Q: ANY ONE KNOW WHAT IS ERROR 3 IN ITUNES WHEN I TRY TO RESTORE IPHONE 5 TO IOS 7 IT STUCKS IN THE END AND AFTER 30 MIN THIS COME OUT "UNKNOWN ERROR 3" CAN SOME ONE HELP ME PLZ

As an IOS software (new version) can prevent my machine to finish the restoration. So why are the available versions 7.0.2 and 7.0.4 now can not installed on my iPhone, how can anything be corrected. There's something wrong with the IOS version 7 it is because some started to have the same problem the ERR (3), may even be conincidencia, but there's something wrong in the air and has not yet been discovered. Remains is to have more people having the same problem and Apple resolve to contribute to the solution team.

GUYS.......

I have been in contact with a few AppleCare Senior Advisors, and one AppleCare IOS Senior Advisor. I spent a good 3 hours last night on the phone with them, they are now aware of this problem. We are working on a solution to a fix, as the engineers are now on board with this. I will keep you all updated with the findings. Stay tuned.

I repeatedly had error code 3 as well as multiple other ones depending on which method I was trying to restore my third-generation iPad. Took it to an Apple Store last week and they replaced it with a new unit but same generation. Pretty sure they know something is up… But **** frustrating to say the least.

Thank you very much kennethyoung! I made ​​your guide. Now my ipad works very well

I wanted to let everyone know that when I did the freezer trick, I was dealing with an ipad that was not covered under warranty and I had nothing to lose by putting it in the freezer. If you have a brand new ipad air and error code 3 happens, I would probably make an appontment at a genius bar and get your problem resolved face to face with them. I do not think I would have frozen my ipad if it was under warranty even though the freezer trick did work.

Well I tried again with the freezer trick with no luck. I just glad Apple finally knows about the problem. Hopefully the fix this probably asap ive been without my iphone since the 7.0.2 update

I have an iPad 3 as well and I updated to 7.0.4 over the air and it failed. Tried restoring it from my Mac several times with error code (3). I tried my roommates Windows computer and it failed with error code (3). I called Apple Support and they tried to walk me through the restore process and it failed with error code (3). They said the error code had something to do with the network settings on my computer, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I took my AT&T SIM card out of the iPad and tried restoring and it and still got error code (3). The lady from Apple support didn't seem to be aware of this error code at all, which is kind of disappointing. I have an appointment at a Genius Bar on Monday, so hopefully they can either get it fixed or give me a replacement. These things are too expensive to only last a year and a half! In the meantime, my iPad is in the freezer. I'm really hoping this works. It sounds crazy, but it does make sense.

After trying the freezer, the restore got much farther than it had ever gotten, but it still failed and gave me error code (8) this time. Couldn't find any information online for this error code :/ I'm going to try it again and see what happens.

I had to create an account here just to say thanks to Kenneth for the freezer trick. 

Makes sense that the only way to shut off a chip is by removing all sources of energy, be it thermal or electrical. 

In my case, I stuck the phone in the freezer for about 3 minutes, right in front of the freezer's vent blasting on the phone (not recommended because you could trigger the moisture sensor paper and void your warranty) - but it worked like a charm.

Glad my freezer "physics" is working for the majority of those who try it and that my 25 years in semiconductors still can help others. As pointed out, only attempt "freezer physics" if you are no longer under warranty and you have already visited an Apple Genius bar and they have not offered you a free replacement (has anyone gotten an out-of-warranty free replacment yet?). Some of you many have "damp" freezers so I do strongly recommend the paper towels and rice in the freezer bag.

Apple is aware of this issue and I am hoping they will either come out with an updated 7.0.4 that will attempt to "fix" the issue by lengthing the erase/write cycle operation, if as I suspect that is the issue, or issue orders to replace Error 3 issues for free when verified by an Apple Genius, regardless of warranty status. I'm not holding my breath on them "doing the right thing" though, but we can hope.

i had to create a username because it seemed like this is the only thread that is active on the error 3 situation. ive been iphone less for about 1 month now and i get the error 5. Iphone 5 ios 7.0 tried to update to 7.0.4 and i got the error 3 (while stuck on DFU mode). tried everything even the freezer method for 30 mins and still nothing. chatted with apple technicians and still nothing. i purchased the phone in the US but i am a international student studying medicine over seas. seems that the iphone 5 does not have a international warranty and the next time i go back i am over my warranty. so in essence in **** out of luck. i kind of feel at ease when i read that apple technicians are finally aware of the problem and are at least listening. all i have to say this was a really bad experience for me as a long time apple/ iphone user and it ***** that my iphone 5 is just sitting in its box. hope we get a solution fix asap i miss my iphone!!!

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Apple replaced my iPad 3 for $150. I don't think I should have had to pay anything considering it was all because of a software update, but I thought $150 was worth getting my almost $800 iPad back. The guy at the apple store said something in the iPad must have been failing before the update and that the update finished it off. He said it was probably the internal storage. Either way, I'm glad to have my iPad back. Thanks for suggesting the freezer trick. I wish it would've worked for me, but it sounds like I had bigger issues going on :/

Got same problem on Sunday after iPhone 5 stopped picking up carier's signal and was in "searching" mode.  Carrier suggested I restore and like everyone else on here it failed.  Apple techs got me to try restore again, then in DFU mode and still failed.  I tried on two different Macbooks with different operating systems (one was OS Mav) and same error code.  The tech consulted "senior" experts who advised they didn't know what the problem was but they'd noticed it emerging on these forums over recent weeks.  They think it's hardware related.  Tech said "Lucky you're still under warranty" and booked me into a Genius Bar.  They swapped the phone, thank you Apple!!  I have 73 days left on my warranty and I'm extending it for another year.  I will always extend my warranty on iPhones in future as this phone is my business and not having it for 2 days was painful.  If it was out of warranty it would have been an expensive fix.  I didn't have iOS 7 on the phone when it failed, I was still rocking iOS 6 because I didn't like the 7 interface.  Funny how this is suddenly happening and the number affected is growing.  Has to be driven by software updates in my opinion or carrier software updates.

likely that this is purposeful ... All with the same problem: finding the phone ... decided to restore and locks the device. Very strange! I used to force the purchase of new equipment. Eagerly awaiting a solution to this. And the worst thing is to see the number of people who consult this problem 9600 users and only 60 people post their questions and solutions. Have to get an idea of the number of people who are having this problem. This apple is getting burned ...

Any update on this issue ?