How To Restore iOS 4.2 iPhone 4 Update Error 1013 & 1611
Last night the iOS 4.2 software update went live and many of you have tried downloading and installing with problems in tow, some of you may have come up against a problem called ‘Error 1013 and 1611’.
Many of you have connected your iPhone 4 smartphones and started to download the new iOS 4.2.1, which come on takes ages in itself and then when you think things are running slowly but smoothly you are left with the above errors leaving your handset needing a restore.
Some tried to restore their phones without any luck, well we have found via Apple Discussions a solution for those having these error issues, please read the following below and please do let us know if you have tried this and if it worked.
Phonesreview.co.uk is not responsible for any of your actions, if you decide to try the method out below and it causes problems, please do not shoot the messenger, we are only here to help you in any way we can.
On Mac:
* Open Finder
* Hold down COMMAND + SHIFT keys and press ‘G’
* Enter “/private/etc/” in the field and press “Go”
* Find “hosts” file in the directory
* Drag the file to your desktop
* Open it in text editor
* Remove the line that has gs.apple.com entirely or put a # at the beginning of it to comment it out
* Save the file
* Drag it back to the /private/etc/ folder.
* You’d need to enter your username and password to authenticate the move
On Windows:
Locate the hosts file in one of the following directories:
Windows 95/98/Me c:windowshosts
Windows NT/2000/XP Pro c:winntsystem32driversetchosts
Windows XP, Vista, 7 c:windowssystem32driversetchosts
Right click and click on “Open With…” and then click on “Notepad” on the list.
* Remove the line that has gs.apple.com completely and save the file
Comments
76 thoughts on “How To Restore iOS 4.2 iPhone 4 Update Error 1013 & 1611”
Thanks for the solution. Initially it didn't help, but after removing that entry in the host file, I ran "nbtstat -R" from the command line which purges and reloads the NBT Remote Cache Name Table. (On Windows. Don't have any info for Mac).
All working now.
Short story:
It makes no difference for me, still 1013. I've had problems in the past that were solved by disabling firewalls and a/v's though.
Long story:
Changing this file could make your machine fail to find apple servers in future! Your machine should look up the ip of gs.apple.com automatically. Currently it resolves to 17.151.36.30. For some reason, itunes has added an entry in the hosts file to make it resolve to 74.208.10.249 instead. Why this is necessary is beyond me, and surely bad practice as they if they move gs.apple.cm to another address everyone with this entry in their hosts file will go to the wrong address.
There may be a reason for adding this… and removing it may mean you have change it back later but apple really should just get gs.apple.com to resolve to the correct IP in the first place by putting the correct settings in the DNS their end.
Jack.
Short story: (updated)
This does work, but after editing your hosts file you must type :
ipconfig /flushdns
or reboot before running itunes again.
Long story:
Changing this file could make your machine fail to find apple servers in future! Your machine should look up the ip of gs.apple.com automatically. Currently it resolves to 17.151.36.30. For some reason, itunes has added an entry in the hosts file to make it resolve to 74.208.10.249 instead. Why this is necessary is beyond me, and surely bad practice as they if they move gs.apple.cm to another address everyone with this entry in their hosts file will go to the wrong address.
There may be a reason for adding this… and removing it may mean you have change it back later but apple really should just get gs.apple.com to resolve to the correct IP in the first place by putting the correct settings in the DNS their end.
Jack.
Here's the REAL issue!, and why removing the DNS entry fixes it.
People are using tiny umbrella to backup their SHSH's so they can jailbreak their phones after update.
TinyUmbrella adds this DNS entry to the hosts file which changes the apple server address to cydia and breaks the upgrade.
it didnt work please find me a way i a m so angry at apple for not letting us restore to previous firmaware u can only restore and update no more just restore
Savio, after update….just use recovery in DFU mode!!! error 1013 gone!
Fine as far as it goes – but what if (as in my case) the iphone software update server is unavailable?
i am well and truly left with an expensive iPhone paperweight….
Fine as far as it goes – but what if (as in my case) the iphone software update server is unavailable?
Did not work for me!
Used the Windows solution – worked great. Thanks.
