"Restore Needed" .. how can I save data since last backup?

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Level 1

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"Restore Needed" .. how can I save data since last backup?

Hi, 2 days before the end of a vacation my iPhone went into "restore needed. iPhone cannot make or receive calls. Restore from iTunes" mode (unknown IMEI and ICCID). I checked the troubleshooting pages and talked to the Apple hotline. It seems that this restore via iTunes (if possible) will set the phone back to its original state and then restores from the last backup. This will delete all photos, GPS tracks etc. collected on the vacation.

Is there any way to save this data, i.e. to access the flash memory directly - while the phone is still disfunctional and before restoring from the last backup?

-Thanks for any help-

iPhone 3GS, iPhone OS 3.0.1

Posted on Sep 2, 2009 7:28 AM

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Answer 1

w7ox

Level 4

2,407 points

Sep 2, 2009 7:36 AM in response to gewi09

I know of no way to access memory directly.

But that might be a good thing to ask Apple tech support about.

Phil

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Answer 2

Nnnvcg

Level 1

20 points

Sep 5, 2009 11:59 AM in response to w7ox

Sync it with Itunes and all sms' photos apps and music etc will be saved the you can restore it

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Answer 3

gewi09 Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 5, 2009 1:26 PM in response to gewi09

The phone could not be connected to iTunes at all (because I had a screen lock). There was a workaround by pressing and keeping pressed the home button while plugging in the connector. Still no restore possible (iTunes Error 23).

In the end the Apple tech hotline and the "genius bar" people told me there is no way to restore the phone or to access the data on the phone when it is in this non-responsive mode. They checked the water damage sensors and gave me a new phone. (That was quick and no hassle, but of course the data is lost. Not an optimal solution.)

I was told by someone else that if the restore worked, one could try to get the data off the phone before uploading the last backup...

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Answer 4

gewi09 Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 5, 2009 1:29 PM in response to Nnnvcg

iTunes just stated that a phone was detected that needed restore. I actually did not check if you can still synch at this moment. Is that possible?

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