Solve “This device isn’t eligible for the requested build error” while updating your iOS device! [Works on iOS6]

This is a potential fix for the common “This device isn’t eligible for the requested build” when upgrading to a higher version of iOS on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. 

The error is very common in iTunes when you try to restore a firmware. Solving the problem is simple. The error is just a software error and has got nothing to do with your devices’ hardware. I have answered some questions for you below so that you’d be clear in what you are doing. Read and follow each and every step carefully. And this is going to make your life much easier.

What is this error?

The error occurs for either of the three following reasons:

  • You have got a older version of iTunes installed on your computer.
  • You have accidentally (unknowingly) changed your host file, which would restrict iTunes in contacting the Apple servers
  • You are using an incorrect version of iOS firmware to upgrade your iDevice.
We will now try solving the issue one by one.
Check your iTunes version:
Check if you have got the latest version of iTunes installed. You can cross check the version here from the Apple’s website. If you aren’t on the current version of iTunes, download it from Apple.
[add_button colour=”green” position=”Full width” link=”http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/”]Download iTunes for your PC[/add_button]

Check your iOS firmware version for your device:

If you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer, and think that’s not the problem, check which version of iOS firmware you have downloaded. The best way to solve this problem is to connect your device to your computer, fire-up iTunes, and click on the Update button for your device. Let iTunes take care of the rest of the process.

If you are relying on Jailbreak or Unlock, and in any-case, you need to download the firmware files separately for your device and then update it, you can download the required firmware files for your device here:

This has been a problem for many users. Especially with this who unknowingly download CDMA iOS firmware for their iPhone 4 missing out the fact that they have for a GSM iPhone in their hand. I have listed according to the device and their appropriate version. Download the correct version of the firmware for your device from the above links. Just restore your device with the downloaded firmware with iTunes after you finish downloading it.
Restoring with downloaded IPSW: All you need to do is hold down Option key on the keyboard and click on the Restore button on iTunes for your device. Use Shift key for Windows PC.
Check your host file for errors:
If you still think you are on the right track, and face the error again and again, then the problem is exactly with your host file, that won’t let iTunes contact the Apple’s servers for authentication.

The only way to solve this error is to edit the host file in your computer. All you need to do is to add the following line at the end of the host file:

# 74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com

If you already have ‘#’ in front of 74.208.105.171.gs.apple.com, and you still face the error, try removing the line itself from your host file.

I’m not sure how to edit the host file. How do I do it?

This is a very small process. All you have to do is to follow the following steps to edit your host file:

Mac:

    1. Click Finder
    2. At the top menu, click Go.
    3. Select “Go To Folder” from the submenu.
    4. Type “/private“.
    5. Open the folder “etc” and locate the “hosts” file.
    6. Copy it to some folder and right click on the file and click show info and make sure you have the rights to read and edit it.
    7. Open it with text editor.
    8. Add “ #74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com” to the end of the file.
    9. Now, save the file. Your host file will look like this after you edit.
    10. Copy it back into the “etc” folder and replace the old “hosts” file.
    11. Restart iTunes and it should be fixed.

If you are on Windows, you will find the host file in C:>Windows> System32> drivers> etc> hosts folder. Use Notepad to edit the file.

If you are experiencing this error still, please let me know. We will find a solution! Give us a like if you fixed the problem:

Using TinyUmbrella to edit host file:

You can alternatively use TinyUmbrella to change the host file back to normal.

  1. Download TinyUmbrella for Mac or Windows
  2. Click on Advanced tab
  3. Uncheck “Set Hosts to Cydia on exit”
You are almost done. Just quit TinyUmbrella and to be on the safer side, Restart your computer. The error should have been fixed.

If you still have no luck in getting out of this error, just use a Windows PC, Use Sn0wbreeze to cook a custom firmware, restore that IPSW and you’re good to go! 


Please feel free to drop a comment if you are still facing this problem. I will help you out until you fix the issue!

Additional: Remember to checkout Naaptol Coupons here.

  • Nicole

    I changed all of these settings and I am still getting an iTunes error of 1600. Any suggestions?

    • Put your device in DFU mode. USe some tools like PwnageTool. These will help you put your device in DFU mode. After changing the hosts file, try restarting the machine. That might also do the trick! 🙂

  • Put your device in DFU mode. USe some tools like PwnageTool. These will help you put your device in DFU mode. After changing the hosts file, try restarting the machine. That might also do the trick! 🙂

  • Peter

    Hey Karthik, thanks for the tips, I am still experiencing the same error, despite placing phone in DFU mode with Pwnage tool. Any suggestions?
    Thanks

    • Hi Peter,
      The only best way is to keep trying again and again. Try in a different system. Try different methods to restore. Did you check the host file?

  • Peter

    Hey Karthik, thanks for the tips, I am still experiencing the same error, despite placing phone in DFU mode with Pwnage tool. Any suggestions?
    Thanks

  • ZxxZ

    this is great it really works.
    thanks

    • Thanks! 🙂 Hope you got your iDevice fixed! 🙂

  • Thanks! 🙂 Hope you got your iDevice fixed! 🙂

  • somedood

    So… the "How do I solve it" section says add "74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com" to the end of the hosts file.

    Then #8 of the instructions says "Add # 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com” to the end of the file.", which comments it out. Which is it?

    • You can comment it out if you've got some issues while downgrading. It doen't contact Apple's server when commented! 🙂

  • You can comment it out if you've got some issues while downgrading. It doen't contact Apple's server when commented! 🙂

  • Dean K

    YOU ROCK!!! Thanks so much! Been working on this for hours!

    • Thanks Dean. :-). Hope this was helpful. 🙂

  • Andrico

    it worked after about 6 tries the device must be in dfu mode

    • Good to know that! Hope the post was helpful! 🙂

  • trdracer

    thank you god!!! it workds

  • Daniel

    Exellent!! Thank you very much!!!

  • Daniel

    Exellent!! Thank you very much!!!

    • Welcome! Hope that worked for you! 🙂

  • Short Cuts

    Hi there

    I have an ipod touch 4 and get this error when I try to restore it. I’ve put it in dfu mode succesfully – and the host file is also as described above. I keep getting the “this device isn’t eligible for the requested build” error!

    I have tried to restart itunes as well a reboot my mac.

    The Ipod haven’t previously been used/synced with itunes on my computer.

    What do I do wrong?

    • Hi Short Cuts,
      Letting me know which OS you were previously in and which version of iTunes and Mac you use could be of great help! 🙂

  • Jamie

    Thank you so very very much.
    About to leave for Europe and was contemplating the thought of leaving my iPad 2 behind. So stupid of me to upgrade to iOS 5. Back to the real release, lesson well learnt. 🙂

  • Ben

    still won’t work for some reason.
    I jailbreaked and unlocked my phone quite some time ago. Now wanna update it since certain apps won’t work anymore. Every update is fine – tryied 4.0.1.

    iPhone 3GS 3.0.1 (7A400) baseband 04.26.08

    Mac OS X 10.6.8

    iTunes 10.3.1

    followed the instructions and added “# 74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com” in the hosts file but am still getting the error message “This device ……”

    Please help me out.

    • Try adding the line without #. That might even work. And to which iOS version are you trying to install?

      • Ben

        leaving out the # didn’t make any difference.
        Im shooting for 4.0.1 at the moment but I’d also update to another version if it’d be easier. Got no preferences.

        • Trying again and again or trying in a different computer would also solve the issue.

    • I’m not sure what the issue is. Is your’s Jailbroken or needs an unlock? If not, you can go ahead and update as such!

  • WW

    thnx works great!

    • Nice that it worked for you! 🙂

  • Joe

    This worked beautifully!! I’ve never jailbroken or upgraded my phone outside of apple, yet I was still getting this message! Thanks for the fix!! (your text instructions are not correct though I think… the number on the image and the number in the text is different… i used the one in the image and it worked 🙂 )

    • Wow! Nice that it worked for you Joe! 🙂

  • Justin Lai

    I’m having trouble with an iPhone 3Gs. I was stuck in the recovery loop after downgrading to 4.3.3 from 4.3.4. I used a custom ISPW (because I changed the baseband) via iTunes, but received this error continually. Any help? Thanks.

  • gilad

    Cool, it solved my problem.

