If you keep getting a mysterious “internal error” message when you try to install the new iOS 5 software update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, well … you’re not the only one.It took me a good three of four tries to finally get my iPhone 4 updated to iOS 5, and I’m on my fourth try and counting for my iPad 2.
The issue: a rude error message that pops up while iTunes is trying to install the software update. The rather unhelpful message reads: “The iPhone [name of iPhone] could not be restored. An internal error occurred.”
Annoyed iPhone users are lighting up Apple’s support forum with complaints about the error, and the bloggers at Business Insider say they too have been wrestling with the problem. Update: Looks like my good friend Eliot Van Buskirk at Evolver.fm is also having serious trouble with the update.
I finally did manage to get iOS 5 installed on my iPhone 4, after several tries.
Then again, plenty of other iPhone and iPad users claim they’ve updated their devices without a hitch, so it’s hard to say how widespread the issue is.
A “More Information” button on the error message sends you to an Apple support page, which recommends such troubleshooting measures as updating iTunes (check), disconnecting any USB hubs and plugging your iPhone’s sync cable directly into your computer (check), restarting you system, and restarting your handset.
The real trick, though, seems to be the old “try and try again” method. Like I said above, I finally managed to get my iPhone updated to iOS 5 on the fourth try, and I’m hoping the same holds true for my iPad—which, by the way, seems no worse for the wear despite the glitchy update process.
So, what’s causing all the problems? There’s no word from Apple quite yet, but there’s always the chance that it’s related to the crush of users trying to download and install iOS 5 this afternoon.
My suggestion: wait until later today or even tomorrow, until the initial rush dies down and/or we get some solid information from Apple.
Anyone else having iOS 5 installation problems?
I’m on my 5th try on my iPhone 4. I’ve been doing this for 2 hours now. Gah!
Finally got the update this morning. Now I’m having issues with iCloud. Fun!
Ugh! Details?
I have exactly same problem :/
I’m on attempt number 3 with my iPhone 4. It’s a frustrating process.
Yeah me too, that sucks big time.
Jep same error – I try now on my notebook!
Yes, I’m getting the same obnoxious error message! I’m on attempt #5 and it’s STILL not working!
I’m on number 7. for the last 3 hours.
Its really annoying, been trying to do anything (restart, both mac & iphone, closing itunes, and reopening, installed a old backup of software, then retried updating from that etc etc) hopefully this gets resolved soon. The hype on IOS 5 has gotten me wanting it more. plus i need to carry on with my day.
It looks like 5th time is the charm for me for my iPhone because it’s working now! Let’s keep our fingers crossed until it’s actually finished.
I’ve had the same problems of late… Restarted the computer, restarted the iPhone… the iPad… The same error message over and over again….
My iPhone updated without a hitch… my iPad 2 on the other hand is on attempt number 5
So frustrating.. i am on 8th go and no luck and i still have 3 more devices to go .. grr…
great… well, good to know it’s “Common” … I’m on try #3 and need to get out of here soon too… sooooooo guess this may have to wait until tomorrow? will it be easier a day later????? ughghg
Confirmed… After 4 or 5 attempts and “Unknown Error” messages, I got this one…
I’m on number 6. On number 5, it started to update (it went to the apple logo) then failed again. I’m hoping this one works lol
My iPhone got into the actual restore process then I got the dreaded error message. This time the phone didn’t restart and I got the Plug phone into iTunes picture on the screen so it is well and truly done in until it restores properly!
It has just started to restore but no doubt it will have wiped everything!
Got the same error twice in a row when trying to upgrade my 3GS. Followed all Apple’s troubleshooting tips prior to second attempt. No success. Guess I’ll wait for things to calm down.
Damb, same issue here. Ended up going into DFU mode then manually restoring the .ipsw file. On try… no idea 20, 30, still no go. iPad was ok on try 3-4.
i updated my Macbook pro, restarted the laptop and phone both no luck so far its 5th attempt , with restore process rather than update, lets see what happens in 6th attempt 🙁
Just updated my iPad. Had the internal error twice. 3rd time it worked. Good luck!!
At last!Flushing the cache did the trick!
dscacheutil -flushcache
So glad to know I’m not the only one. Currently on attempt #4 with the iPhone. Haven’t even attempted the iPad yet…
attempt number 8!
now its working!
no onto the ipad….. can’t believe i wasted my who afternoon on this….
if you guys are using Mac to update iPhone make sure you update all softwares inc iLife, i updated iPhoto update and all of sudden iPhone 4 update done like charm [i should not have ignored ilife updates, wasted 3 hrs 🙁 ]
me too, very annoying!
