How to Fix “Repair Needed” on the iPhone

by DailyMac on January 31, 2008

Disclaimer: I share with you this information from personal experience, and if your try this is exclusively your responsibility for any damages your iPhone may have. I am not responsible for anything that may happen for attempting this tutorial.

I came across this problem with an iPhone of a Client. The Repair Needed Screen apeared and when that shows up it something to worry about. I started to search what would be the solution, and many people have this problem and there is no known Fix.

The iPhone i was working had No WiFi , Bluetooth, IMEI , ICCID. The baseband was erased completely and this is very strange thing, and i remember in one forum thread that pspsully (i think thats the correct alias of the hacker) was very impressed with this achievement of Erasing the baseband completely.

I was still having the problem and no solution was near, so i have read that the new firmware 1.1.3 fixed this and i would give it a try, because i didn’t have WiFi to try other methods with SSH and terminal.

So the things that i did where like this Step By Step:

  • I had firmware 1.0.2 with no baseband, WiFi , Bluetooth, IMEI , ICCID
  • The next thing i did, was update the iPhone to firmware 1.1.1, ( try to get your iPhone on DFU mode with INdependence or iBrickr or use the 10 Seconds trick to get iPhone Restore on iTunes)
  • Once i was on firmware 1.1.1 i had no choice but to restore to firmware 1.1.3 because i had no WiFi and when i did the *#307# method the phone freezed because i had no baseband.
  • The next thing is a bit tricky but once i tell you is going to be easy, because i was stuck with some problems.

  • When you downgrade a firmware version the steps are:
  • a) Click on restore with alt key or shift on windows and select the desired firmware (in this case 1.1.3) b) Now that all the process of downgrading is on course an error at the end is going to happen. c) The normal thing to do is shut down iTunes and open INdependence or iBrickr and the iPhones gets out of DFU mode to activation screen.

  • When you are with firmware 1.1.3 you can’t get out of DFU or Restore mode with INdependence or iBrickr.
  • The next thing to effectively downgrade from 1.1.3 to 1.1.1 you will need to use the 10 seconds trick. Press sleep and home button for 10 seconds untill power is off, let go the sleep button but keep holding home untill your computer says iPhone in recover mode ( you need your iPhone conected to the computer) use this expample as reference
  • If you don’t use the 10 seconds trick and try to downgrade to 1.1.1 you will get an error (1) and you will be stuck with a 1.1.3 iPhone on recovery mode.
  • These new firmware rewrites all of your file system and restore the baseband and all the missing things (WiFi , Bluetooth, IMEI , ICCID)

  • Now that you Successfully downgraded to 1.1.1 you will need to restore with 1.1.1 firmware. This restore will get you on the Firmware 1.1.1 activation screen and now you may perform the *#307# jailbreakme.com method or any jailbreak method you know.
  • In my experience when i was at this stage the firmware had repaired the Repair Needed screen and now i had chance to Dial and get sound from the Phone (The baseband was restored, previously there was no sound)

    I am sure this may help a lot of people that have this problem. Comment here if you are going to try it and if this works for you post so every people can get this post as a reference.

    If this tutorial resolved your problem, don’t hesitate and donate whatever amount you wish. Thanks


edit: lotech commented this important thing.

WARNING!!!!!

Ok so to correct that above bit - if you do this process your bootloader will be updated too - which screws you for then downgrading to an unlockable baseband version.
You can still downgrade with the testpoint hack, but that involves pulling apart you iphone.

