You can use iTunes to back up & restore your iPhone and update the iOS version. But, you may encounter iTunes error 9 or iPhone error 9 issue which doesn’t allow you to restore or update the device. Now, you can read this post to learn how to get rid of this issue effectively.

Part 1: iTunes Error 9 Happens!

Usually, you can back up your iPhone by using iTunes. Then, you have a copy of the device information in case that the device is lost, damaged, replaced, or restored to factory reset.

However, restoring your iPhone with iTunes can meet some errors. iTunes error 9 is one representative. Moreover, you can also encounter this issue when you use iTunes to update your iOS version.

Note: If you lose your iPhone data after updating the iOS version, you can use this free iPhone data recovery software – MiniTool Mobile Recovery for iOS to recover your data. Please find the step-by-step guidance in this post: 3 Useful Ways to Recover Lost Files After iOS Update.

When this issue occurs, you will receive an error message saying The iPhone “Device name” could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (9).

In this situation, you will be unable to continue the restoring process or iOS updating process. What should you do then?

Of course, you want to fix this iPhone could not be restored, iPhone error 9 issue. To keep your iPhone data safe, we strongly recommend you to back up your iPhone data firstly, and then take some measures to repair this iPhone restore error 9 problem.

Now, you can read the following part to obtain an easy and effective way to make a backup of your iPhone data.

Part 2: Back up Your iPhone Data with MiniTool

MiniTool Mobile Recovery for iOS is a professional iOS data recovery program. It can detect both the existing and deleted files on your iPhone. So, it can be used to back up your iPhone data.

It has three recovery modules:

Recover from iOS Device: As long as the deleted file are not overwritten by new data, you can use this recovery module to restore data from different iOS devices, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

But due to the limitation of iOS, you are unable to recover the permanently deleted photos and videos from the iOS device directly. That is to say you have to search for other ways to recover your iPhone photos and videos.

Recover from iTunes Backup File: If your needed files have been backed up with iTunes, you can use this recovery module to restore iPhone from iTunes backup. You need to note that the iTunes backup file you want to restore should be saved on the computer you are going to use.

Recover from iCloud Backup File: With this recovery module, you are allowed to get your data back from the iCloud backup file. To make this recovery module work, you need to enable the internet connection.

Besides, this module can’t get the iOS 9.0 and the latter version backup files because of the limitation of iCloud.

Recover from iOS Device is the target module you are going to use.

Now, you can down MiniTool Mobile Recovery for iOS Free Edition on your computer to have a try.

MiniTool iOS Recovery on WindowsClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

After installing this iPhone data recovery software on your computer, you can then follow these steps to back up your iPhone data:

Step 1: Connect Your iPhone to PC and Choose a Proper Recovery Module to Scan It

Open the software, and you will enter the Recover from iOS Device module interface directly. If you have connected your iPhone to your computer before, this software can detect the device automatically and show it on the interface. Then press the Scan button to start the scanning process.

the software can show the device automatically

If you have never connected the device to the computer you are going to use, you will receive a prompt on your device. Then, you need to tap Trust option, and then your iPhone can be shown on the software interface.

Step 2: Check the Files You Want to Recover from the Scan Result

It will take some minutes to finish the scan process. Please be patient.

When the scanning process finishes, you can see the scan result interface. The data types are listed on the left side of this interface. Then, you can choose one type from the list, and then this software will show you its items.

After that, you can choose the data you want to recover. There are some limitations in this free edition. For example, you can only recover 2 photos/videos each time. But you can use it to restore all bookmarks at one time.

Please see this introduction Functional Limitations in MiniTool Mobile Recovery for iOS to learn what can you do with this free tool.

enter the scan result interface

To recover your iPhone data without limitations, you had better obtain a full edition of this software. Please get a genius one from the MiniTool store.

Step 3: Select a Proper Path on Your Computer to Save the Selected Files

After the desired files are selected, you need to press the Recover button. Then, this software will pop out a small window saying Save the selected data to the following path.

There is a software default storage path on this window. You can click on Recover button to save the files to this path directly. But, if you want to save them to another location, you need to click on Browse button to choose a proper path.

choose a suitable path to save the selected files

When the iPhone data recovery process completes, you can open the specified storage path to view and use the recovered files immediately.

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Now, your iPhone data is backed up to a safe location. You can feel free to fix this iPhone could not be restored, error 9 issue.

