Error 29 will update to iOS 7. iPhone 4s, Error 29 while update to iOS 7. iPhone 4s

I know this is an old post, but this is a reminder to myself for the next time I get error 29 as I've had it twice.

1. Turn off your security. It prevents all the files from uploading onto the phone. For Avast on mac side disable in preferences

2. Close iTunes.

3. Open CommandPrompt/Terminal and do a DNS flush.

Mac:sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder OR

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

Windows: ipconfig /flushdns

4. Re-open iTunes and try again it should work now.

Well said!!!!

I just been on the same journey as you, I called apple support, they sent me loads of links to try and fix, but noting I hadn't seen already seen/read and I felt more informed on error 29 than the support contact. I also went to local Apple shop and was told that it was more than likely my phone got wet and we have the IPhone 5S for €xxx, no support just sell sell sell (eye roll and walked out). Went back online ordered a Battery and kit for less than €15. As my phone was out of all warranty('s) and as useful as a paperweight (warrencrescent words) I had noting to lose. I replaced the battery very easily (good youtube clips out there to help) and my update has now finished without any more issue.

I'm still not impressed that Apples OS updated *** my phone, looking back now, there were some tell tail signs a week or two before the update issue (% sticking at same reading even when battery was starting to run low),

I thought it was a software issue and an OS update would fix it (bad call on my behalf).

I would prefer a Diagnostic msg that battery life is near it's end and OS update is not advised

This worked for me, thank you! Must be something dodgy about the 3rd party battery I installed...

Spot on! Hi, I'm just verifying your findings, I actually replaced the battery on my iPhone 4S (out of warranty now and Apple charge around £60), as it was overheating even with everything shut off (Apple staff typically non plussed at the Apple store, so hence DIY battery replacement) and then I updated the OS to 8.1. It failed, so I connected to Itunes and got the error 29, Checked the Hosts, connectivity and Firewall, but these were not causing the issue. I found another forum where some guy reckoned it was the battery and an error 29 was hardware related. He just banged his phone and got it to work with the restore apparently, but I think he was lucky. So with that in mind I just took my new battery out and re-fitted it, I restored to IOS 8.1 successfully.

What seems to happen is the update fails on the firmware update, which annoyingly is at the end, but re-seating the battery connection did the trick, which is pretty much the same as you did. If you don't have the tools, just buy a new battery from ebay with tools provided. It's simple. Unscrew the 2 pembroke headed screws at the base. Slide the cover upwards and remove. Unscrew the 2 tiny battery connector plate screws and carefully prise off. The battery is glued, so carefully prise this up. Re-fit the battery and screws (this is the challenging bit, so be careful not lose the screws, but don't worry too much as the connector clips in firmly and you can get replacement screws from guess where Ebay). Restore with the back off. When complete refit the rear cover about 1-2cm's from the base. Push down lighly and slide downwards into place and screw into place with the 2 screws you removed earlier. Job done.

Oddly the phone had been working previously with the new battery on IOS 7, so I'm with you, not very impressed with their update process or lack of explanation as to why this happens or corrective action. It's pretty depressing when you has a nice iPhone up and running one day and then find it is "bricked" after running an update. What is more concerning is seems to also happen to phones where the battery has not even been replaced. A painful experience, but easy enough to remedy thank goodness.

just tried an 8.1.2 updated and got this issue - iPhone 4S does have a replacement battery so will have to look at reseating it or replacing it (again)

This worked for me. Thanks. icracked sent me a bad battery.

I recently changed the screen and the battery in my iPhone 4s and the next time I updated my iOS my phone just said "Connect To iTunes". I'd read about people having issues when changing the battery so I went to the Apple store - they said that it was just coincidence but that some hardware must have failed during the update (yeah, right). So, I came home, replaced the battery with the old one and hey presto, the restore worked! Took loads of messing around but at least I got my phone back. Personally I think this is shocking since clearly Apple's iOS cross-references serial numbers of Apple parts to ensure people aren't fixing things themselves and if they have then it just renders their phone useless! That's like being sold a car and saying if you ever take it anywhere but a dealership then want a service at a later date we'll tell you to scrap it after we've done the service and discovered that it's been tampered with! SHOCKING MORALS APPLE, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES! Anyway, I'm a happy bunny again now, good luck everyone else with the same problem!