You are likely to encounter error code 1015 while restoring your iPhone through iTunes. This error makes you stuck and unable to complete the restoration process. It usually occurs when you try downgrading or jailbreaking your iOS device. Such activities make your device prone to malware and error codes.
However, you can fix the error code 1015. And this guide has detailed what this error is, its causes, and possible solutions to help you fix it.
This error usually occurs when you perform activities that violate the iOS end-user software license agreement. Such activities include jailbreaking or downgrading your iOS device.
The error message reads: “An Unexpected Error Occurred Error 1015” Once a message like this pops up on your screen, you need to seek for a solution immediately.
What Causes this iTunes Error 1015?
The iTunes error 1015 can occur due to several reasons. But when it does, it usually points to a violation of the iOS end-user software license agreement. Therefore, the likely reasons for the iPhone restore error 1015 include:
- You downgraded your iOS device
- Your iTunes or iOS is probably outdated
- Third-party tools on your computer may be causing conflict
- Jailbreaking of your iOS device
But no matter what the issue is, if you are getting the error 1015, you should follow the guide below to fix it quickly.
How to Fix iTunes Error 1015
Fortunately, fixing the iTunes error 1015 does not require any complicated operation. Sometimes, you may need to restore your iPhone into DFU mode. You can simply fix this error by carefully following a few guidelines that will show you.
The first thing you need to do before restoring your iPhone is to ensure that you have the latest version of iTunes. You can update iTunes by following the steps below on your On Mac.
- Step 1: – Go to App Store and check for updates.
- Step 2: – If there are any iTunes updates available, click on Install.
You may also need to update iOS if updating iTunes did not work. You can do it by following the steps below.
- Step 1: – Go to Settings on your iPhone and tap on General.
- Step 2: – Tap on Software Update.
- Step 3: – Tap Download and Install.
If the problem is not solved after performing these preliminary solutions, move to the potential solutions below.
Solution 1 – Updating Windows or Mac OS
Performing a system update is an excellent way to fix error 1015. It ensures a smooth and error-free performance of your PC. Most iOS users have been able to fix this error code with this solution. You can smoothly do it by following the steps below.
For Windows PC users:
- Step 1: – Access Start and click on Settings.
- Step 2: – Click on Update & Security.
- Step 3: – Now, click on Windows Update to update windows.
For Mac users:
- Step 1: – Click on the Apple icon and choose Software Update.
- Step 2: – Now, click on the available updates.
If the problem is still not solved after updating Windows or Mac OS, move to the next potential solution below.
Solution 2 – Uninstalling third-party software on PC or Mac
Uninstalling third-party software on Windows PC or Mac is another excellent way to fix iTunes error 1015. Most times third-party software causes conflict among programs while restoring iPhone or updating with iTunes. Uninstalling such programs fixes the error 1015 in this case. To do it, follow the steps below.
For Windows PC users:
- Step 1: – Go to Start on Windows computer and click on All apps.
- Step 2: – Locate the third-party software and right-click on it.
- Step 3: – Click on Uninstall.
For Mac users:
- Step 1: – Access the Finder window and click on Applications.
- Step 2: – Find and click on the third-party software.
- Step 3: – Access the top menu bar and click on File.
- Step 4: – Click on Move to Trash and then on Empty Trash.
If the problem is still not solved after uninstalling third-party software on PC or Mac, move to the next potential solution below.
Solution 3 – Put your iPhone in Recovery Mode and restore
This is another excellent way to fix this problem but before putting your iPhone on Recovery Mode, ensure you have the latest version of iTunes. You can follow the guide below to restore the iPhone in the Recovery Mode.
- Step 1: – Connect your iPhone to your PC.
- Step 2: – Launch iTunes.
- Step 3: – Restart your iPhone by force while it is still connected to the PC. Wait until the iTunes logo appears. Depending on your iPhone version, you can force restart by using the home or volume button.
- Step 4: – A dialog box will appear on your PC asking you to either Restore or Update.
- Step 5: – Click on Update. Once the update process completes, you can now restore your iPhone from iCloud backup or iTunes without encountering the error 1015.
If you can’t enter Recovery Mode on your iPhone because of jailbreak, you can try using programs like RecBoot. RecBoot helps you enter and exit Recovery Mode on iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. If the problem is still not solved after performing this solution, move to the next potential solution below.
Solution 4 – Deleting the IPSW file on your computer
I have found out that deleting these files with .ipsw extensions on your PC fixes the error 1015. User reports have shown that this solution works for a lot of people. Files that have .ipsw extensions on your PC are temporary files and backups of your iOS updates. Deleting these backup files will not affect your iPhone or iTunes function.
You can keep the most recent IPSW files and remove the old ones. You will find .ipsw files on your PC in the following locations depending on your operating system:
- On Windows 7/Vista: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates
- On Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Update
- On Mac OS X: ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
If the problem is still not solved after deleting the .ipsw files on your PC, move to the next potential solution below.
Solution 5 – Restoring your iPhone into DFU Mode
When you have performed all the operations above but to no avail, try putting your iPhone in Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode. It does not matter why you are getting the iPhone error 1015, your last resort to fix error 1015 is the DFU mode solution.
Before putting your iOS device in DFU mode, ensure you have iTunes or iCloud backup. It is necessary to back up because DFU mode will cause loss of iPhone data just as in Recovery Mode. Therefore, to perform this solution, you need to follow the below-given guide.
If you are using iPhone 7, 6s and below, follow the guidelines below for restoring your iPhone into DFU mode:
Step 1: – Connect your iPhone to PC even if your iPhone is switched off.
Step 2: – Hold down the Sleep and Home button for about 8 seconds (this operation is for users of iPhone 6s and below). iPhone 7 users should press the sleep + volume down button.
Step 3: – Now, release the Sleep button but continue holding down the Home button or volume down button until iTunes shows the message; ‘iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode.’
Step 4: – You can now leave the volume down button or Home button. The iPhone screen will turn black indicating it has entered DFU mode successfully.
Step 5: – Now, you can restore your iPhone with iTunes.
For iPhone X, 8, or 8 Plus users, follow the guidelines below:
- Step 1: – Connect your iPhone to PC even if your iPhone is switched off.
- Step 2: – Press and release the volume up button quickly, press and release the volume down button quickly. Now, hold down the side button until your iPhone screen becomes black.
- Step 3: – Hold down the volume down button and the side button simultaneously for 5 seconds.
- Step 4: – While holding the volume down button, release the side button, and continue until your iPhone appears in iTunes.
- Step 5: – Now, release the volume button. Your iPhone is now in DFU mode.
- Step 6: – Now, try restoring the iPhone with iTunes. You can restart your iPhone to exit DFU Mode by force.
Conclusion
iTunes error 1015 may occur while you are restoring your iPhone through iTunes. Most times it is a result of activities that violate the iOS end-user software license agreement. You may have to restore your iPhone into DFU mode to fix it.
This guide has given you information on the solutions to help you fix this error. Now it is your turn to perform these solutions and conquer it.