THE ULTIMATE FIX: iTunes 'Error 14' whilst updating iOS

[SharvinRocks]

Did you update your iPhone's iOS software via iTunes only to run into Error 14 whilst updating it, only to leave you with a bricked phone, with no previous iCloud/local backups and wishing you could turn back time? READ ON.

Okay guys. I decided to update this iPhone 6S Plus to iOS 12 only to stumble upon an Error 14 "error trying to update this iPhone" message on iTunes. It permanently left iPhone into DFU Mode (the visual with the Lightning connector and the iTunes logo). Attempting to reconnect it, it provided a "There is a problem with the iPhone "iPhone" that requires it to be updated or restored" error message on iTunes on the computer. I knew I was screwed, I had literally no backups of the three years of ownership of this iPhone (yep, very stupid of me) and I'm sure you understand how much precious, invaluable content was at stake. I tried the update method ten times—to no avail, it just kept getting stuck at a specific point in the progress bar and jolted an Error 14 code at me.

I googled for HOURS trying to find a solution. But only this worked. Even bought a $80 "data recovery tool" out of desperation. So here goes: I downloaded an iOS IPSW file from https://ipsw.me which corresponded to the software version that was previously on the iPhone; so I wanted to go from iOS 11.4.1 to 12.0 (and during this process the phone got bricked), so I downloaded a signed IPSW of the initial iOS 11.4.1. Once downloaded, I opened iTunes, reconnected the bricked iPhone and the "Update/Restore" dialog popped up again. Then hold the 'Option' key + click on 'Update' simultaneously and you will be prompted to locate the IPSW you just downloaded. Locate it and wait for it to load, and boom. Your iPhone has restored itself back to its initial iOS software before it bricked AND you have all your settings and content back the way it all was!!!

It sinks in even harder when you realize that you have no backup (local/iCloud) whatsoever of your iPhone and that you're at the verge of losing three years worth of invaluable photos, contacts, notes, etc. I need this to message to get spread as much as possible all over the web. People think that if something does happen to go wrong during the iOS update process that their iPhone is completely dead and that the only option is to restore iPhone to its factory settings. And it's what's "advertised" over the entire web... but this is not the case.

I know I'll be sending an email demanding my money back from that 'data recovery' software once I get some sleep. Please don't fall for these software, they will not help you. I'm not gonna lie: whilst it was updating, I prayed to Steve Jobs and all the tech-gods out there to resurrect this damn iPhone. And boy... I've learned my lesson. I'm backing up my iPhone weekly from now on. No excuses.

 

[Funsize93]

Ive come across this in the past. Your situation is rather unique. Generally you would resolve this issue by following: https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT204770

As stated in that article error 14 may be a hardware issue.

When a phone does an update it performs a self hardware check. It will fail if it finds a fault and then go into recovery mode (it went to the doctor for a physical and found out it had cancer, it was upset so it locked itself away in recovery).

However in events where the IPSW file got corrupted during the download it may cause the same symptoms. You would troubleshoot as mentioned in the article. A recovery mode update usually does the trick. Sometimes you may need to delete the corrupted IPSW file and perform the steps again so its forces a fresh download.

 

[SharvinRocks]

However in events where the IPSW file got corrupted during the download it may cause the same symptoms. You would troubleshoot as mentioned in the article. A recovery mode update usually does the trick. Sometimes you may need to delete the corrupted IPSW file and perform the steps again so its forces a fresh download.

Exactly. This is exactly what I did which fully recovered the phone together with all its data on it as if nothing ever happened. You mention the deletion of a corrupted IPSW file; however, I highly doubt the IPSW was corrupted. I deleted the IPSW that iTunes retrieves from the Apple servers for iTunes to re-download multiple times, but it just kept throwing an Error 14. This is because iTunes kept on downloading iOS 12, however, the iPhone just wouldn't accept that. The only fix was to download the older iOS IPSW version that I was upgrading from (so 11.4.1) and allow that to reinstall.

It's very odd that Error 14 corresponds to a hardware issue; since the iPhone is fully-functional with no issues whatsoever. It's a shame that Apple is always so vague with their error codes, the Apple Support link you provided suggests that upon confronted with Error 14, the USB connections and hardware must be checked. However, the fact that the phone was fully functional again after I forced iTunes into downloading the older iOS IPSW using the same hardware and same USB connections completely defeats their suggestions.

When encountered with Error 14, iTunes and the entire Internet make it appear as if restoring the iPhone to factory settings is the only solution to recover the iPhone from DFU mode, meaning all data is removed from the phone. However, this simply is not the case, the data still IS on the phone even when in DFU mode. Performing a Google search for "iTunes error 14 fix" is filled with a bunch of those third party software claiming they can restore the phone, together with a myriad of solutions EXCEPT this one, where forums advise for iTunes to proceed with the fresh install, meaning complete data loss.

I wanted to spread that message for those who (like me) didn't have any backups and were completely stuck. This thread was started merely so that those who might encounter the same issue will find this thread on Google and realize their data is not actually gone and can be recovered.

 

[Corinne Demetriou]

Hey I’m just seeing this and have searched all over for a solution to error 14. my phone was basically out of storage and there was a forced update over night. I then got the apple logo. Most of my things were backed up except for like...6 months 🤦🏼‍♀️. Do you think what you did will help with my phone too? And ps....I probably tried using the same data recovery program that you did and got my money back. Please let me know if you think this could work for me. Thanks!

Exactly. This is exactly what I did which fully recovered the phone together with all its data on it as if nothing ever happened. You mention the deletion of a corrupted IPSW file; however, I highly doubt the IPSW was corrupted. I deleted the IPSW that iTunes retrieves from the Apple servers for iTunes to re-download multiple times, but it just kept throwing an Error 14. This is because iTunes kept on downloading iOS 12, however, the iPhone just wouldn't accept that. The only fix was to download the older iOS IPSW version that I was upgrading from (so 11.4.1) and allow that to reinstall.

It's very odd that Error 14 corresponds to a hardware issue; since the iPhone is fully-functional with no issues whatsoever. It's a shame that Apple is always so vague with their error codes, the Apple Support link you provided suggests that upon confronted with Error 14, the USB connections and hardware must be checked. However, the fact that the phone was fully functional again after I forced iTunes into downloading the older iOS IPSW using the same hardware and same USB connections completely defeats their suggestions.

When encountered with Error 14, iTunes and the entire Internet make it appear as if restoring the iPhone to factory settings is the only solution to recover the iPhone from DFU mode, meaning all data is removed from the phone. However, this simply is not the case, the data still IS on the phone even when in DFU mode. Performing a Google search for "iTunes error 14 fix" is filled with a bunch of those third party software claiming they can restore the phone, together with a myriad of solutions EXCEPT this one, where forums advise for iTunes to proceed with the fresh install, meaning complete data loss.

I wanted to spread that message for those who (like me) didn't have any backups and were completely stuck. This thread was started merely so that those who might encounter the same issue will find this thread on Google and realize their data is not actually gone and can be recovered.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Hey I’m just seeing this and have searched all over for a solution to error 14. my phone was basically out of storage and there was a forced update over night. I then got the apple logo. Most of my things were backed up except for like...6 months 🤦🏼‍♀️. Do you think what you did will help with my phone too? And ps....I probably tried using the same data recovery program that you did and got my money back. Please let me know if you think this could work for me. Thanks!

The forum member you responded to hasn't been active on this forum since April 2019....

 

[Corinne Demetriou]

The forum member you responded to hasn't been active on this forum since April 2019....

Thanks for the good news...🙄