  • Oscar Perez

    gracias!!! me sirvió a la perfeccion!!! thanks a lot!!

  • Scot

    it says i don’t have the permission. how do i fix that?

  • James

    Hi, I’m following the exact procedures but after editing and trying to replace the old Hosts file with the new one, I get a “This operation can’t be completed because the requested file is in use” error.

    I’m running OS X on Lion now, and have tried copying it over with iTunes closed and open.

    Any ideas?! Any help would be much appreciated!

    • Just do a hard restart of your mac and try again!

  • James

    * sorry typo “required item is in use”

    • Res0prw2

      Same here. I am unable to replace the original hosts file with the updated one and I get this same error message.

      I am also running Lion

    • Res0prw2

      I was having the same problem James. I just renamed the hosts file in /etc to “hosts1” and then I was able to copy my updated hosts file from my desktop into the /etc folder. Worked like a charm. Just remember to delete the original hosts file you renamed to “hosts1” (or whatever you renamed it).

      Hope that works for you.

  • Hardyan

    i’m trying to upgrade my ipod touch 4 to 4.3.3 firmware, because i want to jailbreak it with that firmware, i change the hosts and it still shows “this device isn’t eligible for the requested build”

    i’m using Mac OSX 10.6.8

    iTunes 10.4

    please help me Karthikk…

    • I don’t think you need to have your SHSH saved or the host file to be modified if you’re upgrading. You can jailbreak after upgrading using the normal procedure!

  • djt23

    First had issue with “not eligible for requested build” then updated the host file as you suggested and ran into a problem just like James with replacing the old hosts file. Fixed that by renaming old hosts file, copying new hosts file to /etc, then deleting old hosts file. Restarted iTunes and tried to restore using 4.3.3 firmware–>Not eligible for requested build!

    What’s the issue here and how do I fix this? My device is in DFU mode too, FYI.

  • CK ;D

    I still receive the same error message from iTunes stated that my iPhone isn’t eligible for the request build. HELP!!! I wanna get rid of the tethered Jailbreak on my iOS 4.3.4 and update to 4.3.5.

  • Rainier

    Is the new version of iTunes got something to do with this? I cannot downgrade also, and same thing is being said: Not eligible for requested build. I am really desperate. My iPhone 4 turned to iPhone Touch…

  • Thanks, worked for me. !!!

  • Thanks!

    It’s working here. Really good to know that thing. Thanks again.

  • karan

    Hi Kartik, I have a jailbroken Iphone 4 running ios 4.3.3.. i use the gevey sim to use the airtel network. now, i dont want a jailbroken iphone. But after restoring to ios 4.3.3 or 4.3.5 will require an at&t chip to activate my iphone( which i dont have) is there anyway i can activate my iphone without jailbreaking it? Please help!

  • Dennis

    This article needs corrected. The line you show in the “How do I solve it?” section is correct. That line in step 9 is incorrect.

    Summary: Try it first with the line without the #, and if that doesn’t work try it with the line completely removed.

    Details:

    Adding the line to your hosts file with the # does absolutely nothing. That makes the OS ignore the line.

    If you jailbroke your phone in the past, and had your shsh hash saved by Cydia, you (or something else) might have added the line without the # in your hosts file so you could use the Cydia server to verify your iPhone. The line without the # tells iTunes to access Cydia instead of Apple to verify.

    Now, if you aren’t jailbreaking anymore, or you didn’t save your shsh with Cydia, the line without the # won’t help you. So you’ll need to remove the line entirely if it is in your hosts file. This will again cause iTunes to verify with Apple.

    Since this post is a high hit on google, and is misinformative, I’d hope it can be corrected. Thanks!

    • Thank you so much! Updated it! 🙂

  • nathalie millan

    I’m getting the same error regardless of several attempts and restarting my Mac as well as itunes. Im trying to downgrade my ipad 2 from 4.3.5 to 4.3.3. Please help!

    • This method should work. And you are trying in DFU mode right?

  • TechWonder

    I have been on this all morning and so far Dennis is the closest to making sense.

    Adding a line to then comment it out makes no sense.

    The IP addresses Karthi is referring to in both the outlined and the image (which dont match) are CYDIA.

    If you have never jailbroken your phone/pad/touch you will not see this in your hosts file so don’t add it.

    If you have jailbroken and not saved your SHSH with CYDIA after jailbreaking, adding the line wont really help either as CYDIA has no record of you.

    This is where I stand.

    My host file is this and it still won’t work.

    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost

    I have even added the default gs.apple.com (17.151.36.30) back in and that doesn’t work either.

    SO where does that leave you? I am no wizard at programming but it seems very coincidental that 4.3.5 was release solely to close the exploit that allowed jailbreaking of 4.3.3 and 4.

    Try upgrading to that and you will see how nice iTunes plays with you.

    The issue is then you cannot JB until our great DEV teams figure out a solution for 4.3.5.

    The good news is it will get you out of a brick situation if you are desperate… >:(

    That is it and I will let you know if get any further.

  • Moe

    Hello,

    I’ve tried everything but it still doesn’t work… I’ve deleted the line and unchecked the option that says “Set hosts to cydia on exit”… But still it says “this device isn’t eligible…” My 3GS runs iOS 4.1 now and I want to update it to 4.3.3, that doesn’t work! Updating to 4.3.2 also don’t work! What can I do? Help me please.

  • CC

    Should have mentioned. I’m on 4.3.5 and I’m trying to downgrade to 4.3.3. Using Snow Leopard (10.6.8). This was a very helpful post I found and when I ping myself I’m not getting the desired results.

    1. Open Terminal. You can type Terminal in the search in the upper right corner.
    2. When Terminal loads, type ping gs.apple.com and press enter.
    3. If you see something other than Reply from 17.112.176.11: bytes=32 you will need to edit your host file.
    4. Use Text Edit and open up host file in /etc/hosts
    5. Find the line 74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com and/or 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com and Add # sign to the front of it or delete the line(s).
    6. Save the file as a new file to the desktop.
    7. Copy the new file and overwrite the one in /etc/hosts. It will ask you for your administrator password before it will overwrite.
    8. You will then want to run the ping command to make sure it worked.

    • TechWonder

      CC, did that work? if you read my post above, you will see that my hosts file has no record of the Cydia ip addresses (74.xxx.xxx.xxx)

      gs.apple.com is resolving to 17.112.176.11 when pinging and it still wont let me downgrade to 4.3.3. Upgrading to 4.3.5 went as smooth as silk.

      I am telling you apple only wants people installing 4.3.5 as it is currently jailbreak proof.

      • TechWonder

        Don’t know why i didn’t look this up earlier..

        http://iphone4jailbreak.co/2011/07/25/apple-stops-signing-ios-4-3-3/

        Hope this drives it home.

        • John

          Well, this sounds bad news.

      • CC

        Thanks TW.
        Yeah, it’s pretty frustrating! I’ve seen a couple tethered options out there but I really don’t care to do that. Hope the Dev team figures something out soon!

  • EXP89

    THANK YOU. Greatly appreciate it. it did not work at first but then i copied it in the next line below the “fe….local hosts”
    this is exactly what i put……
    …………….broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    # 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

    Yes, I INCLUDED the “#” sign

    • EXP89

      by the way..i used MAC to do this on my Verizon (CDMA) 4.3.10 software iPhone 4 to upgrade it to IOS 5 beta 5.
      i downloaded the software from
      http://imzdl.com/#

  • Sid

    Thank you TechWonder (for giving the original Apple gs addr), Dennis (for informing about the significance of the “#” and the host file’s architecture in general) & Kartik(for writing this post which I could find using google and read all the comments)

    🙂

  • andrew

    i’m having issues with iPad 2 from 4.3.5 to 4.3.3, iTunes 10.4, Lion

    The iPad is in DFU mode, I’m not entirely sure that I’ve correctly changed the host file. Is there a specific extension that I should have for the file. I do so that in Finder the kind is listed as “Plain Text” instead of “Document”
    Thanks!

  • M@x

    Thanks man it works, after hours looking for the solution, you saved me !

