iPhone restore error 53 - not listed anywhere, what is the problem? has anyone seen it before???

Little history here re: error 53...

- dropped iphone 6, shattered screen.

- took for repair, tech not only replaced screen but used a new (or used) home/touch id button with attached ribbon cable.

- attempted to both update and setup new touch id, neither worked and received failed messages. .

- tried to update via itunes, started update then failed with error 53 - tried many times after with continued error 53 error.

- tried to restore, also received error 53.

- realized my phone was a brick so called back repair service.

- they stated the tech messed up - iphone has a unique home/touch id button and ribbon cable, any other replacement will not work.

- fortunately they retained my parts and replaced the new home/touch id and ribbon cable with my existing one.

- brought home, was able to complete the restore then restored from back up.

So, if you damage your iphone, be sure the repair service uses the existing home/touch id and ribbon cable or you'll end up with error 53. Appearantly, each iphone is linked to this button/ribbon cable and will not work if replaced. If you do have it replaced, you won't be able to update and if you try to update via itunes, your iphone will never work again.

Hi guys

I have to disappoint you all.

The problem is in Touch ID 1000%. If it is not original button for this particular motherboard or your touch id ribbon cable is damaged or not connected to your motherboard (at least it can be fixed)

The problem has no software solutions. At least until that moment when this topic will have thousandths of complaints about error 53. And apple will do something.

For now you can:

1) Go to your store and take it back - they will change your phone within warranty period. But only if there are no big scratches and so on. Otherwise - your iPhone is dead.

2) If you have changed the touch id button (during the installation of the new screen of maybe you changed the motherboard) - you have to find this fckng original touch id button - that is the only one in the whole world for your motherboard. And put it back to the motherboard.

3)Sell it for parts for about 20% of the initial price.

4)Find a guy who invented this stupid system with touch id on iPhone 6 and 6+ (5s has no such problem) - and throw your dead Brick-iPhone to his head. Maybe it will satisfy you a little.

Error 53 based on the information that I've gathered is a hardware issue that stems from Touch ID.

The recurring theme between the reports seems to be replacement of the screen or the home button.

When a home button is replaced with a button from a different the device it causes an issue with the Touch ID functionality leading to error 53.

What I would recommend doing is calling apple support and going over some troubleshooting steps with them.

If a backup / restore does not resolve the issue then take the device in for service or mail it in.

Something like this should not be considered accidental damage so it should be free.

Now if you're out of warranty then you're out of luck as with any manufacturer.

lalasong92 wrote:

So turns out that error code 53 is caused by hardware problem on the home button and I got unlucky with a few others around the globe, we received the batch of phones with faulty home buttons. And it amazed me that nobody actually shared anything about trying to restore it will completely kill your phone.

If your Home button is faulty, take your phone to the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store and have the phone serviced. Or, if you're not near an Apple Store, send it in for service.

In this particular case Apple HAS issued an official statement, made to several press outlets:

"We take customer security very seriously and Error 53 is the result of security checks designed to protect our customers," the company said. "iOS checks that the Touch ID sensor in your iPhone or iPad correctly matches your device's other components. If iOS finds a mismatch, the check fails and Touch ID, including for Apple Pay use, is disabled. This security measure is necessary to protect your device and prevent a fraudulent Touch ID sensor from being used. If a customer encounters Error 53, we encourage them to contact Apple Support.

You can find this, along with a more detailed explanation, at http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/02/05/apple-acknowledges-error-53-glitch-say s-its-part-of-touch-id-security

If you check the error code list in the support document, Get help with iOS update and restore errors - Apple Support Error 53 is listed and is listed as a hardware error. There are a couple of troubleshooting steps to try, but generally it requires a trip to the Genius Bar.

Check for hardware issues

Errors: 1, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 53, 1002, 1004, 1011, 1012, 1014, 1667, or 1669.

Your device or computer might have a hardware issue that stops the update or restore from completing.

1. Check that your security software and settings aren't blocking your device from communicating with the Apple update server.
2. Then try to restore your iOS device two more times while connected with a cable, computer, and network you know are good.
3. Make sure that your security software and settings are allowing communication between your device and update servers.
4. If you still see the error message when you update or restore, contact Apple support.

If you still see the error message, check for outdated or modified software.

Hi everyone !

I had the same problem now, 53 error and this was because i changed the display and not the original touch id button and the iOS software update stopped halfway and gave me the error. Changed back to the original touch id button and problem solved. This was absolutely the issue here.

Thanks everyone for posting problems and solutions here.

