While we’ve moved beyond the era when a wired USB to Lightning connection was mandatory for iPhone software updates, there are still situations where it proves useful. This is particularly true when you have limited data access and no Wi-Fi signal available. In such cases, if you encounter the frustrating “iPhone Unavailable” error, your best recourse may be to connect your iPhone via USB and restore it to factory settings the traditional way.
Although this process generally proceeds without issues, there are instances where you might hit a roadblock. Unfortunately, when such situations arise, the error messages can be perplexing, offering minimal guidance beyond the vague message, “An unknown error occurred,” accompanied by a numeric code that provides little insight into the nature of the problem. One of the most common of these errors is error 4013.
The silver lining here is that the root causes of these errors are often straightforward to resolve—once you know where to look. Apple, due to the wide array of potential issues, cannot pinpoint a specific cause in the error message, categorizing it simply as an “unknown” error. Nonetheless, there are a handful of troubleshooting steps you can take that will frequently resolve error 4013 and its close counterparts, such as 4005 and 4014.
Understanding iPhone Error 4013
What is iPhone error 4013?
Error 4013 signifies a communication breakdown between your device and your computer during a critical process. This issue can manifest when attempting to restore any Apple device, ranging from an iPod classic to the latest iPhone 14 Pro Max. Essentially, it points to a failure of iTunes (or Finder in newer macOS versions) to establish proper communication with your device.
The causes of error 4013 are diverse. Common culprits include abrupt device disconnection during a restoration, faulty USB ports, problematic cables, driver issues, and more. As a result, there isn’t a single solution, but by addressing some key areas, you can eliminate the most frequent triggers of this error.
Restart Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
Sometimes, clichés hold true: rebooting your device and computer often resolves various issues. Begin by restarting your Mac or PC, but don’t forget to also restart the device you’re trying to update or restore. The procedure varies depending on your device type.
Step 1: To restart a 2017 or later iPhone model, which includes the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone SE (2020), iPhone SE (2022), and all Face ID-equipped iPhones, as well as all iPad models without a front Home button, follow these steps:
- Press and promptly release the volume up button.
- Press and promptly release the volume down button.
- Press and hold the side or top button until you observe the Apple logo on the screen.
Step 2: For the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPod Touch (7th generation), simultaneously press and hold both the side/top button and the volume down button until the Apple logo appears.
Step 3: For the iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (2016), and earlier models, as well as the iPod Touch (6th generation) or earlier and all iPad models featuring a home button on the front, press and hold both the side/top button and the home button together until the Apple logo appears.
Step 4:O nce your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch completes the restart process, unlock it with your passcode, connect it to your computer, and attempt the restoration or update once more.
By following these steps, you can troubleshoot and potentially resolve the iPhone error 4013, ensuring a smoother user experience.
How to Install the Latest Version of iTunes
If you are using a Windows operating system or macOS Mojave (10.14) or an earlier version, it’s essential to ensure that you have the most up-to-date iTunes installed on your Mac or Windows PC. As of the latest update, the current version is iTunes 12.12.9 for Windows.
It’s important to note that this information doesn’t apply if you are using macOS Catalina (10.15) or a newer version, as iTunes is no longer used to manage iPhones, iPads, and iPods on these recent operating systems. Instead, you can manage your device through the macOS Finder app, which is now an integral part of the OS.
Step 1: For Windows 10 and Later:
If you initially downloaded iTunes from the Microsoft Store, you can conveniently check for updates there. Simply open the Microsoft Store app and select “Get Updates.”
If you installed iTunes directly from Apple’s website, you can also check for updates and download the latest version from within the iTunes application itself. To do this, open iTunes and navigate to Help > Check for Updates in the top menu bar.
Please note that if you are installing iTunes on Windows 10 or a newer version, we strongly recommend getting it from the Microsoft Store, as it provides the most up-to-date version, which is 12.12.9 at the time of writing. However, if you are using Windows 7 or Windows 8, you can still download iTunes 12.10.11 (64-bit) or the 32-bit version directly from Apple.