    • Welcome M@x. Please share it with your friends! 🙂

  • Will G

    I offer you my most sincere thanks. I’d just about given up hope after reading Apple’s ‘catch’ that an unauthorized iOS 5 update might render a phone useless, requiring an ‘out of warranty repair’. I am, in fact, authorized for this beta, and yet it refused to install! You saved me countless hours of frustration and potentially a good deal of cash.

    • Will G

      I’d also like to point out that I used the “#” character before the address. It’s worth saying that the first time I replaced the hosts file in my etc folder, it didn’t take effect (I’m not going to lie, I panicked at this point), but all it took to get it to work was replacing the hosts file once more, then opening it to double check if the changes took place.

      Thanks again — iOS 5 is now running beautifully :]

  • Alex Lopez

    Thanks a lot!!!!!!!! I also added the # character the first time, but then tried it again without it and it worked. Restoring is underway as we speak!

  • Aipom

    Awesome work around! You saved my life! Thank you!

  • Csx

    Hey, I can’t seem to get past the ‘this device isn’t eligible for the requested build’…. I changed the hosts file and did everything as the instruction… What should i do? I am Using iPad1 With 4.3.5….trying to Downgrade to 4.3.3… Help?

    • Techwonder

      GUYS….. I am not sure if you have all read my post above.

      4.3.3 is dead. Unless you have jail broken your device, backed up your ECID with cydia, and altered your hosts file as mentioned in this thread, you will not get around this.

      Apple will NOT sign the request during your restore. It doesn’t exist to them anymore. it has been cracked and therefore replaced.

      • John

        TechWonder is right. I did a little bit of research those past few days. If you don’t have the backup files, your only option at this point is to wait for iOS 5, or jailbreak 4.3.5. with tethering.

  • Smith

    Please Help me.
    I changed the hosts file and did everything as the instruction…
    But one error occured ,”Unknown Error occured (1015)”
    How can I solve this???
    Need Help!!!

  • Andrea

    I changed hosts files and did everything as the instruction.
    But after restoring my iPhone, 1015 error occured.
    Help!!!

  • Reeses

    It’s seems as though this method does not work with 4rth generation iPod Touch’s.

  • careless

    i was in the middle of jailbreaking my cousins iphone 4 when something went wrong…it was originally an ios 4.3 but i used pwangetool on a 4.3.3 which worked on my iphone.
    t its stuck in recovery mode loop. ive tried to kick it out of recovery using tiny umbrella ,recboot and even tried booting it through redsn0w.
    i have no idea what to do now!! apparently i dont have the permissions on my mac to edit the host file…
    PLEASE HELP ME!!!

    • careless

      btw i tried to update and restore to 4.3.5 but that wont work either..

  • Airfoce Bella

    Hey guys I was searching the net for two days, arranged the host files in tons of different ways and nothing work!! the only thing that saved me was a PC computer!!! i updated itunes to the latest software and clicked restore and update and now i have my phone successfully restore!! woah!! hope this work for some!

  • Danish

    THANK YOU SO MUCH!! this helped me fix my 3.1.3 to 4.3.3 problem, its installing as i type! THANK YOU!

  • David A. Maisel

    I have an iPad 1 running 4.3.5 and a MacBook running 10.6.8 – I followed the directions and it didn’t work. I then restarted BOTH devices and it still does’t work.

    What do I do now?

  • alexei

    Hi! I’m probably stupid, but I can’t replace the Host file. System write me “file can’t be replaced because it’s in use” (or something like that – My system on Russian language). How can I stop using this file and finally replace it?

    • KhanSR

      Alexei when trying to replace the hosts file, you get the error that the file is in use, try moving the existing hosts file to trash and then copying the new file over.

      It worked for me! Btw, I didn’t have to add the hashtag in front of the address that you have listed above.

  • Rob Harrison

    This didn’t work for me sadly. I notice that your line 8 conflicts with the ip address in the image – can you confirm which one should be used?

    BTW, I’m trying to upgrade to beta 6 of ios5 on an iPad, having no success at all – tried all sorts – even restoring back to basics but no success at all.

    • Rob Harrison

      I’ve tried again today in case it was my error in editing the hosts file etc.

      I have an iPad1 and it was running the Beta 4 code. I missed the Beta 5 update so wanted to jump straight to Beta 6. My iPad had reset itself one evening (overnight) for reasons I’ll never know – so I proceeded with the normal update process, updated iTunes first and then tried the alt-restore and pointed to the Beta 6 .ipsw file. (iOS 5 beta 6 – iPad – 9A5202b).

      The process commences, ie the “Extracting software…” message appears and completes, but then I get the message “The iPad “blah blah” could not be restored. This device isn’t eligible for the requested build.” The serial number is in the database (verified again) and my iPhone4 happily upgraded.

      I’ve followed the instructions here but still no success – and I’ve tried the hosts file with the various IP addresses that have been suggested to no avail.

      If anyone has any suggestions on other things to try I’d be grateful.

      I have tried the upgrade from my Mac-Mini and my MacBook Pro, both exhibit the same outcome.

      Thanks,

      Rob.

  • Andrei

    I got the same error: “This device isn’t eligible for the requested build error”

    trying to jailbreak Apple TV 4.3

    please, help
    thank you.

  • Asif Ali

    I have a jailbroken iphone 4 gsm via redsn0w, running on 4.3.5. Would this solve the issue i have? I am trying to restore my iphone and the error message is coming up your device is not eligible..??

  • Matthias

    Thanks for your post. I tried to follow these instructions, however they don’t work for me either.

    I have an iPad 1G running iOS 5.4 beta, build (9A5274d). Ever since the installation of 5.4 the iPad doesn’t support OTA update any more. Meanwhile I switched to lion. Restoring the iPad via iTunes doesn’t work either.

    Would appreciate any help. Regards

    Matthias

  • Jesse

    THANK YOU! I finally got mine working again. I had to delete some preexisting code in the “hosts” file to make it identical to the one you have on the page, but after that it worked like a charm! Awesome!

  • Andy

    In your screenshot you show a # in front of the 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com line which rems it out. Take out the # and it should work.

    • Peter

      yeah it’s working right now. thanks Andy

  • Joe

    I tried taking out the # in the hosts, tried taking it out, and had the code exactly as displayed in the Screen Shots and am still getting the error. Any other ideas?

  • Mark

    I followed the instructions and was getting nowhere but I just copied exactly what was in the screenshot and got it working when I restarted iTunes.

    This is EXACTLY what’s in my hosts file starting with the two hashes:
    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    # 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

    • Devin

      Replacing everything with what you posted worked perfectly for me, thanks so much

  • John

    If a user has a previous jailbroken device then it is more than likely that their hosts file will have been edited to divert the “verification” to another site – typically one linked to Cydia, the installer for many jail broken devices.

    The 74.208.10.249 IP address is this divert. Therefore it should be commented out (hash at the line start) to send these requests to Apple, or uncommented (remove hash) to send them to Cydia.

    If I ping gs.apple.com from a machine with a normal hosts file I get 17.151.36.30 as the IP address. This is probably not the only verification server Apple operates!

    John

  • Lucas

    hi i’ve successfully edited the host file however when i try to copy it back it and this is what my host file looks like i hope i didn’t damage anything because i deleted the file and put the new one in with all the code this is what it looks like now

    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    # 74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com

    thats all and i still get the error i have the iTunes beta it even worked on my iPhone can you please help

    ?

    Thanks for your time

    Lucas

  • AJ Lopez

    Hi, Sadly I’m still having this problem with my iPhone 4 (4.3.5 GSM) Need a solution, thanks!

  • FuckApple

    I upgraded to 4.3.5 and it killed my VPN. Fuck you Apple.

  • AJ Lopez

    Never mind! Figured it out myself right when I posted, thanks!

    • Christian

      How did you get it to work? I’m on Iphone 4.3.5 and I’m trying to downgrade to 4.3.3. What does your host file look like?

      • AJ Lopez

        This is what I changed my host file to and this worked:

        ##
        # Host Database
        #
        # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
        # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
        ##
        127.0.0.1 localhost
        255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
        ::1 localhost
        fe80::1%lo0 localhost
        #174.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

  • henrik

    Hi

    mine looks like this, but still no luck, plz help

    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    # 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

  • Orbita

    Here is another way to do that:

    Open Terminal

    1- Type “sudo nano /etc/hosts”
    2- then type your password
    3- move with the arrows until you get to the end of the document.
    4- add manually “# 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com”
    5- press ctrl+X to exit
    6- press Y to save the file
    7- then press enter to save it under the same name (no rename).
    8- voila!!! Enjoy.

