How to fix error 1015 while restoring iPhone 11 Pro Max

How to fix error 1015 while restoring iPhone

Summary: Error 1015 appears during iPhone restore through iTunes. If you are getting this error, its probably due to attempts of jailbreak or iPhone downgrade. This post shares 7 ways to fix iPhone restore error 1015 on iPhone 7, 8, XS, XR, SE, 11, 12, and above models.

Are you receiving iPhone error 1015 during restore with iTunes as below?

Case 1: _I have an old iPhone 3G stuck in Recovery Mode. I am trying to restore it through iTunes. But at the end of the restore, I get unknown error 1015. How can I fix error 1015 on my own?
_

Case 2: I tried to restore my iPhone in iTunes. It won’t finish because of this error 1015 code. I have the latest software. I’ve restarted and updated my iPhone too. Still the same error message appears.

Have you used tools like TinyUmbrella to restore firmware that Apple no longer supports?

Did you try to jailbreak your iPhone by using applications like Redsn0w or Pwnage?

If yes, that’s the reason behind the problem. The error 1015 is typically caused by attempts of jailbreak or downgrade on the iOS device. Such activities are a violation of the iOS end-user software license agreement. They can make your iPhone vulnerable to malware and prone to errors like 1015.

Naturally, Apple wouldn’t encourage jailbreak or downgrading to an older iOS version. Thus, you are bound to face problems when trying the unauthorized iOS modifications on your iPhone or iPad.

Thus, the probable reasons for the iPhone restore error 1015 are:

Downgrade of iOS
Jailbreak
Outdated software
Third-party tools on your computer

This post shares all the possible solutions to fix iPhone restore error 1015.

You can apply these solutions on all iPhones including 3G, 4, 5, 6, 6s, 7, 8, X and above models using any iOS version.

1. Install the latest version of iTunes

Make sure your computer has the latest iTunes before restoring iPhone using iTunes.

On Windows PC, update iTunes by following Help > Check for Updates in the top menu bar of iTunes.

On Mac, go to App Store > Updates > click Install, if you see any iTunes updates.

2. Update iOS

iOS updates usually fix error 1015 which appears while restoring iPhone with iTunes.

On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap Download and Install.

3. Update Windows or macOS

System update ensures smooth and error-free performance of your computer.

If you are using Windows PC, follow Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

On Mac, click on Apple icon and select S****oftware Update and click on updates available.

4. Uninstall third-party software on PC/ Mac

Third-party software often create conflict among programs while performing iPhone restore or update with iTunes. You may not receive the error 1015, after uninstalling such programs.

On Windows computer go to Start > All apps. Find the third-party software and right-click on it. Choose Uninstall.

On Mac, in the Finder window, go to Applications. Find and select the third-party software. In the top menu bar, go to File and select Move to Trash. Next, click on Empty Trash.

5. Put your iPhone in Recovery Mode and restore

Before you put your iPhone on Recovery Mode, ensure you are using the latest version of iTunes. Next, follow the below steps to restore iPhone using the Recovery Mode.

Connect your iPhone to computer
Open iTunes
Force restart your iPhone while it is still connected to the computer, until you see the iTunes logo (To force restart use home and/or volume button depending on your iPhone version)

On your computer, you will receive a dialog box asking to either Update or Restore.

Click Update

After the Update process completes, you can restore your iPhone from iTunes or iCloud backup without facing the error 1015.

Note: If you are unable to enter Recovery Mode on your iPhone due to jailbreak, you may use programs like RecBoot, which are used to enter and exit the Recovery Mode on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

6. Delete the IPSW file on your computer

Files with .ipsw extensions on your computer are backups and temporary files of your iOS updates. Many iPhone users who were receiving error 1015 while restoring iPhone were able to fix the problem by deleting these files on their PC or Mac.

Deleting these backup files doesn’t impact your iTunes or iPhone function.

Note: You can get rid of the old IPSW files and keep the most recent ones.

