So far iPhone 2.0 is.... DOA
Ugh. So I was really excited about the new iPhone 2.0 firmware. In fact, I had already grabbed a bunch of apps yesterday so I could sync as soon as possible. So far though it looks like my iPhone is dead.
On the first attempt to update, I got an unknown error. I then tried a restore. The restore "worked" as far as I know. iTunes said it was done and was going to restart my iPhone. On restart, the iPhone is now stuck in a "Slide for Emergency" mode where I can only make (I assume) 911 style calls. iTunes sees the iPhone, but gives me zero control over it. It is stuck "Accessing iTunes Store..." which makes me just a tiny bit mad that my phone is sitting here in brick mode essentially while trying to hit a store that is probably getting tons of traffic.
Comments
I'm hitting the same problem, Ray. I didn't have the unknown error but am getting the slide for emergency and it's been that way for 30+ minutes. I'm going to let it ride for another 30 minutes...then see what's next
# Posted By Craig
| 7/11/08 8:59 AM
@Ray,
Before your iPhone died did you like it? I know you didn't fork out the cash for your iPhone, but now that you have one do you think you would actually buy one?
ps if anyone wants to promo me one I wouldn't mind :)
Before your iPhone died did you like it? I know you didn't fork out the cash for your iPhone, but now that you have one do you think you would actually buy one?
ps if anyone wants to promo me one I wouldn't mind :)
# Posted By Gary Gilbert
| 7/11/08 9:02 AM
Oh yeah - anger aside - I love my iPhone. I finally can check my mail from my phone, do texting easily, and I liked the apps there were in 1.x, but 2.0 is really going to explode things (when it actually works ;). It's also great for planes. I watch movies on it and since I've done that - flights have gone a heck of a lot faster for me.
# Posted By Raymond Camden
| 7/11/08 9:07 AM
Ray - Craig again. I tried to access the iTunes store while hung. Now, when I click on my iPhone in iTunes, I get an error (unknown error -9838). I broke down and opted to call Apple. Once I get to a tech, which I am sure will happen in the next 12 hours :), I'll let you know what I find.
It does seem like it's a bandwidth thing but...
It does seem like it's a bandwidth thing but...
Wow - that sucks! Makes me glad I haven't tried upgrading mine yet. After reading this article yesterday (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ZDNetBlogs/~3/33181...) I was planning to upgrade this weekend... maybe not.
# Posted By Simon Horwith
| 7/11/08 9:10 AM
Same here. Just googling around while I wait for what's probably just too much traffic. Man, they can come up with a product like an iPhone but can't plan sufficiently to make sure these updates go smoothly. Sheesh!
# Posted By Felix
| 7/11/08 9:12 AM
All same for me - I did the upgrade, am stuck in emergency mode and am geting a network connection to the itunes store error. What is that I didnt even order anything. I am very annoyed because now my phone is unusable while I am still on hold 30 mins later with Apple.
# Posted By Hunter
| 7/11/08 9:15 AM
Im owned, they bricked my old phone and my new iPhone isn't working yet, getting 9838
# Posted By Miles Wade
| 7/11/08 9:16 AM
Mine is stuck the same way...i am sitting on hold waiting for a iphone rep
# Posted By natalie
| 7/11/08 9:16 AM
I'm getting the same issue too. I updated to 2.0 firmware and it's just stuck in iTunes saying "accesing iTunes store". If I unplug it, the phone just says "slide for emergency".
Perhaps it has to connect to the music store to reactivate after a firmware upgrade? That seems like a dumb design.
Perhaps it has to connect to the music store to reactivate after a firmware upgrade? That seems like a dumb design.
And the error is that a secure network connection could not be established - make sure SSL 3.0 or TLS 1.0 are enabled and try again ... OMG the pain
# Posted By Hunter
| 7/11/08 9:16 AM
Hey guys. I'm having the same issue here upgrading my first-generation iPhone to 2.0. I'm getting the same error code as Craig (-9838). This sucks! This is my business phone and I can't be without it. I knew the iTunes Store would be swamped, but you just expect Apple to stay on top of traffic.
# Posted By Ben
| 7/11/08 9:17 AM
I have the same problem (in the UK).... hanging and no connection to the iTunes store to verify itself... very irritating
# Posted By flamejob
| 7/11/08 9:17 AM
same problem here, the servers must be getting slammed
# Posted By drew
| 7/11/08 9:18 AM
Got exactly the same problem. Got my iPhone 3G 8gb jut now, got told to upgrade my iTunes to 7.7, and now I get a -9838 when I try to connect to my iPhone. What a load of w**k. Well done Apple, you have exceeded yourself once again.
# Posted By Rob Raskovsky
| 7/11/08 9:18 AM
Same exact thing for me - this sucks - I need my phone!
# Posted By Randy
| 7/11/08 9:18 AM
I can forgive Apple for getting swamped. What is dumb is the 'you cant use the phone till you hit the store' "feature". That part is unforgivable.
# Posted By Raymond Camden
| 7/11/08 9:18 AM
If someone finds a fix for the 9838 error, please post! Sitting here with a dead phone..... :(
# Posted By Mike
| 7/11/08 9:18 AM
Same here, tried to upgrade to 2.0 now I get Slide for emergency.... Connect to Itunes, I get the "error -9838"
/sigh ....
/sigh ....
# Posted By Dave Knife
| 7/11/08 9:19 AM
Yep. Stuck as well. I thought it did a backup first, but I don't see that in iTunes either.
# Posted By Jeff
| 7/11/08 9:19 AM
Same problem here. On the verge of tears will check back here later. Hopefully its just to much trafffic.. If its not please let the solutions lay here some where after breakfast and a shower.