Guys,

Thought I would update you with my experience. About 5 weeks ago, the fingerprint settings for my iPhone 6 disappeared. I tried to add them back but it was not possible and I kept getting a screen saying "Failed to add fingerprint - check sensor" or something similar to that. I called apple support and eventually they sent me a diagnostic file and they said there was no hardware issues diagnosed. They suggested to reset the settings. I did this and everything was OK for a few weeks. In that time, I had downloaded the ios 9 beta and it was running fine on the phone.

However yesterday everything went pear shaped!! My phone just turned itself off and I could not turn it back on. Eventually I did manage to turn itself on but the fingerprint settings had again vanished. I then tried to reset settings again and the phone would not turn on. Tried everything but to no avail. I then put it onto restore mode and connected to my mac and tried a restore in iTunes back to 8.4. I then got the dreaded 53 error. I tried about 20 times to no avail. I then called apple support again and they said to me that it looked very much like a hardware failure associated with the fingerprint sensor. They could not get me a genius appointment at any of the stores in HK and told me to go to the store when it opened in the morning. They said they would email the manager. After hanging up with Apple support I researched a little more and I found someone who said that following this article helped the restore get past the 53 error - and guess what, it worked for me. I was able to restore to 8.4 using a backup saved previously in iTunes.

I still couldn't get the fingerprint sensor working. I went to the apples store and arrived a little early but spoke to one of the guys at the barrier, gave him my applecare number and he had all the details. He said they were expecting me, took me in and explained that they would replace the phone.

Basically got new phone and restored from 8.4 backup and then have upgraded to ios 9.0 and everything working fine. Very pleased with the apple support.

I asked the specialist and he said error 53 was either fingerprint sensor or the motherboard. He said that when people start seeing this error or when fingerprints disappear then usually it means a replacement phone if within warranty.

Anyway just thought I would post to help others...

You are absolutely correct. Some people have been able to get their phones working again by having the 3rd party repair sit put the original home button back in. Yet another reason to use Apple for your repair especially if it is a Touch ID model.

@Matispot: There is no huge outbreak of iPhones failing with Error 53, it is a small amount that fail due to an hardware problem. If the owner, say yourself, has the error occur you can contact Apple and they will replace it. Are you under some delusion that phones form other manufacturers don't have hardware problems?

Hong Long, where did you see this Error 53 was so bad? For most people who see it, and it is a very few, they go to Apple and get it replaced for no charge. If the error occurred because a 3rd party replaced the screen and did not use the original Touch ID, or someone did it themselves and tore the cable on the Touch ID then they have voided there warranty. I suggest you buy the Note 4, break the screen, don't use their ID reader and see if they will give you warranty service. Report back,

Ive had error 53 yesterday and I know for a fact that my home button is NOT the original one. but it has been working fine. I stupidly did a restore in itunes and got this error. tried another touch id, still the same. Then I found a random thread about effects of decharging the system. so I disconnected my battery while i fitted the touch id and it restored first time. Hope this helps other people.

Oh and the reason I know its not my original touch sensor is because My iphone 6 was black and after some damage I converted it to white and gold. Maybe there are different revisions of the touch sensor and you have to have the right revision for your board.

Lawrence Finch wrote:

In this particular case Apple HAS issued an official statement, made to several press outlets:

"We take customer security very seriously and Error 53 is the result of security checks designed to protect our customers," the company said. "iOS checks that the Touch ID sensor in your iPhone or iPad correctly matches your device's other components. If iOS finds a mismatch, the check fails and Touch ID, including for Apple Pay use, is disabled. This security measure is necessary to protect your device and prevent a fraudulent Touch ID sensor from being used. If a customer encounters Error 53, we encourage them to contact Apple Support.

You can find this, along with a more detailed explanation, at http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/02/05/apple-acknowledges-error-53-glitch-say s-its-part-of-touch-id-security

Awesome. I love this.

Thank you.

kk5do wrote:

Apple released a new version of iOS 9.2.1 today (Feb 20) or yesterday (Feb 19). This was supposed to fix that problem error message and allow you access to your phone again. I think it will disable the ability to use your fingerprint as they have detected a security breach. you will have to use your passcode from now on or take the phone to an Apple store and have the button replaced. I don't know why they did not call it 9.2.2 or 9.3.0 or something different from the same version already installed. It cannot be installed from the phone itself, you must do it from your desktop with the phone connected. around 2.2 gig on iPhone 6S+ and 2.0 gig on iPhone 6+.

It's what is called a "slipstream" update, a technique commonly used to get a fix for something out quickly without affecting other versions already in development or testing. It's typically only used for very simple changes that are unlikely to break anything. While the version didn't change, the build number did.

Solution The fingerprint bottom was replace need to restore it with the original one!

KDM666 is 100% correct. Changed screen with new touch id button and got error 53, changed back to original button, all is well, no errors.