Every owner of an iOS device, whether a novice user or a geek, should know what an iPhone restoration is and how it differs from an update. Moreover, all this is quite simple, to say the least - elementary.
For those who are not “in the know,” as part of today’s instructions, we will get acquainted with what flashing an iPhone is, what options and methods for flashing there are, how restoring an iOS device differs from updating it, and how to flash an iPhone.
Why do we say that every device owner should have the skills to flash an iPhone or iPad? It is not appropriate for the owner of such an expensive and exclusive device to run to the service center every time there are difficulties in the operation of the iOS device at the software level or Apple has presented a new version of the iOS mobile operating system. Moreover, the process itself takes no more than 10 minutes and, in most cases, requires minimal effort from the user.
We will look at the subject of today’s instructions using the iPhone as an example, so it will be easier for both us and you, dear readers.
What is iPhone firmware?
If we talk about the firmware of an iOS device as a software component, the iPhone firmware is its software or operating system. At Apple, the software for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad is called iOS for short, which means iPhone Operation System.
If we talk about flashing an iOS device as a process, flashing an iPhone is the process of restoring or updating the device’s software. The most commonly used term is “flashing”.
iPhone flashing options
There are 2 processes involved in flashing an iOS device:
- recovery;
- update.
At their core, the processes are identical: in the first and second cases, as a result of flashing the iPhone, a new iOS will be installed. Moreover, the concept of “new” in the case of restoring an iPhone does not refer to the version of the operating system, but to its state, in other words, “clean”.
iPhone flashing methods
You can reflash your iPhone in 2 ways, one of them is universal, i.e. used for both recovery and update, the second is only for update:
- iPhone firmware via iTunes;
In the first case, the software is downloaded to the computer and, using the iTunes media combiner, it is downloaded directly to the iOS device. Valid for iOS 4.3.5 inclusive. For iOS 5 and higher, the second method is possible, which involves updating iOS directly from the device via the Internet via a wireless network (Wi-Fi).
What is the difference between restoring an iPhone and updating it?
As we have already said, restoring or updating an iPhone refers specifically to the software component of the device.
Restoring an iPhone is the process of restoring the device to its original settings. When restoring, all content (photos, videos, music) and personal data (phone book, calendar information) will be deleted from the iPhone, and the device settings will be reset to factory settings.
In a nutshell, restoring an iPhone means resetting the device to its factory state and installing a “clean” iOS version of the latest version.
Updating an iPhone refers to the process of moving from an older version of iOS to a newer one. As a result of the update, all content, personal data and settings will remain intact and iOS will be updated to the new version.
As you can see, the fundamental difference between restoring and updating an iPhone is only that as a result of the update, content and personal data are not deleted from the Phone.
The result is:
Restoring iPhone = Delete Content + Factory Reset + iOS Update
As you know, the iPhone, like any other iOS device, can be in several modes provided by the manufacturer: normal mode, (Recovery Mode) and (DFU Mode).
It is possible to restore or update an iPhone in the following modes:
- in normal mode;
- in Recovery Mode;
- in DFU mode.
How to restore iPhone via iTunes?
In order to restore an iPhone via iTunes we will need:
- latest version of iTunes (preferably). At the time of writing, iTunes 11.1.5.5 is current. ;
iTunes window saying no update required
- a pre-downloaded file with the version currently installed on the iPhone (optional).
Warning in iTunes when flashing iOS
So, let's say you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer and you have downloaded the firmware file for your iPhone model to your hard drive.
1 If the “ ” function is enabled on your iPhone, disable it in the device settings;
iTunes warning to disable find iPhone
2 Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
If the iTunes settings are not set to automatically launch the program when you connect an iOS device, launch iTunes;
Selecting a device in iTunes
3 Go to the device synchronization settings page with iTunes by clicking on the button with the name of the device type in the upper right corner next to the “ iTunes Store";
Device Information in iTunes
4 While holding down the " Shift"On the keyboard in the pressed position, click on the button " Restore» (for Mac you need to press the button Alt+Restore). A window for selecting a firmware file from the local disk will appear;
5 Select the previously downloaded firmware file with the extension “. ipsw" and click on the button Open". Confirm the request to restore your iPhone. iTunes initiates the recovery process. No further action is required from you; iTunes will automatically delete all content and load the “fresh” firmware into the internal memory of the iPhone. In this case, the device will be transferred to and the device will be restored to its factory state.