This worked for me after getting that message…
http://legalgeekery.com/2011/10/12/errors-while-updating-to-ios-5-heres-a-fix/
I found this http://snapwidget.com/posts/2011/10/12/fix-iphone-could-not-be-restored-issue.html for 3004 error use this command dscacheutil -flushcache
Got the error message too. Been on my 6th try now. Says error message 3200. no help with that. I’ll keep trying….
It’s so frustrating. I think I’m on my 9th try.
this is not what we come to expect from apple on an update. this is ridiculous
Im on attempt 7-8 now? Still no go. I keep getting ” Iphone could not be restored . An unknown error occurred (3200)”. Guess I’ll keep trying.
Seems to have worked after 4 attempts, one restart and switching USB ports. Did apple test this???
2 try and already updating 🙂
I updated my iPhone 4 to iOS 5, i did the download on iTunes and it went smoothly, by the time i was ready to update the phone, it gave me the system error, tried to restore & update and now its stuck in loop between loading and the apple logo for 2 hours
My update went through on try 2 but it has been “updating my apps” for the past 10 minutes
Is yours completely finished or is it still restoring?
My iphone has been stuck on restoring… not sure what to do. Maybe just leave it plugged into my MacBook and connected to iTunes overnight?
It can take an hour or more to restore all your apps & media, so be patient. If you’ve made it this far, though, you’re probably in good shape. Keep us posted!
The status bar hasn’t moved in quite some time. Should I just wait?
it’s so frustrating.. ive been loading and loading for 6 hours now, 5 times of try and still no luck. restarted my pc, flushing dns and cache. restarting itunes etc..
my itunes is updated.. i want that iOS 5 now!
I’ve been working on this for a couple of hours now, and it very frustrating that it is not working. I have been anxiously waiting for the time where I would be able to update and sitting around trying and trying again is a waste of my time.
Not happy.
Glad am not the only one that has this problem I thought it was my phone since its the 3gs but i am not alone! 🙂 am on my third try of restoring -_-
what do they mean with hold option while you press restore?
Those directions are for OS X. In Windows, I guess you hold down Shift while pressing Restore.
Took me three tries on my iPhone 3GS, and four on my iPad 1. In both cases, it worked when I used “Restore” to restore and update, rather than just “Update.”
when you restore your device, it took you e tries on your iphone?.. I guess im gonna try that on phone as well. restore not update.. what d’ya think?
Yea, an error pops up on mine that says “The iPhone [Nick’s iPhone] cannot be updated at this time due to your connection time out” or something like that. It goes to like 200-400 mb downloaded and then that happens. It’s happened about 5 times already. Help!
OMFG … Ive been trying for like 6 hours today…I was so frustrated and I thought I was alone…but ehm, now it seems to be working…I’m finally updating it! .. So to everyone out there who is sharing the same god damn issue as I am…Try restore it and it will automatically update..Good luck 🙂
it worked after my 4th try thanks
oh…I forgot to mention that I am updating it now thnx to the restore 🙂
WOW!!! Im glad im not alone! I’ve been trying since this a.m and no luck yet.
i hope they fix this please post if you finally fixe the problem or what thank you i tried once and failed worst part is waiting bout 1 hour than getting a fail!!!
I’ve tried several times both on iPhone 4 and iPad 2 and no luck. Not only is it taking forever, but then I keep getting the same error message. It’s so frustrating! Quitting for the night. I guess I’ll try tomorrow. If anyone finds solutions, please post. Thanks.
guys, when you get this error and ur iPhone stays in recovery mode Just hold command key when u click on restore and select iOS5 file from /Library/iTunes/iPhone software updates/
and it will restore and update ur iPhone… this was the only way i didn’t get error
i am having ios 5 setup file… can some one help me… how to update the iphone4 with the help of itune
yes what is error -43 for an ipd touch 4
I am trying to upgrade my iphone and I keep getting my husbands contacts and lose mine why? I go to the left column choose my name and phone and for some reason it gives me all his apps, contacts etc….
I’m finally updating and after using two different computers, and after spending more than five hours on this, it is STILL not working. This makes me rethink getting an iphone when my contract ends with AT&T.
i tried to update it and it did the stupid error thing but now i cant do anything. my ipod is displaying that screen you get when you first buy your ipod that tells you to plug it in but when i plug it in my itunes acount doesnt show that its plugged in. please help!!!!!!!!
Same problem here. Now my iPod touch 4g is of no use anymore, but i will try to find a way to fix this.
My iphone 4s and my iPad both just keep saying unable to check for update, and this is after over 20 tries on each system. They can do everything else, update apps, etc. Just not update the software.
Alright, my iPhone 4 is jailbroken and I tried to restore and update but it won’t let me. It keeps saying an error has occured. Plz help