Step 2: For macOS Mojave (10.14) or Earlier:
To ensure you have the latest iTunes version on macOS Mojave (10.14) or earlier, you can use the built-in Software Update feature or download it directly from Apple’s iTunes Downloads page. The correct iTunes version to download depends on your macOS or OS X version:
- For macOS Mojave (10.14), iTunes comes bundled with the OS, and iTunes 12.9.5, the final version for Mac, is included in the 10.14.6 Mojave release. It’s not available as a separate download.
- For macOS High Sierra (10.13), you can download iTunes 12.8.3.
- For macOS Sierra (10.12) or OS X El Capitan (10.11), choose iTunes 12.8.2.
- For OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), opt for iTunes 12.8.1.
- For OS X Mavericks (10.9), select iTunes 12.6.2.
- For OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), go for iTunes 12.4.3.
- For OS X Lion (10.7), upgrade your system to OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5) and then download iTunes 12.4.3. Please note that iTunes 12.2, the latest version compatible with OS X Lion, is not officially available as a separate download.
- For OS X Snow Leopard (10.6), you can get iTunes 11.4.
Additionally, Apple offers iTunes 10.6.3 and iTunes 9.2.1 for even older OS X versions. However, if you find yourself needing these versions, it’s advisable to consider upgrading your computer to a version that supports a more recent iTunes release, especially if you own an iPhone or iPad released within the last five years.
We hope this guide helps you keep your iTunes up-to-date and running smoothly.
Keeping Your Operating System Updated
Ensuring that your operating system is up to date is crucial when dealing with iPhone communication issues. Whether you’re on a Windows PC with iTunes or a recent macOS version, keeping your system current with the latest updates is a must.
Step 1: If you’re using Windows 10 or a newer version, you can check for updates by navigating to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Step 2: For macOS Ventura (13.0) or later, check for updates by clicking on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings > General > Software Update.
If you’re using macOS Monterey (12.0) or an earlier version, you can find this option under System Preferences > Software Update within the same Apple menu in the top-left corner.
Step 3: Follow the provided instructions to download and install any available updates. After completing the updates and restarting your computer, attempt to restore your iOS device or iPod.
It’s important to note that if you’re performing a significant macOS update, such as transitioning from Sierra to Mojave, verify that you have the latest iTunes version compatible with your new OS. For instance, after updating to Mojave, you might need to revisit Software Update to acquire iTunes 12.9.5.
Additional Steps to Address Error 4013
Since error 4013 is related to communication issues, there are other factors to consider when attempting to successfully restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
Step 1: Examine your USB cable. Ensure you’re using an Apple-certified Lightning or USB-C cable, preferably the one provided with your device, and confirm it’s free from damage. If possible, try an alternative cable. While reputable brand-name cables should suffice, many inexpensive third-party Lightning cables primarily support charging and might not facilitate proper data transfer.
Step 2: If you’re on a Windows PC, ensure that your drivers are up to date. You can check for Windows driver updates through Microsoft by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If there are no new updates available, consider visiting your PC manufacturer’s website to look for driver updates, particularly those related to USB and “chipset” drivers, as they can affect communication with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
Step 3: Temporarily disable any antivirus or other scanning tools that may interfere with iTunes’ ability to communicate with your iOS device or iPod. While restoring your device, these tools are usually unnecessary, and if disabling them resolves the issue, you can reactivate them once the process is complete.
Step 4: If possible, try restoring your device using a different computer. This will help determine whether the problem lies with your PC or Mac or with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod. If the issue persists across multiple computers and with different cables, it’s likely a problem with your device, in which case contacting Apple Support for assistance is advisable.
Keeping your system updated and following these steps should help resolve error 4013 and ensure a smoother iPhone restoration process. If you encounter any further issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional support from Apple.