Confirming the start of the firmware process in iTunes
iPhone is being flashed
It is important to know
The iPhone recovery process can be completely entrusted to iTunes, without the need to download the firmware file to your hard drive, however, after such recovery, if a more recent version of iOS is available in iTunes, it will be installed on the iPhone. In fact, content will be deleted, settings will be reset, and the iPhone will be updated to the new iOS.
How to restore iPhone from Recovery Mode and DFU Mode?
Procedure to restore iPhone from recovery mode ( Recovery Mode) or firmware update mode ( DFU-mode) is completely identical, with only one exception; before restoring, you must enter the iPhone into Recovery Mode or DFU Mode, respectively.
2. Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable and launch iTunes. The program will detect the iPhone in recovery mode;
iTunes detects iPhone in recovery mode
3. While holding down the " Shift"on your keyboard, click on " Restore"(Mac users should press " Alt+Restore«);
iOS firmware file selection window
4. Open the previously downloaded firmware file with the extension “ .ipsw". iTunes will take over the rest of the work, wait for the process to complete.
Starting the iPhone firmware process in iTunes
Is it possible to reset an iPhone without updating iOS?
If we are talking about a “clean” iPhone restore via iTunes, the result will be the latest version of iOS installed on the device, i.e. in fact, the firmware will be updated, and this is not always necessary, especially for owners of jailbroken devices. Why? Because a jailbreak for the current iPhone firmware version appears, as a rule, very late, and as a result, updating the iPhone will entail the loss of the jailbreak.
Restoring/Updating a “locked” (locked to a specific cellular operator) iPhone with jailbreak entails:
- blocking a “locked” iPhone - you will not be able to connect the device to the cellular network of another operator;
- loss of jailbreak.
Fortunately, there is a way to remove all content from it without updating the iOS version and without losing the jailbreak. We have already talked about the SemiRestore utility, which allows you to clear the contents of an iOS device and reset its settings to factory settings without loss. Use it if you have a “locked” or “jaybroken” device.
iPhone update
We have already mentioned that there are 2 ways to update your iOS device to the latest version of iOS:
- With connection to a computer via iTunes;
- Directly from your iOS device via Wi-Fi.
The first method is practically no different from restoring an iPhone to the current firmware version. The second allows you to update your iPhone to the latest iOS without connecting to a computer via Wi-Fi.
Updating iPhone from computer via iTunes
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and launch iTunes. Go to the “Devices” menu and select your device;
Selecting a device in iTunes
2. On the page for setting up synchronization and settings for connecting the device to iTunes, left-click on “ Update". Confirm that your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS.
3. You can save time and not wait for iOS to download to the iTunes service folder by first downloading the current iOS to your hard drive. Using the combination " Shift+Refresh» Initiate the firmware update from the hard drive.
After the update, you will receive an iPhone with the latest iOS on board; all user content and settings will be saved.
Update iPhone over Wi-Fi
With the advent of iOS 5.0, developers integrated the ability to update firmware directly into the mobile operating system. Starting from iOS 5.0 and higher, the “Software Update” menu item is available in the settings of iOS devices. The update is only available when connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi. The bandwidth of cellular internet connections does not allow updating iOS over a 2G or 3G connection.
1. On iPhone, go to Settings – Basic – Software Update;
Go to software update in iPhone settings
2. Tap on " Download and install" and in the next window, accept the terms of use. Wait for the process to complete.
This is what updating an iPhone via WiFi looks like
Let us remind you once again that updating iOS does not entail the loss of user data and content and resetting settings, but it is dangerous for “jailbroken” and “locked” devices.