# Posted By Amanda Johnson
| 7/11/08 9:19 AM
WTF?!?! I was so excited to get this upgrade, and this happens? I have friends driving out to see me right now and have no access to my phone whatsoever. As much as I love Apple, they aren't too swift with things on release. aslkdfjlsakdjf
# Posted By Joe
| 7/11/08 9:20 AM
Same damn error. This blows!
# Posted By Maxwell
| 7/11/08 9:20 AM
same here, in england.
glad it isn't just me though!
i assume its traffic and it will all be fine
glad it isn't just me though!
i assume its traffic and it will all be fine
does anyone know of any confirmed successful 2.0 upgrades? I'm hanging in -9838 land as well...
# Posted By jules
| 7/11/08 9:20 AM
I wonder why I'm seeing a different error ... why do i see "make sure SSL 3.0 or TLS 1.0 are enabled and try again" instead of the 9838 error?
# Posted By Hunter
| 7/11/08 9:20 AM
I was having the same problem with my iPhone when upgrading it to 2.0... The error was in itunes and whenever I would click on the iPhone on the left side of iTunes, the error would come up.. error 9838... the solution: I had to close iPhoto... then it worked perfectly after that... I think its because iPhoto was trying to bully iTunes into letting it read photos instead of go ahead and upgrade.... hope this helps (iPhone is working perfectly now..
# Posted By Firstjg
| 7/11/08 9:20 AM
same here. this sucks.
# Posted By tori
| 7/11/08 9:21 AM
same exact problem and ready to kill Apple right now.
# Posted By holly
| 7/11/08 9:21 AM
Please someone post as soon as you find out the fix!
# Posted By Bob Gibson
| 7/11/08 9:21 AM
I'm getting this same problem with new iphone 2
Aaaargh!!!
Not a smooth launch in the UK at all
Aaaargh!!!
Not a smooth launch in the UK at all
# Posted By Jim Hill
| 7/11/08 9:21 AM
Same problem here!
So Annoying!
So Annoying!
# Posted By Jemima
| 7/11/08 9:21 AM
I get the same error -9838. I am dead in the water. I hope they get a fix soon.
# Posted By Jason S.
| 7/11/08 9:22 AM
Well, this pulled up pretty high on google while searching for this problem so we should make this our doa central.
I've tried syncing with dock, without, changed my itunes password, checked my network settings, nothing.
I can get to itunes store, but it pulls up an error box when I connect my phone. They're probably just swamped, but I'm getting more pissed by the minute.
I've tried syncing with dock, without, changed my itunes password, checked my network settings, nothing.
I can get to itunes store, but it pulls up an error box when I connect my phone. They're probably just swamped, but I'm getting more pissed by the minute.
# Posted By RCB
| 7/11/08 9:22 AM
I got here by googling "iphone 9838" so that should tell you enough ;) No idea how to fix it, seems to be something wrong on Apple's end...
This is the bleeding edge, folks... This happens sometimes ;)
This is the bleeding edge, folks... This happens sometimes ;)
# Posted By Peter Marreck
| 7/11/08 9:22 AM
@mike - On the Apple support forums, folks are saying that if you wait, eventually, it works. But the wait time can be 1 hour +. I think I'm about 40 mins in now.
(And by the way, this is easily the most quickly viewed blog entry I've written. 40 mins old and close to 700 views. Dang it I need to add some more ads! ;)
(And by the way, this is easily the most quickly viewed blog entry I've written. 40 mins old and close to 700 views. Dang it I need to add some more ads! ;)
# Posted By Raymond Camden
| 7/11/08 9:22 AM
my iphoto is closed...even restarted computer...grrrrrr...i am sooo pissed
ps- i am really not into the music they are playing on hold
ps- i am really not into the music they are playing on hold
# Posted By natalie
| 7/11/08 9:22 AM
i have the same problem... sitting here with a brick and getting the -9838 error code. if anyone finds a fix, please post it!
# Posted By Dave
| 7/11/08 9:23 AM
SAME PROBLEM
AFTER 30 minutes on hold with Apple, instead of them picking up, they just hung up on me!
AFTER 30 minutes on hold with Apple, instead of them picking up, they just hung up on me!
# Posted By Anthony Moussa
| 7/11/08 9:23 AM
Same here as of 9:22 A.M. Central time in the USA. The AT&T store said they couldn't activate it because
# Posted By Rekkart
| 7/11/08 9:23 AM
They should have rolled out 2.0 a few days ago, so we could upgrade first, and they could work out the kinks. I wonder if 3G users are having any problems.
# Posted By Jeff
| 7/11/08 9:23 AM
same same
this is kind of obnoxious, like how many people are without a phone right now? that's just uncool.
this is kind of obnoxious, like how many people are without a phone right now? that's just uncool.
# Posted By Jono
| 7/11/08 9:23 AM
You know what they say...
9838 is the new Blue Screen. Wah waaahhhh. silly early adopters, when will you learn?
9838 is the new Blue Screen. Wah waaahhhh. silly early adopters, when will you learn?
I'm getting this very same error. Does anyone know if there are any people who've successfully upgraded their 1G iPhone to 2.0 yet? I literally CAN'T call Apple cuz this is my only phone!
# Posted By Jaime Starstar
| 7/11/08 9:24 AM
I am in Kentucky and having same problem
# Posted By kjn
| 7/11/08 9:24 AM
9838 for me as well. At least they have decent hold music while waiting on the support line.
# Posted By Jeff K
| 7/11/08 9:24 AM
FIX: CLOSE IPHOTO OR ANYHTING THAT CAN ACCESS THE IPHONE EXCEPT iTUNES
READ MY POST ABOVE!
READ MY POST ABOVE!
# Posted By FIrstjg
| 7/11/08 9:24 AM
Same problem here. On hold with Apple, I'll post if I find out anything.
# Posted By Jonathan Ellis
| 7/11/08 9:24 AM
The same in Italy... exactly the same...