  • None

    Ah! Something that finally fixed it! Mine had that last line, but without the # mark. Adding the hash fixed it and now both my iPhone 4 (brand new too!) and older iPod Touch are now up to date on software and happy! Thanks!
    Note: Neither of mine were ever hacked/cracked/jailbroken in any way.

  • Ajay Ahuja

    My Settings
    Ipad 2 running 4.3 (8F190)

    Hosts File details

    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    # 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

    Still doesn’t work same error message

  • NIck

    Im having the same issu I have gone through the actual host file and also tried to edit it with terminal. I have a 3GS 4.3.5 and lion 10.6.8. Someone please help.

  • alberto

    hello everybody leave the host at 74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com when you open up itunes put your phone in dfu mode it worked for me

  • Jamilu Kabir

    it works like a charm only if you edit what is inside your host file to exactly what is in his Thank you very much

  • alex cerio

    hey guys – ive tried everything from this site and many more – i bought a phone in the US that was jailbroken – all im trying to do is restore 4.3.3 non custom in order to be able to start afresh –

    ive tried everything but with no luck – all i get this the not eligible erro message – after every variable of host edits etc.

    HELP !

  • Alberto

    Ok I managed to restore my iPhone back to 4.3.5 you have to download tiny umbrella and run ssh ones you’ve done that open iTunes put your phone on dfu mode and restore using Ipsw 3.3.3 it’s gonna give you the same error message and then open up tiny umbrella and select kick out recovery mode once it indicates to connect to iTunes open up redsn0w and do a jailbreak you may end up with a null carrier if you do just simple restore from iTunes DO NOT USE ANY ORHER IPSW just click restore button and you should be good . If you did not save your ssh with cydia prior to installing iOS 5 then I don’t think this will work for you

    • alex cerio

      isnt this for a teathered jailbreak?

      im not even too fussed about it being jailbroken i just want it to work! it was a US phone im in the UK – should that matter?

      even if i try a custom ipsw for 4.3.3…or the origional that ive downloaded and is what ive pwangtooled the custom one from i get the same error message.

  • Nathalie

    I’ve tried doing this for the last 2 days with no luck! I’m getting so frustrated. I have an iPad 2 which was upgraded to 4.3.5. I never jailbroke it before so I don’t have any ssh blogs saved anywhere. I’m on a macbook and I’ve downloaded both 4.3.3 & 4.3.2 Ipsw files from the links above. I changed the hosts file exactly the way you said to do it. Over and over and over again with the same stupid 3194 error! I’m getting so mad,I’ve tried EVERYTHING Over and over. Please help I’m losing my mind here! And yes my iPad 2 was in dfu mode. Thanks!

    • Christian

      I am in the same situation and having the same problem. I need a solution bad.

  • alex cerio

    are they’re any other ways of factoy resetting a jailbroken iphone4 GSM without using itunes?

  • Spartans!

    Oh my. Tried this for 2 weeks, without any success. Then I put my ipad 1 in DFU mode after editing the host file – worked like a charm!

    Thanks!!!!!!!

  • Lorenzo

    Thank you so much, you have save my time and my energy! You are the greatest

  • Daniel

    Dude your a lifesaver fixed my phone instantly its been back and forth research making this work… thanks!!!!!! 🙂

  • Alberto

    No problem gladi can help

  • Hi,

    Thanks for this Article, But I tried it thousands of times on my Mac and iphone 3gs with no luck.

    here is the host files that I tested :

    ========
    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    #74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com
    ==========

    And :

    ==========
    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    #74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com
    ==========

    also I tried removing “#” for both but there was no luck,

    Any help will be appreciated.

    thanks

  • fear

    put it in dfu and it works like a charm

  • Aashy

    Hey All,

    I have also tried all the permutations of the host code. Any updates would be appreciated!

    Thanks,

  • Thank you so much! You are a life saver…I really could not tell you how much it means to me that you would post this. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  • Tom S.

    Extremely helpful thanks you so much. Your incredibly smart for fixing this. <3

  • Pablo

    It didn’t work for me. Trying to downgrade IPhone 4 from 4.3.5 to 4.3.3. No luck despite of DFU and hosts modification. Any idea?

  • Justin

    just FYI…i had added the ip address line to fix an issue in the past and i actually had to REMOVE it in order for iTunes to stop giving me the “device isn’t eligible” error. weird!

  • chachacha

    I was trying to update from the 4.3.1 to the 4.3.5 and i got the message. After reading this post i went to the host file and noticed that i had all minus the # on “# 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com” so i added and it worked!!!!

    Thank you!

  • Beka

    did anyone encounter error 11 ? or know how to fix it ? it appears after preparing iPhone for restore

  • clint

    I just downloaded iOS 5 gm from a torrent site, I know, piracy sucks, but I couldn’t wait any longer, anyhow, I installed it, which I was un aware apple now goes right into checking if your legit, which they closed the voiceover loophole to activate without a dev account. I am trying to downgrade, but no luck so far. I have followed your directions to the letter, do I need to downgrade iTunes also? Any help would be appreciated, I got error 1 the last time I tried it. I am in dfu mode, and have restarted computer and switched usb ports, right now I am trying to downgrade to 4.3.5 since it is at least tethered, but I don’t have high hopes, and it just gave me error 1 again.PLEASE HElP

  • Memo

    Wow!! I’m glad I came across this because I tried everything, and it didn’t work. Editing the hosts fixed it. 😀 Thank you very much!

  • Thomas

    thank you so much. works just fine with the first solution (adding #)

  • Isabela Cuevas

    :'( I’m getting so frustrated, I’ve tried all of these solutions and none work! I’ve tried with the # and without it, with the exact text that you had on your hosts and with the one that already had my comp adding the number and didn’t work, I’m still having the same error!!!! :'( I have an iPad 2 WiFi and an iMac 10.6.8, iTunes 10.5……….. I don’t know what to do! :'( please HELP!

  • jose moreira

    can anyone help me? i bought an iphone of a friend of mine and he forgot to tell me that i couldn’t update it on itunes.. when i connected it to itunes and tried to restore and update it the iphone got “frozen” and the itunes logo to connect to the computer appeared..
    probably because it was jailbroken… thats when my problems started.. first at itunes when i tried to restore my iphone3gs the error 1015 appeared..then i tried to use redsnow and tinyumbrella and my iphone got worse.. now at itunes when i try to restore it appears the error “This device isn’t eligible for the requested build”.. can anyone help me to restore my iphone 3gs to original settings?? sorry for my poor english

  • katie b

    ahhhhh, I’v been looking for a solution, my phone isnt jailbroken and this is what is coming up in the host file

    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com
    #127.0.0.1 gs.apple.com
    #74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

  • Sophie

    Okay, so I have literally tried everything.

    I have a jailbroken white iphone 4. I have tried to update it to ios 5 and it just will not work. Have tried changing the hosts, restoring in DFU mode, re-installing itunes, using redsn0w. Everything! I need help. I have no idea what to do at this point.

    Help a girl out! 😛

  • pg

    I had added that line to my Hosts file several months ago. Tried installing iOS 5 today and encountered that error message again. Oddly enough, the solution for me was to go back and remove that extra line (“# 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com”)

  • patrick

    in the article you have the cydia server listed : 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com
    The apple server and the one you should put in the hosts file is in the picture so : #74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com

  • Michael

    All I did was open Finder, Go to, /private, right click etc folder, get info, changed permissions to read and write. Then opened the etc folder and found the Hosts document. Right clicked the hosts document, get info and changed the permissions at the bottom to read and write. Then opened the hosts document and added a # and a space before the last line which was, 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com and then I saved it. I changed nothing else and it worked perfectly. Thanks

  • Doron

    It keeps saying that the Hosts file is in use if I want to copy it back into the etc. file…

    I rebooted my macbook Pro but after that he still says that the file is in use and I can’t paste it back in the ‘etc.’

    What do I need to do??

    (overall problem is: I have an iPhone 3GS 4.2.1 jailbreak and I want to update to iOS 5.0, but iTunes won’t let me restore my iPhone)

    PLEASE HELP!?

