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iOS 8 Problems: Failed Updates, Cannot Restore

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Apple iOS 8 update problems continue to mount as the smoke clears around today’s release. In addition to storage issues and server errors, it appears that some users are dealing with failed updates and the inability to restore their iPhone or iPad with iTunes.

Earlier today, Apple released its new iOS 8 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users in the United States and around the world. Problem is, many of those trying to update to the new iOS 8 software are encountering iOS 8 problems during the iOS 8 download and installation process. We’ve already detailed storage issues and server errors and offered potential fixes though some people are encountering a nasty iOS 8 bug that could be devastating to those that are without a proper backup.

iOS-8-4

Shorty after the arrival of the iOS 8 update, we attempted to install the iOS 8 update on the iPad Air. The Over-the-Air update required 6.9GB of storage space so we immediately plugged the device into iTunes so that we wouldn’t have to delete any precious files. Earlier. the iTunes iOS 8 installation process had worked flawlessly for the iPhone 5 though the iPad Air iOS 8 download caused major issues.

Halfway through the download process, iTunes spat out an error telling us that it could not be updated due to an unknown error. Clicking the “More Information” link provided some possible fixes though they did not spell out a guaranteed fix for these issues.

iOS-8-2

After the download process stopped, the iPad Air remained stuck on the download process screen though the bar had stopped moving. After unplugging the lightning cable, it flashed a screen telling us to plug it in with iTunes. After plugging it back into a MacBook Air, we went back into iTunes hoping to retry the download. Unfortunately, iTunes did not allow that to happen.

Instead, iTunes displayed a screen that prompted us to try and Restore the iPad. When trying to Restore the iPad, the iPad Air could not connect to Apple’s iPad software update servers, something that prevented us from automatically starting the iOS 8 download and installation process. Not wanting to wait, we decided to install the iOS 8 update manually.

iOS-8-1

To install the iOS 8 update manually, iPhone and iPad users must download a large file. Once the file is downloaded, users can simply Option Click on the Restore iPad… button in iTunes. This will prompt the iOS 8 installation process. Here is where things can get dicey.

iOS-8-3

iPhone and iPad users can restore their device from a backup. Those that haven’t made a recent backup or haven’t made a backup at all are going to be in some trouble because the iPad could revert back to an older save. We had made a backup earlier today in preparation for the iOS 8 release so everything went very smoothly.

This method should work for most iPhone and iPad owners that run into a failed update and an iTunes that doesn’t allow for the device to be restored.

iPad-Air

Of course, this is just one of many iOS 8 problems. iPhone and iPad owners are experiencing server errors during both the OTA and iTunes installation process and some users say that iOS 8 download times are skyrocketing.

iPhone and iPad users are also complaining about storage issues affecting the iOS 8 download process. Many iPhone and iPad users are unable to install the iOS 8 update due to the amount of space that the iOS 8 requires with an Over-the-Air update. Those trying to install the iOS 8 update Over-the-Air thru Settings will need 4.6GB or more of free space available in order to get the download process moving in the right direction.

iOS 8 is not as ambitious as last year’s iOS 7 update but it’s a large update nonetheless. Apple’s new software for iPhone and iPad comes with a number of new features including improvements to Photos, iMessaging, FaceTime Audio and more. The update is free and it’s available to iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4s, iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina Display, iPad 4, iPad 3, iPad 2, iPad mini, and iPod touch fifth-gen users.

The update is not going to be available to users on the iPhone 4 who must remain on the company’s iOS 7.1 update from earlier this year.

71 Comments

71 Comments

  1. Dimitri K

    09/17/2014 at 12:51 pm

    Luckily, I got in and was able to get all the way through the download directly through my 5s. When I got into Settings, it shows iOS 8.0 as “downloaded” and allows me to click Install Now.

    However, after clicking it, entering my passcode and then agreeing to new terms, it says “Software Update Unavailable”. Anyone else having the issue? Is this to be expected with all the attempts to download and install, or is this another issue? Seems odd that it would have issues after a successful download.

