iPhone 1.1.3 problems: Bluetooth, email, sound missing, more

UPDATE: There is now a fix for the Bluetooth issues.

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iPhone 1.1.3, being perhaps the most significant software/firmware update for the device yet, is causing the biggest troubleshooting headaches of any release yet. Users are experiencing a range of issues, and we’ve discovered some effective fixes:

1.1.3 fails to apply: Update to iTunes 7.6 If you are experiencing an issue where the iPhone 1.1.3 fails to apply, either during an update or restore, with one of the following error messages:

• “The iPhone “iPhone” could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (6).”
• Error 1602
• Error -18
• etc.

try updating to iTunes 7.6 then running the update again.

One reader writes:

“When I tried to update my iPhone this morning, the update failed partway through with the error ‘The iPhone “iPhone” could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (6).’ My iPhone was left in recovery mode. Every attempt I made after that to recover it ended in the same cryptic message. [After updating to iTunes 7.6] my iPhone is now recovered and reloading it’s entire contents. (The phone had been completely wiped by the failed update.)”

Another potential fix is to put the iPhone in recovery mode then restore it.

Sound missing A number of users have lost sound output from their iPhones’ built-in speakers (earpiece and internal speaker) after applying the 1.1.3 update.

One reader writes:

“After update, can’t hear anything on the standard built in ear hole speaker. Got a phone call, said ‘hello, hello, hello?!’ etc, heard nothing. Guy on the other end said he heard weird noises, then static”

There are two potential fixes for this issue:

• Turn your iPhone off then back on
• Insert headphones into the audio jack and remove them then repeat the process (several tries may be required)

Bluetooth device compatibility Some users have reported that certain previously compatible Bluetooth devices no longer work properly with their iPhones after the 1.1.3 update.

Dan Walkowski writes:

“Sadly, it no longer works with my Garmin Nuvi 680, even though it has worked perfectly since the iPhone launched. After updating to firmware 1.1.3 and re-pairing, the iPhone Bluetooth process continuously reboots, connecting, then shutting down and disconnecting, then restarting and reconnecting, in an infinite loop.  I updated to the newest firmware on the garmin as well, to see if it would help, but no luck. This is very frustrating, because the Garmin is my handsfree speakerphone in the car, or at least it was until today.”

Mail problems Some users are reporting that the iPhone’s Mail application is failing to download messages since the 1.1.3 update.

One reader writes:

“Since updating my iPhone to 1.1.3, my Mail application (linked to this gmail account using imap) has ceased to download the actual email messages - it will register that an email has come in and display the subject line, but won’t access the content.”

If you are experiencing this problem, try the following: Tap Settings, then tap Mail. Select the account with which you are having problems and delete it (via the “Delete Account” button at the bottom of the account screen) then re-establish it.

Alternatively, try resetting network settings.

Major problems We’ve received a handful of reports from readers whose iPhones are rendered non-functional by software/firmware 1.1.3. David Simons writes:

“I have an 8gb iPhone, latest Leopard on a Mac Mini.  Just tried to update the iPhone software to 1.1.3 and the iPhone is bricked.  No, I did not hack my iPhone. Now after updating iTunes to the latest version and attempting to update the phone, the server is unreachable for the restoring the phone.”

Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.

Previous iPhone 1.1.3 coverage:

• All current unlock methods fail with iPhone 1.1.3
• Some legally unlocked iPhones re-locked by iPhone 1.1.3; potential fix
• iPhone 1.1.3 download link
• iPhone 1.1.3 official, shipping today; guided tour posted
• iPhone 1.1.3 hands-on: previously undocumented new features, usage notes
• Warning: Do not update to iPhone 1.1.3 if you want unofficial third-party apps