Video on how to update to iOS 11 via WiFi on iPhone 6s
Video instructions for restoring and updating iPhone
As you can see, there is nothing complicated about flashing an iPhone, which includes both updating and restoring. Learning basic skills in managing iOS devices is both useful and allows you to save on trips to service centers.
If you have any difficulties or errors appear when flashing iTunes, write to us in the comments, we will try to help you!
Hi all! The topic of restoring iOS firmware has long been discussed on the Internet far and wide. And, to be honest, at first I didn’t want to write about something that was already online. Why produce the same type of instructions? But then it was finally decided (such is the agony of choice for the author of this blog! :)) that there was a need for this.
So why another instruction? It's very simple - I receive a lot of questions, both by email and in the comments, about various glitches in the iPhone software and, in most cases, they can only be cured by restoring the software. So this process is important and there is no way to bypass it, and it will be easier for me to answer your questions by simply pointing out a link to this article. Eh, looks like it was justified :) Let's go!
A few important notes:
- When you restore an iPhone, absolutely everything is deleted from it. It turns out that the phone looks like you just bought it in a store.
- You can only restore using a computer and iTunes. This cannot be done over the air, via iCloud or any other way.
- The procedure is performed both when the device is fully operational, and if the iOS system does not boot (in this case, you will need to enter DFU mode).
By the way, recovery is the only way to properly remove a jailbreak from an iPhone.
Detailed instructions for restoring iPhone
So, complete and detailed step-by-step instructions. We launch iTunes on the computer and connect the iPhone, if everything went well, then the phone model, its firmware and other data will be displayed in the main program window. At this stage, two errors are possible:
- The computer does not detect the iPhone - about this.
- If the device shows no signs of life, we try.
As a result, with any successful connection we get one of two windows
And here we are only interested in one button - “Restore”. If you simply click on it, iTunes will begin to prepare the iPhone, download the latest current firmware from Apple's servers and begin installing it on the device.
Attention! Find My iPhone must be disabled!
The biggest “catch” is loading the firmware. Sometimes this process takes quite a long time, especially with slow Internet. Plus, if the connection is not stable and the connection is possible, then iTunes will start downloading it again every time, which you will agree is not very pleasant and time-consuming.
But there is a way to speed up the recovery process. To do this, you need to independently download the software file in .ipsw format (from any third-party resource, for example w3bsit3-dns.com) and save it on your computer. Please note - each iPhone model will have its own file, different from others!
Now, hold down the “Shift” key on the keyboard and only then click on the “Restore” button. A window will open asking you to specify the firmware file. We select the pre-downloaded one and wait - iTunes will do everything on its own.
Why can't I restore my iPhone and what should I do?
In fact, there can be a lot of reasons. Moreover, they are associated both with a computer or device, and simply with inattention.
Here are the most basic ones:
- Lack of Internet access on the PC or periodic interruptions and shutdowns.
- Antiviruses, firewalls and other programs that interfere with the normal functioning of iTunes. Perhaps your security settings are configured in such a way that iTunes simply does not gain access to Apple servers.
- Slow Internet connection. Not even that. Very slow Internet. This is rare now, but I remember my attempts to revive an iPhone back in 2009 using a network connection from a USB modem. I won’t describe everything, but I’ll say the result - the restoration failed.
- In the case when you download the firmware yourself, see if it is exactly suitable for your specific phone model.
- Check for iTunes. If yes, install the latest version of the program.
- It is very advisable, and what’s more, be sure to use an original USB cable; non-certified ones can contribute to the appearance of various errors. Non-original ones are only possible, and even then not always, and they are not suitable for flashing (restoring).
- It is quite possible that the problems are already inside, that is, “iron”. There can be a lot of faults - from the cable to the motherboard. Remember, not or too much.
As you can see, there are really a lot of options. Please pay attention to every little thing - because it is precisely because of this that problems with restoring the iPhone may arise. Something still doesn't work out? Be sure to write in the comments - we’ll try to figure it out together!