:((((((((
:((((((((
# Posted By Giacomo
| 7/11/08 9:24 AM
I'm having the same issue trying to download 2.0 to my first generation iPhone. It's currently in emergency mode and I can't access the store, instead getting the cryptic 9838 error message. Extremely frustrating at best.
Same error here and the apple support website has no record of error 9838, way to go apple. Does anybody know of a fix for this issue, if not my $400 paper weight is doing me no good.
# Posted By A in DC
| 7/11/08 9:24 AM
Tried your fix, no workie
# Posted By theskunk
| 7/11/08 9:25 AM
Support told me that their servers are backed up. It will take a while, so just sit tight. Ugh.
# Posted By Blake
| 7/11/08 9:25 AM
Same for me! Just tried to download the 2.0 software - it went through the 20 minutes or so process, and right at the end came up with the error - 9838 message, leaving the iphone only able to make emergency calls. The graphic on the screen is requesting that I connect with itunes, but every time I do, the same error message comes up, saying - There was an error in the iTunes Store. Please try again later. Fantastic!! I am now unable to access any of my iphone details on iTunes! Has anyone on the planet been able to successfully download 2.0 I wonder?
# Posted By Steve Barker
| 7/11/08 9:25 AM
UPDATE**
Was having this issue, with phone connected, clicked on Itunes store, it connected, so I clicked back on my phone, and magically it finished, now operating fine. Contact, emails adds, calendars, everything still there but my photos =(
I would say be patient, seems like a traffic issue.
Was having this issue, with phone connected, clicked on Itunes store, it connected, so I clicked back on my phone, and magically it finished, now operating fine. Contact, emails adds, calendars, everything still there but my photos =(
I would say be patient, seems like a traffic issue.
# Posted By Dave Knife
| 7/11/08 9:25 AM
Closing everything fixes NOTHING
# Posted By Bob Gibson
| 7/11/08 9:25 AM
This is definitely going to cause some type of class action law suit.
Just to think I am going away for a week in 12 hours, and I need my phone, if I can't get it to work, I will have to re-activate my old blackberry.
Just to think I am going away for a week in 12 hours, and I need my phone, if I can't get it to work, I will have to re-activate my old blackberry.
# Posted By Anthony Moussa
| 7/11/08 9:25 AM
Exact same problem here.
# Posted By James Evans
| 7/11/08 9:25 AM
closing iphoto doesn't work. or at least not for me. mines been closed the whole time.
# Posted By tori
| 7/11/08 9:25 AM
Hanging after restore, 9838 also. Going to pick up a 3G iPhone right now.
All systems are a go!!! Well it seems to be working, says its doing stuff.
# Posted By Amanda
| 7/11/08 9:26 AM
hey guys, just got it to work *finally* clicked on and off of the iPhone in the sidebar in iTunes a bunch of times until it took. hope it helps.
# Posted By gta
| 7/11/08 9:26 AM
-9838 problem here too. I'm very disappointed!
# Posted By justin
| 7/11/08 9:26 AM
same -9838 error, with iPhoto closed the whole time. wow this is unbelievably infuriating.
# Posted By holly
| 7/11/08 9:26 AM
And Microsoft added some upgrades today as well. Guess I'll try a reboot. I've already turned on SSL 3.0 and TLS 1.0.
# Posted By Jeff
| 7/11/08 9:26 AM
Same here! Any idea on wait times from apple support
# Posted By Top Timmy
| 7/11/08 9:26 AM
Well, same error here. "Unofficial" upgrade to wife's iPhone last night worked great. I've tried forcing my phone into Recovery mode (Power off phone, Launch iTunes, Hold Home button & plug in iPhone) and now it's re-applying the firmware. Hopefully this will work!
# Posted By Ken
| 7/11/08 9:26 AM
Same thing happened to me error occurred (-9838)
I left it for about 20 minutes... same thing... I read all the posts here and tried again. My iphone was connected to itunes... I was clicking on the itunes store and back again on the iphone icon and same error message came up over and over. I then clicked on ringtones (instead of itunes store) and back on iphone and it FINALLY finished the update... I guess i got lucky.
I left it for about 20 minutes... same thing... I read all the posts here and tried again. My iphone was connected to itunes... I was clicking on the itunes store and back again on the iphone icon and same error message came up over and over. I then clicked on ringtones (instead of itunes store) and back on iphone and it FINALLY finished the update... I guess i got lucky.
# Posted By Nelson
| 7/11/08 9:27 AM
I am at work and was able to download the new 2.0 software to my phone, however, when the restore was complete, the phone got stuck on the activation screen. Only letting me make an emergency call if needed. I connect the phone to the computer and get an error that it could not be connected to iTunes Store (error -9838). This has been going on for an hour and a half now.
# Posted By Juan
| 7/11/08 9:27 AM
@FIrstjg: there must be something else going on. i tried closing everything and still no success..
# Posted By Dave
| 7/11/08 9:27 AM
Same error (-9838). Great work Apple!
# Posted By Chris
| 7/11/08 9:27 AM
Looks like I'm not alone! Same error -9838. On the bright side, I can always make an emergency call, which I might have to do if they don't get this fixed right away!
Same here. iTunes store says it has a problem and 9838 appears. So yes, no phone! How nice! Brick mode.
# Posted By chuck moffatt
| 7/11/08 9:27 AM
it is telling itunes to load........... so hopefully it will work
# Posted By vin
| 7/11/08 9:27 AM
Probably doesn't help that the new phone was released the same day as the update. I'm sure all the new phones are having the same access issues.
The posts sound painfully familiar. First phone release anyone?
The posts sound painfully familiar. First phone release anyone?
# Posted By Heath
| 7/11/08 9:28 AM
Here's the solution to this error:
Go into Image Capture on your Mac, and set the preferences to No Application when a digital camera is connected. Then connect your iPhone to iTunes and it will complete the activation process.