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{ 6 trackbacks }

iPhone Help ANYONE PLEASE - ModMyiFone.com | iPhone forums, iPhone hacks, iPhone unlock
May 18, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Repair needed - iPhone Forums at ModMyiFone.com - iPhone | iPod Touch, news, apps, themes.
June 30, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Error 1011 brick - what do you suggest me to do? - iPhone Forums at ModMyiFone.com - iPhone | iPod Touch, news, apps, themes.
July 7, 2008 at 2:54 am
Error 1011 brick - what do you suggest me to do? - Page 2 - iPhone Forums at ModMyiFone.com - iPhone | iPod Touch, news, apps, themes.
July 7, 2008 at 11:45 am
iphone needs repair - iPhone Forums at ModMyiFone.com - iPhone | iPod Touch, news, apps, themes.
July 11, 2008 at 6:36 pm
"repairs needed"...... - iPhone Forums at ModMyiFone.com - iPhone | iPod Touch, news, apps, themes.
August 17, 2008 at 3:43 pm

{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }

lotech February 1, 2008 at 5:32 am

This worked well, although I’m having issues with the baseband, although its now restored, it is not the anysim friendly version (mine restored to 04.03.13_G).
When I tried baseband downgrader it fails and I have to go back to the start and upgrade to downgrade 1.1.3.
I spent a solid 15hours til I found your tutorial confirming my thoughts about baseband and 1.1.3 - If you have a 3.9 Bootloader - you will always be able to downgrade the baseband - even in 1.1.3 and above.

Thanks heaps though - nearly got it unlocked.

lotech February 1, 2008 at 6:53 pm

WARNING!!!!!

Ok so to correct that above bit - if you do this process your bootloader will be updated too - which screws you for then downgrading to an unlockable baseband version.
You can still downgrade with the testpoint hack, but that involves pulling apart you iphone.

Batman February 5, 2008 at 10:40 pm

Hi,

I had the same problem/scenario. No WiFi , Bluetooth, IMEI , ICCID. I have a 1.1.2 OTB. Firmware was downgraded to 1.0.2.

I decided to try the steps above but I can’t get pass to bringing my iphone to 1.1.1. I used the 10sec trick to put my phone in DFU mode and then Click-Restore on 1.1.1. After 6 mins, itunes ended-up with error (1011).

My iphone is now showing the itunes+cable logo.

Any help is very much appreciated.

Big Thanks!

Batman February 5, 2008 at 10:41 pm

hello

Nik February 7, 2008 at 10:14 am

I have a phone with a similar problem even after upgrading to 1.1.3 im still have no baseband.i put the phone on 1.0.2 and jailbroke it i tried to restore the BB but im unable to unload the comm layer .
did i miss anything

Sarkar February 8, 2008 at 11:50 am

Not getting this to work.

Basically my baseband is gone and I’m trying to follow the steps above. This is what I’ve done so correct me where I’m wrong.

1. Have 1.1.2 firmware and restore to 1.1.3 so baseband gets fixed.
2. DFU mode down to 1.1.1
3. Restore to 1.1.1

This doesn’t work for me. I boot the phone with iBrickr but still “Repair needed…”

Sarkar February 8, 2008 at 12:23 pm

This is not working for me. My baseband got messed up wile on firmware 1.1.1. and now it needs repair. I’ve tried upgrading to 1.1.3 and then downgrade to 1.1.1, but iTunes is still complaining. Can you help?

Jorge February 8, 2008 at 1:14 pm

After you restore to 1.1.1 you need to upgrade to 1.1.3 and then downgrade to 1.1.1 just follow the instrucctions above.

The iPhone in question was a 1.1.2 OTB

Jorge February 8, 2008 at 1:17 pm

Maybe you should go all the way down to 1.0.2 then to 1.1.1 and directly to 1.1.3 then downgrade to 1.1.1 and folow the steps.

That worked for me.

PoLLo February 8, 2008 at 6:12 pm

I just did it and it seems to work fine! I’m now praying and downgrading to 1.1.1.. hope it works.. I’ll post a comment after finishing..

Sarkar February 9, 2008 at 1:24 am

When you are in 1.1.1 with the not imei and slow screen, do you restore to 1.1.3 via DFU mode or via the usb cable screen?

Nik February 9, 2008 at 5:20 am

102 then to 111 in dfu? or normal restore ??then to 113 in dfu or normal .Plz elaborate?
For OTB 112 and 113 it now can be unlocked with the new unlock or should i say gunlock method.so it work on BL 4.6.
Waiting for 1.1.4 now :).

