iPhone 2.0: Unknown Error Occurred (-9838)


The mad rush is on. I’ve been clicking on the Check for Update button in iTunes since yesterday in anticipation of the official release of the iPhone 2.0 software. This morning, shortly before 8:00 a.m. PST, iTunes finally changed it tune and stopped telling me that I had the latest version installed. Of course, I immediately told it to begin the installation process…much to my later regret.

Even though I don’t have an unlocked or jailbroken iPhone, the installation process was NOT smooth. Towards the end of the installation, iTunes attempted to access the iTunes Store, presumably for authentication purposes. However, I’m guessing that too many people are trying to do this at the same time. So, despite months of preparation, Apple cannot “complete [my] iTunes Store request.” And, instead of an upgraded iPhone, I now have a iPhone that can only be used to make emergency calls.

An unknown error occurred (-9836).
There was an error in the iTunes Store. Please try again later.

So, if you are eager to get the latest iPhone 2.0 upgrade, I would suggest waiting for a few hours until Apple has resolved this issue. Else, you’ll be toting around a brick that can only be used for emergency calls–which isn’t a bad thing if you’re trying to avoid phone calls on a Friday.

Update: Now, I’m seeing this error message:

We could not complete your iTunes Store request.
An unknown error occurred (-4).

There was an error in the iTunes Store. Please try again later.

10:13 AM: There’s no magic trick or solution. You have to keep trying. I headed off to work and plugged in the iPhone and it authenticated. So, I no longer have an iBrick. While the iTunes autosync’d all my contacts, photos and videos, I have not been able to move over the new Apps that I downloaded yesterday. I’m still seeing that -4 error.

strong>10:28 AM: In iTunes, I right-clicked on the iPhone and selected Sync and it brought my apps over. If you are using a one button mouse, that’s control-click.


21 responses to “iPhone 2.0: Unknown Error Occurred (-9838)”

  1. I am getting the same -4 error. Apple support told me 3 hours ago that my phone would connect automatically in about 30 minutes.

    This just show’s Apple is not ready for the Enterprise. They knew this relase was coming and decided they would not increase the infrastructure to support the user base. This is not the first time Apple servers have been overloaded.

  2. Yeah seriously, WTF??? The exact same thing has happened to me this morning. And like you my phone has never been unlocked or jailbroken.

  3. I’m getting an unknown error (-4) while trying to update my phone with the new software. I haven’t yet found the solution. I have so far tried restarting my computer and restarting my iphone. Both results have so far enabled the phone to access the itune store for the update, but both failed to correct the problem.

    As far as a comment that I found on a different forum that says:

    “Go into Image Capture on your Mac.
    Set the preferences to No Application when a digital camera is connected.
    Connect your iPhone to iTunes and it will complete the activation process.”

    This did not work for me, but it was in regards to error (-9838). As of right now my iphone can only be used to dial 911.

  4. Yeah I’m getting the same thing. Went throught both the same errors that you mentioned above. So hoping this gets resolved at some point soon. I would like to sync and get my information back on the phone.

  5. I’m having the same problem. It all went smoothly when I started the upgrade at 9:08 A (PDT) and now it’s giving the same error -4 and the phone is useless except for emergency calls. What to do?

  6. I’m getting exactly the same message as your update. Have you solved the problem and if so how?
    Thanks

  7. 2:30 eastern time and error -4 still haughting me. Apple wants to be a big player, yet this shows, they are not quite ready….even though I love them.

  8. Yep.. I too am getting the same problem (error -4). Apple had better come out with a fix soon. I assume everyone has done like me and downloaded the standalone version of firmware 2.0.. I cant believe Apple havent sorted out an automatic update ready for those who havent been able to invest in the iPhone 3G because of its high popularity and limited stock levels. Not a Happy Chappy!!

  9. I was having the same problem, but thanks to this blog post, my phone is now updated. The key was to just keep trying. In iTunes I simply clicked off the iPhone link in the left column, then clicked back onto it. Trying again and again finally paid off, but it took almost an hour.

    Grrr.

  10. I’m getting “we could not complete your request timeout occured” what shit waiting for this release from long.

  11. yea dude this is gay. i had some apps on it and tried to restore because one app messed up my homepage with the icons so i tried to restore. i am getting that same damn error that says it cannot access the itunes store. pretty upset.

  12. Mine restored at approximately 3:30 EDT. I had to delete my old IMAP connection to Exchange and reset it up using the Exchange Active Sych Settings and it works great! Pain in the butt – but worth it.

  13. hey guys i have been fighting with my iphone for more than 3 days until now nothing,just emergence calls,when i open ziphone freeze ,i waited for more than 4 hours and nothing,am really pissed .i need i help reply to nelo2005@gmail.com

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