iPhone Error Code
iPhone Error 4013 and Error 4014 Data Recovery
On FaceID iPhones, Error 4013 is most commonly caused by liquid damage to the earpiece speaker flex or ambient light sensor. The damaged component shorts the I2C communication line and prevents the phone from booting. This is a hardware problem that requires physical isolation or microsoldering to fix.
What Causes Error 4013 on FaceID iPhones
Error 4013 means the device disconnected unexpectedly during an iTunes or Finder restore. On FaceID iPhones (iPhone X and newer), the most common cause is liquid damage to the earpiece speaker flex cable or the ambient light sensor. These components sit near the top of the phone where moisture enters first.
When liquid corrodes the earpiece flex or ambient light sensor, it creates a short circuit on the I2C line. I2C is the communication bus the CPU uses to talk to multiple peripherals during boot. When that line is shorted, the CPU cannot complete its startup sequence and the restore fails.
Other board-level faults can produce Error 4013 as well, including NAND communication failures and baseband issues, but on FaceID models the I2C short from earpiece flex corrosion is the cause we see most often. An evaluation under a microscope confirms which fault is present.
The I2C Short
I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) is a two-wire serial bus. Multiple chips share the same data and clock lines. When one component on the bus shorts, it pulls the line low and blocks communication for every device on that bus. The CPU sees this as a hang during boot and the restore fails with Error 4013 or 4014.
Why Software Restores Cannot Fix Error 4013
On FaceID iPhones, Error 4013 is a hardware failure in the vast majority of cases. The I2C line has an electrical short caused by corrosion from liquid exposure. No DFU restore, firmware update, or third-party tool can clear a physical short circuit on the logic board.
That said, not every hardware 4013 case requires microsoldering on the logic board itself. The first diagnostic step is disconnecting the earpiece flex cable and attempting to boot the phone normally. If the phone boots without the earpiece flex connected, the short is on the flex assembly, not the board. In those cases, cleaning the corrosion with isopropyl alcohol or replacing the flex assembly is enough to resolve the error. Microsoldering is only needed when the short is on the logic board itself.
Online forums suggest trying multiple DFU restores, using different USB cables, or downgrading iOS. None of these address the root cause. Each failed restore attempt wastes time while corrosion continues to spread if the underlying liquid damage has not been cleaned and treated.
Stop retrying the restore. If the failure is caused by liquid damage, corrosion continues to spread while you troubleshoot. Repeated restore attempts will not clear a hardware short. If your phone shows Error 4013 or 4014, the problem is on the board and needs physical repair.
How We Fix Error 4013
- Disconnect the earpiece flex: We open the phone and physically disconnect the earpiece speaker flex from the logic board.
- Test boot without flex: If the phone boots successfully without the flex connected, the short is isolated to the display assembly, and we can immediately extract your data without touching the logic board.
- Board-level repair (if needed): If the phone still fails to boot, the short is on the logic board itself. We remove the RF shields, locate the shorted I2C components under a microscope, and use microsoldering to clear the fault so the CPU can communicate during boot.
- Data extraction: Once the phone boots, we enter the passcode and safely copy your photos, messages, and contacts.
Pricing
Your Phone Does Not Need to Be Submerged
Many Error 4013 cases come from phones that were never dropped in water. Humidity, sweat during workouts, condensation from temperature changes, and minor splashes all introduce enough moisture to corrode the earpiece flex connector. The corrosion builds gradually until the I2C line shorts and the phone fails during a routine update or reboot.
If your FaceID iPhone suddenly started showing Error 4013 during a restore and you don't recall any water exposure, moisture ingress over time is the most likely cause. An evaluation under a microscope confirms it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is iPhone Error 4013?
What is the difference between Error 4013 and Error 4014?
Can I fix Error 4013 with software?
My phone was never submerged. Can it still be liquid damage?
How much does Error 4013 recovery cost?
iPhone showing Error 4013 or 4014?
Stop the restore attempts. The problem is on the board and corrosion spreads while you troubleshoot. Get a free evaluation.