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• Outdated software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. I****nstall 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.

 

|
| — |

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 recover data from dead iPhone

Summary: Recovering data from a dead iPhone is precarious if you don’t acquire knowledge about your iOS device. Be wary of how your device works and its data backup options to avert data loss problems in the future. If your iPhone has turned dead because of a major technical glitch, you can recover the data stored in it using a reliable data recovery software. This blog encapsulates all such concrete details with a step-by-step guide to recover data from dead iPhone.

iPhone is one of the most affluent smartphones loaded with advanced features. Most people invest in it because its upbeat features and advanced technology intrigue them. Every time Apple announces a new upgrade or introduces new features to its iOS software upgrade, iPhone fans dig deep to learn more about it.

If your iPhone is dead and not working at all, and you want to learn how to recover data from dead iPhone, this blog is exclusively for you.

Why would an iPhone suddenly go dead?

These are the possible reasons why iPhone turns dead or blank for hours:

1. A defective charging cable or adapter that doesn’t perfectly pair with your iOS device.
2. A recent iOS update that triggered some unforeseen software error in your iPhone.
3. Faulty or failed hardware, like a battery or a logic board that needs to be replaced.

In either of the above-mentioned conditions, your iPhone will stop responding to any command. Turning the device off and restarting works in rare circumstances, but not always. In such bleak situations, you can try to fix your dead iPhone using these tips:

• Keep a close watch over the charging cable or power adapter and fix the loose ends.
• Put your dead iPhone on charge for at least an hour.
• Connect your iPhone to iTunes or put it on Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode.
• Seek immediate assistance from Apple Support Services.

If these attempts won’t bring your iPhone back to life, certainly it has some major technical glitch that only Apple experts can address. Before submitting your device for the same, recover all the data stored in it. Follow these DIY solutions to recover data from dead iPhone:

Use iTunes to Recover Data from Dead iPhone

iTunes is one of the most coveted options to recover data recovery from dead iPhone. However, to use this method, your iPhone should be in sync with iTunes, and you have to periodically take data backup on it. Observe the steps to keep data backup on iTunes:

• Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes to login.
• From the menu bar at the top of the iTunes window, select File > Library > Organize Library.
• Next, select Consolidate files to organize the Library screen and press OK.
• Once you do that, copies of any files that were not in the iTunes Media folder will be added to your iTunes Media folder.
• At the same time, take the opportunity to eliminate all the duplicate files taking unnecessary space on your hard drive. However, before making this move, save a copy of the original files in your iTunes Media Folder.

If you have been practicing the above steps for long, then simply connect your device with your computer using a USB cable and follow steps to recover data from iTunes backup:

• Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
• Select your iPhone in the main iTunes window or select it from Finder.
• The move will prompt a new set of instructions on iTunes with options to backup data. You need to click on Restore Backup to retrieve your dead iPhone’s data.
• Several backup options will prompt on your computer. You can choose a selected set of files to restore a specific file or all of them.
• Once selected, the desired number of files/data to restore, press Restore, and wait. The move may restart your iPhone. If not, your device will suffer a more serious hardware failure that only technical experts can fix.

Pro Tip: If found dead, let your iPhone remain off for as long as possible to avoid data overwriting.

Use iCloud to Recover Data from Dead iPhone

If you are proactively using iCloud to maintain data backup, there is a fair chance to recover your dead phone’s data from it. You can directly recover data from iCloud on another iPhone that doesn’t necessarily require connection to a laptop or computer. All you need is an iPhone that can be turned on at least and let you through the initial steps to login to your iCloud. Don’t forget to erase your dead iPhone before continuing on the new one; otherwise, you won’t get to perform the initial set-up. Follow the steps below to restore dead iPhone’s data from iCloud Backup:

• Turn on the working iPhone and perform the initial setup procedures till you get through Apps & Data. Tap on Restore from iCloud Backup option and sign in with your Apple ID.

• A window will prompt you with all backups available for restoring. Select the most recent one that contains all the data you wish to retrieve from your dead iPhone.
• Patiently wait for the data transfer procedure to finish.
• In the data transfer procedure, at some point, you might be asked to enter your Apple ID once again. Enter details to keep the action going.
• Once done, you’ll get a notification of successful data transfer.

You can also transfer all your dead iPhone data to a new one by inserting its SIM card in the new iPhone. Learn here how to Transfer Data from Old iPhone to New iPhone .