Part 3: How to Fix iTunes Error 9?

Usually, this iTunes error 9 or iPhone error 9 is caused by the following reasons:

  • You have jailbroken the iOS device. Here, if iOS jailbreaking causes data loss, you can refer to this article to retrieve your data: How to Recover iOS Data after Jailbreaking You iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.
  • The installed security software on your PC causes communication blockages between the iOS device and Apple update servers.
  • The firewall on your PC blocks the communication between the iOS device and Apple servers.
  • You have used your computer to hack or jailbreak another iOS device, and this operation leads to confusion in device recognition.
  • The USB cable interrupts the restoration process.

According to these reasons, we summarize some solutions to solve the iTunes error 9 issue. If you are not sure which reason causes this issue, you can try these solutions one by one.

Solution 1: Hard Reset the iOS Device to Fix Error 9

A simple hard reset can refresh the device software and adjust itself. And it is the easiest way to solve iTunes error 9 or iPhone error 9 issue.

For iPhone 6s and the earlier devices:

Press the Power button and Home button for 10 seconds until the White Apple logo appears. Then, you need to charge the device and check whether this issue is solved or not.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

Please press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button for 10 seconds until the white Apple logo appears. Then, charge the iPhone and check whether this issue is solved.

For iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button on the left side of the iPhone. Then quickly press and release the Volume Down button on the left side.

After that, you need to press and hold the Side button on the left side until the screen shuts off and then on. Next, you can release that button when the white Apple logo appears.

Solution 2: Update iTunes to Solve iPhone Restore Error 9

If you are using Mac Operating System, you need to open iTunes. Then, please click on iTunes from the menu bar and choose Check for Updates. Next, you can follow the wizards to complete the updating process.

If you are using Windows Operating System, you need to click on Help and select on Check for Updates after opening iTunes. Then, you can follow the wizards to update iTunes.

Solution 3: Try Another Computer

To use this way, you need to make sure that the alternative computer has installed the latest iTunes version. Then, you can check whether this issue is solved or not.

If this method works, there should be something wrong with your computer. And you need to send the computer to a technician to repair it. 

Solution 4: Check the USB Cable and Port

Perhaps, the iTunes error 9 or iPhone error 9 issue is caused by the faulty USB cable or the loosing USB connection during your operation on iTunes. In this situation, you need to try a new USB cable or check whether the USB port is loose.

Also, you had better make sure that the USB cable you are using is certified and authentic.

Solution 5: Enter Recovery Mode to Fix iTunes Error 9

Note: This way may lead to data loss. So, you’d better firstly back up your iPhone data by using the way mentioned in part 2.

Please make sure that you have installed the latest iTunes on your computer. Then, you can follow these steps to enter Recovery Mode:

Step 1: You need to close the iTunes if it is already open. Then, connect the iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes.

Step 2: Force reset the device

For iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, and quickly press and release the Volume Down button. After that, you need to press and hold the Side button for seconds till you can see the iTunes connection screen.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side and Volume Down button for seconds until you can the iTunes connection screen.

For iPhone 6 and the earlier iPhone, as well as iPad & iPod Touch: Press and hold both the Home and Top/Side buttons until the iTunes connection screen appears.

Step 3: On the pop-up window, you can choose Update to update your iPhone. If this way doesn’t work, it is necessary to use the Restore option which will erase all settings and content on the device.

Solution 6: Check the Security Software and Firewall

If all of the above methods don’t work for you, you need to consider that whether the security software or firewall block the communication between your iPhone and Apple servers.

Firstly, you can enter the anti-virus software and check whether the iTunes is blocked in the exception list. If so, just remove it from the list.

Secondly, you need to enter the Firewall program and make sure that iTunes is in the exempted list.

Then, you need to check whether there are virtualization applications on your computer such as VMWare and Parallels. If they are outdated, they can easily block the USB communication. So, you’d better close them.

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Part 4: Conclusion

When iTunes error 9 issue occurs, you had better use MiniTool Mobile Recovery for iOS to make a backup of your iPhone data. Then, you can use the solutions which are introduced in this post one by one to fix this issue.

If you have your own solution to solving this issue, you can share with us.

Should you have any question when you are using MiniTool software, please feel free to contact us. You can write an email and send it to [email protected]. Or, you can just leave a message on the following comment area.

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