Fix 16xx and 29 error During Custom Firmware Restore

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Since the release of Sn0wbreeze and PwnageTool that let you create custom firmware 4.0, 3.1.3 and older to jailbreak iPhone and iPod Touch, many of you has been asking on how to fix 1600, 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604 or 29 error during iPhone custom firmware restore.

This is what error reads:

The iPhone “-” could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (16xx).

To get rid of error 1600, 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604 or 29 during custom firmware restore follow the steps mentioned below.

Fix 16xx and 29 error During Custom Firmware Restore

We are listing all the possible fixes for 16.04, 16xx error when restoring a custom firmware below. Please read it first before trying.

Solution 1

I encountered 1604 error just once back in OS 3.1.2 days. Trying on another PC helped me in successfully restoring the CFW. So, if you have another PC or Mac, I suggest you to try on that computer first.

Solution 2

Make sure to show hidden files under your folder options.
Close the iTunes and disconnect your iDevice from your Computer.
Go to the following directory:
Win 7 & Vista Users:
C:Users\*UsersName*\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\Device Support
Windows XP :
C:\Documents and Settings\*UserName*\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\Device Support or iPhone Software Updates
Backup the files available in the folder and delete them from that folder.
Put your iPhone into Recover Mode. and Restore the Custom firmware.

Solution 3

iPhone 3G, 2G and iPod Touch 1G, iPod Touch 2G users running OS 3.1.2 can use a handy little utility named iREB (iTunes Restore Error Bypasser) to get rid of error 16xx or 29:

Download iREB
Start iTunes and put your iPhone into DFU mode:

How to Put iPhone in DFU Mode
Now close iTunes and Start iREB on your PC.
Select your device and wait for a few seconds till you get white or a red screen on your iPhone.
Open iTunes. Now press and hold left “alt” button (“Shift” button on Windows) on the keyboard and then click on “Restore” button in the iTunes. Select a custom firmware .ipsw file and restore it. Your 16xx or 29 errors are gone.

Please note that iREB is NOT a jailbreaking utility but it aids in jailbreaking iPhone or iPod Touch.

Solution 4

You may also try:

Update your iTunes to latest version.
Try again..
Also try killing iTunes process in Task manager and iPod services after the error occurs. Reopen iTunes and try again..
Try changing the USB port the or on another system.
read out http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1275

Here you can find ready made custom firmwares using PwnageTool:

If you want to jailbreak iPhone or iPod Touch 3.1.3 you can use RedSn0w, PwnageTool, Sn0wBreeze.. Jailbreak Guides linked below:

Jailbreak iPhone 3.1.3 with PwnageTool 3.1.5
Jailbreak iPhone 3.1.3 using RedSn0w 0.9.3
Jailbreak iPhone 3.1.3 using RedSn0w 0.9.3 (Mac)
Jailbreak iPod Touch 3.1.3 using RedSn0w 0.9.4
Jailbreak iPhone 3.1.3 using Sn0wBreeze
Jailbreak iPod Touch 3.1.3 using Sn0wBreeze

Have fun with jailbreaking and unlocking iPhone.

Update 1: Download PwnageTool 4.0

Update 2: Jailbreak iOS 4 with PwnageTool

Update 3: Jailbreak iPhone 3GS iOS 4 with PwnageTool

Update 4: Jailbreak iPhone 3G iOS 4 with PwnageTool

Update 5: Jailbreak iOS 4 with Sn0wBreeze

Update 6: Jailbreak iPhone 3GS, 3G iOS 4 with Sn0wBreeze

Update 7: Jailbreak iPod Touch iOS 4 with Sn0wBreeze

Update 8:

Download Sn0wBreeze 1.7 and Jailbreak iPhone 3GS NEW BootRom iOS 4, Jailbreak iPod Touch 3G iOS 4, Jailbreak iPod Touch 2G (MC) iOS 4
Download Sn0wBreeze 1.8 and Jailbreak iOS 4.1 Beta
Downgrade iOS 4.1 and Downgrade iOS 4.0
Jailbreak iPhone 4 Coming soon and iPhone 4 jailbreak Demoed by GeoHot

If this page or section of the page needs to be updated, Submit Request

Posted in: iPhone, iPhone Guides, Tutorials on February 13, 2010

Tags: Custom Firmware, error 16xx, Fix, guide, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iREB, PwnageTool, Sn0wBreeze

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Comments:

Vincent 13 February 2010 at 3:55 pm #

Thanks for all. Great Site, USEFUL 200%

Reply
Yenna 15 February 2010 at 5:40 pm #

I updated my 3gs firmware 3.1.2 to 3.1.3.I am not able to unlock them now.I followed all the steps.To Fix the error 160x i tried and then the iphone does not turn white or a red screen on your iPhone.
but at the end I have the file in the desktop.I tired to open itunes and install the custom ipsw file.Still i get the same error.
Please help

Reply
- FreePass 23 February 2010 at 9:15 am #
  
  I got the same problem.Why don’t you iPhoneheat guys help us out here?
  