Use a Reliable Data Recovery Software

Your last respite is a professional data recovery software in case a vast amount of data from dead iPhone, like photos, videos, messages, contacts, etc., remain missing after iCloud recovery. We recommend Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone because it guarantees absolute recovery of lost or deleted data from iPhone, iTunes, and iCloud. Listing some common situations where the software can help:

• If iTunes fails to restore data after unlocking the disabled iPhone.
• If some data is found missing after restoring data from iTunes or iCloud.
• Instead of restoring all files from the iPhone, you wish to recover only some selected files.

You can download the demo version of the software for assessment and buy the software to activate its key functionalities. It will activate via activation key that will be sent on your email once you purchase the software. Read this KB to learn How to Activate Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone . Additionally, using the Toolkit version of the software, identified as Stellar Eraser for iPhone , you can permanently remove all the sensitive data stored in your dead iPhone so it won’t fall into the wrong hands.

Conclusion:

Avid iPhone users know when to stop playing with their iOS device to let it reset in case of a technical glitch. Nevertheless, not all iPhone users are aware of this practice. Consequently, we panic and keep on switching off and on our smartphones when it hangs.

If your phone turns blank or dead, don’t panic and stop using your device for some time. Let it rest and resume its function. Otherwise, you’ll end up losing all the memories stored in it. This blog aimed to help you understand the grim consequences and smart ways to recover data from iPhone if your device turns dead. In case you are unable to recover data on your own using Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone, you can avail Data Recovery Lab-Services where our experts can recover all the data from your dead iPhone.

FAQs:

What to do if iPhone is not working?

If your iPhone has stopped responding to any command and you can’t even turn it off, then force shutdown and restart it. Swiftly press and release the volume up button first and repeat the same with volume down button. Now, press and hold the side button and once the Apple logo appears on the screen, release the side button too.

Why is my phone unresponsive?

Your iPhone’s touchscreen can be unresponsive for reasons like a brief hiccup or glitch that your smartphone’s inner system can’t detect or render it unresponsive. Sometimes, touch screen becomes unresponsive due to water damage or app glitch, or virus attack.

Why did my iPhone screen go black?

In iPhone, black screen appears due to software or hardware issues. Firmware modifications, dropping the iPhone, iOS upgrade/downgrade, and jailbreaking, are some other common reasons behind the black screen error. Learn some great solutions to overcome the black screen of death error .

Solved: Mac Doesn’t Recognize my iPhone

Summary: Is your Mac not recognizing the iPhone? Learn the 9 ways to fix iPhone not showing up on Mac. You can apply these methods for all iPhone models not recognized by macOS Ventura, Monterey, Catalina, Big Sur, High Sierra and below versions.

You may want to backup iPhone data or transfer favorite photos, music, or videos to Mac. But sometimes your Mac computer doesn’t detect the iPhone when you try to connect it. There are so many complaints such as iPhone not showing up in Finder in Ventura, Monterey, Catalina or Macbook not recognizing iPhone 14. Some also reported an unknown error or a 0xE error when trying to connect iPhone to Mac computer. The situation is frustrating as it prevents you to sync iPhone to macOS and access iPhone data on Mac.

No worries. There are methods, which can fix the issue and let you again access your iPhone on Mac. But, first you should be aware why Mac fails to recognize your iPhone as this helps in troubleshooting the problem.

Why your iPhone not detected by Mac computer?

Mac does not detect your iPhone due to many reasons, such as

• iPhone is not ‘on’ when connected to Mac.
• iPhone is damaged.
• The USB cable or USB port is not working.
• Software updates are pending including iOS, iTunes, and macOS.
• Third-party software conflict wherein 2 programs arecompeting for the same memory, peripheral device etc., on your Mac.
• Firewall or Antivirus software is preventing Mac to recognize iPhone.
• Mac settings don’t allow to view iPhone in Finder.

1. Check your iPhone

Before you connect your iPhone to Mac, make sure the iOS device is unlocked and on the Home screen.

2. Fix USB connection

When Mac computer doesn’t recognize iPhone, first check your USB connection. The USB cable or the port can be faulty. Try to connect iPhone to Mac using another Apple USB 2.0 cable. If that doesn’t work try with the different port. Plus, disconnect other USB devices from Mac except your iPhone.

3. Restart your iPhone

Restarting the iOS device would resolve any issue between your iPhone programs and iTunes. To restart hold volume/side/ top button depending on your iPhone model. Slide the red power off slider on your iPhone. Wait for your iPhone to turn off. After a few seconds, again restart iPhone. Now Mac should recognize your iPhone.