Go into Image Capture on your Mac, and set the preferences to No Application when a digital camera is connected. Then connect your iPhone to iTunes and it will complete the activation process.
# Posted By Don Judd
| 7/11/08 9:28 AM
Same problem. I guess I'll call AppleCare too.
# Posted By Daryl Spitzer
| 7/11/08 9:28 AM
Same problem here. I'm in California.
Getting a -9838 error. Must be a problem in completion of the upgrade by connecting to the servers. By the way, did anyone already download apps yesterday?
Getting a -9838 error. Must be a problem in completion of the upgrade by connecting to the servers. By the way, did anyone already download apps yesterday?
# Posted By Larry
| 7/11/08 9:29 AM
Got the new iPhone, plugged it in. Just sat for half an hour waiting for itunes store. Contacted O2, and they say that the phone has to be activated by them before it can be activated by itunes. This apparently can take "up to 72 hours". That sounds really intelligent!
Thought, OK, I'll upgrade the software to 2.0 and on my original iphone. Took ages to load the new software, and finally when the itunes restarted the phone, got (unknown error -9838) message. Now getting the same message on both the old and new iPhones.
You would have thought they'd be a little more organised than this.
Thought, OK, I'll upgrade the software to 2.0 and on my original iphone. Took ages to load the new software, and finally when the itunes restarted the phone, got (unknown error -9838) message. Now getting the same message on both the old and new iPhones.
You would have thought they'd be a little more organised than this.
# Posted By Michael
| 7/11/08 9:29 AM
Same problem with my new iPhone 8GB 3G... Posting from Finland.
# Posted By caffagio
| 7/11/08 9:29 AM
OK, I got it to pass the step with the error. The solution is: brute force. Here's what I did: I repeatedly clicked my Music library, then the iPhone device (whereupon it would try to connect again), until the error went away. Now the iPhone says "Waiting for activation" and is restoring.
This makes it seem like it's a traffic issue. Hope this works for others until they fix the capacity issue.
This makes it seem like it's a traffic issue. Hope this works for others until they fix the capacity issue.
# Posted By Peter Marreck
| 7/11/08 9:29 AM
Im getting the same error message! UGH! I so mad right now...
# Posted By Kevin
| 7/11/08 9:30 AM
Closing the address book and calendar apps worked for me. Now fighting for access to the iTunes store.
# Posted By James
| 7/11/08 9:30 AM
Update
like what others said, just wait it out. mine is working now.
like what others said, just wait it out. mine is working now.
# Posted By tori
| 7/11/08 9:30 AM
Same problem. I restarted and after a re-launch of iTunes, was able to connect to the store. The "connecting" message took a while to clear and actually connect, but it looks like everything is going forward at this point. Will report back in a few.
# Posted By Mack
| 7/11/08 9:30 AM
Common Apple, I am bricked on two phones now~
# Posted By DOA on two iphones mine and the LOH -9838
| 7/11/08 9:31 AM
same thing ,
tried ringtone-iphone buttons a couple of times IT WORKED.
UPDATED to 2.0.
tried ringtone-iphone buttons a couple of times IT WORKED.
UPDATED to 2.0.
# Posted By anirudha
| 7/11/08 9:31 AM
I got through to Apple Tech Support. They said they're slammed and that this error is happening to everyone. The only solution is to "wait for a bit and then plug the phone back into the computer." She said that the firmware has installed, but it needs to connect BACK to the iTunes Store to verify, and since it can't get through, it's bricking the phone. Very nice person, my hold time was 30 seconds, tops. So, I'm waiting. Worse case scenario? I get a 3G phone later. :) Great device, worth the minor headache
# Posted By Drew
| 7/11/08 9:31 AM
FIX - someone else was right.
Just click on and off of "iphone" in ITunes and by chance you will eventually get a connection to the store.
IM DONE!
Just click on and off of "iphone" in ITunes and by chance you will eventually get a connection to the store.
IM DONE!
# Posted By Anthony Moussa
| 7/11/08 9:31 AM
I was getting the 9838 error as well. I just decided to be patient and see what happens. Looks like it is a traffic thing. Mine finally connected and completed the restore process and is restoring my data from the backup it created.
# Posted By JP Roberts
| 7/11/08 9:32 AM
iT DUN SAIS IT IS UNABVABLE AT DIS TYME like da spice tyme
# Posted By samo
| 7/11/08 9:32 AM
getting message stating no more activations for iphones.... wtf mate.
# Posted By Josh
| 7/11/08 9:32 AM
Just got a new message. "Iphone activations are unavailable at this time" message.
# Posted By kjn
| 7/11/08 9:32 AM
Same thing is happening to me now....... :-/
# Posted By Alana
| 7/11/08 9:32 AM
Hmm I'm now getting a -4 error instead of -9838. Has apple changed something?
# Posted By psycho
| 7/11/08 9:32 AM
Just got a new message from iTunes (replaces the 9838 error)
iPhone activations are unavailable at this time.
We're sorry, we are unable to process any new activations at this time. Please disconnect your iPhone and try again later.
iPhone activations are unavailable at this time.
We're sorry, we are unable to process any new activations at this time. Please disconnect your iPhone and try again later.
# Posted By Patrick
| 7/11/08 9:32 AM
Just saw a "iphone activations are unavailable at this time...." message in iTunes with iphone connected.
# Posted By essam
| 7/11/08 9:32 AM
I went to the Apple store at 6am this morning here in Buffalo. I was told at 7:45 that if I had discount through my work then I would have to go an AT&T store.
I went upstairs in the Galleria Mall to the AT&T store and cashed out. Agreed to the contract ect. They then were attempting to activate my 3G iPhone it was taking a long time and the manager announced that we could take the phones home and activate them ourselves. I had to get to work so I flew out of there. Now when I try to activate my phone in iTunes 7.7 I'm getting the -9838 error code.