    • pushkar

      09/17/2014 at 8:07 pm

      i had this problem with ios 7 , so i just resetted the settings and then. it became available

  2. Andrew O

    09/17/2014 at 4:44 pm

    I updated my 5c over my wifi network, and worked just fine and took about 10 minutes at the most. There is obviously still glitches since the software is new but my phone still operates properly

  3. Trace Thomas

    09/17/2014 at 5:25 pm

    i tried to update my iphone 5 when midway through it showed the screen that i had to plug it in to itunes and i tried to restore it from itunes but it wasnt working and was redirecting me to different places that lead me to nowhere. So i need to know what i have to do to get my phone working again. I need to know if i go to the apple store if theyll help me restore it or if theyll give me a new phone of the same type since their update messed my phone up and that it does have a bad battery like the ones they had a recall on which turns off every now and then so i wanna know if theyll give me a new one,if theyll fix it, or if i had to buy a new one myself. I need answers plz I need my phone back plz help me!!!!!!!!

    • Andrew O

      09/17/2014 at 5:51 pm

      If your phone is the iPhone 5 I would not bet on apple “giving” you a new phone just because that’s how they operate. I woukd guess they could possibly give you a discount on a new one but I would count on actually having to buy it at what they charge for the 5 now

  4. Andrew O

    09/17/2014 at 5:55 pm

    I honestly don’t even know how iOS 8 installed perfectly on my 5c. I only hit install and it was done in decent time. If you do eventually update the only glitches you will see should be that the dynamic wallpapers dont work properly, and the music app is slightly messed up. Other than those I have not seen any other “issues”

  5. Amber

    09/17/2014 at 7:04 pm

    Once I installed the iOS 8 later I tried to delete an app and it won’t let me, the little “x” isn’t there and I don’t know what to do

  6. Jim S.

    09/17/2014 at 7:19 pm

    I installed IOS 8 and now having major issues with many of my magazines will not load anymore. Newstand needs a major fix.

  7. Chris Ceniceros

    09/17/2014 at 7:19 pm

    I try signing into my Apple ID but it keeps on telling me that there is an error what’s going on?

  8. Sateno

    09/18/2014 at 3:15 am

    i tried to update and when it restored all my apps where gone, and the picture albums are all missed up, i had to download all my apps again from the app store.
    this update is stupid i regret downloading it but as i heard i cant downgrade anymore

  9. Diana

    09/18/2014 at 5:51 am

    Trying to restore my iPad mini….not going so well. Session keeps timing out as it takes over an hour to download software…very frustrating Apple!!!!

    • Jeff

      09/18/2014 at 10:57 am

      It took almost 3 hours for my iPad mini to finish with the update. When it came back, Facebook app crashes every 5 minutes to a black screen, all my notifications were set to “ON” a bunch of my settings were changed. This is bullshit. Get it right before you send it out Apple. Or at least roll it out slowly ya douchebags. Pfft I’m selling this POS now. Let’s see what other companies have to offer. Every major update you roll out is a joke. Well I didn’t spend this kind of money to be laughed at.

  10. Paul Smith

    09/18/2014 at 8:14 am

    I have downloaded the new update fine but I had to remove my music in order to have enough space for the update. Now when I connect my iPhone to my laptop it does not bring up my phone in order to sync my music back onto my phone, is anyone having this problem and no the way round it? In my setting I have got set up family sharing but not sure if I need to do this 1st

  11. Robert Scott

    09/18/2014 at 10:04 am

    No problems downloading…….I did my ipad over the air and my iphone via itunes. Quite frankly, if you use itunes to do it, much more effecient as it doesn’t burn the data or seem to prompt for more storage…..at least that’s what I found. The guys writing this article are obviously Windows or Androild shills So far, only had a problem with my USA Today app but its definitley on the developer’s side

  12. Kate

    09/18/2014 at 10:18 am

    I went to install iOS 8 on my iPhone 5c and knowing I did not have enough storage on my phone, I connected it to my MacBook Pro. I already had iTunes installed on my Mac but never connected this iPhone to it. My iTunes wasn’t the latest version so I had to update. After updating it lots of prompts came up that I do not remember and don’t remember what I pressed. Somewhere in the process, my iPhone which I did not have backed up on iCloud or through iTunes or any other device, lost all of my pictures (1300+) and all my contacts. iOS 8 would not download… Is there any way to recover my pictures?? It is very important to me. Thank you

