What is iPhone error 10
Error 10 is quite a popular issue encountered by many iPhone users. It appears when trying to restore or update a device through Mac or iTunes on Windows. The error force-stops the process saying “The iPhone ‘Device Name’ could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (10).”. Usually, the most common reasons for errors with resetting/updating an iPhone are software-related. This means users can solve it by updating some outdated software (often macOS or iTunes) that prevents initiating the process. In other cases, the issue may cover connection or even problems with hardware. Below, we will discuss everything you need to get rid of the error and have your iPhone restored or updated eventually.
Download repair tool
Sometimes resolving the errors is out of our control and possibilities. This is where third-party tools can make a great impact on aiding the users. If you are facing error 10 or others, but fail to benefit from any of the manual steps, try using Tenorshare ReiBoot – a great recovery tool designed for resolving errors like that. Get to know how one can use it to address the errors and restore a device successfully:
- Download and install ReiBoot for either Mac or Windows.
- Once done, open the app and plug your device into the computer.
- The program should recognize your device and offer a couple of options.
- Choose Standard if you simply want to update your device or Deep repair if you want to fully restore it.
- Then, download the firmware found by the app for your smartphone by clicking Download.
- Once the process is finished, click Repair now to start resolving the problems.
- Wait until the app finishes its repair and restores your device. It will take about 15 minutes to end.
Standard is meant to search for basic issues and bugs to address them without wiping out your data.
Deep repair will reset your device to factory settings and delete the entire data stored on it.
1. Ensure your iTunes and macOS are up-to-date
As a rule, macOS or iTunes on Windows should detect if some update is missing and offer to download it by clicking a button. However, if there is no message that says “software update is required to connect to your iOS device”, you might need to take care of it on your own. You may also try to reconnect your IOS device again to double-check the message does not appear. Do not forget to unlock your screen after connecting to Mac or PC. In case there is still no solution offered by the system itself, check iTunes and macOS for later versions yourself. You can do it this way:
To install updates for macOS:
- Go to Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and choose System Preferences.
- Then, click Software update and choose Update Now to install the latest update available for your current version.
- If you don’t see this button, this means your system is already up-to-date.
Usually, other apps like iTunes get updated along with installing the latest macOS version. Even so, it is still worth checking yourself.
To install updates for iTunes:
- Open App Store from the dock on your screen.
- Move to Updates on top of the window or left pane and search for iTunes from the list.
- If there are any updates available, you will be able to click on Install to get them.
If you are using a Windows PC, do the similar steps but in Windows Store where iTunes was downloaded from.
2. Use another Mac or PC
If the previous method did not resolve the issue, or you simply had nothing to update, try using another PC or Mac to perform the restore. If there is no spare one to use, ask your friend or family member to lend you their Mac or Windows PC for the time of restoring your iPhone. It is also possible your USB port is damaged, which you are unable to see. Therefore, give it a shot using somebody’s else Mac or Windows laptop. Some users reported it helped them finally get the process off the ground and restore or update their IOS device.
3. Check your USB cable
Original USB cables tend to wear out over time losing their connection qualities. This could very well be the case with your iPhone while trying to restore/update it through Mac or Windows PC. Try to reconnect the cable, adjust it to a different position, or simply borrow another from somebody else. If nothing leads to a change, you can be sure the error 10 problem is not related to your USB cable.
4. Hardware issues
If none of the offered solutions improved the situation and helped you avoid the error, there could be deeper reasons for that like problems with internal hardware components. If you suspect it to be the case, bring your IOS device to the closest Apple center. They may run some basic solutions we tried above to confirm the issue could be in hardware. You can also ask your friends which repair center they used to be sure you receive high-quality help from IOS experts.
Summary
Unfortunately, there is no single panacea that would be suitable and effective for all types of errors. Even error 10 can be individual and require different fixes to remove the problem. We hope you didn’t have to carry your smartphone to other people but already resolved the issue without reading that step. Should there be something else disturbing your flawless smartphone or PC experience, search for it on our website. We upload a lot of useful articles dedicated to various categories with fast and working fixes each day.