Daily rapidshare search February 9, 2008 at 9:36 am

Just what i needed. :)

x4hu February 10, 2008 at 4:47 pm

I did :
-Down to 1.0.2 , jailbreak/activate
-Upgrade with shift to 1.1.1 (got error 10xx)
-Restore to 1.1.3 with shift (got error 10xx)
-Down to 1.1.1 with shift and still got 1011 !
… I did the 10secs trick each times and that doesnt work for me. Cant get my IMEI/ICCID back.
Now i got a 1.1.1 iphone (error 1011) in dfu mod :cry:

Julio February 11, 2008 at 11:34 am

It worked great for me.

Mine was a 1.1.2OOTB. I “restored” to 1.1.3 and restored back again to 1.1.1. “Repair needed” message was substituted by another, but wifi and everything started working again, so I finally could unlock it using GeoHot method!

Thanks!

alexson February 12, 2008 at 7:11 am

Julio, how did you jailbreak it from 1.1.1? I did exactly as you did up until I needed to jailbreak 1.1.1, once I connect the phone to the wifi using the jailbreak method, while opening the page in safari jailbreakme.com It reports that the server can’t be found, aswell as any other address. It seems as if, even though it reported as it is connected, it didn’t actually? WiFi hotspot works definetly on other iphones. Any idea how to fix this?

Sarkar February 13, 2008 at 12:16 am

Guys. If you have Bootloader 4.6 use Zibris ZiPhone from http://www.iphone-elite.org/ Fixed mine in 3 mins!

Julio February 13, 2008 at 7:00 am

alexson: If your iphone is connecting right to the hotspot but you have no connection to internet it could be either an IP or DNS problem.

Are you using DHCP or static IP? You can try both methods. If you are using static IP be sure that no other machine in the local network is using the same IP. If you are using DHCP be sure that DHCP is enabled in the hotspot and that DNS are well configured for DHCP connection. If you are not sure of it, try static IP and configure DNS manually in your iphone (be sure that the DNS servers that you assign are working ok)

Good luck!

Nik February 13, 2008 at 2:17 pm

im on bootloader 3.9 ziphone 2.0 does not work.the WIFI is still greyed out i have tried evrything even tried dumping the nor and hex editing it then uploading it back to the phone still nothing.
i have no IMEI no WIFI no modem firmware version
when i do bbupdater -f *.fls it flases it but it says could not verfify bootloader
this phone is just going to be used for parts now :)
cheers

Nonex February 14, 2008 at 2:09 am

IF U HAVE REPAIR NEEDED ON UR SCREEN!! :!: :!:

JUST RESTORE IT TO ITS ORIGINAL VERSION OF FIRMWARE OTB. WITH DFU MODE, REMEMMBER U HAVE TO BE ON DFU MODE TO RESTORE IT TO ITS ORIGINAL FIRMWARE, AT THE END U LL GET AN ERROR ITS OK. JUST RESTORE IT AGAIN IN RESTORE MODE (NOT DFU) NOW U SHOULD BE ABLE TO RESTORE WITHOUT ANY ERROR AND GET FRESH IPHONE FIRMWARE :grin: , ENJOY N GOOD LUCK

Nonex February 14, 2008 at 2:26 am

EASY WAY TO FIX IF U GET REPAIR NEEDED ON UR SCREEN :mrgreen:

STEP)1 PUT UR IPHONE IN DFU MODE AND RESTORE IT TO ITS ORIGINAL FIRMWARE VERSION OTB. (WHEN U BOUGHT UR IPHONE U HAD ONE OF THESE 111. 112. OR 113. RESTORE IT TO THE ONE U HAD FIRST) AND U LL GET AN ERROR AT THE END DONT PANIC ITS OK, JUST RESTORE IT AGAIN TO THE SAME FIRMWARE U RESTORED, IN NORMAL RESTORE MODE WITH CABELS ON UR SCREEN (NOT DFU MODE THIS TIME) NOW IT SHOULD RESTORE COMPLETELY WITHOUT ANY ERRORS :grin: , NOW U SHOULD HAVE WIFI AND ALL OTHER THINGS WORKING, HOPE THIS HELPS GOOD LUCK :grin:

Wuki February 14, 2008 at 10:35 pm

Nonex what error code do you get the first time you restore (the one in DFU Mode) 1011,1013 or 1015?