  13. Danni f

    09/18/2014 at 2:50 pm

    Lost a lot of my text messages from the last month. #not happy

  14. Roger Brown

    09/18/2014 at 3:42 pm

    I downloaded ios 8 early this morning and now I am unable to use the device, it has stuck on teh connect to the icloud screen and even trying to use restore from back up on a pc does not work, nor does the rest facility by turning it on whilst holding doen the reset button work

  15. Emily

    09/18/2014 at 3:45 pm

    It took about 8 hours for the update to be downloaded and installed on my iPad, and now I have barely any memory left and its sooo slow. A message keeps popping up saying I can’t use icloud because it won’t connect to the server :/ wish I’d never updated it now ugh

  16. Roger Brown

    09/18/2014 at 3:52 pm

    Emily at least your ipad works although slowly mine is totally stuffed, cheers Apple!!!!

    • Jeff

      09/18/2014 at 3:56 pm

      My iPad mini bearly works too. Just bought it 2 weeks ago. Great to see you are trying to prove I didn’t get my money’s worth Apple. Bunch of douchebags.

  17. Jeff

    09/18/2014 at 4:03 pm

    My advice is to drop all hand held devices made by Apple. They make bad ass PCs but they are just throwing junk out there to please the masses. I own 7 different apple products and 6 of them are being swapped out for something worth my money. My Mac is the only thing worth a damn. Everything else gets an update and it’s broke until they send the next update. You don’t give a shit Apple why should I??

    • bobby

      04/02/2016 at 10:16 am

      You are sooooooooooo right. Own several Apple products and will now admit that Apple products is a piece of shit.

  18. Bill

    09/18/2014 at 5:01 pm

    I loaded my 4S and I have only one app that won’t run properly, my Lorex Security app runs out of ram. The 4S only has 512MB of ram, the 5S and the new 6’s have 1GB of ram. I loaded thru iTunes and it took 3 hours to download yesterday. I wouldn’t load the 4S right now because of the lack of RAM.

  19. Kami

    09/18/2014 at 5:35 pm

    It deleted 900 of my pictures and it won’t let you sign out of iCloud without deleting everything is there a way I can uninstall this shit? I hate it

  20. Laura

    09/19/2014 at 12:08 am

    My iPod touch 5th en wont even work at all now, does anyone know how to fix this?

  21. April

    09/19/2014 at 4:29 am

    I ran the iOS 8 update late last night after I saw it was available. My iPad 2 keeps restarting out of the blue. It’s not constant (I had an audio app running throughout the night). Nevertheless, it restarted twice soon after the install – for no apparent reason – and restarted again as soon as I opened the ipad this morning. This also happened some with the previous iOS update, which I thought was maybe do to low storage. So, I’ve tried to keep my memory as free as possible by deleting apps and reducing data on it. I was hoping this update would fix that issue. And, it has already happened more frequently than previous.:-/

  22. Denise Palmer

    09/19/2014 at 2:52 pm

    8.0 this am… Facebook is freezing all over the place. Screen goes black then white and no buttons work…. Have to power off.. This stinks, is there a fix…

  23. Jen

    09/19/2014 at 6:37 pm

    I downloaded iOS 8 last night to my iPhone 5C. Everything seemed fine until tonight. I think my phone is possessed. It’s doing things on it’s own. Typing, opening and closing apps, scrolling up and down by itself, etc. I can barely use it now. I’m very frustrated! Is there a fix for this s!&? yet?? Way to go Apple! I’m about to smash this stupid phone!!

  24. neagan

    09/20/2014 at 12:36 am

    im done with apple this is bull shit. i cant get my phone running after trying to update. i wait 10 minutes for it to restore then nothing happens at all. it just goes back to the set up as new iphone screen

  25. Jessica

    09/20/2014 at 7:15 am

    8.0 last night on my 5c with no problems, except now I’m unable to purchase any apps. I received an email wanting me to update all personal information. Very VERY frustrating. Shit like this is why I’m done with Apple, way too many issues. Good job Apple!!!!