I went upstairs in the Galleria Mall to the AT&T store and cashed out. Agreed to the contract ect. They then were attempting to activate my 3G iPhone it was taking a long time and the manager announced that we could take the phones home and activate them ourselves. I had to get to work so I flew out of there. Now when I try to activate my phone in iTunes 7.7 I'm getting the -9838 error code.
Dude, just restart your computer.
# Posted By rickyT
| 7/11/08 9:32 AM
Here's the solution to this error:
Go into Image Capture on your Mac, and set the preferences to No Application when a digital camera is connected. Then connect your iPhone to iTunes and it will complete the activation process.
No go. Was already on No Applications.
Go into Image Capture on your Mac, and set the preferences to No Application when a digital camera is connected. Then connect your iPhone to iTunes and it will complete the activation process.
No go. Was already on No Applications.
# Posted By Larry
| 7/11/08 9:33 AM
I purchased an iPhone 3G an hour ago. The store was having problems with the iTunes activation, but I finally got it activated. When I got home, I tried to sync and got the 9838 error message. I got through to Apple iPhone support and the tech said the 9838 message means their server is too busy. He said their servers are slammed at the moment and if I wait until later, when the servers are less busy, it should work. I hope this helps.
# Posted By Eric Vollnogel
| 7/11/08 9:33 AM
They've just now pulled the software update from the website. Great timing Apple.
# Posted By Mike
| 7/11/08 9:33 AM
Ok, I did the image capture thing now, and now it's just stuck on "Accessing iTunes Store"... how long will it be doing this for?
# Posted By Joe
| 7/11/08 9:33 AM
Mine got through after about 45 minutes, and is now up and working. It's just a network glitch, I guess. Sucks to wait, but better than a bricked phone.
# Posted By Larry Doyle
| 7/11/08 9:33 AM
Now, iTunes is just holding forever, trying to connect through to the servers... no 9838, though, so I'm optimistic. Sort of.
# Posted By James Evans
| 7/11/08 9:33 AM
Hi... Same things are happening to me this morning. First the -9838 error. Now I get an official "activations are unavailable" message.
# Posted By Seth
| 7/11/08 9:34 AM
Hold down on the home button when you are docking the phone until you get a message in iTunes.
# Posted By Cory Martin
| 7/11/08 9:34 AM
For the record, I am having the same issue (Error: 3839) that everyone else is having. I am in California, USA.
# Posted By Kyle Morgan
| 7/11/08 9:34 AM
It looks like it's basically just a busy server error. Mine seems to have completed it now (re-syncing music now).
# Posted By Septimus
| 7/11/08 9:34 AM
Don Judd's post about Image Capture is correct. The 9838 error will go away if you go into the Preferences and select No Application. iTunes will connect the phone to the store and start working.
# Posted By Rekkart
| 7/11/08 9:34 AM
Ok after some time and another reboot, I got a restore screen and "Waiting for Activation This May Take Some Time" on the phone screen.
# Posted By Jaime Starstar
| 7/11/08 9:35 AM
I had the -9838 too. I followed Don Judd's advice and it sorted the issue...
Here's the solution to this error:
Go into Image Capture on your Mac, and set the preferences to No Application when a digital camera is connected. Then connect your iPhone to iTunes and it will complete the activation process.
Here's the solution to this error:
Go into Image Capture on your Mac, and set the preferences to No Application when a digital camera is connected. Then connect your iPhone to iTunes and it will complete the activation process.
# Posted By Tim Jameson
| 7/11/08 9:35 AM
Strange - if I click on the store I can access it but when I click back to iphone it cannot - when will this end???
# Posted By Hunter
| 7/11/08 9:35 AM
Same 9838 here in NYC.
# Posted By Pi$$ed off Johnny
| 7/11/08 9:35 AM
Restarted itunes, all good!!
Eastern PA 10:35 AM EST
Eastern PA 10:35 AM EST
# Posted By JL
| 7/11/08 9:35 AM
Hey guys, I has having this same error, but then I just replugged it in a few times and now it seems to be moving along nicely albeit a bit slow.
# Posted By Aaron Guck
| 7/11/08 9:35 AM
ack! I manually updated mine yesterday morning and it went off without a hitch. perhaps it's all down to networks being clogged?...
I'm getting the 9838 too. I've had a bricked phone for over an hour.
# Posted By Matt
| 7/11/08 9:36 AM
just tried restoring etc., it is only giving me the option to restore to 1.1.4 software (this was after i had updated to 2.0 and got the hanging screen/9838 error)
# Posted By holly
| 7/11/08 9:36 AM
and what if you dont have a mac - what is the fix??
# Posted By Hunter
| 7/11/08 9:36 AM
guys, i had the same problem so i kept clicking on the music icon then back to the iphone one and after a few tries it worked fine.
# Posted By adam
| 7/11/08 9:36 AM
Finally working.
# Posted By James Evans
| 7/11/08 9:37 AM
Now it's stuck on "Accessing iTunes Store" instead of 9838, but it's taking forever...fingers crossed
# Posted By Randy
| 7/11/08 9:37 AM
Spoke with Apple support, confirmed, this is a traffic issue. Please be patient.
# Posted By dave Knife
| 7/11/08 9:37 AM
FIX......................
