Comfort and ease are two things most Apple products offer, but like every other product of technology out there, users are likely to run into issues at a certain time, one of which is the Apple error 9006.
While working with your iTunes, were you greeted by “There was a problem downloading software for the iPhone. An unknown error occurred (9006)” error message, or you noticed an “err = 9006” alongside a failed or stopped download of your iPhone software update?
If yes, you aren’t alone.
Many users have experienced the iTunes error 9006. With the help of the solutions here, they were able to solve it.
Before we dive into the solutions to solve this menace, let us first know about this error.
What is Error 9006 on iTunes Mac?
The error 9006 message often shows up when users are trying to download, update, or restore an iDevice with iTunes. It usually occurs due to iTunes software being unable to connect to iOS software update servers.
However, it sometimes could be due to a broader internet problem or even a specific computer, OS version, network, or iTunes version.
Users had also reported that they experienced this error when they tried upgrading to iOS 10 or other newer versions. It isn’t specific to any particular operating system as both Windows and Mac users could experience it.
Following the “Try again later” advice appended to this error seldom works, but this doesn’t mean any severe hardware or software crashes have happened; with this article, you’ll be able to solve the unknown error 9006.
How do I fix the Apple iTunes Error 9006?
They are different ways to troubleshoot and fix this error. I’ll suggest you take the solutions serially, or you skip a method you’ve already tried.
1. Reboot your Device
To ensure we try everything possible, you should try rebooting your phone. All you have to do is press the Power button and slide to power off. If you are unable to restart your device the usual way, you should force restart it.
For iPhone 6 or older versions, simultaneously press and hold the Home and Power buttons until the screen goes black. As soon as you see the Apple logo, you let go of the buttons.
To force restart iPhone 7 and other versions without a Home button, simultaneously press and hold down the Power and Volume button, then let go when the screen goes blank, and the Apple logo comes on.
2. Update iTunes
Updates are essential parts of technology; most updates fix bugs, optimize performance, boost security, improve interfaces, and much more. A simple iTunes update may resolve the error 9006.
1. Quit the iTunes app and open your App store.
2. Check if there’s an iTunes-related update, then download and install them.
3. Check your Network Connection
It won’t likely be a cause, but you should check your network connection to be sure we tried everything. Try accessing a site on your desktop browser. To be sure it isn’t your network, try connecting with a different WiFi connection.
4. Reboot your Computer
Another possible fix will be to restart your computer. Most times, a simple restart can solve many issues. On your MacBook computer, go to the Apple Menu and select the Restart option.
5. Change the USB port
Disconnect your iDevice from your system and reconnect it in a different USB port. Most times, this single act may resolve the unknown error 9006.
6. Update your Device Operating System
Although it predominantly affects your iDevice, the synced system may have created several mismatched versions, which results in the error 9006.
- Locate and open your App Store.
- Click on the Update all button at the top-right corner.
- Allow Mac to download and install all updates, then reboot your system entirely.
7. Temporarily Disable All antivirus and Firewalls
Most times, antivirus and systems firewalls could prevent you from installing apps in the bid to protect your device. Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall; the steps to do this varies with each antivirus and system.
- Find out the security program on your system, then open it and Toggle it off or click the Disable button.
- Restart your system
- Launch iTunes and check if the problem persists.
Also, check your internet firewall or any other internet security available and ensure they do not block communication between your device and albert.apple.com or phobos.apple.com. Find the complete list of the server here.
8. Disconnect and reconnect your phone during operation
Most users claim they fixed the issue by disconnecting their device while the update was downloading.
- Put your iDevice in Recovery Mode, then allow iTunes to start downloading the update.
- While the download is going on, disconnect your phone.
- Once the update is about finishing, reconnect your iDevice, and the update should be installed.
Some other users followed these steps.
- Enter DFU mode on your iDevice and click on Restore, then Restore and Update.
- Pause the download on iTunes, then disconnect your iDevice.
- Restart your iDevice, then resume the download.
- Reconnect it to the computer and put it back in DFU mode.
- Allow the process to finish, then click the Restore option.
9. Set the right time and date
Typically, your device’s time and date are automatically synced. In rare cases, the time and date settings are not configured to set up automatically, so make sure your device is running the actual date and time
- Click on the Apple logo, which is often at the top of your Mac.
- Select System Preferences, then click on Date & Time.
- Tick the Set date and time automatically check box.
10. Delete and Reinstall the .ipsw file
IPSW files are part of Apple Device Software Update. If these files get corrupted, they may trigger the iTunes error 9006; the solution will be to delete and replace them.
On your Mac computers, you can find these files within the iTunes folder inside the folder with the name of the type of mobile device you are using. That is
- iPhone: ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
- iPad: ~/Library/iTunes/iPad Software Updates
- iPod touch: ~/Library/iTunes/iPod Software Updates
Some old Mac operating system might have these files in an entire iTunes folder within the Application Support folder; it could look like this (again with your mobile device type);
- ~/Library/Application Support/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
When you locate and delete the IPSW files, visit this link to download a newer version. Ensure you select the precise version of your device and its actual IPSW file on the download page. Download them to a location you will remember.
Next, connect your iDevice to the computer with a suitable USB cable and launch the iTunes app. Click on your designated device icon from the left sidebar and select the left sidebar’s Summary section.
iTunes shows you both a Check for Update and Restore iPhone option, hold down the Command and Options key, then click the option you wish to perform. Mac will open the file browser window, select the newly downloaded IPSW files and click Open. This should resolve the Apple error 9006 on your system.
Wrapping Up
The Apple error 9006 is quite annoying; many reasons could cause it; however, to solve it, you should Check your device’s connection, Restart your computer and iDevice, Update your iTunes and System operating system, or Delete and reinstall the .ipsw files. Please share with us what worked for you, and thank you for visiting us.
