Receiving an error code (1109) in the middle of the restore on iPhone 11

Just had the same problem.

I tried different scenarios, but only Wifi + DNS Change (1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1 for me) did the job.

I had this issue with the following error code. The simple fix was connecting my Windows Laptop to Mobile Hotspot.

OH MY GOODNESS !!! VPN SOLVED MY PROBLEMS.

Bought iPhone 16, brand new. Opens it, it demands update, connects iPhone with cable to Win 11 PC, uses Apple Devices and then all hells brakes loose. Update does not work... after 12 hours of trying to solve the problem, still various issues.

I was 100% sure that there is nothing that can help me anymore. I used several cables, 6 different port, 2 different PCs, 6 different WLANs and Ethernets, did put all antivirus + firewalls down, changed DNS to 8.8.8.8/8.8.4.4 Reninstalled iTunes, iCloud, Apple Devices SEVERAL TIMES, repaired them, updated several drivers. NOTHING WORKED!!!

I was panicking. I read terms&conditions and was sure my 1000€ went down the drain, because Company that sold the iPhone said there is NO refunds because the phone is unusable.

AND THEN I BUMP INTO THIS TEXT and I try VPN, put that VPN on (FSecure, Total) and everything worked smoothly like babys bum.

I can't stress how thankful I am for this post the I bumped into !!!!

If you use Windows, DO NOT USE ANY PROGRAMS TO UPDATE ANY Apple devies. Never. If you have no other ways to update those devices BUY MAC to update them!!

Sorry for ranting but I am so relieved. Apple Support is calling me tomorrow. Certainly will not cancel the appointment. Will tell everyone there this VPN trick that helped me.

Happy days :D

I think it has to do with ISP connection.

I just tried this:

1.- I closed and restarted Apple Devices. I connected my lightning cable to a new usb port on my computer.

2.- I turned on my VPN. I used OpenVPN.

3.- On my Iphone, I pressed quickly volume up, then volume down.

4.- Then, I pressed on/off button until apple logo appeared.

5.- I connected Iphone to my computer.

6.- I followed instructions on screen.

Had the same issue (the device was stuck with Apple Logo and a partially completed loading bar beneath)when was upgrading:

• iPhone 15 Pro from iOS 8.0.1 to iOS 18.4.1
• from windows 11 PC from iTunes while connected with wire (USB C to USB C)
• while laptop being connected to WiFi

How I fixed it:

• Just restarted my Laptop > Disconnected my wifi
• Connected the laptop with personal hotspot from another mobile device (used iPhone 12 Mini)
• Diconnected the device from the Laptop
• Pressed and release Volume Up > then Pressed and released Volume Down > Long pressed the side button (right side button) for around 10-15 seconds
• The phone restarted with Wire Image
• Connected back to the Laptop > went thorugh restoring pop ups fron iTunes.

Had same problem. Tried the update on a Windows 10 laptop and everything updated first attempt with no issues! Originally tried the update on my Windows 11 desktop and first I got the update failed and after 2nd attempt got the factory reset message. A factory reset would have been a disaster since I transferred everything from my old phone to the new phone. With a factory reset I would have had to reload all my apps and lose everything--photos text messages, etc. OR, I could have done the transfer of my old phone to the new phone AGAIN and been in the same boat not being able to update to the latest iOS. The phone I am using for all this nonsense is an iPhone 16e. My old phone was an iPhone SE.

I'm writing this quick note to reiterate what the previous op mentioned - I spent HOURS trying over and over again to recover my ipad mini from this tailspin...what FINALLY worked was, as mentioned...taking my iphone, turning it into a hotspot, linking my laptop to the web through this hotspot and continuing with the repair/reboot. On my first attempt - success. I don't get it to be honest - but I'm not an IT guy. I just know after hours of frustration I was back in business and on my way. Thanks for the tip Lacatusuuuu

Used a USB A cord. Had issues with restoring using my Win 11 (23H2) computer and was able to restore using a Win 10 computer. Went back to the Win 11 computer and restored backup and all seems good.

perfect, this worked where others didn't. On Windows, I uninstalled Apple Devices, installed iTunes, and then the restore went straight through on on iPhone SE 2nd gen. Thanks @atm1991

Same issue here with multiple device models. I determined on iOS 18.0.1 that the issue was a mismatch in the SHA256 checksums of the various ipsw files, indicating some sort of corruption (I downloaded them multiple times). Today I have downloaded iOS 18.1 ipsw files for multiple device models (XR, 11, 12, 14 & 15) and the checksums appear to match for this version, but I just had an iPhone 12 fail restore with error 1109. I manage a large fleet of Supervised DEP devices and am regularly restoring them, so this is proving very frustrating. Apple Devices 1.5.0.160 (1.1280.40963.0) and Windows 11 Pro Version 23H2. Never used to have problems using iTunes for over a decade and only switched to Apple Devices when iTunes would not detect an iPhone 15.

Apple needs to get its act together. I am still having this issue in March of 2025 and I had it back in March of 2024 as well. I am not going to be forced into buying a Mac for the random times that I have to restore my phone. Two different phones, tried to update on two different computers, and finally had to download 3uTools to get the phone fully restored. I shouldn't have to turn to some random software platform to help me perform a basic task on my iphone. Not to mention the hassle of not being able to turn off Find My phone without a WiFi connection and not being able to restore your phone without Find My phone turned off. The reason I needed to do a restore is the fact that after an update my WiFi started glitching. I spent at least 6 hours repeatedly trying to use Apple Devices on my Windows laptop to restore the phone. Finally I found this community post and after ReiBoot wanted financial information, I found 3uTools that was free to do the same thing. Hopefully I didn't end up with malware just to restore my phone to trade it in to Verizon before 30 days was up.

thank u! this helped me. but i changed from 5ghz to 2.4ghz and turned on vpn so i wasn't sure which one helped

Estuve unas hora para intentar solucionar el error 1109. En mi caso queria hacer un reset de fabrica a miiphone 12 des de un ordenador *** Windows 11.

Lo intente unas quantas veces pero quando tenia que instalar el software me salia el error, estuve buscando y probando diferentes cosas hasta que lei un comentario que decia que despues de probarlo muchas veces sin hacer nada le desaparecio el error, asi lo he hecho yo, en total lo he probado unas 10 o 12 veces hasta que al final no me ha salido el error y le he podido hacer el reset

If you are using windows, i'm sorry that you have to use Windows 10. ( Don't use Windows 11 because it will not work).

Download "Apple Devices" from Microsoft Store.

It will show "Apple Recovery (iBoot) USB composite device" in bluetooth section.

Also make sure you changed the dns 8.8.8.8/8.8.4.4.

Trust me it will work this time.

hope this helps

https://www.reddit.com/r/applehelp/comments/1gnja3a/ios_181_update_errors_1109_3194_network_timeout/

https://github.com/nooneknowspeter/iOS-issues