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Unknown error (9) when trying update and restore

My iPhone is now permanently stuck in 'recovery mode.' Retore fails with unknown error (9). Help.

PowerMac G5, MacBook Pro (Vista/OS X), Mac OS X (10.4.9), Sinclair ZX81, Dell Dual Xeon Tower

Posted on Sep 28, 2007 8:29 AM

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Posted on Oct 13, 2007 6:20 PM

My Iphone is stuck in error 9, too. It also say's, I need to activate my phone; as if I just bought it. This happened after I plugged it into my computer to charge up my battery, from there I decided it would be a good idea to update the phone since Itunes provided the option... apparently not.
11 replies

Sep 29, 2007 5:01 PM in response to SinclairZX81

I'm having the exact same problem. I don't know what to do, as this is my only phone. iTunes is telling me that I'm required to click 'restore' and then it gives me the message:

The iPhone "iPhone" could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (9).

Does anyone know what this is or how to fix it? This is my only phone and therefore need the problem fixed. Thanks so much for your help!

Oct 22, 2007 11:44 PM in response to gdudek

Hi, I am also having the same error when trying to restore.

My phone went on a black permanent screen, and iTunes does not detect the phone unless I use the sleep + home button 10 sec. and then only home another 10 sec. to restore.

When trying to restore, itunes says Unable to restore iphone. Unknown error (9).

Please help me!

My email: chavakalifa@gmail.com

Jan 16, 2008 7:32 AM in response to SinclairZX81

I encountered the same "Unknown" error during my update to 1.1.3.
The iPhone does not have enough free space to perform the update.

For those encountering this error during a sync that is not related to an update, you'll have to check and see if your issue is related to free space.

For me, the solution was:

1) Choose to NOT sync content on the Music, Photos, Podcasts, and Video tabs. Click Apply.
2) The iPhone should sync to a mostly empty state
3) Click the Update button on the Summary tab
4) At the conclusion of the update, re-select content on the Music, Photos, Podcasts, and Video tabs. Click Sync.

-Brian

Jan 23, 2008 2:54 PM in response to SinclairZX81

Got mine working….after 5 days.
I was getting the Unknown Error (9). The restore attempt would never finish. I tried everything under the sun. Tried two different XP computers with the same result. Finally I got the bright idea to try it on my Mac. The restore took just fine. Then I went back to my XP computer and synced everything back. Might have something to do with Windows and the latest updates for iTunes. The iTunes on the Mac is not the most recent version but it did restore the latest firmware 1.3.

Unknown error (9) when trying update and restore

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