    • Nick

      First Back-up. Then go into dfu mode and then click restore and it should work.

  • Nick

    Dude thx a lot. Mine worked after i tried a a couple of times. Also i recommend to try what the others said. with the numbers and #.

    One lovin

    • gerard

      Thousand thanks for this post
      so simple and so efficiant
      gf

  • Unni

    Im confused… in the beginning of the thread you said

    ” All you need to do is to add the following line at the end of the host file:

    74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com”

    Then you said “Add “ 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com” to the end of the file.”

    WHich is it?

  • Unni

    this works.. replace the bottom part of the host file with this…

    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    #174.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

    • iEmvirgo

      This works finally! thanks!

    • Manuel

      Unni…you saved my iPhone…
      Simply Great!!!

  • The last comment above works. Thanks y’all. Just put # in front of the address as it shows above. When I tried copying it back into the etc folder, it told me the file was in use. So I renamed the old host to host2. After that, I was able to move the new host file into the etc folder.

    Peace from Calgary.

  • adam grimm

    everytime i try to replace the host file it it says this file is in use

  • Bosco

    Bro, thanks a million !!!!!! This is not the first time it happens, but, last time I went to an Apple Store and they restored my iPhone with their ipsw so I lost all my stuff ( ’cause my backup was not working) .

    I’ve just had to add the # at the beginning of those numbers ( was the same ).

    Saved my life !! hahaha .

    #likeaboss

  • Ness

    No luck for me. I tried both texts for the host file and I’m still getting that error mssg 🙁

  • eli

    when i try to replace the file into ect, it says the required item is in use 🙁
    what should i do??

  • Joe

    Mine still isnt working after i did everything you said PLEASE HELP ME!!!! after i add the numbers it still says “your device is not eligable for this request build.

    PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!

    • Peter

      I have the same problem happening. I added the # removed the #.Deleted the address, added the address. Still getting the same problem.

  • Hugh

    I tried copying and even editing the Hosts file but it says that it is “in use”. I’ve closed iTunes and restarted my MacBook but without luck. Any suggestions?

    • Salud

      Try opening terminal an typing in the following:

      sudo nano /private/etc/hosts

      And when your done do Ctrl+X then Y and Enter.

      • You are a genius. Worked perfectly. Many Mahalos

      • babak

        i do this and get this
        [3]+ Stopped sudo nano /private/etc/hosts
        but still i cant replace the host what can i do please help me

  • Russell

    A solid fix

  • Daniel

    I’ve edited and saved my hosts file and still get the same error. My iPhone is jailbroken through redsnOw, would that have anything to do with the error? I can’t restore or update. Thanks for any help!

    • Aaron

      In the exact same boat. Anyone fix this?

  • tony

    it doesn’t work i tried both 🙁 🙁

  • ronn

    Guys –
    The idea is that the host file should have a # in front of any line that has the gs.apple.com for example
    123.123.123.123 gs.apple.com
    put a # in front of that line so it looks like this
    #123.123.123.123 gs.apple.com
    what this does is tells that computer to ignore the line – so it really doesn’t matter what the numbers are at all.

    2nd. lot of people are having a hard time editing the host file – it’s a system file, so trick is to make sure you copy the file to a new folder
    then edit it. (put the # in front of the lines with gs.apple.com)
    then save the file. (if you aren’t allowed to save the file, right click or Option click the file , and click on little lock icon so it unlocks. then you can edit and save the file.
    Then move the host file back into the etc folder
    Then to verify you did this correctly , open the host file inside the etc folder, and make sure all the #’s you added are still there.
    if the #s you added are not there , you didn’t really change the file.

    Now you can open itunes.

    • Kerlos

      This fixed my issue, thanks

      Need to add # with no space after then the IP.

    • Ana

      ronn,

      I have been going round and round for two days now with this problem. Followed your steps and it worked perfectly!

      thank you, thank you, thank you

  • sm00th

    I have the same trouble having hosts like this:

    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    # 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

    Whats wrong??? Help me please!

    • sm00th

      I used redsnow too

  • flave

    “hosts” is in use ..

    what schould I do? itunes is closed..

    • gravytrain

      copy the hosts file to your desktop. edit it and save it there. then delete the file from privateetc. It will ask for a password. now you can drag the file back to the privateetc dir.

    • shaone

      first rename the original “hosts” file in “hosts2” then copy you new “host” file over the etc folder and you are done. Afterwards you can delete de hosts2 file.

  • Rhys

    hi guys

    i had a jailbroken 4.2.1 iphone4 and tried to upgrade to ios5. everyone is telling me this is why my phone is trapped in recovery refusing to update in tunes. i can go into dfu mode if i want but it doesn’t make a difference. someone please help me my knowledge on this is little to none

    jones

  • sunny

    gr8 job….worked for me perfectly for ios5 for iphone 4

    cheers

  • Jo

    I’m having the same problem going from 4.3.5 to iOS 5. My iPad was also jailbroken with redsn0w. And changing the host file doesn’t fix it. Helpp

  • kenny

    this worked great for me too. i would also add in that adding the # before the addressed worked and to make sure you dont add the .txt extension to the file when you are saving the edited host file.

  • nate

    my host file does not have any line referencing gs.apple.com

    all mine has is

    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost

    I am on newest Lion, newest itunes, and my phone is a 4 with 4.3.5 jailbroken with redsn0w

    anyone else find a fix ?

  • Ramsey

    thx a million 🙂

  • jakob

    Thank you so much. I was lost but now it worked perfectly!

  • Henrik

    Thank you very much. Greetings from Norway.

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  • tik

    i tried both ips with and without the #. nothing works same error msg.

    • gravytrain

      go to safari and type int gs.apple.com. check and see if it takes you to an apple page. You should get a 404 error. if it takes you someplace else clydia for example change the host file to this ip address. This worked or me.
      17.112.176.11 gs.apple.com

  • andrew

    I have an iphone 4 with a redsnow jailbreak and i still get the same error. please help! thanks

  • cmurd

    dude, you’re awesome. kickass

    everyone on this thread: if this doesn’t work I read other threads where you actually needed to REMOVE something from the host file instead of add. Try that. I’m pretty sure it actually says to do the opposite as this, but it worked for some people.

    http://ipadhelp.com/ipad-help/ipad-iphone-isnt-eligible-for-the-requested-build/

  • GENIUS! It totally works. Just be sure to leave a space after the #. An amazingly easy fix to a problem that has been happening for 6 months. Thanks!

  • Thank you so much it worked with me 🙂 many thanks

  • KevWill

    This fix worked for me, after hours of reading Apple’s suggestions, and other website forums. Thanks to the author!

  • Lisa

    When I open ‘hosts’, that line isn’t even in there. So, I added it with the # in front, and a space (just as you have). I re-started itunes and am still getting that error message. Nothing is working.

    I’m jailbroken with redsn0w. Is that the issue? Others with redsn0w seem to have the same problem.

  • nameRequired

    i have no idea but it went well
    finished like this
    after going terminal, writing: ‘sudo nano /etc/hosts’ (spaces are important, dont write the ‘ ). I moved to botton and edited to look like this:

    …
    …

    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    #74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com

    so i press ctr + x, then Y to save and done. itunes is installing firmware
    PD: it just did.

  • danny g

    that sorted that a treat. thanks fellas.

  • Brandon Leonardo

    This worked!! Thank you so much 🙂

  • Cesar

    Yeah!! Thanks a lot!!

  • sami altun

    I cant save the new and edited host file. It says that i dont have the jurisdiction to save the new edited file. How can i fix this?

  • Piarpreet

    it worked once i put the # in front of the last line! 🙂 yeah!

  • lulu

    I’m having a problem saving the host it says access denied.. and I check to see if I was available to access it… it says I’m an administrator on my control panel and in the security settings it says administrator is able to modify.. (that means I should be able to modify the file) but I can’t and I can’t even save a different copy of the document in the file.

    Anyone has any idea how to fix my problem?

  • MeatTrain

    Worked for me. All I did was put a # in front of the last line, then used the hosts file I had in the newly created file to replace the existing “hosts” file in the etc folder.

