for charging your device, the iPhone won't restore from iTunes successfully.
Sometimes, the iPhone restore not working issue arises if your iPhone hasn't established trust with the computer you're using. Ensure that you have selected "Trust" on your iPhone so that your devices can be connected successfully.
A simple restart can often resolve the iTunes won't restore iPhone issue. Restart both your iPhone and the computer you are using for the restore. After the restart, attempt the restore process again.
Step 1. Press and hold both the "Power" and "Volume" buttons simultaneously until a slider appears on the screen.
Step 2. Slide the slider to turn off your device; after a brief pause, press and hold the "Power" button again to power it back on.
Step 1. Select the "Windows" button, then choose the "Power" option.
Step 2. Click on "Restart" to initiate the PC reboot.
Step 1. Select the "Apple" menu and choose "Restart".
Step 2. Click "Restart" once more to confirm the process.
If you can't restore your iPhone, you can check for the update. Ensure that you are running the latest version of iTunes or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) on your computer. Also, make sure that your iPhone has the latest version of iOS available.
Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap on "General".
Step 2. Select "Software Update". Your iPhone will check for available updates. (iPhone software update failed?)
Step 3. If an update is available, you'll see a description of the update along with the option to "Download and Install". Tap on this option.
Step 1. Open iTunes on your Windows computer.
Step 2. In the menu bar at the top of the iTunes window, click on "Help".
Step 3. From the drop-down menu, click on "Check for Updates".
Step 4. Follow the prompts to install the latest version if an update is available.
Sometimes, it is not able to restore the iPhone because of the security software on your computer. Temporarily disable any antivirus or firewall software and attempt the restore again.
Remember to re-enable the security software after the restore is complete.
Insufficient storage space on your iPhone can prevent the restore process. Ensure that you have enough free space on your device by deleting unnecessary files and apps. If your iPhone is nearly full, consider backing up and restoring only essential data. Follow the steps below to check the storage space on your iPhone:
Step 1. Locate the "Settings" app on your iPhone's home screen and tap to open it.
Step 2. Scroll down and tap on "General".
Step 3. In the "General" menu, tap on "iPhone Storage".
If Find My iPhone is enabled, the iPhone will not restore. Ensure that this feature is turned off before attempting the restore. Here are the steps to disable the Find My iPhone features:
Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone.
Step 2. In the Settings menu, locate your name at the top. Touch it to enter your Apple ID settings.
Step 3. Tap on "Find My" to access the Find My iPhone settings.
Step 4. Toggle off the switch next to "Find My iPhone".
Step 5. You might receive a prompt to input your Apple ID password. After entering your password, you will be asked to confirm your action.
If you want to turn off Find My iPhone without a password, you can read this article to learn how to do it.
How to Turn Off Find My iPhone/iPad with/without a Password?Another way to fix the "iPhone won't restore" issue is by entering recovery mode. However, this may result in data loss. Therefore, please make sure to back up your iPhone before proceeding. Follow the steps below to fix the iPhone won't restore issue:
Step 1. Ensure your iPhone is connected to your computer using a USB cable.
Step 2. Launch the iTunes app on your computer. If you're using a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder.
Step 3. Put your iPhone into recovery mode.
Step 4. Find your device on your computer. When presented with the choice to "Update" or "Restore", opt for "Update". Allow your computer to download the necessary software for your device.
Step 5. After completing the Update or Restore process, proceed to set up your device.
If the recovery mode fails, putting your iPhone into DFU mode might be the solution. DFU mode allows for a deeper restore and can resolve issues that standard restores cannot. Follow these steps to enter DFU mode:
Step 1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
Step 2. Ensure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer.
Step 3. Put your iPhone into DFU mode.
Step 4. Once done, you will see a window saying, "iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode" pop up on iTunes.
Step 5. Click "OK" to confirm, and then follow the instructions on the screen to restore your iPhone.
If all else fails, it's time to reach out to Apple Support. They can provide personalized assistance and guide you through additional troubleshooting steps. In some cases, a visit to an Apple Store or an authorized service provider may be necessary for a hands-on examination of your device.
If you find the above methods too complicated or still fail after trying them, using professional tools would be a more efficient choice. iOS System Recovery is a software specifically designed to address iOS system issues. It can fix problems such as recovery failures, freezing, and black screens without relying on iTunes. Compared to traditional methods, it is more stable and has a higher success rate. Moreover, it will not cause data loss in Standard Mode.
Key features of iOS System Recovery:
How do I fix iPhone won't restore error without data loss?
01Download, install, and launch the application on your computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer and choose "iOS System Recovery".
02Allow the program to autonomously identify the issue with your iPhone. Once the problem is showcased on the interface, simply press the "Start" button to proceed.
03Select the repair mode of your preference. Opt for "Standard Mode" to resolve the iPhone won't restore problem without losing any data on the device. Click the "Confirm" button to proceed with the chosen mode.
04Verify the device information displayed on the interface and, if needed, select the accurate details from the drop-down menus. Subsequently, initiate the repair process by clicking the "Repair" button to address the issue with your iPhone.
If the above methods cannot resolve the "iPhone won't restore" or "iTunes cannot restore" issues, turning to a reliable iTunes alternative can quickly fix the iPhone restoration problem. Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery is the best choice.
It supports retrieving various types of data directly from iPhone, iTunes backups, or iCloud backups, including contacts, messages, photos, videos, and more. Unlike iTunes, it allows you to preview and selectively restore data, avoiding data overwrite.
01Launch the program after a successful installation. From the main interface, select the "Recover from iTunes Backup File" mode. It will automatically detect and display a list of available iTunes backup files on your computer. Choose the relevant iTunes backup from the list and click "Start Scan".
02Select the data types you wish to recover, then click the "Start Scan" icon located at the bottom right. Subsequently, you have the option to preview the iTunes backup files directly on your computer.
03Choose a category, then select specific deleted and existing files on the right. Lastly, initiate the file restoration from iTunes backups by clicking the "Recover to Computer" icon.
01Open the program and select the "Recover from iCloud" mode. Sign in with your Apple ID. If two-factor authentication is enabled, enter the verification code sent to your iOS device and click "Verify" to continue.
02Once logged in, choose the types of files you wish to recover and click the "Next" button to start a quick scan. You can then preview the detailed contents of your iCloud backup files.
03In the left panel, select the files you want to restore. Preview them in the right panel, choose the specific items you want, and then click the "Recover to Computer" button.
Video Tutorial:
Facing an iPhone won't restore issue can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve the issue and bring your device back to full functionality. Here, we highly recommend the iOS System Recovery software because it saves a significant amount of time to address the issue without causing data loss. What's more, we also introduce an excellent iTunes alternative - Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery, which can help you restore your iPhone without iTunes. Download them to have a try.
Related Articles:
How to Fix iPhone Won't Restore in Recovery Mode? - 7 Effective Ways
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6 Easy Ways to Fix iPhone Stuck on Restore Screen [Proven Tips]
How to Enter and Exit Recovery Mode on iPhone/iPad [Complete Guide]
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