Error 3 when updating iphone 5 - firmware issue?

Hi Natalia!

Have you solved your problem? If yes, could you share the solution? I'm having this problem for months now and everything I've tried haven't worked, even stupid things such like use a hairdryer to overheat the iphone.

Cheers.

Hi Rink,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. For that particular error, the steps in this article should help:

iOS: Unable to update or restore

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1808

Cheers,

- Ari

yeh i have the same problem . the only solution to fix error 3 is to put your iphone in the freezer for 40 mins. and then restore via itune. it work for me but then i got stuck in the activate screem . the signal keep on searching and can't even dial 112 to bypass it . Anyone help plz. Apple store cant help me because my phone out of protection.

guys) you may not believe me but when i ejected a sim card all gone WELL!!! WOOOOHOOO!

Still Not working For me. Facing Error 3 😟

In the exact same problem as you, got past error 3 by simply removing sim card and the phone restored but now the phone wont activate and just keeps say searching at the top left corner?

i have the same problem with an iphone 5s does anybody got an answer what to do ?!

hi

my phone can't detected sim that I've installed so I tried to put on recovery mode but then when it comes to "restoring iphone firmware" it got stuck for like 15minutes then "The iPhone "iPhone" could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (3)." I've tried it with different laptop/pc also different usb cable but its still on the same result. My os and itunes is up to date, so basically it supposed to go perfectly fine.

please help!!!

It's a hardware problem. The phone will have to be replaced.

Huummm, that is not good!!!

Neither is intentionally overheating the device with a hair dryer...