  • El Turco

    It works..Thanks..The question is why do we need to do this. What is wrong with Apple..Do they really expect average user to go through this???

  • Al

    I have an iPhone 4 with IOS 4.3.5 (8L1) jailbroken with RedSnow (tethered jailbreak 🙁 ).
    I have iTunes 10.5
    I have a MacBook Air with the latest updates installed just hours ago
    I have restarted my computer many times after modifying the hosts file.
    My firewall is turned OFF to allow all Apple connections to go thru.
    Apple Store loads in iTunes without a problem.

    There are a LOT of people here including me who:

    1. already know how to modify, copy and/or replace the hosts file with the “# ….” and have a very good understanding of what the # symbol does in front of a code line.

    2. and are having the same problem

    We all need a different solution besides modifying the hosts file. Therefore, if anyone has a different solution, please share.

    This is driving me crazy. I have include below a copy of my hosts file after the modification:

    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    #174.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

  • Sarah

    Thank you – worked perfect for me

  • Siaris

    If your getting the “in use” issue then you need to just delete the file from the etc folder and then move the edited host file back into the etc folder. That way your not trying to “replace” the file because the system is “using it”. Also, make sure iTunes isn’t running while you are doing all of this, or else it will have no effect. I copied the file to my desktop, right mouse click to get info and changed it from read only to read and write so it would actually save the change. Deleted the main host file in the etc folder and put my edited one in its place. THEN opened iTunes. Worked wonderfully. Thanks for this thread!!!

  • Marcus Baca

    THANKYOU SOOO MUCH. ur a lifesaver. i was so dissapointed and annoyed when i couldnt get this awesome new software. not even apple had anything on it. THANKYOU AGAIN SO MUCH 😀

  • Sean

    Thanks, this worked for me.

    Do you recommend I change the file back afterwards?

  • scott williams

    For all of the people who changed it and it didnt work, you must put a space between the # and the first number of the gs.apple.com address.

    for example:

    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    #74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com <– Not like this

    # 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com <– must be like this at the last line.

  • Dan

    This worked for me. Follow the “Blocked by configuration” instructions.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3297

  • otacer

    the file “host” is locked. i can’t edit it.. please help… TIA

  • charly

    yes did what it’s written here and it didn’t fix the problem… another alternative???

  • dabo33

    I was not having any “gs.apple.com” the file hosts
    i understood that I have to add the line preceeded by #
    I copied the given line as it was in the hosts file
    Still not working

    Now my hosts file is exactly the same that the one given in the post by sm00th October 13, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Can you please help?

  • Roberto V

    I keep doing all of that but then that message keeps popping up, i jail broke my iPhone through redsn0w too.

  • laura m de mestre

    hello
    i did everything and the error still! my mac is a macbook pro and i bought it this year, the iTunes version is the latest (10.5) and the software is MAC OS LION X 10.7.2(11C74)
    what can i do?!!!
    if you could tell me where can i read the instructions in spanish because is a little difficult for me i am in mexico city!!
    thank you very much!

  • Tony HS

    Hi, I added the line to my hosts file and still get the error for both my Iphone 4 and Ipad. They are both jailbroken with redsnow and are at 4.3.5.

    Have tried using both my imac and macbook and get the same error. Please help.

    Tony

  • Mai

    Please help me. My hosts file is so weird.

    # — /etc/distcc/hosts ———————–
    # See the “Hosts Specification” section of
    # “man distcc” for the format of this file.
    #
    # By default, just test that it works in loopback mode.
    127.0.0.1
    74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

    I always get the not eligible shit whenever I try updating to ios 5.

  • bryce

    this worked for me after I spent hours doing other things – I just added the “#” in front the the “74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com” > replaced the file and everything is going now…. THANKS!

  • John

    I am still getting the same error even after editing the hosts file, in fact in my hosts file I don’t have any entry with an address gs.apple.com, so this line does not need to be added with # as this line will be ignored even if I add that, moreover i had jailbroken my iPhone using redsnow I don’t know if this is related to that or not, would appreciate if someone can help

  • RyanlYnch

    Mine did not get fixed!! D: I have two iPads (first gen., second gen.) iPod touch 4th gen. and an iPhone 3GS. I have iTunes 10.5 and trying to update all of these devises to iOS 5. All i get is the same exact message every time! “Devise is not eligible for the requested build”
    I am getting so mad!!!! Please help me! I want iOS 5!!!!!

  • adam aguilar

    worked beautifully! thanks!

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  • DW

    Worked perfectly, many thanks!

  • Roy

    awesome … thanks a million mate. its work fine for me, a perfect fix and thumbs up for ya. cheers!

  • tim

    Thanks alot you guys this helped me so much

  • NB

    Here’s the thing. I have an iphone 4 and I’ve jailbroken it also with redsnow. I didnt have that “#174.208.10.249 gs.apple.com” text in my host file, so I copied it in where Unni said we should. Still not working…. Help!

  • Roy

    Worked like a charm! Thanks . yes you need # before , it worked for me.

  • Mads

    Thank you so freaking much! 🙂

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  • FrankieP

    This is one of the most confusing pages I’ve seen in a long time. There are references to two different IPs in the original post (74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com and 74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com). Then in the comments there are references to 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com and 174.208.10.249 gs.apple.com (note 74 and 174).

    Then there is an explanation that the # tells the file to ignore the line, so what the hell is the point of adding in the line if it just ignores it completely?

    I’ve tried everything and still get the same error.

  • Jeroen Schot

    Okay .. # sign is missing in front of my numbers .. I can type it in .. but then it won’t allow me to save the file.
    I can create a new folder and save it in there .. but when I place this new folder in the etc folder it has no result.
    The origional file is still there without the #.
    How do I get that stupid # in there right .. Grrrr .. frustrating

  • Sadiki

    Made the necessary changes to the host file and getting 3194 error. Just wondering, does this only work if you are restoring. Because I am trying to update to iOS 5. Or can I download the ipsw for 5.0 and do a restore? wouldn’t you have to have your shsh blob saved with cydia for that to work, but you have never been on 5.0, how would you go about that

  • Sadiki

    Got it. I didn’t scroll all the way down when i opened notepad. There was some more gs.apple.com stuff at the very bottom. I erased and saved and am now updating to 5.0. thanx guys for all the help

  • David

    Please help i did everything and nothing works.

    • Are you still facing the same error? I will upload my host file shortly! Try replacing that with yours. It should work just fine!

      • BrianaJohnson

        @karthikk please send me ur host file please, i did everything in this forum and i still get the error of not eligible for building :C im on a mac, my firmware is 4.3.3, redsn0w and tinyumbrella

  • Mike

    I worked for me on my ipad2, thanx

  • Paul

    Wow, thank you for this solution. Whenever I save hours of frustration I always look for the “Donate” button. You should add one to your site if you continue to provide simple elegant solutions to problems like this. Thanks again.

    • Hi Paul,

      I will definitely add one soon! 🙂 Please hold your donations! 🙂

  • Are you guys still facing some issue? I have got some time to help you out! Reply to this comment and shoot your queries! I’ll make sure your problem is fixed!

    • brad.himself

      @karthikk i sent you a fb message as well

    • Yes,I am still facing this problem.I have tried all the things. Even the DFU mode.but all in vain 🙁

  • atbalken

    SOOOOO AWESOME!! Thank you!!

  • brad.himself

    didnt work.. can someone please tell me why? i am on 4.1 with the 02.10.04 baseband

  • TonyVoltaire

    hi there. i have a iphone 4. i dont know what firmwire its on cause i cant open it. i want to jailbreak and unlock it. ive downloaded the os 4.3.3 firmwire in hope to downgrade/upgrade it but i keep gettin this message “This device isn’t eligible for the requested build” and ive followed your steps and i have a mac and i chose the mac adress there and i still dosent work. restarted itunes, made sure that my host file was perfect and everything and still it dosent work. Can you help me out?

    • @TonyVoltaire Hi Tony, Are you using Gevey to unlock the phone? And what firmware did you download? Check if you had downloaded iPhone 4 CDMA’s Firmware. That might also hinder the upgrade. Also, iOS 5 seems to be having some issues with Gevey! Check that out too!