Batman February 15, 2008 at 9:45 pm

Hey guys,

I have an 112 OTB and lost my wifi, sound, imei.

I’ve revived my iphone using the following steps:

Restore to 1.1.3 in iTunes
Downgraded to from 1.1.3 to 1.1.1 and jailbreaked it following this post (Please note that I did not do the “DOWNGRADE the BASEBAND” Step): http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=630

Installed BSD Systems
Installed Terminal
Installed Oktoprep
Ran Geohotz 1.1.2/1.1.3 unlock from installer
Reboot phone
Once completed, uninstalled Geohotz
Upgraded to 1.1.2
Ran Jailbreak

Plugged in your SIM Card.

BTW, I’m from the Philippines and GLOBE Telecomm is my Provider.

Enjoy! Let me know if this works for you. Cheers!

Anant February 24, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Thanks alot bro..you’re a life saver.

Danny February 28, 2008 at 6:38 pm

how do you downgrade a 1.1.2 OTB phone to 1.0.2 if it has BL 4.6

Danny February 29, 2008 at 11:39 am

how could you downgrade and jailbreak 1.1.2 OTB if baseband is dead, you are liying

GGBt/@gmail.com February 29, 2008 at 7:38 pm

This worked perfectly thank you!

tyrone March 5, 2008 at 7:29 am

I’ve tried it all. No matter what, I continuously get 1011 error. It is a 1.1.2 OTB. Ziphone sticks at a certain point. I’m losing hope. Someone plz help me

mohammad irfan April 21, 2008 at 7:34 am

plzzzzzzzzz :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: z help me people i dint understand :sad: plzzzzzzz it was easy until the examle came wheat to do with that?? can some one add me in hotmail and explain plzzzz irfan_mohd_007@hotmail.com plzzz

mohammad irfan April 21, 2008 at 7:54 am

help needed plzzzzz for god sake add me on irfan_mohd_007@hotmail.com

Kylie Nguyen May 2, 2008 at 2:22 pm

Hei how do you type the number and make a call with *#307# trick with no baseband. I tried to do it but it did not work. Type number was slow and it could not make a call.

Angel May 19, 2008 at 9:58 am

I have firmware 1.1.4 with no baseband, WiFi , Bluetooth, IMEI , ICCID, no sound, please someone can hel me??
what to do??

Ovi June 8, 2008 at 7:29 pm

hi all
i have a BIG probllem i bought a new 1.1.4 iphone did evereything with iliberty+ and one day i dont know why:)))i select the option restore 3.9 fb to 4.6 original and got an error an from there i try all the methods from the net and i am in the same place….error 1011 and repair needed…can anyone give me the precise way to restore to factory settings????thx

filip June 22, 2008 at 3:47 am

hey, i had this repair needed problem twice…and i did the restore and unlock thing twice…i have 1.1.4., i did it through the ziphone app….does anybody know what can cause this problem? the apps in installer? after i did the restore 1st time, it happened after a month of use without any problems…so i restored and unlocked it again. now i’m tryin to figure out which applications in installer are dangerous and which arent. i dont wanna do it again…i’m from slovakia thats why i need to have an unlocked iphone. thank you

mike July 6, 2008 at 12:51 am

i tryed this and when trying to downgrade to 1.1.1 i got error (1011) did i do something wrong

jade May 7, 2009 at 3:24 am

i need help how to fix my iphone could anyone help me??????????????? My bottom screen dose not work at all ??? but the top screen work fine

jade May 7, 2009 at 3:28 am

:wink:

kiran January 18, 2010 at 5:34 pm

i have a problem that my iphone is showing data cable and itunes sign. it only shows emergency call option. when i connect to itunes it says iphone is locked with passcode and enter passcode but iphone is not showing option to enter passcode. it is not connecting with itunes. my iphone is 2g and version 3.01. help me mail me in kiran_adh@hotmail.com..plz plz …don’t know what happened

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