  Reply
  - lain 10 March 2010 at 4:59 pm #
    
    hmm ive got the same here error 1600 with custom firmware restore it comes after itunes say “preparing iphone for restore” or so… IReb has no button for 3GS?
    nothing happens in ireb i can click everywhere.. :/
    maybe windows 7 isnt good for the tools..
    ill try to revive my very old xp machine and try it again
    
    Reply
    - K3nz0 14 July 2010 at 5:47 am #
      
      Try this way guys:
      + You don’t have to put the phone in DFU mode
      + Turn the phone on as usual
      + Connect it to Itunes
      + Restore the iOS 4 custom firmware (shift-window/alt(option)-MAC)
      
      That’s what i did for my iphone 3gs oldbootrom and it passed the errors
      
      I did try every solution the website suggests but i wasn’t successful.
      
      Give it a shot for my solution guys!
      
      Thank you! Good luck!
      
      Reply
Online management test >> LTG Sales Management >> Twitted by iTunes.apple.com application 2 March 2010 at 6:50 am #

… ] link is being shared on Twitter right now. @zenx, an influential author, said RT @1ndus: Xtreme … ]

Reply
master17 14 April 2010 at 12:03 am #

is there something like this for the 3GS?

Reply
HU 4 May 2010 at 2:13 pm #

I waited for a few minutes for the white screen to appear

Reply
Bob Vu 6 May 2010 at 5:52 pm #

Not work for 3GS

Reply
KoOLs 17 May 2010 at 8:52 am #

i have an iphone 3gs this iReb wont work for me..theres no 3gs button…

Reply
ateeque 20 May 2010 at 2:12 pm #

any solution of 3gs

Reply
- K3nz0 14 July 2010 at 5:49 am #
  
  Try this way guys:
  + You don’t have to put the phone in DFU mode
  + Turn the phone on as usual
  + Connect it to Itunes
  + Restore the iOS 4 custom firmware (shift-window/alt(option)-MAC)
  
  That’s what i did for my iphone 3gs oldbootrom and it passed the errors
  
  I did try every solution the website suggests but i wasn’t successful.
  
  Give it a shot for my solution guys!
  
  Thank you! Good luck!
  
  Reply
acutex 27 May 2010 at 7:18 am #

Looks like the world has forgotten about 3gs and our problems

Reply
speed_manan 1 June 2010 at 5:23 am #

when is the expected date for 3gs user to get rid of this problem my two iphones are giving me the same problem….i try to restore again to custom firmware and now its giving me error 16004 help out plzzz..or atleast tell us some date!

when 3.1.3 is going to be unlocked if someone has increased the baseband too???

Reply
- iPhoneHeat 1 June 2010 at 11:03 am #
  
  SOOOn! WWDC 10 is just 6 days away now
  
  Reply
Mrpotato00 3 June 2010 at 12:22 pm #

THIS WORKED FOR ME….Delete device support files (restore files) in iTunes folder in the following locations
– Windows 7 and Vista : C:/*UsersName*/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/iTunesDevice Support
– Windows XP : C:/Documents and Settings/*UserName*/Application Data/Apple Computer/iTunes/Device Support

Make sure to show hidden files under your folder options. folder appdata is hidden

hope this helps guys

Reply
- speed_manan 3 June 2010 at 3:29 pm #
  
  worked for which iphone? 3g or 3gs? i need to fix this error for my 3GS..help!
  
  Reply
  - MrPotato00 3 June 2010 at 11:09 pm #
    
    I tried it on a 2g. Just try it, could work.
    
    Reply
- mr bear 20 July 2010 at 3:02 am #
  
  I run Windows XP and searched/put in top browser C:/Documents and Settings/*UserName*/Application Data/Apple in my computer and it couldn’t find it. I found Mobile Device Support in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple and backed up the file and removed it, and tryed to just remove it another time and both failed with error 1604. am i removing the wrong file, or am i doing it wrong? can anyone help me?
  