      • TonyVoltaire

        Hi karthikk, Im not using any Gevey card. I was given this phone from a friend who couldnt open it. It has a sim card in it when he found it (he didnt steal it if u think that) and it has a phone code lock in it soo i cannot get inside the phone. i have to jailbreak it first, then if i can i will unlock it. I downloaded the 4.3.3 firmwire for the iphone 4 from here; http://www.iphoneheat.com/2009/03/download-iphone-firmware-files-all-at-one-place/Im using the latest itunes.

      • TonyVoltaire

        @karthikk Hi karthikk, Im not using any Gevey card. I was given this phone from a friend who couldnt open it. It has a sim card in it when he found it (he didnt steal it if u think that) and it has a phone code lock in it soo i cannot get inside the phone. i have to jailbreak it first, then if i can i will unlock it. I downloaded the 4.3.3 firmwire for the iphone 4 from here; http://www.iphoneheat.com/2009/03/download-iphone-firmware-files-all-at-one-place/

        • @TonyVoltaire Oh! Okie. Then the best way would be to put it in DFU and then Restore it. But dont be in a hurry to jailbreak it. And also, note that they might have a track of where the phone is.! Hope you’ve heard such stories.

  • TonyVoltaire

    Yeah thats no problem. But ive already tried puttin it in DFU mode (black screen) and it still dosent work. dunno what’s next

    • @TonyVoltaire Then try taking it to the Apple Store. Or keep trying with some higher builds.

  • TonyVoltaire

    like 4.3.4 or 4.3.5 ?

  • ldarvas824

    wow! I kept getting that mesg. and was sure i wasn’t going to get anywhere. I checked my host file like you said and it was all the same except for missing a # sign right before the 74.208xxxxxxxxx…. i put it in and BOOM! worked like a charm …. THANKS so much!!

    • @ldarvas824 Nice to hear that it worked for you! Enjoy using your device! 🙂

      • MikeChavez

        @idarvas824: exact same thing with me, good eye; added the # and that was it!! thanks y’all!!

  • brad.himself

    still nothing on my end.

    • @brad.himself Is it not working yet? Are you still facing the same problem?

      • brad.himself

        @karthikk nothing, i’ve edited the host file and all of that and still no good news. i dont know what else to do

  • WilliamMoreno

    remove the original file “host” and then drag the one you fixed to the file “etc”and then save it and then restart the computer and it should work, thats what i did.

  • WilliamMoreno

    @brad.himself remove the original file “host” and then drag the one you fixed to the file “etc”and then save it and then restart the computer and it should work, thats what i did.

    • brad.himself

      @WilliamMoreno Thanks so much!!, if only 4.1 had an unlock and not the sim thingy

  • timothy.jorgenson

    definitely still not working for me. tried everything from the comments and still no dice. any suggestions? also, if anyone knows how to downgrade from iOS 5.0 to 4.3.3 or lower so i can use my Gevey SIM please let me know! (just upgraded in China and now my iPhone has become an iPod touch.)

  • kendrick.lau

    I am running iOS 4.2.1 on my iPod Touch 4G and this does not work for me. I want to upgrade to iOS 5 but I keep running into this issue. :

    I have tried the Option+Restore method by directing it to both the iOS 5 and iOS 4.2.1 builds but to no avail. I am running iTunes 10.5 and have already changed my host file to include the text above.

    Please help! 🙁

    • @kendrick.lau Check the following. Do you have iTunes 10.5.1? What’s the build number? And also, Did you download the correct firmware file? Try using another computer. Or try restoring using DFU mode.

      • kendrick.lau

        I am running iTunes 10.5 (not 10.5.1). The build number for iOS 4.2.1 is 8C148 and iOS 5 is 9A334 (the iOS5 file is directly from Apple). When I restore from DFU mode, do I do click+restore or upgrade?

        If this fails, I will try it with another computer but won’t that affect which computer the iPod is synced with? Thanks for the quick response, Karthik!

      • kendrick.lau

        @karthikk Thank you! It worked with DFU mode to iOS 5!

  • nacho

    It worked! I have Win XP. My Host file had an extra server for apple besides the 2 shown on the screenshot above, deleted the extra one, added the “#”, deleted the old host and replaced for a new one, then restarted – as William Moreno below suggested and it worked! Thanks!

    • @nacho Nice that it worked! Enjoy! 🙂

  • eaywmwh

    I’m having so much trouble with this is and it’s driving me insane! I’ve spent days trying to upgrade a 3gs from 3.1.3 to 4.2.1 or 4.3.3 using a custom firmware cooked using pwnage tool (so i can retain the baseband), but no matter what I try i get ‘this device isn’t eligible…’. My itunes is up to date, i’m using the correct firmware, and I’ve tried editing my hosts file in every possible way that’s ever been suggested. My file now looks like this…

    ## # Host Database

    # # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface

    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.

    ## 127.0.0.1

    localhost 255.255.255.255

    broadcasthost ::1

    localhost fe80::1%lo0

    localhost

    # Block Adobe Activation 127.0.0.1

    activate.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    practivate.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    ereg.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    activate.wip3.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    wip3.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    3dns-3.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    3dns-2.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    adobe-dns.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    adobe-dns-2.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    adobe-dns-3.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    ereg.wip3.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    activate-sea.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    wwis-dubc1-vip60.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    activate-sjc0.adobe.com 127.0.0.1

    hl2rcv.adobe.com

    #74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

    #127.0.0.1 gs.apple.com

    I’ve tried doing it with and without the #, with and without the last 2 lines, with and without the adobe activation block, and still no luck. I was concerned it might be something to do with tiny umbrella on my computer (that seems to have it’s own hosts.umbrella file) so I tried restoring on a friends computer. Still no luck.

    I’m completely at the end of my tether. I’m experienced at jailbreaking and have done lots of phones, but I always tend to use the ipad baseband flash, which I’d like to move away from so am trying to get to grips with pwnage tool. I’ve spent days on this, checked every blog, tried everything, but still getting nowhere.

    If anyone has ANY ideas they’d be greatly appreciated!!

    • @eaywmwh Just try using another computer. Did you do using DFU mode?

      • eaywmwh

        Thanks for the reply. Yeah I’ve tried doing it on 3 seperate macbooks now. Mine (has tiny umbrella and the block adobe hosts file), my girlfriends (has just tiny umbrella), and my flatmates (no tiny umbrella but has the block adobe hosts file), and I’m still getting the same error message. I’ve tried it on every computer in DFU mode, and also in pwned DFU mode. but still no luck. I’m stumped!@karthikk

        • Emilyemily

          @eaywmwh@karthikk Having same problem over here. 🙁

  • chromeman

    Having a headache with this error. I have an iPhone 3GS. Have the latest version of iTunes, latest version of OSX, correct version of the new iOS, have edited hosts file but still getting error. Had it jailbroken on iOS4 before fine. Desperately need this as I need it unlocked to use it!

    Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

    • @chromeman Can you try cooking a new IPSW with Sn0wbreeze and then restore it on Windows?

  • WilliamTranggono

    i’m having the same problem as @chromeman i have iPhone 3GS factory unlocked one with IOS 4.3.3 Jailbreak, the lates version of iTunes and OSX too, i’ve download the correct IPSW twice and it still isn’t eligible. this is the first time i get this kind of thing. before when i’m doing this in IOS4 it runs smoothly.

    any help is appreciated

    TQ

    • @WilliamTranggono@chromeman My suggestion would be to try using a different ‘PC’ instead of a Mac OS X. If you still reply on Jailbreak, use Sn0wbreeze to cook a new IPSW.

  • ananda

    I had ios 5 with iPad Firmware on my 3GS working fine until it rebooted and crashed.

    Now, I tried restoring with various images (eariler image I had, pre cooked snobreeze image, newly cooked snow breeze image) But Itunes doesnt allow me to restore to the custom image saying device isnt eligible for the requested build. tried updating hosts file and also tried on windows. no luck. any suggestions ?

    • @ananda Did you try using another computer? Or cooking the IPSW again might kick off this error. If that fails, use Redsn0w to restore!

      • ananda

        @karthikk

        i tried using windows and mac. also tried cooking IPSW again. no luck.

        how to use redsnow to restore ?

        • @ananda Just download and start Redsn0w, point it to the official IPSW, choose the options for your IPSW. Keep phone connected. It should be restored!

