OmPrakash69

Q: how to fix Error 3194 or "This device isn't eligible for the requested build" in i5 using Windows

While updating my iphone 5 to ios7.0.4 an Error 3194 or "This device isn't eligible for the requested build" has occered so i can't restore my iphone am using my itunes in Windows 8. So what can i do to recover my iphone

iPhone 5, iOS 7

Posted on Jan 2, 2014 1:46 PM

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Q: how to fix Error 3194 or "This device isn't eligible for the requested build" in i5 using Windows

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  • by sterling r,

    sterling r sterling r Jan 4, 2014 12:41 PM in response to OmPrakash69
    Community Specialists
    Jan 4, 2014 12:41 PM in response to OmPrakash69

    Hello OmPRakash69,

     

    Thank you for your question!

    It sounds like you are trying to update the phone to the latest version of iOS but are getting an errorr message saying the phone is not eligible for the requested build. Try out the troubleshooting in this article named:

    Error 3194 or "This device isn't eligible for the requested build"

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4451

     

    These steps will get you started, and there are additional troubleshooting steps if needed in the article:

    Important: If you see one of these messages and need help updating or restoring your iOS device, Install the latest version of iTunes and try to update or restore again. After that, follow these steps if you need more help.

    Check your "hosts" file

    After you've updated iTunes to the latest version, you can check the hosts file to be sure your computer can contact the update server. Use the numbered steps below if you’re on a Mac.

    If you’re using a Windows computer, follow steps in this Microsoft support article, noting that resetting the hosts file will affect software services that rely on hosts file redirects. If you're using Windows on a business computer, consult your IT department to be sure applications will still work correctly after resetting the hosts file.

    1. In the Finder, choose Applications > Utilities.
    2. Open Terminal.
    3. Enter this command and then press Return:
      sudo nano /private/etc/hosts
    4. Enter the password you use to sign in to your computer and press Return. You won't see text appear in the Terminal window when you enter the password. Make sure you use a nonblank administrator password.
    5. Terminal will display the hosts file. Navigate using the arrow keys and look for an entry containing “gs.apple.com”.
    6. Add the # symbol and a space ("# ") to the beginning of the gs.apple.com entry.
    7. TS4451_02--hosts_file-001-mul.png
    8. Press Control-O to save the file. Then, press Enter when prompted for the filename and Control-X to exit the editor.
    9. Restart your computer.
    10. Try to update or restore your iOS device again.

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

    All the very best,

    Sterling

  • by macfromnewyork,

    macfromnewyork macfromnewyork Mar 14, 2014 3:58 AM in response to OmPrakash69
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 14, 2014 3:58 AM in response to OmPrakash69

    error.jpg

     

     

    This is a problem faced by most of the users with  a outdated itunes application software and a misconfigured hosts file on the Windows or the Mac. What the host file is causing a block to the update server due to the configuration made by old itunes application at the time of installation. You can change the entry in the hosts file or delete it, but it is safe to make it irrelevant. By putting the # symbol before the ip address in the hosts file, the line is bypassed when accessing internet and you will be able to access the update address wthout going through the hosts file.

     

    itunes-error-3194-hosts-file.jpg

     

     

     

    For more details you can watch the below video.

     

    http://bit.ly/1qC7Won

  • by macfromnewyork,

    macfromnewyork macfromnewyork Apr 8, 2014 12:00 AM in response to OmPrakash69
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 8, 2014 12:00 AM in response to OmPrakash69

    UPDATE ON  iOS 7.1

     

    hi guys i think i found another solution to the situation , you can't now upgrade or downgrade or restore to iOS 7.0.4 or 7.0.6 or any other versions before 7.1 since apple stopped signing them after the release of 7.1.Now the only thing you can do is to upgrade to 7.1.

     

    Apple will stop signing 7.1 soon after the release of iOS 8 and you will get the same error in the future. You can read more about it below.

     

    What is error 3194? iTunes error 3194 Fix.

     

     

    8868239_f520.jpg

  • by macfromnewyork,

    macfromnewyork macfromnewyork Apr 9, 2014 1:03 PM in response to OmPrakash69
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 9, 2014 1:03 PM in response to OmPrakash69

    ERROR 3194 FINALLY SOLVED !!!!!!!!!!

     

    Hello guys i guess the problem is finally solved , i made some error in the above post i don't know how that happend and Apple doesn't allow to delete a wrong post so if there is anyone who still haven't got the solution, can find it below.

