Unable to Restore iPod Touch 4G (Error 3194)
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bigredmer • February 6, 2013 at 10:02pm
I have an iPod Touch 4G that was previously jailbroken on iOS 5. After attempting an over-the-air update to iOS 6, the device became stuck in recovery mode and displays the connect to iTunes icon. When I try to restore the device, I receive Error 3194. I have tried downloading firmware files manually, but I still cannot complete the restore process.
Answers
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iClarified • January 12, 2026 at 7:15am
Error 3194 typically indicates that iTunes is unable to connect to Apple's firmware signature servers. This is common on computers previously used for jailbreaking where the hosts file was modified. To resolve this, you need to edit your hosts file. On a Mac, navigate to /etc/hosts. On Windows, go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. Open the file as an administrator and delete any lines that mention gs.apple.com. Once the file is saved, restart iTunes and put your device into DFU mode. Connect the iPod to your computer, hold the Power and Home buttons for 10 seconds, then release the Power button while continuing to hold the Home button until iTunes detects a device in recovery mode. You should now be able to click Restore and complete the update to iOS 6.
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saleh77 • February 6, 2013 at 10:29pm
To fix Error 3194, you must check your computer's hosts file. This error usually happens when iTunes is prevented from contacting Apple's servers.
1. Close iTunes.
2. Locate your hosts file. On macOS, this is at /etc/hosts. On Windows, it is at c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.
3. Open the file with Administrator privileges.
4. Remove any lines containing gs.apple.com.
5. Save the file and restart your computer.
6. Connect your iPod and put it into DFU mode by holding the Power and Home buttons for 10 seconds, then release the Power button but keep holding the Home button until iTunes detects the device.
7. Proceed with the restore in iTunes. Once finished, ensure your hosts file remains clean so iTunes can update properly in the future.
1. Close iTunes.
2. Locate your hosts file. On macOS, this is at /etc/hosts. On Windows, it is at c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.
3. Open the file with Administrator privileges.
4. Remove any lines containing gs.apple.com.
5. Save the file and restart your computer.
6. Connect your iPod and put it into DFU mode by holding the Power and Home buttons for 10 seconds, then release the Power button but keep holding the Home button until iTunes detects the device.
7. Proceed with the restore in iTunes. Once finished, ensure your hosts file remains clean so iTunes can update properly in the future.
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jarnail84 • May 30, 2013 at 4:27am
You can resolve this by putting your device into DFU mode. Hold the Home and Power buttons for 10 seconds, then release the Power button but continue holding the Home button for a few more seconds. When iTunes detects the iPod in recovery mode, you can perform a restore. If you want to use a specific firmware file you downloaded, hold Shift (on Windows) or Option (on Mac) while clicking the Restore button in iTunes to select your IPSW file manually.