  26. Jean Overton

    09/20/2014 at 10:06 am

    iPad seems that it is not staying connected to the server.

  27. Lynda

    09/20/2014 at 2:16 pm

    Download ios8 onto ipad yesterday and now the screen keeps freezing especially with facebook and some apps , how can I correct this is ? Have to keep switching off and back on. Any suggestions please, have never experienced any problems with any other updates so a bit concerned.

  28. eric garces

    09/20/2014 at 9:16 pm

    After the ios 8 update on my ipod 5 my music pictures all deleted so all i have left is songs i downloaded from itunes with no pictures im not digging this update so far!!!!

  29. Kathy

    09/20/2014 at 9:26 pm

    Since downloading the new update my husband and I are getting each other’s text Messages and even getting each other’s phone calls at the same time. Four example my friend called me but both our phones rang. I am also having trouble typing this comment on my iPad. It won’t let me correct any typos.

  30. Peggy

    09/21/2014 at 12:20 am

    installed 8.0 on my iPhone 5, not problems until a couple days later, now it won’t charge. I use apple charging cords and plugs, and have tried connecting to my iMad, the wall, and in the car. Sometimes it charges, and then it doesn’t the next time. I am also having issues with the camera. The screen looks blurry, and will not accept clicking. I have had to reset the phone 3 times. This seems to correct it for awhile, but then after taking a few photos, it starts acting up again.

  31. Sharon

    09/21/2014 at 1:01 am

    What steaming load of shite iOS 8 update is. Now I cannot charge my ipad 3.The same thing happened with the iOS 7 update.

  32. Lindsay

    09/21/2014 at 4:39 am

    Never had any problems downloading ios 8 on my ipodmost of my apps are fine to go on & work fine but facebook takes ages to load to get on it and when i finally get on it keeps freezing wont go up or down the page and sometimes when i load it the page goes blank then just throws me off the app so annoyed had no problems when i downloaded the ios before this one whats wrong? Hope apple get this sorted and other peoples problems about ios8 as well

  33. Petrine

    09/21/2014 at 6:59 am

    After installing the new iOS 8 my phone is shutting me out when I’m on a website. It wouldn’t scroll down on any page I’m on. Can I uninstall the new update?

  34. Eleanor

    09/21/2014 at 3:38 pm

    I

  35. Jeremy

    09/21/2014 at 4:53 pm

    I’m having a problem where I tried to download iOS 8 and my iPhone 5c went into recovery mode and now when I plug it into my computer it says unknown device and I can’t do anything even to restore it. I don’t even wanna restore it cuz I have my photos and stuff so SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!

  36. David

    09/23/2014 at 4:19 am

    how do I manually download ios 8

  37. Carolynn Boyd

    09/23/2014 at 7:18 pm

    i have an iPad and I cannot connect to server

  38. Claude Pedro Litteton

    09/24/2014 at 7:36 am

    apple has returned to crap!!! this ipad air update is the result of no one understanding that we do not have hours to upload updates. Why did they not check to see if the air had enough memory for update before they deleted all the software – just plain junk . Two hours into this install and air is not working. Microsoft surface pro here i come!

  39. Daniel.

    09/24/2014 at 12:16 pm

    When I press the button for the iTunes restore, it tries to download the update file again, even if there is one marked as Done in the Update panel… How do we tell the iTunes developers to look for an existing valid download first, instead of downloading the file again?

  40. bluemoonhypnotherapy

    09/24/2014 at 8:45 pm

    I hate the new ISO8. FB won’t stay logged in. My fairly new ihome clock no longer charges my
    iDevices. So basically I now have a hundred dollar alarm clock. Whoopie!

    I’m definitely going to look into other tablets. After all these years in think I’m done with Apple products. I hate itunes. I hate downloading music through it. I hate the updates- especially this newest one. I’m so outta here! You’ve lost a faithful fan. Steve Jobs must be tolling over in his grave.

  41. m.yule.

    09/25/2014 at 1:03 am

    After doing the iso 8 update my ipad is now asking for passcode but I never used one now can’t do anything with it,nothing was backed up will I loose everything if it is restored.