     

    So guys if you are using iOS versions below 7.1 don't try to update, downgrade or restore to the versions you presently have, it won't work. Editing the Host file won't fix the solution, i came to know about it lately so don't search the internet for any other solutions none of them will work. If you are having an iPad, iPhone 5 or iPhone 4 or any other devices the reason is the same =  Apple won't sign older iOS  versions.

     

    There is a full report on error 3194 in the below article which includes solutions to both Jailbroken and non-jailbroken devices.

     

     

    What is error 3194? iTunes error 3194 Fix

     

     

           

  • by thebuild,

    thebuild thebuild Apr 10, 2014 2:02 PM in response to macfromnewyork
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 10, 2014 2:02 PM in response to macfromnewyork

    thank you , it worked .

    i tried the Hosts file fix which didn't work since i haven't used any tools to jailbreak my device  , i was trying to restore my device to 7.0.6 so it failed and now i updated it to 7.1 and it finally worked.

  • by strangelookingidog,

    strangelookingidog strangelookingidog Apr 25, 2014 4:37 AM in response to macfromnewyork
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Apr 25, 2014 4:37 AM in response to macfromnewyork

    me too was searching the internet for this **** error , and did try all the solutions but nothing worked and i came to know in a forum that you can't downgrade iPhone.

     

    But iPhone 4 users lucky and they can downgrade their devices using the iFaith tool and solve this error

     

    Downgrading iPhone with iFaith tool

  • by strangelookingidog,

    strangelookingidog strangelookingidog Apr 25, 2014 4:43 AM in response to sterling r
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Apr 25, 2014 4:43 AM in response to sterling r

    The Hosts file solution only works to those who are using Jailbreaking tools like TinyUmbrella on their computer which modifies the Hosts file and results in error 3194.

  • by amoona86,

    amoona86 amoona86 May 19, 2014 6:32 PM in response to OmPrakash69
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 19, 2014 6:32 PM in response to OmPrakash69

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHb1vdU6ReM

     

    this would help... it helped me a lot.. u just need to delete something from (host) file.. and replace it.. then open itunes again and restore..

  • by deyi_Scorpion,Helpful

    deyi_Scorpion deyi_Scorpion Jun 29, 2014 9:09 PM in response to sterling r
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jun 29, 2014 9:09 PM in response to sterling r

    What if I don't have the entry of "gs.apple.com"?

    Screen Shot 2014-06-29 at 11.05.42 PM.png

    Thank you!

  • by USMAN58542,

    USMAN58542 USMAN58542 Jul 23, 2014 11:24 AM in response to sterling r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 23, 2014 11:24 AM in response to sterling r

    i have ipod touch 5g ios 7.1.1 but my ipod battery timing is not good on ios 7.1.1. now i want to restore to ios 7.0.4 but error occure 3194 the device can't be restored...... plzz help me ?? what can i do to remove this error ???
    i am using windows pc and there is not any file like
    gs.apple.com ????

  • by misbalon,

    misbalon misbalon Sep 23, 2014 1:34 AM in response to sterling r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 23, 2014 1:34 AM in response to sterling r

    Tried this but doesn't help, I update and downgrade my iTunes, used 6.x and 7.x IPSW, tried in DFU mode but error keeps on popping.

    Now my iPHONE 4 is under stucked iTunes logo, anyone can help?

  • by bidzu,

    bidzu bidzu Sep 25, 2014 7:14 AM in response to OmPrakash69
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 25, 2014 7:14 AM in response to OmPrakash69

    While updating my iphone4 to ios7.1.1 an Error 3194 or "This device isn't eligible for the requested build" has occered so i can't restore my iphone am using my itunes in Windows 8. So what can i do to recover my iphone

  • by bidzu,

    bidzu bidzu Sep 25, 2014 7:31 AM in response to bidzu
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 25, 2014 7:31 AM in response to bidzu

    3.PNG

  • by yuvrajwadh,

    yuvrajwadh yuvrajwadh Oct 20, 2014 1:40 AM in response to OmPrakash69
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 1:40 AM in response to OmPrakash69

    There are 3 reasons why you will get a 3194 error

     

    1. Network connectivity issues
    2. Not being able to communicate with Apple servers (hosts file issue)
    3. Not updating/restoring to the latest iOS version

     

    The reason can be 1 of them or all 3. Plenty of people have already explained how to solve the hosts file issue. If you want more details you can check this link http://www.blog.dressmyphone.in/how-to-solve-iphone-error-3194/

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