You may be trying to flash a firmware file intended for the iPhone9,1 (CDMA version) onto an iPhone9,3 (GSM version).
Here is a comprehensive guide on why this happens and how to fix it. Understanding the Error: What is "iphone9,3d101ap"?
The error message is a specific technical hurdle often encountered by users attempting to restore, update, or jailbreak older iPhone models—specifically the iPhone 7 (which corresponds to the internal identifier iPhone9,3 ). loader for iphone9 3d101ap not found updated
Release the button but keep holding Volume Down for another 5 seconds.
Are you seeing this error while trying to your device, or are you just performing a standard restore ? You may be trying to flash a firmware
If you are using tools like 3uTools, Rufus, or older versions of iTunes, they may not have the updated library to recognize the specific board ID d101ap .
If the "loader not found" error appears while the phone is in Recovery Mode (the screen showing a cable and computer), try switching to . DFU mode bypasses the iBoot loader that is likely causing the error. Connect your iPhone 7 to your PC. Hold the Power and Volume Down buttons for 10 seconds. The error message is a specific technical hurdle
If you are seeing the "updated" version of this error, it typically means your software tool (like iTunes, Finder, or a third-party flashing utility) is looking for a specific component of the firmware that doesn't match your device's hardware revision.
The "loader for iphone9,3d101ap not found updated" error is almost always a . By manually downloading the correct GSM-specific IPSW and using the most recent version of your flashing tool in DFU mode, you can usually bypass the missing loader requirement.