No Problem,,use an Virgin PC, install new Itunes, then restore it, and all is fine,,,, your pc right now can not connect all 7 update server is one missing then this error is happening……
After an new version of itunes is coming up, this problem as well is solved!
brd
Chris
It worked on Mac!
same here,, thank you so much
hello
i have the same problem but in this file hosts i dont find anything like that
can you help me please?
this worked great for me – first time, thanks for the tip. Was beating my head against the wall all morning.
done to iPhone 4 on mac – os 10.6.5
wj
I had this error with 4.1 and ended up having to get a replacement phone from Apple because the phone died….so be warned this error can cause MAJOR headaches.
Nice! This solution Worked for me on my Mac..Thanks!
worked like a charm ….thanks 😉
Jack is right.
I had the 1013 error because I had used TinyUmbrella on a previous iPhone upgrade.
After removing the gs.apple.com line from the hosts file, everything worked fine.
Thanks Jack
really work….thx….
thank you so much, removing that line from my hosts file fixed the problem for me!
Worked for me, thanks.
No jailbreak though.
But i can call, and the baseband is finally upgraded.
I cant seem to save the host file after changing it, it keeps saying cannot create file please make sure that the path and file names are correct?
Should we add the gs.apple.com line after we are finished restoring and updating or is it unnecessary?
Thank you Jack for pointing that out about TinyUmbrella. That is exactly the problem. I had used it to jailbreak a different phone. Thanks
worked for me on mac 10.6
Hi,
Just had the same issue as everyone else and I'm using an Imac I5 Quad Core with all updated software including all itunes update. I simply placed the # in front of the ip address and resaved all worked fine first time.
Thanks
thanks a lot 🙂 it worked for me
For all who get folder cannot be found, I just put /private/ect/ in Google Chrome
worked on Mac
Mine took about 1 1/2 hour and when it restarted works great.. no problems here ..good luck
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
thanks jack
Worked for me. I had jailbroken a 3GS and I think the changes to the host file were made to "make my life easier" in future jailbreaks.
My iPhone 4 was bought in the UK and is factory unlocked, so I will no longer need jailbreaking.
worked for me just remove the line gs apple from hosts reboot pc and then restore again 🙂
thx a lot ..worked at first attempt..same question though
should we add the gs.apple.com line after we are finished restoring and updating or is it unnecessary?
Hey perfect….. worked for me too….. I too had used tiny umbrella…. thanks for the help….
Appreciate the solution. Worked a charm for me.
YOU ARE A BEAUTY!!!!!! 100000000000 THANK YOUS!!!!!!
Karl
When you try to change the Hosts file in Microsoft Windows Vista, or Windows 7, you may receive an error message that resembles either of the following.
Error message 1
Access to C:WindowsSystem32driversetc hosts was denied
Error message 2
Cannot create the C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts file.
Make sure that the path and file name are correct.
To work around this issue, follow these steps:
1. Click Start button
, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Notepad, and then click Run as administrator.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow or Yes.
2. Open the Hosts file or the Lmhosts file, make the necessary changes, and then click Save on the Edit menu. If using Windows 7, you will need to click Save on the File menu.
Hope this will help you resolve the issue
I have the same issue in windows 7, 64 bit. I can't seem to find the host file.
Where is it located?
didn't work for me…
After update…..Just use restore in DFU mode!!!!…very simple!
God bless you Jack! I called Apple Care, they couldn't "care" less about it.
I changed the Hosts file, then restarted my MBP. Voila… 🙂
That was frustrating.
So, guys (at least Mac owners), follow the instructions on the blog then restart your Mac. If that doesn't solve the issue, then create a new user and download 4.2 – follow the instructions and restart to that new user accnt.
Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! 8D
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! worked great!
This did it! After trying all of Apple's recommended fixes, this was the only thing I could get to make it work. Thank you!!!
Worked for me on Mac, and I’m computer technologically challenged.
After update….use restore in DFU mode……sucessfull!!!
thank you so much, it worked like a charm.
can't believe that I never had a problem like this on my jailbroken 3G and it happens now on my non-jailbroken iphone 4. maybe I'll have to reconsider this..
I made the changes and rebooted my mac and it worked !!!
Thanks.
the line with gs.apple.com is not in that file on my computer! any suggestions:/ Im running windows 7
Same thing here.
thanks! it worked.
but my question is: don't have this problems before, it only happened to iphone 4 4.21.