        • ananda

          @karthikk thanks for the suggestion, that moves to one step further.

          now, while jailbreaking through redsn0w, I get stuck into following error 🙁 (same error though tried 2 times):

          “AppleBCMWLANCore::handleIOKitBusyWatchdogTimeout():

          Error, no successful firmware download after 60000 ms!! Giving up …”

        • @ananda Oops! That’s bad! My suggestion would be to try with another computer! Or try uninstalling iTunes and installing it again!

  • oLzzn

    HELP…PLEASE! :-/

    I’ve been trying everything described in the comments – Still the same error. (hosts file, create new custom fw …)

    On my mac and also on Win 7 of my friend. (both newest iTunes and correct Firmware downloaded)

    I’m on 4.1 – iPhone 3GS with iPad Baseband.

    • oLzzn

      ad.: could it be that the problem occurs because there is iOS 5.0.1 available?

      if yes, is the new iOS 5.0.1 unlockable by ultrasn0w?

      • @oLzzn iOS 5.0.1 should be unlock able! Give me sometime! Will verify and let you know!

  • Psichopat

    Hello @karthikk I have got the iphone 3G S , it was on 4.1 when i get it, i saved my SHSH with tinyumbrella.Then i jailbreaked the phone with redsn0w, all was okey.I needed the 4.3.5 version for some apps, so i tried the update as told (with jailbreak and so on).First i got some different Error messages of iTunes, … and finally i’ve got this very annoying “This device isn’t eligible for the requested build error” message.I changed the host, i tried with umbrella… but none is working… what shall i do?(When i tried, to change the firmware, i made sth wrong, and now the iphone is on 5.1 but not unlocked –‘ )Is there any way to get him to the 4.3.5 version ? or at least bring him back to the 4.1 ?Thanks,Me

  • Emilyemily

    Hi, @karthikk , I’ve got an iphone 4, and it is ios 4.3.5 now. I have something wrong with my phone so I need to restore it. But it keep on showing me “This devices isn’t eligible…..” even though I tried the steps above. I’ve unchecked the box in TinyUmbrella, also and my iTunes is up to date. Do you think you have any idea can help me solve this? 🙁 Thanks. I really need your help.

  • kittycalore

    after 1 month trying everything and tried everything above here,to simply update to 5.01 but error 3194 in iTunes…the solution for me ( iPhone 4 with 4.3.5 tethered jb with redsnow) was DFU mode! and go to iTunes.

    Yes finally pffff thats works for me!

    • Renoir86

      @kittycalore Thanks a lot. Why didn’t I think of that. Solved mine with iPad 4.3.5 tether

  • rajrik

    I have an iphone 3GS on 3.1.3 and iTunes 10.5.2 and OSX leopard.

    Error – “device not eligible for requested build”

    I do not have any listing on host file that states gs.apple.com. All I have are the 1st 4 lines of code as in your example. I’ve never updated the operating system on the iphone since I purchased it from a friend. I’d like to restore and keep 3.1.3 (I’ve downloaded the correct ipsw file) as I was told by the carrier this would unlock it from said carrier. How do I solve the problem.

  • greenturtle

    I have an iphone 4 that was on 4.2.1. I deleted everything and tried to do a factory restore but it froze so now it has no ios. I tried to edit the hosts file as you described but it still tells me that the device isn’t eligible for the requested build (4.2.1). What am I doing wrong? Thanks.

  • iPad 2 (WIFI) running iOS 4.3.1, trying to upgrade to 5.0.1 from ipsw file downloaded from http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=8500I have altered the hosts file:
     
    ### Host Database## localhost is used to configure the loopback interface# when the system is booting.  Do not change this entry.##127.0.0.1 localhost255.255.255.255 broadcasthost::1             localhost fe80::1%lo0 localhost#74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com#127.0.0.1 gs.apple.comAnd i’m using iTunes 10.5.1 on MAX OS X Lion (10.7.3)
     
    Still getting the “not eligible” error.
     
    Help?

    •  @turbolego Did you try with another system?

  • giant

    Hi there, i have this problem and i tried to fix it like you teached here, but is doesn’t work for me.
    I changed the hosts file (mine is on the end of this message) and now the iPad’s still dead, but my copy of Adobe CS4 is not working anymore swell. Could you pls help.
     
    thnx in advance!
    Hosts file:
    ### Host Database## localhost is used to configure the loopback interface# when the system is booting.  Do not change this entry.##127.0.0.1 localhost255.255.255.255 broadcasthost::1             localhost fe80::1%lo0 localhost # Block Adobe Activation127.0.0.1 activate.adobe.com127.0.0.1 practivate.adobe.com127.0.0.1 ereg.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate.wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 3dns-3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 3dns-2.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns-2.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns-3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 ereg.wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate-sea.adobe.com127.0.0.1 wwis-dubc1-vip60.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate-sjc0.adobe.com127.0.0.1 hl2rcv.adobe.com # Block Adobe Activation127.0.0.1 activate.adobe.com127.0.0.1 practivate.adobe.com127.0.0.1 ereg.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate.wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 3dns-3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 3dns-2.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns-2.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns-3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 ereg.wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate-sea.adobe.com127.0.0.1 wwis-dubc1-vip60.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate-sjc0.adobe.com127.0.0.1 hl2rcv.adobe.com # Block Adobe Activation127.0.0.1 activate.adobe.com127.0.0.1 practivate.adobe.com127.0.0.1 ereg.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate.wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 3dns-3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 3dns-2.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns-2.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns-3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 ereg.wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate-sea.adobe.com127.0.0.1 wwis-dubc1-vip60.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate-sjc0.adobe.com127.0.0.1 hl2rcv.adobe.com # Block Adobe Activation127.0.0.1 activate.adobe.com127.0.0.1 practivate.adobe.com127.0.0.1 ereg.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate.wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 3dns-3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 3dns-2.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns-2.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns-3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 ereg.wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate-sea.adobe.com127.0.0.1 wwis-dubc1-vip60.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate-sjc0.adobe.com127.0.0.1 hl2rcv.adobe.com # Block Adobe Activation127.0.0.1 activate.adobe.com127.0.0.1 practivate.adobe.com127.0.0.1 ereg.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate.wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 3dns-3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 3dns-2.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns-2.adobe.com127.0.0.1 adobe-dns-3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 ereg.wip3.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate-sea.adobe.com127.0.0.1 wwis-dubc1-vip60.adobe.com127.0.0.1 activate-sjc0.adobe.com127.0.0.1 hl2rcv.adobe.com #127.0.0.1 gs.apple.com#74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com

  • RyanSmirnow

    I just want to saw thank you very much for this help. I have a iphone 4s running a 5.0.1 jailbreak and wanted to upgrade to the new 5.1.1 update. After following these steps I was able to update to 5.1.1 and then do the jailbreak.

    •  @RyanSmirnow Nice that it worked for you! 🙂

  • dmpatel07

    dude thanx for this. i have been trying to update my iPhone 4 for long time to update to 5.1.1 but it wasn’t letting me do this.  but after following this steps it worked like champ. 
     
    once again thanx

    •  @dmpatel07 Welcome! Hope you’ve solved the issue! 🙂

  • Kelvin_Chin

    This helped. Upgraded from iOS 5.0.1 to iOS 6.0.
     
    Kelvin Chin, Singapore

  • hiya! I was just wondering, is it still possible for me to update to iOS 5.1.1 from iOS 4.3.5? I’ve been trying to update for the past 6 hours………………… and it doesn’t seem to work 🙁 btw I have iPhone 4 GSM

  • Nikola Sverc

    I have iphone 4 version 4.3.3 after I have update facebook 5.4 I open facebook and closes itself any sugestion pls

  • Pingback: Everything you need to know to update your device to iOS 6 [A Complete Guide]()

  • Hudson

    I am trying to update a iPhone 4s from 5.0.1 to 6.0.1 so that I can unlock it using a Gevey SIM. It is already jailbroken. I keep getting the “isn’t eligible” error despite removing that line (I already had it there with the #), trying the TinyUmbrella (the box for set hosts to cydia is already unchecked, and it does not let me check or uncheck the box). Any thoughts? I really appreciate any suggestions.

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