Tag Archives: expired beta

How to restore your iOS device with DFU / Recovery Mode

iOS Development,

Sometimes iOS updates go awry. It may happen that the device hangs itself for good, refusing to activate or be recognised by iTunes. In that case, it’s time for a DFU reset, also known as Recovery Mode.

Download an .ipsw file for your device from the Developer Centre (either a beta or the release version) and extract it. Then follow these steps:

  • turn off your device
  • open iTunes and have a USB cable handy
  • while holding the HOME button, insert a USB cable into your device (connected to your computer running iTunes)
  • the device should turn on and be recognised by iTunes within a few seconds as a device in DFU mode
  • Option-Click RESTORE in iTunes, then navigate to the .ipsw file of your choice (hopefully the correct one for your device)

Smiles all round!

How to update an iOS device from a Beta to a Release Version

iOS Development,

When a new iOS version comes out, developers can get pre-release Beta Versions to test their apps. New betas can be installed over the air, but if the release version comes out then there’s no over the air upgrade for those. Instead, it appears that you already have the latest version installed – even though it’s not the release version.

At the same time a Release goes public, previous Betas expire – requiring them to be replaced on the iOS device in question.

Just like Beta Versions can be downloaded at http://developer.apple.com, Release Versions can be downloaded there too (.ipsw files) once they become available. Here’s how to install them via iTunes:

  1. download the .ipsw for your device model (there are a growing number, so double-check)
  2. open iTunes and connect the device via USB
  3. Option-Click the “Check for Update” button
  4. this brings up a dialogue that lets you select the .ipsw file

option-click

Screen Shot 2013-02-03 at 15.57.35

Screen Shot 2013-02-03 at 15.57.58

The same procedure goes if a new Beta is released. This will put your device into recovery mode, and even though it’s a rather distressing process, if all goes well no data is lost in the process.

What if this doesn’t work?

Sometimes I’ve encountered that my device STILL can’t activate after doing the above. If that’s the case, repeat the above, Option-Clicking on Restore. This will also let you choose the .ipsw file, however it will erase all your data.

You can choose to click Restore without Option, which will download the latest firmware for you.