Fix iPhone Error 1015 Stuck in Recovery Mode: The iPhone “iPhone” Could Not Be Restored. An Unknown Error Occurred (1015)
When an iPhone encounters the error 1015 on iTunes, the error message shown is:
The iPhone “iPhone” could not be restored. An unknown error occured (1015)
This error could get you stuck in a recovery loop which keeps going on and on and never stops. And every time this error comes up, you get a notification from iTunes to restore your iPhone again:
“iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes.”
The funny thing is, if you try restoring again, you get punched in the face with the big iTunes error 1015… again.
Fortunately, I have found a way to kick your iPhone out of this recovery loop.
This article contains:
==> [A] How To Fix iTunes Error 1015 with RedSn0w
==>[B] How To Fix iTunes Error 1015 Using iREB
==>[C] How To Fix iTunes Error 1015 Using RecBoot
==>[D] How To Fix iTunes Error 1015 Using Error 1015 Fixer Tool + LibUSB
(A) How To Fix iTunes Error 1015 with RedSn0w
First, make sure you already have your IPSW file saved on your computer. If you do not already have an IPSW file, you can get one from www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=750
Step 1: Download the Redsn0w software to your PC.
Step 2: Launch Redsn0w, then go to Extras.
Step 3: Under Extras, choose your IPSW file, then click on Recovery Fix.
Step 4: The next screen would present you with some instructions on what to check and things to take note of before putting your iPhone in DFU mode.
=> First, make sure your iPhone is plugged into the computer.
=> Next, turn your iPhone off by holding down the power button until “Slide to power off” appears on the screen, and then slide to power your iPhone off.
If you already know how to put your iPhone in DFU mode, you can do so at this point, then move on to step 6. If you do not know how, continue to step 5.
Step 5: Click Next to see instructions on how to put your iPhone into DFU mode.
=> Hold down the power button, and then without releasing the power button, hold down the home button as well (you have to do this quickly so the iPhone doesn’t come on before you get to hold the home button). Hold them down for at least 10 seconds.
=> Then, without releasing the home button, release the power button. Keep holding the home button for 10 seconds. Your iPhone would then switch to DFU mode.
Step 6: After carrying out the instructions to put your iPhone in DFU mode, the Redsn0w softwarwe would take care of the rest and your iPhone would startup normally without giving you any errors.
(B) How To Fix iTunes Error 1015 Using iREB
This section of the article will show you how to fix this iTunes error 1015 recovery loop with the iREB software.
First, make sure you have downloaded the latest version of iTunes. If you do not have the latest version or you’re not sure, then check www.apple.com/itunes/download/ to see if the version there corresponds to the version on your computer.
Also, be sure you already have the firmware you wish to restore to. you can find firmwares on www.felixburns.de/ipod/firmware
Step 1: Download the latest version of iREB. There’s one here: www.letsunlockiphone.com/wp-content/uploads/iREB-r51.zip
Step 2: Close iTunes (if it is open), then launch iREB
Step 3: From the iREB screen, choose your iPhone version.
Step 4: Put your iPhone into DFU mode. But make sure it is plugged into the computer FIRST. Instructions for putting your iPhone in DFU mode would be displayed on the iREB screen or you can use the instructions outlined in How To Put Your iPhone into DFU mode.
Step 5: Now you have to wait for iREB to do the job. It would exploit your iPhone using the LimeRa1n utility. Close the program when it is done.
Step 6: When iREB completes its job, iTunes would open with a message saying that your iPhone is in DFU (recovery) mode.
Step 7: Now, hold SHIFT then click the Restore button (For Windows users). For Mac OS, hold Command then click the Restore button.
Step 8: Choose the IPSW firmware you wish to restore to (You must have downloaded this earlier). If you do not have one, ther’s a link provided just before Step 1.
Step 9: Your iPhone would now be restored by iTunes and you would be greeted with a success message saying that your iPhone was successfully restored.
(C) How To Fix iTunes Error 1015 Using RecBoot
This portion of the article will explain in detail how to solve the iTunes error 1015 with the RecBoot software.
Of course, first make sure you have your IPSW ready and also make sure your iTunes software is up-to-date.
Step 1: Download the latest version of RecBoot to your computer. Download links are listed below:
NOTE: If you find LibUSB in the same zip folder as RecBoot, then install LibUSB first as it is a requirement for RecBoot to operate.
Step 2: Close iTunes if it is open, turn off your iPhone, then plug it to the computer.
Step 3: While your iPhone is plugged into the computer, put it into DFU mode. If you already know how to do this, then do so and move on to step 4. If you do not know what DFU mode is, please see How To Put Your Iphone into DFU Mode, or just follow the instructions below:
=> Open iTunes while your iPhone is connected to your computer.
=> Press and hold the power button and home button together for about 10 seconds.
=> Let go of the power button but still hold on to the home button for another 10 seconds.
Step 4: After putting your iPhone in DFU mode, an info message would be displayed on iTunes:
“iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with Itunes.”
Step 5: Now it’s Recboot‘s turn to play. Launch the RecBoot software you downloaded earlier.
Step 6: Find and click on Recovery Mode. Then restore your iPhone with your custom IPSW.
That’s all.
(D) How To Fix iTunes Error 1015 Using Error 1015 Fixer Tool + LibUSB
This section of the article will explain how to fix the iTunes 1015 error with the Error 1015 Fixer Tool which utilses the LibUSB plugin
Step 1: First, we need to download LibUSB. You can get one from www.sourceforde.net/projects/libusb/
Step 2: After downloading the LibUSB software, you need to download the Error 1015 Fixer Tool. To get one, you can go to Filecrop.com and do a search on Error 1015 Fixer, then download the latest version you can find there.
Step 3: Okay now, confirm you have the IPSW firmware you wish to restore to. Close iTunes (if it is open), turn your iPhone off and then plug it to your computer via USB cable.
Step 4: Put your iPhone or iDevice into DFU mode.
Instructions for putting your device into DFU mode
=> Open iTunes while your iPhone is connected to your computer.
=> Press and hold the power button and home button together for about 10 seconds.
=> Let go of the power button but still hold on to the home button for another 10 seconds or until iTunes detects your iPhone in DFU mode.
Step 5: When your iPhone is in DFU mode, open iTunes and try restoring normally. When you get the iTunes error 1015, launch the Error 1015 Fixer Tool which you downloaded earlier.
Step 6: On the Error 1015 Fixer Tool window, click the Fix My Error button.
Finis.