LIKE A FEW HAVE SAID TRY CLICKING AWAY FROM THE IPHONE DEVICE ON ITUNES AND BACK AGAIN UNTIL YOU GET THOUGH
LIKE A FEW HAVE SAID TRY CLICKING AWAY FROM THE IPHONE DEVICE ON ITUNES AND BACK AGAIN UNTIL YOU GET THOUGH
# Posted By Jason Frey
| 7/11/08 9:37 AM
I posted earlier that I was having the same problem. Well, now all is fixed. Error 9838 is a 'Server Overload' error. You don't have to repeatedly click off and on your iPhone in iTunes to get it to work. In fact, by doing this, you lose your place in 'line'. If you just wait, it will finish. Mine updated and is currently making phone calls on 2.0 software after a 40 minute wait. This just goes to show when 6 million iPhone users upgrade all at the same time, servers start to panic. Have patience!
should it start doing something other than "accessing iTunes store" after getting past the error? lasdkfjlskdjf
# Posted By Joe
| 7/11/08 9:38 AM
I had the same 9838 error as everyone else. After reviewing posts, it seemed to me it's just a web traffic issue. I kept hitting my iPhone in iTunes over and over, and finally got a new screen instead of the error, stating that no more iPhone activations could be completed at this time, try again later. So I unplugged my iPhone and plugged it back in, and voila.
So just keep trying, eventually you might get through.
So just keep trying, eventually you might get through.
# Posted By datico
| 7/11/08 9:38 AM
Finally worked after saying "Accessing iTunes Store" for 5-10 minutes
# Posted By Randy
| 7/11/08 9:38 AM
same here, had the 9839. closed itunes and iphoto, reloaded itunes only and now im stuck with "Accessing iTunes Store". Been about 5 minutes now. Garbage.
# Posted By st. louis
| 7/11/08 9:39 AM
whoa, i just got an error message that my phone cannot be restored. this cannot be good.
# Posted By holly
| 7/11/08 9:39 AM
OK! Now there's a new warning screen about no signal... Which is funny because I made a phone call immediately before plugging my phone in to my computer.
# Posted By Jaime Starstar
| 7/11/08 9:39 AM
Same thing happened but this was eventually resolved.
Key is to not panic. It eventually goes through. I tried unmounting and reconnecting iPhone to iTunes and after 10 or so tries, I got lucky and it started communicating with the store. 5 minutes later, things are working.
Good luck and be patient.
Key is to not panic. It eventually goes through. I tried unmounting and reconnecting iPhone to iTunes and after 10 or so tries, I got lucky and it started communicating with the store. 5 minutes later, things are working.
Good luck and be patient.
# Posted By Dave
| 7/11/08 9:39 AM
Same issue here in New Jersey..
How many are willing to bet that this update has worked for Windows Users before Macs?? ;)
The hold music for tech support is AWFUL.
How many are willing to bet that this update has worked for Windows Users before Macs?? ;)
The hold music for tech support is AWFUL.
# Posted By Chris Miller
| 7/11/08 9:40 AM
Upgrading my existing iPhone, I was also getting the 9838 error (how I found this entry), but just rebooted and now "Accessing iTunes Store", now Restoring iPhone from backup. Success!
# Posted By RubyGrrl42
| 7/11/08 9:40 AM
Accessing iTunes Store...
////////////////////////
-_-
////////////////////////
-_-
# Posted By Mike
| 7/11/08 9:41 AM
Hang in there, mine has just corrected itself after leaving it to do its thing for an hour despite the 9838 error
# Posted By Richard
| 7/11/08 9:42 AM
I've tried all of the recommended fixes and cant get any of them to work ... darn "network timed out" on accessing itunes store
# Posted By Hunter
| 7/11/08 9:42 AM
Originally the error message I got was about the SSL 3.0 and the TSL 1.0 settings. I checked that in "Internet Options" and it was fine (obviously...)
Now I'm getting the could not connect to iTunes store, network timed out error.
This sounds like a server overload to me.
Now I'm getting the could not connect to iTunes store, network timed out error.
This sounds like a server overload to me.
# Posted By Tom
| 7/11/08 9:42 AM
I got past -9838 the same way as a couple of other posters (most recently Peter Marreck) -- keep trying over and over again. There was a long wait while it was "Accessing iTunes Store", and then it finally finished reactivating and started syncing my stuff back (which it's still doing now).
Good luck, all.
Good luck, all.
# Posted By S. Ben Melhuish
| 7/11/08 9:42 AM
-9838 is a server load problem. Try again, and you will get through
# Posted By nob
| 7/11/08 9:42 AM
GOT IT! ka ching, all to do with patience ... :-)
# Posted By Joe
| 7/11/08 9:42 AM
You just have to be patient if youre not getting the error message, it took me 15 min to get it to activate. just let it sit there
# Posted By Andrew Strumfels
| 7/11/08 9:42 AM
FINALLY!!! It worked. I used the method some have suggested-- clicked on ringtones and then back to the phone over and over. It was accessing itunes for awhile, but finally worked. Since the servers are slammed, the more times you try, the more chances you have to connect (in theory at least).
# Posted By Dave
| 7/11/08 9:43 AM
I had the same problem but after about 40 minutes it finally worked. I guess it just takes time.
# Posted By Jeremy Jones
| 7/11/08 9:43 AM
patience, my came back on.....thank god, just let it sit, it will do what it needs to do
# Posted By sam
| 7/11/08 9:43 AM
Who says we dont live in an instant gratification world. Dont worry people, the pain and agony of being first will soon subside.
# Posted By MDS
| 7/11/08 9:44 AM
It's making progress... When I plugged the phone in I was getting 9838; now at least it's trying to access iTunes!! guess we'll all be playing the waiting game this morning...
# Posted By Alana
| 7/11/08 9:45 AM
"Don't worry people, the pain and agony of being first will soon subside."
Lol... :)
Lol... :)
# Posted By Alana
| 7/11/08 9:45 AM
Does anyone know if when connected it will keep trying to sync with the store? If I just let it sit will it work??
# Posted By Hunter
| 7/11/08 9:45 AM
Apple should give you guys a medal - good job on keeping everybody updated, and Apple tech Support should be relieved there are postings like this to help keep everybody sane
# Posted By joel Dobson Jr
| 7/11/08 9:46 AM
ok at least now it's restoring my phone (i think to 1.1.4 -- WTF?)
