[Solved] iPhone Restore Error 1 in iTunes

Have you ever come across the issue the iphone could not be restored an unknown error occurred (-1) while restoring your iphone? Don’t be worried about it; it is one of the common issues of the iphone. Here, are some of the ways that can help you to fix this issue.

Author Avatar Joy Taylor Last Updated: Dec. 15, 2022

People generally restore their iPhones to resolve software issues, and then iPhones will start working flawlessly. However, they may occasionally encounter the iPhone could not be restored an unknown error occurred (-1), being unable to complete the restoring process, which is one of the most common iPhone restore errors.

iPhone Restore Error 1 in iTunes

iPhone Restore Error 1 in iTunes

iPhone restore error (-1) might due to the software or hardware of the iPhone, especially when iPhone hardware is not working properly. The thing that comes first to the mind of iPhone users after facing the iPhone error -1 is that they have to contact Apple to resolve the issue. Or, you can try the following fixes to resolve the issue and get your iPhone restored.

Try Another Computer

There are a few methods that you may take to ensure that the iPhone error -1 is fixed. One of these is fact that the task can be completed with a basic system adjustment.

Try Another Computer to Restore or Update iPhone

Try Another Computer to Restore or Update iPhone

People think that it is the software or firmware of the system that has caused the issue of the iPhone could not be restored an unknown error occurred (-1). The programs that are related to Apple must be reconfigured as a result of the system change to fix iPhone error -1. It is merely recommended that you should use this method before going with any other process. It’s all because the procedures necessitate a high level of expertise.

Check the Baseband Chip Issue via Finding IMEI on Your Phone

The issue the iPhone could not be restored an unknown error occurred (-1) is generally caused by a faulty baseband chip and it appears near the end of the restore process when iTunes is updating your iPhone’s baseband. We have included a solution for fixing this error below, but first, make sure this is not an issue generated due to the hardware of your iPhone.

Get IMEI on iPhone from SIM Card Tray

Get IMEI on iPhone from SIM Card Tray

To resolve the issue iPhone error -1, check the IMEI number of your iPhone. To check the IMEI number, first, you can pull out the SIM card tray and locate the IMEI number on it.

Alternatively, you may look for the IMEI in Settings> General> About. If the IMEI number of your phone is present in the ‘About’ section of settings, your iPhone is safe and free of baseband or hardware problems. If the IMEI section is blank, your iPhone must have hardware problems.

Turn off the Windows Defender on Your Computer

Sometimes, iPhone won’t restore could occur due to a security issue in the system. So you can test your security software, like the settings of the Windows Defender. You can turn off Windows Defender to check if iPhone error -1 issue can be solved:

Step 1. To turn off the Windows Defender, open the ‘Run’ Window by tapping on the ‘Window+R’ keys.

Open the Run Window

Open the Run Window

Step 2. Type ‘gpedit.msc’ and click on ‘Browse’. To access the interface associated with this security software, ensure that the path Configuration>Administrative Templates> Windows Components> Windows Defender is selected. It is critical step in resolving iPhone restore error -1.

Turn off the Windows Defender on Your Computer

Turn off the Windows Defender on Your Computer

Step 3. To complete the process, click on the ‘Enable’ option that appeared in the next window, and then click on ‘Apply’.

Click on the Enable Option

Click on the Enable Option

Repair and Restore iPhone with PhoneRescue

If the above methods can not bypass iPhone error 1 and you need to save time, PhoneRescue for iOS allows you to restore your iPhone without iTunes. PhoneRescue is designed to rescue iPhone software, recover deleted data and restore iPhone backups.

With the Advanced Mode of PhoneRescue, you can repair the iOS system without data loss. Or you can choose Standard Mode to reset your iPhone with steps. After repair, your iPhone will be restored and rebooted to the latest iOS 16.

Here are the Steps:

Step 1. Get PhoneRescue for iOS on your PC or Mac. Go to Device Rescuer and choose Repair iOS System.

Choose the Repair iOS System Mode

Choose the Repair iOS System Mode

Step 2. Here are two repair modes you can choose, both of them can repair your iPhone and restore it to the latest iOS version.

Select the Advanced Mode

Select the Advanced Mode

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions to get the matching firmware. Download it and start iOS repairing.

Start iOS Repairing

Start iOS Repairing

Step 4. Wait for the process bar to be 100%, you will get a complete page as below. iPhone will restart immediately.

iOS Repairing Completed

iOS Repairing Completed

Also Read: How to Bypass support.apple.com/iphone/restore Screen >

Check for iTunes Updates

The related trouble of the iPhone could not be restored an unknown error occurred (-1) cannot be resolved because of the un-updated version of iTunes. It is possible that your iPhone could not be restored as you haven’t updated your iTunes.

Follow the below steps to update iTunes to the latest version.

Check for iTunes Updates

Check for iTunes Updates

  1. Open iTunes on your computer. There on the Menu Bar click on the ‘Help’ menu.
  2. Then a drop-down list will appear with many options there you need to select ‘Check for Updates’.
  3. After clicking on ‘Check for Updates’, the program will start updating, and when the update is completed you will find that the iPhone restore error -1 is resolved.

Manually Configurate IPSW File

You need to manually download and install the firmware IPSW file to resolve the iPhone could not be restored an unknown error occurred (-1). This way can help you to completely resolve this issue.

Manually Configurate IPSW File

Manually Configurate IPSW File

Follow the below steps to download the firmware IPSW file and resolve the iPhone restore error -1.

  1. Download the firmware IPSW file from the official website of Apple.
  2. When on the main window of iTunes there will be an ‘Update’ button, Mac users should press OPTION + UPDATE and Windows can go with SHIFT + UPDATE.
  3. Now, it will pop up an alert box that will ask you for the update. Click on the ‘Update’ button.

Fix iPhone Error -1 in 1 Click

If you are unable to fix the issue the iPhone could not be restored an unknown error occurred (-1) using the above-mentioned options, then you must try any third-party app to resolve this issue. Using some professional app you can easily and quickly get the rID of the iPhone restore error-1.

AnyFix – iOS System Recovery is an app that can help you resolve your iPhones issues. It has solutions to deal with 200+ iTunes issues and 130+ iOS system issues. AnyFix resolves your issue quickly with the ease of a few clicks.

Here, are a few steps that will illustrate you resolve the issue of the iPhone could not be restored unknown error occurred (-1) error using AnyFix.

Step 1. Download and Install AnyFix and run it on your computer. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB lightning cable.

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

Step 2. Then, you will get the options for iTunes Repair.

Click iTunes Repair

Click iTunes Repair

Step 3. Once you choose any of the above-mentioned options, you then need to choose iTunes/Connection/Backup/Restore Errors.

Select the Error Type to Fix

Select the Error Type to Fix

Step 4. Once the firmware of iOS got downloaded, then on the next window click on the ‘Reset Now’ button.

iTunes Repair Completed

iTunes Repair Completed

Once the reset process is completed, you can restart your mobile phone and resolve the error iPhone restore error -1. Don’t disconnect the phone from your computer until the process is complete.

The Bottom Line

We have mentioned here 6 ways that can help you with the error that has occurred while the restore process of the iPhone. Hopefully, the iPhone could not be restored an unknown error occurred (-1) you are facing can be resolved with the help of AnyFix.

Author Avatar
Joy Taylor Twitter Share Facebook Share

Senior writer of the iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android-related issues.

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