You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iPhone iOS 5 restore error -34

I keep getting error -34 and my phone won't complete upgrade to iOS 5 and add my backup data. Help

iPhone 4, iOS 4.3.3

Posted on Oct 12, 2011 1:54 PM

Reply
42 replies

Jan 17, 2013 2:45 PM in response to LuskyP

Weirdly I know this. 1603 is a USB error.


From Apple:


This error is often related to USB timing. Try changing USB ports, using a different dock connector to USB cable, and other available USB troubleshooting steps (troubleshooting USB connections. If you are using a dock, bypass it and connect directly to the white Apple USB dock connector cable. If the issue persists on a known-good computer, the device may need service.

If the issue is not resolved by USB isolation troubleshooting, and another computer is not available, try these steps to resolve the issue:

  1. Connect the device to iTunes, confirm that the device is in Recovery Mode. If it's not in Recovery Mode, put it into Recovery Mode.
  2. Restore and wait for the error.
  3. When prompted, click OK.
  4. Close and reopen iTunes while the device remains connected.
  5. The device should now be recognized in Recovery Mode again.
  6. Try to restore again.

If the steps above do not resolve the issue, try restoring using a known-good USB cable, computer, and network connection.

Oct 14, 2011 1:21 PM in response to Raul Gutierrez

I've just done this

Error -34 is an out of space code so I think Raul is on the right track


Anyways after a few goes hitting 'continue restore' and geting nowhere I noticed at one point that my phone appeared to be operational


I swiped it open and found myself at the iOS 5 setup screen and followed the instructions

At the end of this I found iTunes had restored everything on my phone (contacts, messages, call log & apps) except my music (about 25GB)


This fits with the out of space bit as in it defaults to not restoring any media but does restore the vital stuff


At this point I retried the restore but this time when prompted I deleted the backup


My phone rebooted and went into autosync with iTunes


It is currently syncing my music (although what I'll have to leave behind yet I don't know)


Hope this helps

Oct 12, 2011 3:11 PM in response to Keith Tomlinson1

I have searched every where...and from what I've googled and tried myself this is what I've got:


1. Some say that it is a server issue on Apple's part. This means that there are just simply TOO many people trying to download and update at the same time. When you are restoring your phone it must connect to Apple in order to verify the service for the phone.


2. Others believe there are bugs in the update making it not install correctly. The problem with this is that some people have reported not having any problems. So it begs the question what did they do differently? Or how is their device different from mine.


The Solution for both saddly seems to be the same for either PATIENCE. Which I am very displeased by this because I have been waiting what seems like FOREVER, and I'm sure everyone else has too, for this update to come out.


Hey Apple, please get his working even if you have to put people in line for the update. I want it now.

Oct 12, 2011 3:18 PM in response to Keith Tomlinson1

here is what worked for me. i hope it helps. i kept getting the restore error -34. when it prompted me to continue restore or delete restore. I pressed delete. Also, try and unlock your phone. Because you need to set up iCloud and other items before the phone/pad can be of use. After I set up iCloud and deleted restore i was able to sync my iTunes back into my iPhone.

Oct 12, 2011 6:31 PM in response to pro bowler

This worked for me! I was going in circles trying to restore and then re-restore, and I kept getting errors. I did exactly what pro bowler said, and it worked like a charm. Now I have iOS 5! And my phone is back to exactly the way it was. I was afraid that I was going to have to resync everything. The only exception was that at first it showed that I had no music. However, on my iTunes, it still showed that I had all my music on it in the little bar graph at the bottom. But after it synced to iCloud (which didn't take very long), all my music and playlists are back on my iPhone. Thanks, so much for sharing, "pro bowler." You saved me hours of frustration!

Oct 13, 2011 2:57 AM in response to Keith Tomlinson1

I'm on iphone 4 latest iOS before 5 and with osx 10.7.1 on an intel core duo mac book


Well it has been a very shaky update I must say. Lots of complaints and problems all over the net. Perhaps next time there will be more testing / bedding.


The way I got around it, was fiddle around and to indeed press [delete the back up] whcih somehow does not delete the backup, and then you will be given the option to [restore to factory settings] bla. Which means completely wiping out the iphone (and therefore, as per any update, updating the firmware, which may have smthg to do with the -34 error?) You will then be prompted AGAIN to restore the backup (whcih was not deleted) and then all your settings will be restored.


If you have done a sync and therefore a backup before launching the iOS5 it should be fine. It was for me.


Long winded way and scary way to do an update. but again, at no point was the data in itunes threatened so no big deal. just a lot of wasted time. And Apple's cutomer service is going to be flooded because there is no easyway out unitl they release a patch. I am wondering what % of the iphone owners are affected, but there seems to be a lot.


Good luck!

Oct 13, 2011 5:50 AM in response to Keith Tomlinson1

Yes, the solution is to delete the backup when it prompts you to do so. You will freak out because it will seem that everything on you phone is lost, but it is not (since everything is on iTunes or iCloud/me before it gets to the phone). After doing a factory ios 5 upgrade, you can sync all your stuff back in itunes. Yes you will have to check 6 boxes in iTunes to tell it what to sync, but it will all come back!

Oct 13, 2011 6:28 AM in response to Keith Tomlinson1

if you have successfully downloaded the update and ran an update for the iOS then deleting the restore should not do anything to the device. iTunes should have all your info/data backed up. You will not end up with a blank phone and start from scratch. I dont know if my fix will work for everybody, but it has seemed to help some.


please refer to earlier post for fix.

Oct 13, 2011 9:09 AM in response to Nealf

im glad this is working for some users. i know it is not the solution for all, but if you are at the point of the restore, it should work. i have seen other boards with the same problems as us. unfortunatly, i dont have the time to post on every board. so if you run across this problem in another board, please redirect them to this possible solution. i know some devices dont have this issue. my wifes iphone upgraded without a hassle.


thanks,

Oct 13, 2011 9:38 AM in response to Keith Tomlinson1

Keith,


Yes, after I hit delete restore, my phone finished loading 5.0 and looked like all the content was gone. But when I hit Sync, everything showed back up in the capacity settings. It did take a long, long time to sync the content back in (hours). I have 24 GB to resync to the phone and I have iTunes convert higher bit rate songs, so times may be less for others.

iPhone iOS 5 restore error -34

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.