# Posted By holly
| 7/11/08 9:47 AM
Now i just wish I didn't have so much crap on this thing because its still backing up my videos and what nots....
# Posted By Amanda
| 7/11/08 9:47 AM
Patience? This is my phone that is used for my business and children to get a hold of me. Why the hell does my phone have to connect to the iTunes Store before it will work!
# Posted By Chris
| 7/11/08 9:47 AM
Now that I've successfully upgraded. Any know how to hack 2.0? Its been 2 minutes, please help me.
# Posted By MDS
| 7/11/08 9:47 AM
I think I have some marginal success...now it's just updating everything to my phone. WOOHOO!
# Posted By Jaime Starstar
| 7/11/08 9:48 AM
just started to work, 10 - 15 minutes maybe. once you access itunes store just sit back and wait.
# Posted By st. louis
| 7/11/08 9:48 AM
i had the same problem of waiting for "accessing itunes store". i just waited and waited and finally it switched to "waiting for activation" then "restore complete" and now "phone is activated". for me, i didn't do anything. it was just a matter of time. although it was only about 15 or 20 minutes of waiting i believe. i hope this comment helps. best, v.
# Posted By Vincent
| 7/11/08 9:49 AM
MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I bet apple put a loop in the installer just to get another story on the net about the iphone!
for(i=0;i<100000000000000000000000000000000000;i++)
You have to give them credit. They know how to produce press. bad press, but press none the less.
for(i=0;i<100000000000000000000000000000000000;i++)
You have to give them credit. They know how to produce press. bad press, but press none the less.
# Posted By Steve Nelson
| 7/11/08 9:49 AM
Like everyone else - having the same problem. I'm hooked on a 30+ minute wait. Of course I have some phone calls coming in that I can't miss... well - I guess I can miss them because I did and I don't have a land-line here. Big BITE! I think I just got pwned.....
# Posted By Sole Collector
| 7/11/08 9:50 AM
Help My phone died too. I guess I just need to get a new one. A little help from dog lovers please! http://www.pupa-wear.com
Great Now I got a NEW iTunes Error -4 this time!
# Posted By Troy Marsh
| 7/11/08 9:52 AM
It's 10:48am EST here, I have been trying to at least 2 hours to get this update thing to work. I updated my iPhone, and when i connect it to iTunes I get an error. I am unsure of the code but it tells me the following:
"We could not complete your iTunes Store request. The
network connection times out.
Make sure your network settings are correct and your network
connection is active, then try again."
Why is it doing this? Is this the problem you are all having also? Anyone have a cure?
"We could not complete your iTunes Store request. The
network connection times out.
Make sure your network settings are correct and your network
connection is active, then try again."
Why is it doing this? Is this the problem you are all having also? Anyone have a cure?
# Posted By Evolution
| 7/11/08 9:52 AM
I waited for 10 minutes and was about to go do something while waiting and a error thing said you have timed out or been kicked off or something and I had to manually start over.
# Posted By kjn
| 7/11/08 9:52 AM
Woohoo. It worked. Like Amanda now though I'm waiting through a long sync. I assume when done I'll have a 2.0 phone. ;)
# Posted By Raymond Camden
| 7/11/08 9:52 AM
well thats great...i thought that someething was wrong with mah netwrok and went and resetted everything...
actually brought the phone to work to see if i have any better luck, but now i see its on their end...greeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaat
actually brought the phone to work to see if i have any better luck, but now i see its on their end...greeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaat
# Posted By zeldaprimed
| 7/11/08 9:52 AM
phone restored (no way to know if to 2.0 or 1.1.4), was hanging on the "accessing itunes store" screen that made me think the whole thing was busted the first time, then got a new error message, -4? Does anyone know what a -4 error is?
# Posted By holly
| 7/11/08 9:53 AM
I finished the download for the software and had it put on the iphone ages ago, now i have been trying for over 2 hours to get it to connect to the store, i got the (-9838) error several times now, and i finally got it to "accessing itunes store..." and it gave me error (-4), and i have to idea what to do at this point. You would think that after the fiasco of the first night of the iphone 1.0 launch they would have brought in more servers to deal with the obvious problem. the secret is that they don't care how long we wait because in the end we will still like the 2.0 software.
# Posted By nunya b.
| 7/11/08 9:53 AM
I got a 9838 message error too, and now after restart iTunes, the message disappear and I got stuck with the "Accessing iTunes Store" loading message. I've been sitting here for at least 25 minutes and no luck.
# Posted By MOTOKA
| 7/11/08 9:53 AM
Clicking refresh on this blog is the most fun I've had all week.
# Posted By MDS
| 7/11/08 9:54 AM
when i conect it says it cant access the itunes store...
wtf am i suppose to do?
what has worked for other ppl?
wtf am i suppose to do?
what has worked for other ppl?
# Posted By knut
| 7/11/08 9:54 AM
Nunya, I have the same -4 error now. Anybody know what a -4 error is??? I was getting the -9838 error before.
# Posted By holly
| 7/11/08 9:55 AM
Here's an idea...email Steve Jobs and tell him to buy Cisco routers and Intel servers!
# Posted By Jeff
| 7/11/08 9:55 AM
Hey Guys, Be patient. I had all these problems. I have just manage to reconnect and be successful with the upgrade. You have to respect them folks at apple. It does what it says on the box! Rob
# Posted By Robert Foster
| 7/11/08 9:56 AM
Nunya, I disconnected and then reconnected, and now I have the -9838 error again.
# Posted By holly
| 7/11/08 9:56 AM
Same access issues here.
Well at least we're all feeling the same pain!
Well at least we're all feeling the same pain!
# Posted By MATt
| 7/11/08 9:57 AM
im gettin a -4 error now .ughhh
# Posted By Brian Kirkegaard
| 7/11/08 9:57 AM
network connection lost again. 4th time. I have to go to work now. this sucks.