  Reply
  - mr bear 20 July 2010 at 3:03 am #
    
    I tryed it on my Ipod Touch 2g IOS 4 software.
    
    Reply
Rogue5 28 June 2010 at 3:15 am #

As of 6/27/2010 the mediafile link that iREB has on their actual website is blocked by STOPzilla for being infected with Vundo.w

Reply
Anon Ymos 29 June 2010 at 12:14 am #

As for solution # 2: got an iphone 3 gs which was knocked out by an accidental upgrade to 3.1.3. Found the file to be deleted on win 7 in appdata/roaming/apple computer/itunes/iphone sofware updates. If I’m correct it’s the ipsw. Deleted it. Tried to transfer the ipsw made with snwobreeze and the ipsw made with pwnage downloaded here by recovery and dfu mode. Nothing worked. Error 1600 or 1604. Seems to be no way to jb that bitch!

Reply
- Anon Ymos 29 June 2010 at 12:23 am #
  
  to be added: got old bootrom.
  
  Reply
  - Anon Ymos 29 June 2010 at 2:59 pm #
    
    Tried solution # 1 w/o success in dfu and recovery with snowbreezed and pre-pwgned ispw. gets stuck during “preparing iphone for recovery” and comes up with either error 1600 or 1604 depending on whether jb was tried via dfu or recovery mode. Seems the only thing i can do is wait for redsnow to come up with a jb for the 3gs or simply buy a new iphone (do i really need one???).
    
    Reply
Tmagma 2 July 2010 at 10:30 am #

Pls i need help tryna jailbreak my iphone 3Gs 16Gig but i end up breaching the iphone. now it wont power on. what can i do ? it wont even show d apple white logo ,its just dead but itunes do recognizes it in DFU mode but wont restore to 3.1.3. im so fucked…sighs!!!

Reply
- iPhoneHeat 2 July 2010 at 7:15 pm #
  
  Getting your iPhone Out of DFU Mode:
  simply hold down the Home + power button for 10 sec then let go the home and keep holding the power button
  
  Reply
- sept 28 July 2010 at 11:49 pm #
  
  Ya,tried this with my 3g old bootrom and as soon i pressed the 3g button my iphone turned off and never turned on again.
  i left it 24 hours charging.
  dunno what to doo
  
  Reply
Aatif 3 July 2010 at 6:55 pm #

I’m back after a long time… stuck with an iPhone 3G running OS 3.0, and trying to update to 4.0 IPSW downloaded from your website. successfully manage to put it in recovery mode, but whenever I select Shift+Restore and provide the path to the IPSW, iTunes gets stuck on Preparing iPhone for Restoration (something) and after a loooong wait, gives error 1604. Tried everything suggested here but no use… any ideas?

Reply
- iPhoneHeat 4 July 2010 at 12:13 am #
  
  restore custom 3.1.3 or 3.1.2.. then go foe custom ios 4
  
  Reply
  - Aatif 4 July 2010 at 8:00 am #
    
    successfully restored 3.1.3, but then when I try ios 4, same error, same situation… any advice on what alternate approach could/should I try?
    
    Reply
    - Freepass 7 July 2010 at 1:59 am #
      
      Restored back to 3.1.2-thank you to the greatest iPhoneHeat!!!
      Unfortunately , every time I try to upgrade my iPhone to Custom FW Restore included one that I built with Snowbreeze(Total of 3 Custom FW’s),I get these annoying 16XX errors.Posted troubleshootings did not help.
      Any advice in this case please?
      
      Reply
Yash 9 July 2010 at 7:27 pm #

hey!! . . i’ve got a 3GS with iOs 4 . . n is on emergency calls mode ! . . i cant activate the phone cauz i dont use at&t . . i tried to downgrade te firmware as well as restore a hacktivated version of iOs but while restoring 16xx error pops up . . what should i do??

Reply
- iPhoneHeat 10 July 2010 at 5:21 pm #
  
  you can downgrade only if you have SHSH blobs saved for an older version
  
  Reply
vuthithuhoa 15 March 2010 at 1:02 pm #

[...] Fix 16xx and 29 error During Custom Firmware Restore

Reply
vuthithuhoa 15 March 2010 at 1:04 pm #

an unknowk error occurred 29

Reply