  42. Caz

    09/27/2014 at 7:40 am

    iOS 8 wish I could delete it its lost my games and I don’t like new set up at all how can I get rid of it

  43. S.C.

    09/27/2014 at 4:08 pm

    Since upgrading my iPad3, it won’t backup at all. As far as I know, it syncs….but i keep getting “cannot backup because an error has occured”. Really? What a POS upgrade! Anyone else seeing this? I have no clue what to do now…..

  44. Kelly

    09/28/2014 at 8:04 am

    It froze my I phone and I can’t get it to shut off or restart.

  45. Veronica

    10/01/2014 at 11:52 am

    This iOS8 update is crap! My iPad mini is frozen. All I get is the apple logo then the iTunes logo, then it shuts it self off. Unable to use at all!! I’m typing this message from my android phone and thinking about ditching Apple all together and going to Samsung’s Note!

  46. Betty

    10/03/2014 at 11:52 am

    After two lengthly sessions with apple reps and tweny resets my ipad2 finally started a restore from icloud. It has now been seven days trying to restore. I have had to manually install from itunes the apps that reappeared. Still no music downloaded and no photos

  47. Betty

    10/03/2014 at 12:08 pm

    The frustration to me is i purchased extra icloud storage and backed up the day before. I had could not use the computer for the backs because it said were were no backups and the initial upgeade renamed ipad so it was not reconizing the back up i did the day before.

  48. Betty

    10/03/2014 at 12:16 pm

    First time any problems with an upgrade. Although many friends have previously had issues. Loosing my pics after spending money to back up , will be the reason I will never purchase a apple product.

  49. Londa

    10/11/2014 at 10:58 am

    After update I cannot send or receive photos to my son who has an android. Never had a problem before.

  50. Steph

    10/22/2014 at 8:01 pm

    Downloaded the upgrade and my iPad froze on a white screen. Can’t turn on/off. No buttons. No nothing. H E L P!!!

    • Violet

      09/22/2015 at 2:40 am

      Hey Steph, have they replied to you about your Ipad my ipad is doing the exact thing i am pissed off… Anyone out there got any answers.. Shit wish i didnt press the upgrade.. Ratshit… i want to smash someone…

  51. mobeebo

    10/25/2014 at 10:06 am

    I updated to IOS 8 on my iphone 4s. It said set up when it says ‘hello on my lockscreen and I SWEAR everytime I finish setting mine up it says set up AGAIN like wtf! Using my brothers phone btw 😒

  52. Lisa lisa

    11/13/2014 at 3:18 pm

    My iPad froze during updating on the “plug into iTunes” mode. Cue screaming and pulling hair out. iOS 8 has sucked ever since I downloaded it.

  53. Rengaraju Sundararajan

    11/14/2014 at 8:08 pm

    The updates after downloading failed to install. The bug is as simple as that. The rest is bla bla………

  54. Divy

    04/04/2015 at 1:12 pm

    I tried restoring my ipad mini but it stops in middle nd says insuffiecient spave on d device!
    Plz help me out to restor my ipad

  55. Orcwa

    05/15/2015 at 11:27 am

    very stupid article – fluff for google search

  56. Denise Anne Covill

    06/22/2015 at 10:03 am

    i tried all morning & most of the afternoon. to restore or update apple ipad gen 3 . but kept giving me the error so i figure out maybe my ipad is too old to update anymore.

  57. Denise Anne Covill

    06/22/2015 at 10:07 am

    I am going to look for another ipad but won`t be an apple they stink. plug into itune s n get an error message everytime.

  58. john walsh

    08/31/2015 at 8:27 am

    i have the same issues, failed to update and lost everything and worst still i cannot even reset or get it running with a factory reset it just sits there. I am furious.. What can i do?

  59. john walsh

    08/31/2015 at 8:30 am

    the funny thing is apple want £25 for expert help to sort mine out, after their update….eeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrr i dont think so. Apple needs to contact me now!

  60. Violet

    09/22/2015 at 2:44 am

    Someone needs to buy me a new ipad.. Not happy at all fcken piss off.. Cant use my ipad at all…Aholes..

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