iPad not eligible for the requested build in 4.3 iOS update?

Question

iPad not eligible for the requested build in 4.3 iOS update?

I have an iPad1 running iOS 4.2.1 set up with a mac and iTunes 10.2.1.

After plugging in my iPad, iTunes informed me that there was an iOS update available (iOS 4.3). I tried having it download and install the update.

I get an alert box that the iPad could not be updated. It said that the iPad wasn't eligible for the requested build. Hunh? Clearly it is eligible - Apple said so via iTunes.

I tried rebooting the iPad and the Mac but the same error message occurred.

I don't see a pile of these errors on a Google search so I assume this is something specific to my iPad (never jailbroken, plain vanilla iPad regularly backed up and updated via iTunes).

Any idea?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Mar 13, 2011 9:08 AM

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Answer 1

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,725 points

Mar 13, 2011 9:11 AM in response to Gerald Striph

Try a System Reset:
Hold down the on/off switch and the Home button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo. Ignore the "Slide to power off" text if it appears.

A System Reset does not remove any apps, music, movies, etc. nor does it cause any settings to revert back to default.

Also, you might wish to download the iPad-2 User Guide. Pay special attention to page 162.
http://support.apple.com/manuals/#ipad

Finally, a less thorough version of the Guide is included as a Safari bookmark and a more thorough version of the Guide can be downloaded at no charge via iBooks.

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Answer 2

Mar 13, 2011 11:21 AM in response to Philly_Phan

Thanks for your advice. The system reset described above didn't help. I have an iPad 1 (not 2) and I don't see anything in the manual to really help.

The exact alert box message is:

"The iPad "my ipad's name" could not be updated. This device isn't eligible for the requested build.

I suppose I could do a set up as new and reload the whole thing though that is a real pain -- reloading passwords, losing in progress games... I'm hoping for something simpler.

This iPad started on iOS 3 and has been updated automatically, without problems, using iTunes. It seems to function perfectly in every other way.

Any other ideas out there?

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Answer 3

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,725 points

Mar 13, 2011 11:41 AM in response to Gerald Striph

It is worthwhile looking through the iPad-2 Guide. Despite the name, the Guide is applicable to the original iPad with 4.3 except, of course, for those things not supported by the hardware.

In any event, I really don't know what else to suggest.

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Answer 4

Demo

Level 10

166,627 points

Mar 13, 2011 12:03 PM in response to Gerald Striph

One generic fix is to maybe reboot your computer and try syncing again. Another would be to reinstall iTunes and try again.

Maybe a manual download would work. Links are on these two sites.
http://www.quickpwn.com/2011/03/ios-4-3-download-links.html
http://www.techoncept.com/download-ios-4-3-for-iphone-ipad-and-ipod-touch

Message was edited by: Demo

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Answer 5

Mar 13, 2011 1:07 PM in response to Gerald Striph

im having the same problem. iPad not eligible for the requested build in 4.3 iOS update, already restarted my macbook and ipad, made sure that everything else is updated and still no luck. advice please.

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Answer 6

oherman

Level 1

0 points

Mar 13, 2011 1:12 PM in response to Demo

Got exactly the same issue. Restored a fresh 4.2.1 but it didn't change anything.
Same message :"this device isn't eligible for the requested build" (iPad v1 wifi 32Go, 4.2.1)

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Answer 7

Mar 13, 2011 1:14 PM in response to oherman

I too have exactly the same issue. Rebooting Mac or iPad did not bring success.
Would this have anything to do with the question whether an iPad has previously been jailbroken ?

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Answer 8

Demo

Level 10

166,627 points

Mar 13, 2011 1:25 PM in response to BarryHofland

If an iPad was jail broken, I have no idea if the update will work. I do know that it voids your warranty so if you can't update because of the jail break, Apple Support is out of the question.

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Answer 9

schaufma

Level 1

0 points

Mar 13, 2011 1:29 PM in response to BarryHofland

same issue here ... not only with ipad! all my devices (iPod Touch 3G - 4G, iPhone4 - 3GS and 2 iPads) are "infected" ...

no device has been jailbroken ...

could it be a "signing" or certificate problem with a apple server (e.g. verisign) ...? is it only a today problem?

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Answer 10

Demo

Level 10

166,627 points

Mar 13, 2011 1:37 PM in response to schaufma

If this is all taking place today, maybe it is on Apple's end especially since you said all three of your devices are "infected". From everything I could see in a Google search, this message does appear if the device has been jail broken.

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Answer 11

Mar 13, 2011 1:38 PM in response to schaufma

I've been working with Apple - if it is a server problem, they're not saying.

Have uninstalled iTunes (with tech help, not just taking to trash) and reinstalled.
Have tried to restore as new using DFU mode - won't -- all w/same error
Have tried logging on as a different user
Have tried different cable, different usb port
Have tried system reset on iPad
Have deleted and redownloaded the 4.3 update
Have restarted the computer.
No JB history.
No virus software on the mac (I know, but Apple asked).

Going to try on a different computer -- if not, apple support tech thinks it is the iPad even though no signs of other misbehavor.

Will let others know.

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Answer 12

Mar 13, 2011 1:52 PM in response to Gerald Striph

Same problem here. Just tried to update and the error pops up. I've never jailbroken my iPad.

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Answer 13

Mar 13, 2011 4:12 PM in response to Gerald Striph

The same problem. The only way to solve it was correcting the time on the Apple server. Now my iPad is upgraded to 4.3. I mean I passed my iMac in 1 hour.

Sorry, my english is bad.

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Answer 14

Mar 13, 2011 4:44 PM in response to Gerald Striph

I had the same problem today with updating an original iPad to 4.3. What seemed to fix it for me was going to homefolder/Library/iTunes/iPad Software Updates and deleting the iPad ipsw file that was there. I also went ahead and did a system reset (home and power button held down) on the iPad. Then I tried again with the update. This time, iTunes downloaded the 4.3 file and actually succeeded in installing it. I see that an earlier poster already had tried these steps. All I know is that it worked for me in getting rid of that annoying error message and let the update proceed on my iPad.

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Answer 15

Mar 13, 2011 5:32 PM in response to Gerald Striph

i tried on my macbook no luck, but i tried on my imac and success. random

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