iPhone Restore Error 4013 / 1008F (Finder or iTunes)
A device restore over USB failed mid-way — often a cable or port issue, a security tool blocking the connection, or low disk space for the IPSW.
Last reviewed 2026-08-29 by the Tech Issue Guide team.
Symptoms
- “The iPhone could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (4013)” during update or restore.
- The progress bar stops partway and the device reboots to Recovery.
- It fails at the same point each attempt.
What causes Error 4013 / 1008F
- A worn or non-certified USB cable, or a flaky port or hub.
- Antivirus or VPN software interrupting the USB connection.
- Not enough free space on the Mac or PC to stage the firmware file.
- A software fault serious enough that a normal restore cannot complete.
How to fix it — 3 steps
- Use an Apple-certified USB cable plugged directly into the computer (no hub), ideally a different port; try a different computer if you can.
- Free at least 15 GB on the computer and quit VPN and antivirus software, then retry the restore in Recovery Mode.
- If it still fails at the same spot, put the device in DFU mode and restore from there.
Terminal / CLI command
sudo purgeOptional, on macOS — frees inactive memory before a large restore. Not required.
Prevent it from coming back
Keep a known-good Apple cable for restores, and keep 15–20 GB free on the computer you sync with.
Frequently asked questions
How do I enter DFU mode?
It varies by model. On Face ID iPhones: press Volume Up, press Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the screen is black, then hold Side + Volume Down for 5 seconds, release Side but keep holding Volume Down until the computer detects it.
Does error 4013 mean hardware failure?
Not necessarily. Cable, port and software issues cause it far more often. If DFU restore on two cables and two computers all fail identically, then suspect hardware.