iOS8 update failed on my iPad2, now stuck in recovery mode

Any luck in getting your device functioning?

This exact issue happened to my iPhone 5S when I updated to ios8. Then it just happened to work after trying for hours.

Now I've tried to update the latest software as my phone would not connect to a service provider (just kept showing "searching" on the screen) I tried to take out my sim card and the status did not change. Hard restart, same issue.

Now it's a day later and my phone is in recovery mode, unable to recover. Getting the "unknown error" 1 code which appears during the point when iTunes displays "updating iPhone firmware".

I'm guessing a trip to the Apple Store is in order.

I am also having the same problem.

I have IPAD4 though, stuck in same issue.My IPAD is dead for months, tried all the methods mentioned in this chain which results nothing.

Any of you guys had luck on bringing this up?

April 12th 2015,

I just tried to do the new update to my iPad2 (8.3 I think) and mine too is now stuck in this recovery mode screen. Have read tons of emails. All links to supposed help just loop back to the same old articles and emails about how to recover your iPad. HELLO, WE ARE STUCK IN RECOVERY!! JERKS!

Anyway, I have tried every tip or idea I could gleam from what looks like Apple whitewash one a real problem. Nice support of your customers! I pay way too much for all the apple products I have bought for this malarkey.

Say what you want about Microsoft, all my Microsoft products work.

Found the solution! ReiBoot, its free. I searched for it, used it just now. All better. Thanks so much ReiBoot!!

i have the same issue. i downloaded ireboot...it wont work. like the two buttons are greyed out.

My passcode and password did change now not change again now letting my on apple ipad 2 and think wrong new update iOS 9 what wrong trying there first send out and wait hope work soon and I hope work tomorrow!

My son has been experiencing this same sequence since he tried to update to iOS 8 in May. Since then with every iOS update release he has tried to update it to no avail. The iPad will get to the very last portion of the "Restoring ipad firmware" and fail. The same thing happens with any cable, and even at the itunes store. The apple store stated that it was probably just a hardware issue that came to light with the new os which seems impossible. He's never once had an issue with the device and it functioned perfectly up until the update. The device has never been jailbroken or abused as he needed it for college.

Is there a class action lawsuit yet for all of the thousands of owners who have been affected by the faulty update? Or what other options are out there? A 4 year old deivce should not become unusable due to an operating system update.

Same problem with me! Went to the apple store today. They tried to fix to no avail and them proceeded to tell me that it was old and that I should buy a new one. Was working fine until the update, the problem and cost free solution should lie with apple!!

I had the same issue, trying several times to complete the update/restore to no avail. I had noticed that my ipad had been sluggish before the attempted update. Based on that, I reconfigured the USB port on my PC to be a USB 1.1 port. Normally it is a 2.0 port. My hope was that the cause of the failure was a communication problem between my sluggish ipad and the PC. Maybe my ipad was too sluggish to keep up with the 2.0 data rate.

Well, it worked. I was able to complete the update using the v1.1 USB port. This is a sample set of 1, so it could have been that my change had nothing to do with the success, but I suspect that this change did indeed allow the update to complete.

So, how do you configure the port to use _only_ v 1.1? First, this is a procedure for experts. On some PCs, there is a BIOS switch to turn off USB 2.0 support. This forces the ports to v 1.1 mode. In my case I am using a virtual machine that gives me specific control of the USB port version. I suggest that you google "force usb 1.1" and peruse the available information.

brad585: thanks I have spent the whole day trying to fix this. I own three Iphone, including the latest. I also have a new Ipad. I have my original Ipad2. it had a cracked screen - so I fixed it. I was using it to play music on my sailboat. But every time I would connect to ITunes it would nag me to update from 4.3 ios. I got tired of the pop up so I attempted to upgrade. It failed. Now I am in the endless loop. I have tried everything from trying it a hundred times to uninstalling Norton software. I worked with two separate Apple support tech. They were reading a script. the same one you get on the help site. I kid you not. I had the site open and then parroted back the help page word for word.

It was a great device for what I was using it for. The was already set up for it. It held hundreds of CD's. I will try you advice. I know an apple store will just want to sell me a new one. It worked fine until I did what apple wanted me to do.

I will never ever purchase another apple product again. All my ibm/pc/window device are working flawlessly. My oldest is this 12 year old lap top. I was looking at the new mac books or computers yesterday on line and thought it was time to upgrade.

After today - forget it. I just ordered a touch screen just like the mac for 1/5 the price.

Now I have to swap out my boat interface to work with the new smart plug on my new ipad. Or a new radio. New radio it is.

I see it this way - apple just took my nice ipad and wasted it.

If the usb port down grade does not fix it. My 9mm will.

Have a merry Christmas.

Don't use your 9 Doug.

Struggled with recovery mode loop issue on my ipad 2 for the past week but this method just worked:

1) download Mac software that throws ipad out of recovery mode, ReiBoot: http://www.tucows.com/preview/1595390/Tenorshare-ReiBoot-For-Mac

NOTE: i think it absolutely has to be this version of the ReiBoot software (3.0.0) because the newer versions were not working for me

2) Install ReiBoot

3) Connect brick iPad 2 to your mac

4) Launch ReiBoot

5) Hit "Exit Recovery Mode" button, then after 20-30sec you should have your ipad back 🙂

good luck

I had the same issue with our ipad 2 getting stuck in recovery mode. I used reiboot. The issue I had was I was using a pc with iTunes on it. I went to the tenorshare website and downloaded the win version. It wanted me to pay for it. Not a big issue with paying $20 to unbrick my iPad. It worked like a charm. Thanks jmed80 for the pointer.

I downloaded Reiboot and followed the steps and now when I plug in my iPad 2, it either says the device cannot be found or it goes back to the same loop. WHAT DO I DOOOOO?

Hi..i had been having the same problem for a few days and tried everything. Finally got it going by downloading Reiboot onto my laptop clicked one button and my iphone switched on.

Hope it helps......

@jmed80

Followed your steps precisely, using ReiBoot 3.0.0

My results:

After five days of worthless and frustrating Apple non-help, restore mode looping, unavailable backups and "suggestions" from the Apple store personnel that this was:

A) my USB's fault

B) a hardware fry that I had caused

C) offers to courteously and generously buy my "worthless" iPad for a whopping $60

and,

D) charitable offers to sell me a reconditioned iPad for a few hundred dollars...

my iPad 2 came back like new.

THANK YOU, jmed80!!!!!

Two words for Apple: "CLASS ACTION" - Warning about Apple's suggested upgrades, folks: Your mechanic is running a used car lot.