Tried a few times, finally got it to restore to 4.2.1 after I did the
ipconfig /flushdns
thanks a ton wasted about 5 hours of my life.. lol
omg i love you i love you!!
seriously i spent a week upgrading downgrading download quick fix apps even deleting the gs.apple line after i downgraded but to no avail. the error messages changed from
10
to
3194
to 1611
to 1013
i wasted so much time and was so grumpy all week….then i thought i might as well try upgrading to 4.2 again
after a week on the net i found this page and thought
hey i all aready did this when i downgraded to 9.2 why the hell should it work this time….i cannot express the happiness i felt when i i got the message
your iphone has been restored to factory settings
u guys rock!!!
all those with erros dont give up…there is a solution
I cant seem to save the host file after changing it, it keeps saying cannot create file please make sure that the path and file names are correct?
Just remove your simcard if you have a pin code on it and try again, it works for me with a 1013 error
updated my iphone 4 yesturday and now i cant send picture messages help
LOVE YOU! THIS WORKED!!!!!! omg took me forever searching how to fix this! yay im so happy! lol thanksss
Hi , for everyone that just needs something easier just download a program called Rec boot, just google it. Or you can use tinyumbrella to. Just restore or update when you get error , open any program described before and pust the button exit recovery mode. This way is much easier since you won't have to re synchronize your iPhone and waiting for another hour. worked like a charm for just say thanks !
I got the 1013 error when updating my iPhone 4. I had installed TinyUmbrella for a previous iPhone 3G jailbreak. This process worked great on the Mac. Many thanks!
thank you so much!!!
I could not restore for xx$$$ASAAS 3 hours until I found your post!
thanks again !!!!!
Thank you! I was freaking out after Tiny Umbrella failed to kick my phone out of recovery after the 1013, but this worked! I’m on a Mac and didn’t even restart and it worked fine.
iPhone 4, restoring to 4.2.1.
Windows method works for me! yippie!
It didnt work for me at first time.
But after flushing removing mentioned host file line i had to flush dns and it woked like a charm.
Thank you guys! I was close to commiting suicide after several hours of fightin on two machines, osx and windows.
Mac Snow Leopard, itunes 10.x worked using your solution.
Worked first up for me. Error 1013 happened with my previous iPhone 4 on the same computer.
Both had previously been jailbroken with greenpoison.
i try removing the line but wont let me save what do i do heeellpp
Thanks Jack for help. I also suggest after all steps that you wrote, remove *.ipsw file, and to download it from real apple server.
Win XP> C:Documents and SettingsXuserApplication DataApple ComputeriTunesiPhone Software Updates
Oh thank god this worked! I had the Error 1013, and had been attempting to fix this all day.
Some background story. I had installed green poison a few months ago In hopes of having my phone unlocked for my overseas trip (didn't work, at least not with my mangled vodaphone sim.) I left the phone jailbroken, but had noticed the battery was depleting 50% faster then it normally had.
So I was looking forward to updating, since the unlock didn't/ doesn't seem available anyway. After downloading the new heavy loaded software I repeatedly got this error.
I searched boards for answers, reinstalled programs, restated computer, the works. I ever attempted to reinstall green poison, just so I could get some bit of sign that my phone wasn't as previously stated "turn into a very expensive paper weight." But hours of scrolling text amounted to noting but "failed attempt……."
So thank you! I used this and it worked right away. I didn't restart itunes. In fact, in the middle of the restore I changed the host code. I used the "#" voiding system, because who knows what could happen. It worked instantly.
Thank you again. Now I can sleep soundly.
after i remove the gs.apple.com line …. it gives me an 3194 error ….. wat shud i do ?
The solution is very good, i was able to restore my iphone 4, without any problem. great solution. i used window XP.
Please tell me how you do it because I have an iphone 3g and its froze because I tried to update it to 4.2 ): I need you’re help!
You sir are a god amongst men. My choirs of angels hoist you aloft and sing of your glory before all mortal men. Praise him! Praise him! Hallelujah!
Yours quite pleased,
Banjoman
i could not find ge.apple on my host file…
I love you
this worked
i want to car
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! What a relief!
Now back to work. This phone's gonna stay happily in the jail — for a while, at least 😉