Location of .IPSW files on your computer:

On Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Update

On Windows Vista/7: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

On Mac OS X: ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates

7. Restore your iPhone into DFU Mode

When no other method is helpful, choose to put your iPhone in DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode. Whether you are receiving the iPhone error 1015 due to jailbreaking your iOS device or not, the DFU mode solution is your last resort to fix error 1015.

As in Recovery Mode, bringing your iOS device to DFU mode will lead to loss of iPhone data. Thus, before you attempt this, make sure you have iCloud or iTunes backup.

Steps to DFU mode for iPhone 7, 6s and below users:

Connect your iPhone to computer (even if your iPhone is off)
For 8 seconds, press and hold the Sleep button and Home button (iPhone 6s and below users) or the volume down button (iPhone 7). Next, release the Sleep button but continue to hold the Home button or the volume down button until iTunes shows message _‘iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode._’

Leave the Home button or volume down button. The iPhone screen turns black indicating the device has entered DFU mode
Next, you can restore your iPhone using iTunes

Steps to DFU mode for iPhone X, 8, or 8 Plus users

Connect your iPhone to computer (even if your iPhone is off)
Quickly press and release the volume up button, quickly press and release the volume down button, and press and hold the side button until your iPhone screen turns black
Press and hold the volume down button while continue holding the side button for 5 seconds
Release the side button and continue holding the volume down button until your iPhone shows up in iTunes.
Next, release the volume button. Your iPhone is in DFU mode

Now restore iPhone with iTunes. You can exit DFU Mode by force restarting your iPhone.

| Unable to restore iPhone from iTunes after Recovery Mode or DFU Mode?
If after putting your iOS device to Recovery or DFU mode you are unable to restore iPhone, download Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone The DIY software for Mac and PC can easily restore the data from iPhone, iCloud, and iTunes.

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To Sum Up

Naturally, the error code 1015 is annoying when you quickly want to restore your iPhone using iTunes.

The error usually appears when your software is not updated, you have attempted jailbreak or downgraded your iPhone’s iOS.

The post shares 7 different ways you can try to fix the problem. Begin with the simpler troubleshooting such as updating your iOS, Windows/ macOS and iTunes. Uninstalling third-party security software or deleting the IPSW files on your computer has also worked for many in resolving the error 1015.

In case these methods don’t work, then go for the tougher solutions like bringing iPhone to Recovery Mode or DFU Mode which lead to iPhone data loss. They are the harsher solutions to the problem, but assure you don’t receive error 1015 while restoring from iTunes. But make sure you have iCloud and iTunes backup before attempting these two methods. Else you would need an iPhone data recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to restore your lost iPhone data. The software is quick and efficient way to get back lost data in cases of jailbreak, downgrade of iOS and restore errors.

How to Activate Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone

If you want to recover and save the missing or deleted iPhone data, activate Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on your computer.

The demo version of the software is only for evaluation purposes. To use its full functionality, purchase the software and then activate it.

The software can be activated using the Activation Key, which you receive via email after purchasing the software. It would help if you had an active Internet connection to activate Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone .

Steps to activate Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone

Run the demo version of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone software
On the main interface, click the Activation icon

The Activation window appears. Enter the Activation Key you received in your email after purchasing the software.

Click Activate
The software verifies the entered key. After successful verification, a message appears saying ‘Activation Completed Successfully’. Click OK.

If you don’t have the Activation Key of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone, here’s how to get it…

In case you don’t have an Activation Key, follow the below steps:

Free download and install the software on your computer
Click on the Activation icon on the home screen of the software
Click Get it now

The software directs you to the buy page. Next, click on Windows or Mac tab, as per your system.
Click on Buy Now button to purchase the software
Fill in your details as asked
After purchasing the software within a few minutes, you will receive an Activation Key and the link to download the product on your email. Use that link and key to activate Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone as given in steps (1-6)

Note: If you didn’t receive the Activation Key at your registered email within a few minutes of purchasing the software, contact our customer support via mail, chat, or call.

Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone® Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone® is the best DIY software to recover missing or accidentally deleted Contacts, Messages, Calendar, Photos, Videos, Call History etc directly from iPhone or iPad.

iPhone Data Recovery – An Infographic to Conquer iPhone Data Loss

DID YOU KNOW?

More than 70% of people choose to upgrade to iOS 16 within a few days of release
Analysis shows that about 20,000+ users experience data loss due to update failures and other related problems

TOP 5 CAUSES OF DATA LOSS

iOS Update
Accidental Deletion of Data
Jailbreak failure
iOS Restore
Hardware or System Malfunction

WHAT ABOUT RECOVERING iOS DATA AFTER DATA LOSS?

iPhone Data Recovery software helps you in such situations. Data exists in the internal memory of your iPhone even after deletion until it is overwritten by new data. Its advanced algorithm and internal underlying technology helps recover all deleted data from your iOS device, be it your iPhone or your iPad.

WHAT YOU CAN RECOVER?

Recovers Deleted Photos from your iPhone – In just 3 steps you can recover your memorable photos from Camera Roll, Voice Memo, Photo Stream, etc.
Recovers deleted text messages from your iPhone – It not only recovers your text messages but also recovers your WhatsApp messages along with its attachments
Recovers deleted contacts from your iPhone – It retrieves your lost or deleted contacts from your iPhone, iTunes, or iCloud backup files
Recovers Safari Bookmarks – It easily recovers bookmarks from the Safari browser which you may have deleted accidentally
Recovers deleted data from iCloud backup files – It also recovers and restores data from your damaged iPhone through iCloud backup files
Recovers deleted data from encrypted iTunes backup files – In case any of your backup files gets accidentally deleted, the software enables you to access the data by removing encryption.

How to Restore Contacts on iPhone (4 Methods)

Summary: Many of the users have been wondering about the ways to restore deleted contacts. In this post, we shared the best methods to restore deleted contacts from your iPhone series 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, XS, XS Max, XR, X, 8, 7, 6, and 5.

Losing contact names and numbers from the device all of a sudden is not new for iPhone users. Sometimes contact names are missing with only the random numbers visible, or the contact list is altogether empty. Mostly, the incidents occur after updating to a newer version of iOS, a bug in the device, accidental deletion, or else formatting of the iPhone.

You can always restore from iCloud or iTunes backup, but sometimes even those attempts might fail to recover deleted contacts. This can be because of wrong user names, passcodes, or device settings.

In such cases, the best way to restore only the missing contacts is to use iPhone Data Recovery Software by Stellar**.** Read on to know the four solutions to recover deleted contact on iPhone below.

If you have synced your iPhone to iCloud backup, restore missing contact names and numbers with this method.

Go to your iPhone Settings > iCloud > Contacts (iOS 16 & 15 users follow: Settings > User Name > iCloud)

Toggle OFF and turn ON Contacts again

It asks what you would like to do with the previously synced iCloud contacts on your iPhone. Select Delete from My iPhone.

You will get back lost contacts on the iPhone. Those accounts are also displayed in your group lists if you have different Cloud accounts like Gmail linked to your device. You can check and uncheck the group to view or hide, respectively.

This works only when you have backed up your iPhone to iTunes.

Connect your iPhone to the PC
Launch iTunes
Select your device from the Device list and pick the most recent backup entry date of your iPhone from the Summary page

Click Restore Backup

You can get back the lost or deleted contacts from your iTunes backup. But the drawback of this method is that with iTunes, you do not have a choice to restore only the lost contacts on your iPhone selectively. This means that complete data from iTunes will be restored on your device, replacing existing iPhone data.

All current media photos, videos, messages, etc., on your iPhone will also be replaced by the iOS backup files. If you want to restore only contacts from iTunes backup, use a safe third-party iPhone data recovery application.

