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.
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.