# Posted By kjn
| 7/11/08 9:57 AM
I was getting the ~9838 error earlier as well, now am getting the ~4 error after waiting about 15 minutes with the "accessing itunes store" message.
what's a ~4?
what's a ~4?
# Posted By Curtis Elliott
| 7/11/08 9:58 AM
holly, i have no idea what the problem is, i have tried using all sorts of search engines, and human help for it. and now my error is just haphazardly switching between (-4) and (-9838) with no seeming pattern or reason.
# Posted By nunya
| 7/11/08 9:58 AM
I think I'll have a beer while I wait.
# Posted By Jeff
| 7/11/08 9:58 AM
i am getting 9838 error again.
awesome
awesome
# Posted By kjn
| 7/11/08 9:58 AM
lol, gettin the 9838 error now
# Posted By Brian
| 7/11/08 9:59 AM
this is ridiculous. though i am glad that it is not only me the one experiencing the issue, like nunya said, you would think they would figure something out by now to avoid this kind of problem. i have been an apple fan for about 5 years now and this is really disappointing. to top it all off i drive to the store nearby and #1 they won't let you in (because their ego is over the roof) and think it's cool to make a scene and only let iphone buyers in. #2 they tell me there is nothing i can do andthat i have to wait - without a working phone until the problem is fixed (this is when i thought it was only me with the problem).
overall Apple needs to step their game up if they want to be known for reliability and by now be prepared to face problems wit software that they seem to "never expect"
overall Apple needs to step their game up if they want to be known for reliability and by now be prepared to face problems wit software that they seem to "never expect"
# Posted By noah
| 7/11/08 9:59 AM
I don't understand Luc's comment above about "losing your place in line" if you disconnect and reconnect. After I get the -9838 error it doesn't appear to be doing anything, it's not hanging, it just stops doing anything at all, so it seems to me I need to unplug and reconnect in order to try to re-establish a connection to the server? Thoughts?
# Posted By holly
| 7/11/08 9:59 AM
It seems to work if you sit on your hands and cluck like a chicken.
# Posted By MDS
| 7/11/08 10:00 AM
Did anyone having the issue this morning get it resolved? Mine's been out of commission for 2 hours.
# Posted By agnprl
| 7/11/08 10:00 AM
now it is telling me randomly along with the error9838 that it couldnt compete my request and the network connection was reset...ahhhhhhh!
# Posted By natalie
| 7/11/08 10:01 AM
I just got off the phone to iphone support: 1 (800) 694-7466
The activation server is DOWN. Polite apologies. I told him Windoze users were
used to this, not die hard Mac users.
The activation server is DOWN. Polite apologies. I told him Windoze users were
used to this, not die hard Mac users.
I bet Blackberry is enjoying this blog!
# Posted By chuck moffatt
| 7/11/08 10:01 AM
has anyone tried restoring to a different firware then upgrading again?
i am now
i am now
# Posted By Knut
| 7/11/08 10:01 AM
I called apple and they said to unplug and try to reconnect every hour or so...the update won't complete until it connects. Sucks!
# Posted By agnprl
| 7/11/08 10:01 AM
i would call tech support, IF THIS UPGRADE HADN'T THRASHED MY PHONE. (no landline.)
# Posted By holly
| 7/11/08 10:02 AM
Bad - Bad - Bad - Poor planing - 3G and 2.0 on the same day.
Maybe they need to buy some servers and storage, plus more bandwidth... (could buy Sun Micro :-) )
Maybe they need to buy some servers and storage, plus more bandwidth... (could buy Sun Micro :-) )
# Posted By Stephen
| 7/11/08 10:02 AM
Apple also said you can't restore to a 1.x version once you've installed the 2.0 update (I told them I'd rather have a functional phone for the weekend, and apparently that isn't an option)
# Posted By agnprl
| 7/11/08 10:02 AM
now it gives the 9838 over and over and over and over.
# Posted By kjn
| 7/11/08 10:03 AM
I think I'll go back to watching videos of the Gemini space program....back when computers REALLY worked....lol
# Posted By Jeff
| 7/11/08 10:03 AM
same here in Los Angeles... argh!
# Posted By mattdeuce
| 7/11/08 10:03 AM
activation server is down? like altogether down? but some people say they are successful...
# Posted By holly
| 7/11/08 10:04 AM
It's simply a band width issue. The US has just woken. The rest of the world is out there too trying to access the site. It works. Its just that its too darn popular!
# Posted By Rob
| 7/11/08 10:04 AM
I was having the same -9838 error message and tried unplugging several times but nothing would work. But then I decided to be a little more patient. I clicked between the itunes store and iphone tabs in itunes until I didn't get the error message and it just sat there attempting to connect. I left it there and finally my phone was able to connect. My iphone was alive for a few secs but then went into another restore mode. This time a progress bar is on my screen but it's going very slowly. Maybe I'll be good to go when it's done...
# Posted By Murray
| 7/11/08 10:04 AM
I am starting to get angry emails from clients asking why I'm not picking up my phone...
# Posted By CPT Awesome
| 7/11/08 10:04 AM
Worst. Activation. Design. Ever.
But I do have a table with a short leg, so I could always shim it with my newly-bricked iPhone. Which is nice.
But I do have a table with a short leg, so I could always shim it with my newly-bricked iPhone. Which is nice.
# Posted By mpb
| 7/11/08 10:05 AM
Mine in no longer "accessing the store". It's just sitting there. Does it need to be "accessing" in order to eventually fix? Or can I just leave it alone after hitting "OK" after getting the 9838 crap?
I am getting the error message -9838 too. How frustrating. I guess we will have to wait...I should have known..there would be a problem especially with the new 3g coming out today and also the new 2.0 software. i am just going to play golf and hope it is fixed when I return...FORE!!
# Posted By Bill Teague
| 7/11/08 10:05 AM
And AT&am