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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

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42 replies

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.

iPhone iOS 5 restore error -34

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