The best way to overcome the iTunes drawback and selectively restore only the missing contacts is to use iPhone Contact Recovery Software by Stellar.

This secure & do-it-yourself software recovers lost or accidentally deleted iPhone contacts, call history, etc., regardless of the cause of the loss.Experience the Free Trial version NOW!

The free demo version of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone allows you to scan and preview files from iPhone, iCloud, and iTunes backup, and to save them, you need to register the software.

Stellar Data Recovery offers three ways to recover iPhone contacts missing on your device:

1. Recover from iPhone

There is a possibility that your device has all the contacts, but they are not showing up—select Recovery from iPhone to view the hidden iPhone contacts in this case.

Connect your iPhone to the computer and launch and launch the software
On the home screen, choose “Recover from iPhone”, select “Contacts and Call Logs,” and click “Next.”

It will show you the iOS devices connected to your system. Select your device and click Scan

After scanning, select Contacts on your left pane; all the contacts will be displayed in the right pane.
Then, Select All or particular items by clicking on the associated checkbox.
Click on Save and browse the desired location to save the recovered contacts.

2. Restore from iCloud Backup

Recovery from iCloud Backup allows you to selectively recover deleted contacts from your iPhone rather than restoring everything from photos and videos to messages. Follow the below steps:

Connect your iPhone to the computer via USB cable
Launch Stellar Data Recovery from iPhone
Choose Recover from iCloud Backup, Select Contacts and Call Logs and click Next

Enter the Apple ID and Password to get the list of available backup files.

Select the backup file and click Scan

After scanning, select “Contacts” on your left pane, all the contacts in the selected backup file will be displayed in the right pane.

Then, Select All or selective items by clicking on the associated checkbox.

Click on Save and browse the desired location to save the recovered contacts.

Click here

### **3\. Restore** **from iTunes Backup**

If your iPhone contacts are synced with iTunes backup, use Recovery from iTunes backup to recover missing iPhone contacts.

Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch the software
On the home screen, choose Recover from iTunes, select Contacts and Call Logs, and click Next

The software analyzes your system and lists all the available iTunes backup files, as shown below. If you cannot find the desired backup file, you can click on Add Backup to manually add the backup file from the system. Now, select the file and click Scan

After scanning, select “Contacts” on your left pane, all the contacts in the selected backup file will be displayed in the right pane.
Then, Select All or particular items by clicking on the associated checkbox.
Click on Save and browse the desired location to save the recovered contacts.

Minor changes in the iPhone Settings can also help restore deleted contacts. Try the below Setting changes and check if they work for you:

Change Contacts’ Groups Settings
Reset the Network Connections
Change Default Account in Settings back to iCloud (works for iPhone 8/7/6s)

1: Change Contacts’ Groups Settings

Go to your Contacts, tap into Groups
Uncheck All iCloud
Select All on iPhone

Click on Done (top right)
Check if you got back all your contacts

2: Reset the Network Connections

Under Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings

Enter your passcode
Choose Reset Network Settings to continue ignoring the message that this action will delete all your network settings.

This action will clear your current saved networks and Wi-Fi passwords, but you can always re-enter your network passwords later. So give this a try to retrieve lost contacts.

3: Change Default Account in Settings back to iCloud (works for iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11, X, 8, 7, 6)

Go to your iPhone Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Contacts
Click Default Account
Select iCloud instead of On my iPhone
Check if your phone’s missing contacts recovered

To Wrap-up

Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone intelligently restores your missing or accidentally deleted contacts without causing loss of iPhone’s existing data, unlike iTunes or iCloud Backup recovery methods. Changing the iPhone settings can also help you get back missing contacts. So now no need to worry about the contacts list loss. Instead, try the above methods and recover deleted contacts on your iPhone.

Have you ever used any of the above methods for restoring missing iPhone contacts? Then, do share your experience in the comments below.

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How to fix error 1015 while restoring iPhone 11 Pro Max | Stellar