P.S. They say that in order for the recovery to be successful and correct, you need to “like” this article. They're probably lying, but I installed it just in case... and it worked! :)
iPhone restoration is a standard operation to return an Apple smartphone to a working state after various failures. Unsuccessful firmware, incorrectly executed jailbreak, incorrect iOS update - if you know how to restore an iPhone, you can fix almost any problems that arise during the operation of this device.
Recovery procedure
To restore your iPhone, you need to enter Recovery Mode. It's easy to do:
When the iPhone is ready for the rollback and error correction procedure, click the “Restore” button. 
iTunes will independently find the current firmware version and install it on the smartphone, returning it to the state in which it was immediately after purchase.
Working in DFU mode
If iPhone recovery does not work in Recovery Mode, then you need to enter the device into DFU mode. This mode is used when there are software errors - for example, when the iPhone does not turn on. DFU mode works at the hardware level, so it helps to reset all settings even in the most difficult cases. To enter DFU mode:
- Connect your device to your computer.
- Press and hold Power and Home for 10 seconds.
- After counting to 10, release Power while continuing to hold the Home button.
It's difficult to enter DFU mode the first time because nothing changes on the screen. If the recovery mode detects itself as an iTunes icon, then the phone does not seem to turn on in DFU. Therefore, you need to look at the computer screen where iTunes is running. As soon as the iPhone enters DFU mode, a notification will appear in iTunes informing you that the program has detected the device in recovery mode, and you need to reset all settings and content to continue working with your smartphone. 
If you need to install another firmware, hold down Shift and click “Restore”. An explorer will appear through which you need to specify the path to the previously downloaded firmware.
Recovery without a computer
If you don’t have your computer at hand, it won’t turn on, or you can’t connect your iPhone to it, then try resetting all settings through the device settings. As a result of this operation, you will receive a clean smartphone without settings and user information, so be sure to make a backup before resetting. If the smartphone turns on normally:
It is not necessary to delete user files. If the iPhone turns on, then you can eliminate problems with its operation by simply resetting the settings. In this case, the user’s personal data will remain intact.
Recovery after reset
If you need to restore your iPhone after resetting all settings and deleting content, you won’t be able to do this without a backup copy. The presence of a backup file with information stored in the device’s memory is the main point that needs to be checked before performing a reset. After restoring the iPhone to its factory state, all personal data of the user is erased from it.
Creating a backup before resetting:
After the reset, the iPhone will be like new: no content or settings will remain on it. To get all the information back, you need to connect the device to your computer and restore from the backup via iTunes. Choose the most recent backup, as it stores the most current information. 
You can also restore all settings after a reset via iCloud, provided that you stored backups on the cloud. In this case, when setting up your iPhone, you need to select the “Restore a copy from iCloud” option and specify a suitable backup.
Problems during recovery
If after a normal recovery the phone does not turn on, then it makes sense to put it in DFU mode and try restoring it through iTunes again. This time you should not trust iTunes: download the official firmware and select it in the Explorer window by holding Shift and clicking on the “Restore” button . 
Sometimes the TinyUmbrella utility helps solve the problem that the smartphone does not turn on after resetting the settings via iTunes. This program has an “Exit Recovery” button. If the iPhone does not turn on after recovery, you need to select it in the TinyUmbrella window and click “Exit Recovery”.
If you are flashing an iPhone, remember that when you upgrade the firmware version, the modem version also upgrades. In most cases, such an increase is irreversible! There's nothing wrong with this if you don't need an unlock, but if you have a locked iPhone, you may be unable to make calls for a long time or forever. To upgrade firmware on locked iPhones, you will need to use.
This instruction is valid only for current firmware that is signed by Apple servers.
You can find out which versions of iOS are current on the pages with information on the corresponding firmware, or in ours.
For outdated versions of iOS, you should use .
- Download the latest version of iTunes from our website and install it (if you have not already done so).
- Download the firmware version you need from ours.
