Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

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

Level 1

11 points

iPhone 4S bricked after 6.1 update - iTunes errors 21/1611

Yesterday my iPhone 4S asked me to install the iOS 6.1 update (via the Settings.app) "over the air". After downloading and preparing the update, the iPhone rebooted itself to start the update process.

Unfortunately, this is where it all went wrong. It seems like the iPhone update failed somewhere along this process. It is now stuck in "Recovery Mode", with the picture showing me to connect the phone to iTunes.

I have tried countless times restoring the phone via iTunes, on 4 different computers, and on Windows 7 and OS X.

Nothing works. The restore process fails during the "Preparing iPhone" phase.

Here's what happens every time:

I can see the phone being restarted.
The Apple logo shows up, and a little wheel in the bottom of the screen starts spinning
As soon as (usually even before) the progress bar shows up on the phone, the device suddenly shuts down
The iPhone reboots right back into recovery mode, asking me to connect to iTunes

I'm quite desperate at this point. I have followed all steps imaginable (including turning off Windows firewall and antivirus software), but even then the restore still won't complete. iTunes always gives me the same error: 1611.

When putting the phone into DFU manually, it gives me another error: 21.

Both seem to point to third-party security software interfering with the restore process.

However, having tried this on 4 different computers, I am 99% sure that this is not the issue. So far I've tried:

HP Laptop - Windows 7
Asus Desktop - Windows 7
2010 Macbook Pro 15" - OS X Mountain Lion + Windows 8 (Bootcamp)
2010 Macbook Pro 13" - OS X Mountain Lion

Also, I should mention that in Belgium there aren't any official Apple Stores where I can book an appointment at a Genius Bar. Is this 4S doomed? 😟

iPhone 4S, iOS 6.1

Posted on Feb 2, 2013 6:06 AM

36 replies

ammoun

Level 1

25 points

Feb 6, 2013 12:57 PM in response to KillerShadow666

I had the problem with error -1 on my iPhone 4S trying to upgrade from 5.1.1 jailbroken to 6.1

I disabled my antivirus and restarted my computer and the update worked (I had my iPhone connected to the my MacBookPro during the restart and it was in recovery mode).

So, disable antivirus and restart and I hope you get your issue resolved.

Feb 6, 2013 1:05 PM in response to ammoun

Ok, so I recently updated my 4S to 6.1 from 5.x (Jbroken) and i hook it up to both my PC and my fiance's PC and the 4S is stuck in "recovery". I get no errors and eveytime it tries to hook up to Itunes(on either PC) the message comes up that says it cannot connect to Iphone update server...?

Feb 6, 2013 1:24 PM in response to grayfoxx122

That's because the method that you used to JB corrupted the network database on your computer. You need to fix your hosts file, delete any records that contain gs.apple.com. If that doesn't fix it it's likely that you altered the baseband on your phone. There's no easy solution for that, and any solution must come from a source other than an Apple-hosted forum.

Feb 6, 2013 1:35 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Where do I find the Hosts file?

Feb 6, 2013 3:24 PM in response to grayfoxx122

My first thought is that if you don't know where the hosts file is you shouldn't have hacked a phone, but, assuming you have Windows:

c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts

Mac:

/etc/hosts

Feb 7, 2013 1:53 AM in response to Kwintenc

Hi there, I'm stuck with the same problem!

I have Iphone 4s 5.0.1 JB tried to update to 6.1 and it's always with error 21. Have tried in 4 pc one with windows 8 fresh install and nothing solves the problem. Is there any other program besides itunes that updates iphone? is this a problem of the update and so my iPhone is still under warranty and they have to fix it?

Regards

Feb 7, 2013 6:04 AM in response to crosshelder

You are getting that error because your phone is jailbroken. There is nothing wrong with the update, you have turned your phone to trash. Apple's warranty is void for jailbroken phones; they do not have to fix it for you.

Soss32

Level 1

0 points

Feb 7, 2013 7:06 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

My Iphone has never been jailbroken and I'm getting the same errors. I don't believe in coincidence of having hardware problem exactly at the time 6.1 update was installed. I'm against JB and so would like to find
Apple recommended way to fix my phone. So far all suggestions I found are not working at all! It's frustrating because for over a week now I'm forced to use my old phone as a backup. I'm not willing to pay for another smartphone because software updating process has flaws.

Kwintenc Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 7, 2013 7:29 AM in response to Kwintenc

Since some people are bringing jailbreaking into this discussion, I feel like I should note that this iPhone 4S has NOT EVER been jailbroken. At the time of my original post, there wasn't even a jailbreak available for iOS 6.

Also, update: I still haven't been able to fix the problem. Probably going to have to send it back sometime next week. 😟

Feb 7, 2013 8:31 AM in response to Soss32

The message i responded to stated that the phone was jailbroken. If yours is not you have a different problem. What specific error code are you seeing?

Feb 7, 2013 8:38 AM in response to Kwintenc

Both of the errors that you report (1611 and 21) are related to security software blocking the update. If turning off firewall and antivirus doesn't resolve the problem you may have to actually uninstall the antivirus. This is especially true if you are using Kaspersky, which can never be completely turned off and which is known to block iPhone updates.

Another thing to try is to update using a different computer, or create a new user ID on your computer and try updating logged in to that computer.

Also, occasionally the TCPWindowSize parameter in the Windows Registry can interfere with an update if it is different from the default. Fixing that is beyond the scope of a post in this forum, but you can find information on it on the Internet.

Kwintenc Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 7, 2013 10:49 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Thanks for the help so far, Lawrence.

As stated in my original post, I have tried restoring on many different computers, in both Windows (7 & 8) and OS X (10.8). As such, I firmly believe that security software is not the issue here, as I have both deleted my antivirus software (Microsoft Security Essentials) and turned off my firewalls while trying to troubleshoot this issue. I also made sure that my hosts files in both Windows and OS X are configured correctly.

I have also tried the TCPWindowSize thing you mentioned but sadly that didn't work either.

Feb 7, 2013 7:51 PM in response to Kwintenc

Problem is pretty simple. Iphone sent message to update in settings. Clicked ok. Stuck with image of Itunes and beneath image is the word Itunes with arrow beneath that and image of USB cable below that.

If you try to call the phone you can hear voice mail picking up the call. Cannot do anything but look at the above described screen.

Tried 2 things - 1) power off and restart 2) Tried hooking up to MacBook Air laptop thinking maybe itunes could fix problem and Itunes said that the phone needed to be restored - which then says it would erase the contents of the phone.

Phone does not have antivirus. The phone has never been tampered with.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Feb 8, 2013 12:51 PM in response to KillerShadow666

Try a Ipsw 6.1

Feb 12, 2013 11:24 AM in response to .tomaZ

I have the same problem. Hope they will repair on warrenty

iPhone 4S bricked after 6.1 update - iTunes errors 21/1611