Error 06B4.0000: What Is It and How to Fix It

If you’ve encountered the message, “The iPad (or iPhone) could not be restored. An unknown error occurred. 06B4.0000,” you’re not alone. This error often appears during the update or restoration of an iPhone or iPad using a Windows PC. In some cases, the process gets stuck partway through, leaving your device displaying the Apple logo with a partially loaded progress bar.

This issue is commonly linked to the Apple Devices app on Windows, which may face compatibility issues with newer iOS or iPadOS versions like iOS 18. It can also result from outdated software, faulty cables, VPN interference, or connection problems, all of which disrupt the update or restore process and leave your device in limbo.

Why Does Error 06B4.0000 Occur?

Several factors contribute to this error, including:

1. Compatibility Issues: The Apple Devices app on Windows may not fully support the latest iOS or iPadOS versions, leading to errors during updates or restorations.
2. Outdated Software: Using an outdated version of iTunes or the Apple Devices app can cause this error. Ensuring all software is updated is crucial to avoid problems.
3. USB Connection Problems: Faulty USB cables or ports can disrupt the update or restoration process, triggering this error.
4. VPN Interference: A VPN connection can interrupt communication with Apple’s servers, causing the process to fail.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most effective fixes for this error to help you successfully update or restore your device.

Fix 1: Use a USB-A to Lightning Cable

If you’re using a USB-C to Lightning cable, it could be the reason for this problem. These cables sometimes encounter compatibility issues during the update or restoration process on Windows PCs. To avoid this, switch to a USB-A to Lightning cable instead.

• Ensure the cable is an official Apple-certified cable or an MFi-certified third-party cable to prevent connection problems.
• Connect the USB-A cable to a reliable USB port directly on your computer (avoid using hubs or adapters, if possible).

Using the right cable type can resolve communication issues between your device and the PC, allowing the update or restore process to complete successfully.

Fix 2: Update the Apple Devices App to the Latest Version

One of the most common reasons for Error 06B4.0000 is running an outdated version of the Apple Devices app on your Windows PC. Apple frequently releases updates to improve compatibility with newer iOS or iPadOS versions, such as iOS 18. Using an older version of the app may lead to errors during the update or restoration process.

Steps to Update the Apple Devices App:

1. Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC.
2. Search for Apple Devices in the store’s search bar.
3. Check if an update is available. If it is, click Update to install the latest version.
4. Once the update is complete, restart your computer and try restoring or updating your device again.

Fix 3: Use iTunes Instead of the Apple Devices App

If updating the Apple Devices app doesn’t resolve Error 06B4.0000, try using iTunes to update or restore your iPhone or iPad. While Apple has transitioned to the Apple Devices app for managing iOS devices on Windows, iTunes remains a reliable alternative, especially for addressing compatibility issues with newer iOS or iPadOS versions.

Steps to Use iTunes:

1. Go to the official iTunes download page: Download iTunes for Windows.
2. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your Windows PC.
3. Open iTunes and connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer using a USB-A to Lightning cable.
4. Select your device in iTunes, and follow the prompts to update or restore your device.

Using iTunes can bypass some of the limitations or bugs found in the Apple Devices app, allowing the update or restore process to proceed without errors.

Fix 4: Use Your iPhone’s Hotspot as the Computer’s Internet Connection

Sometimes, this problem can be caused by network-related issues. A simple yet effective solution is to connect your computer to your iPhone’s hotspot and try the update or restore process again. Using the hotspot ensures a direct and stable connection, bypassing potential problems with your regular Wi-Fi network.

Steps to Use Your iPhone’s Hotspot:

1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and turn on the Allow Others to Join option.
2. Connect your Windows PC to your iPhone’s hotspot:
   • Open the Wi-Fi settings on your computer.
   • Select your iPhone from the list of available networks and enter the password shown on your iPhone’s hotspot settings.
3. Once connected, reopen the Apple Devices app or iTunes and retry the update or restore process.

Fix 5: Disable VPN and Try Again

If you’re using a VPN on your Windows PC or iPhone/iPad, it could interfere with the update or restore process, leading to the Error 06B4.0000 issue. VPNs reroute your internet connection through different servers, which can disrupt communication between your device and Apple’s servers.

Steps to Disable VPN:

1. On Windows PC:
   • Open your VPN application and turn it off.
   • Alternatively, go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN and disconnect any active VPN connections.
2. On iPhone or iPad:
   • Go to Settings > VPN and toggle off the VPN connection.
3. Once the VPN is disabled, retry the update or restore process using the Apple Devices app or iTunes.

Please also see our article about using VPNs.

Disabling your VPN ensures a direct connection to Apple’s servers, which can help complete the update or restoration without interruptions.

By following these fixes, you should be able to resolve this and successfully update or restore your iPhone or iPad. Let me know in the comments below which solution worked for you or if you encountered any additional challenges!

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• How to Fix the Apple ID not Yet Used in iTunes Store Error
• “APL*ITUNES/BILL”, What Is This?