- Connect your gadget to your computer. Press the Power (on the top) and Home (on the front panel) buttons for exactly 10 seconds, then release Power, continuing to hold Home for about 8-10 seconds. iTunes will launch and display the following message:
- Click OK.
- If you synchronize your gadget with iTunes, do this before flashing by clicking the "Sync" button. If you are creating a backup in iCloud, go to the "iCloud-Storage and Backups" menu in your device settings. Remember that during a restore, unlike an update, the device’s memory is completely formatted, and you can only restore content if you have a backup copy!
- Hold down the Shift button on your keyboard, then click on the "Restore" button. Specify the path to the downloaded iOS file.
- Wait for the firmware recovery to complete and the gadget to boot in normal mode.
- Before flashing, iTunes may display error 3194. This error has several causes, but most often the culprit is a line in the hosts file that may have been left behind after you ran utilities like TinyUmbrella. If you encounter it, follow the steps below.
- Find the Notepad shortcut (for example, in the Start menu), and select “Run as administrator” from its context menu.
- In the Notepad window, go to the "File-Open" menu.
- Go to the folder "C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc". At the bottom, in the drop-down list, select "All files", then you will see the hosts file. Open the file.
- Browse the contents of the hosts file. If you see a line that contains "gs.apple.com", you need to delete it entirely.
- Close Notepad. When prompted to save the file, answer in the affirmative. Then reboot..
- Try flashing again, there is a good chance that error 3194 will no longer appear.
- In addition, when downgrading the firmware on an iPhone or iPad with a cellular modem, iTunes will most likely throw an error in the range of 1013-1015 in the middle of the firmware. This is due to the inability to downgrade the modem. To boot your device normally after such an error, follow the instructions below.
- Download the latest version of redsn0w for Windows.
- Unzip the archive and place redsn0w on your desktop.
- In the context menu of the redsn0w.exe file, select pu
How to fix error 3194 when flashing
How to fix errors 1013, 1014 or 1015 when flashing
So, dedicated to the owners of iPhone 3G/3GS!
The other day they brought me a brick iPhone 3G phone.
According to the backstory, it was bought secondhand. And recently he asked to update to version 4.2.1 via iTunes, the person agreed without any second thoughts, and upon completion received a non-working phone with a cable and an iTunes icon appearing on the screen after the apple
Here it is -
How did I deal with this?
we will need:
1. First - update your phone if possible via iTunes; let it swear in the end, it's not scary.
2. After the update, download Jailbreak Redsnow 0.9.6rc18- this is the latest version that works with this iPhone model - http://depositfiles.com/files/p77bzl4rr.
3. Download Custom Firmware. Attention, if you have a Locked Phone, then the main condition is that the firmware must be Activated, it must have Cydia pre-installed, and it would be nice if Ultrasnow was pre-installed. I'm posting one -http://depositfiles.com/files/8ve0984jz
4. Copy to folderRedsnow original firmware file. If you tried to update via iTunes, then you have this file on the wayX:\Documents and Settings\(Your user name)\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates\ if not, download - http://depositfiles.com/files/zwhwaucqi
Sequencing:
1. Enter recovery mode into DFU
To do this, close iTunes, launch Redsnow in the first window, select the original firmware, click "Next" in the second window, check the box Enable DFU,click "Next" and followinstructions on the screen - press power for 3 seconds, then without releasing power, press the home button, hold it all at once for 10 seconds and release the power button while continuing to hold the home button for about 15 - 20 seconds. In the ending we see how the iPhone 3G is entered into recovery mode.
2. Upon completion, Redsnow will say that the phone should be in DFU recovery mode. We launch iTunes and refuse the offer to update and or restore, select our iPhone 3G/3GS. A window will appear in which it will be indicated that the iPhone is in recovery mode and there will be a “Restore” button, hold down the Shift button on your keyboard and, without releasing it, press the recovery button. In the window that appears, select the previously downloaded custom firmware. This should complete the iPhone 3G/3GS recovery/firmware process. Upon completion, you should receive a fully functional iPhone.
Everything described above was done by me personally..