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User profile for user: DarrellSY
DarrellSY Author
User level: Level 1
35 points

How to recover iPhone 4s with error 27?

About 3 weeks ago, I was updating some apps and the screen froze during one of the updates. Now, I'm trying to recover it without losing some information that wasn't, yet, backed up onto my MBP.

Details:

Sometimes, it would freeze during certain application updates (FB, for example). If this happened, I would wait for it to auto reboot, which would take 10 to 20 minutes before usable, again. Sometimes, I would force restart by holding both buttons and it would begin the reboot phase faster, rather than lingering on the frozen app update screen for several minutes. However, this time, it never rebooted. It would only show the Apple logo for a moment and go black, again. I was able to get iTunes to recognize it after a few attempts and the 'Plug me into iTunes' picture began appearing on the iPhone. iTunes doesn't respond normally.

"There is a problem with the iPhone “iPhone” that requires it to be updated or restored.

"The problem may be fixed by updating your iPhone, which preserves your settings and content. However, if updating doesn’t work, it may be necessary to click Restore, which erases all settings and content. If you backed up this iPhone to this computer or iCloud, you’ll be prompted to restore the backup onto the iPhone."

After selecting update, it says,

"If your iPhone can’t be updated, you will need to restore it to its factory settings."

"iTunes will update your iPhone to iOS 9.3.5 and will verify the update with Apple."

After selecting update, it still recognizes the SN and begins extracting, etc. in iPhone recovery mode saying that it is updating the software on this iPhone.

iTunes tries to recover it by, first, updating the software, but the SN becomes "n/a" and the progression bar on the iPhone never shows any progression. Eventually, iTunes says -

"The iPhone "iPhone" cannot be updated. An unknown error occurred (27)."

"Your iPhone can’t be updated; you must restore it to factory settings."

"If you previously backed up the iPhone, click Restore Backup after the restore process completes."


I'd much rather not loose the data, like pictures of damages from a home invasion. The only things backed up in iCloud are the normal contacts, e-mails, and calendars. I have found a few data recovery programs, but the rightups for them are not organized or thorough enough to determine which would be the best for this situation. I'm, also, not sure if it is okay to mention them by name in this forum.

iPhone 4S, iOS 9.3.5, 64GB

Posted on Apr 3, 2017 2:30 PM

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User profile for user: razmee209
razmee209
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
195,798 points

Apr 3, 2017 3:35 PM in response to DarrellSY

DarrellSY wrote:


I've found and reviewed that page a couple times. I'm glad it's out there, but it isn't as complete as I'd like. It lacks actual description for each code. Why are you saying there is no data on the iPhone? I see no indication to support this.

The fact that your phone is in recovery mode "showing connect to iTunes" mean there is no data on it. That is why you back up your phone on a regular basis and not in time of emergency.


as far as error code 27 it is pretty self explanatory what you need to do.

Unless you have a jailbroken phone then you can't get any help here.


#5 says to contact Apple support - what did they say when you contacted them about your issue?


Check for hardware issues

If you see error 53, learn what to do. If you see one of the errors below, you might have a hardware issue:

  • 1, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16
  • 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 56
  • 1002, 1004, 1011, 1012, 1014, 1667 1669

Here's what to check:

  1. If iTunes is already open, quit and reopen it.
  2. Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes.
  3. Check for issues with third-party security software.
  4. Make sure that your USB cable, computer, and network are reliable. Then try twice more to restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
  5. If you still see the error message, you can check for outdated or modified software or contact Apple Support.

User uploaded file

Check for outdated or modified software

If you see error 1015 or a message that says, "The required resource can't be found," your device might have unauthorized iOS modifications ("jailbreaking"). Or you might be trying to install an earlier version of iOS (downgrading).

Update to the latest version of iTunes, then use recovery mode to restore your device to the latest version of iOS.

If you still see an error message, contact Apple Support.










Published Date: Dec 13, 2016

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User profile for user: DarrellSY
DarrellSY Author
User level: Level 1
35 points

Apr 3, 2017 3:44 PM in response to razmee209

My iPhone 4s isn't jailbroken or anything of the sort. That would've an important detail to include if it were. The Apple support lady went through everything that I had already done with the same results and said that there was nothing that she could do. She didn't say that the data was wiped and nothing else from any other source or program instructions indicates that this would possibly be the case, including the messages from iTunes which say that the data will be wiped if I do a restore to factory settings to start over, which I haven't done.

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User profile for user: ssschmidt
ssschmidt
User level: Level 5
5,450 points

Apr 3, 2017 3:47 PM in response to DarrellSY

The problem is - That your phone is in recovery mode, and you have to restore it to factory settings using iTunes if you want to be able to use it. There is no supported way to knock a phone out of recovery mode, and we are not allowed to bring up third party software that may come up in a google search.

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User profile for user: razmee209
razmee209
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
195,798 points

Apr 3, 2017 3:48 PM in response to DarrellSY

DarrellSY wrote:


My iPhone 4s isn't jailbroken or anything of the sort. That would've an important detail to include if it were. The Apple support lady went through everything that I had already done with the same results and said that there was nothing that she could do. She didn't say that the data was wiped and nothing else from any other source or program instructions indicates that this would possibly be the case, including the messages from iTunes which say that the data will be wiped if I do a restore to factory settings to start over, which I haven't done.

if you want to waste your money on a 3rd party software then by all means do so.


As stated when your phone is in RECOVERY mode there is no data on it.


Best of luck to you. I'm done.

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How to recover iPhone 4s with error 27?

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