4. Restart your Mac

Restarting Mac clears the cache and memory of your system giving it a fresh start. It also installs pending updates.

5. Update your macOS

When iPhone is not showing up on Mac Finder but you can see it under USB Device Tree, update the macOS to the latest version. Make sure there are no pending software installs.

To check the USB Device Tree on Mac follow the below steps:

• Click on Apple icon followed by About This Mac.
• Click the System Report button.
• Under Hardware, select USB.

_{Figure: USB Device Tree}

• On the right pane, you will see USB Device Tree. If you see your iPhone in the list, then update to the latest macOS.

6. Update iTunes

Older versions of iTunes can create conflict with normal Mac functions. Hence, Apple recommends installing the latest iTunes updates.

To install the latest iTunes, open iTunes. From the menu bar choose Help > Check for Updates and follow the prompts to install the latest version.

Now, check if your Mac recognizes the iPhone or not.

7. Disable antivirus on Mac

One of the reason cited for iPhone not detected by Mac is anti-virus or firewall protection on your system. So disable the antivirus or firewall and then try to connect your iPhone to Mac.

8. Enable iOS device in Mac Preferences

When iPhone is not showing on Mac Finder, check if your Mac Preferences allows to view iOS devices in Finder. To enable iOS device in Finder follow the below steps:

• Go to Finder > Preferences.
• Click on the Sidebar button in Finder Preferences box.
• Check in CDs, DVDs and iOS Devices.

_{Figure: Finder Preferences}

This should fix iPhone not showing up in Finder on Mac.

9. Connect iPhone to a different Mac machine

Try by connecting your iPhone to another Mac. If you receive a message asking to ‘Trust this computer’, click on ‘Trust’ to access your iPhone data on the new computer. Make sure to backup iPhone to avoid data loss situation.

Tip: Have you lost or accidentally deleted Camera Roll, Contacts, Photos Stream, Voice Memos, or more while transferring iPhone data to Mac? No need to worry. Restore the deleted photos, videos, messages, contacts, etc., with the help of an efficient Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone for Mac.

FAQ

1. Can I connect iPhone with Mac wirelessly?

You can sync your Mac and iPhone over the same Wi-Fi network.

1. Connect your iPhone to Mac using a USB cable.
2. Open Finder on Mac and select your iPhone in the sidebar.
3. Click on the General tab.
4. Check in Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi.
5. Click Apply.

2. How to fix my iPhone cannot connect to iTunes?

If iPhone is not showing up in iTunes, restart your devices and ensure macOS, iTunes, and iOS are updated. To know more methods, read How fix iPhone unable to connect to iTunes problem.

3. How to connect iPhone to the latest MacBook Pro 2021 that doesn’t have USB A port?

The new MacBook has USB Type-C port. You can use USB-C to Lightning cable to connect iPhone XR, SE, 11, and above to the new MacBook. If you have iPhone X or below use USB-A to Lightning cable.

4. Can I use the methods to fix iPhone 14 not recognized by macOS Ventura?

Yes, you can apply the above methods to fix any iPhone not detected by macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, or below.

5. Will I lose any data when syncing iPhone and Mac?

No, you won’t lose data by syncing iPhone to Mac. Syncing helps to access your iPhone data on Mac anytime from anywhere. However, if you accidentally delete iPhone data, use an iPhone Data Recovery software to restore it.

Wrapping Up

Syncing iOS device to macOS has so many advantages but if Mac is not recognizing your iPhone, you cannot transfer, back up, or access iPhone data on Mac. This post has shared 9 methods to fix the syncing issue of Mac and iPhone. One of them should resolve Mac not detecting your iPhone.

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?

1. Recovers Deleted Photos from your iPhone – In just 3 steps you can recover your memorable photos from Camera Roll, Voice Memo, Photo Stream, etc.
2. Recovers deleted text messages from your iPhone – It not only recovers your text messages but also recovers your WhatsApp messages along with its attachments
3. Recovers deleted contacts from your iPhone – It retrieves your lost or deleted contacts from your iPhone, iTunes, or iCloud backup files
4. Recovers Safari Bookmarks – It easily recovers bookmarks from the Safari browser which you may have deleted accidentally
5. Recovers deleted data from iCloud backup files – It also recovers and restores data from your damaged iPhone through iCloud backup files
6. 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.

Also read: