Full instructions can be found on Johns blog here: http://tech.kateva.org/2008/09/iphone-21-does-not-fix-unknown.html .

This is done using the latest version 8 iTunes and iPhone firmware.

So far, so good, all data is back, unfortunately all the icons have been repositioned, its a shame apple can’t retain the position of the icons. Data and passwords seem to have been retained.

Everything seems updated, so this is probably the best solution at the moment, i’ll give some more feedback after a few applications have been updated. The true test.

[UPDATE 20th Oct 2008]

Looks like this has worked, i upgraded 5 applications over the weekend, everything is still working correctly.

[UPDATE 28th Oct 2008]

All still working fine, more updates have been aplied – looks like this does resolve the issue.

After a recent update was requested for Air Sharing (which is a fantastic application – get it now) within minutes of the iPhone been turned on, the iPhone prompts for the AppStore password. Presumably so that the application can be updated.

constant password request by iPhone

This wouldn’t be a problem, accept it then fails:

update failed message

Let’s hit dismiss a couple of times and everything is normal, but its not long before the same message is repeated, canceling the update does not achieve anything either.

Connecting back to the PC, also does not resolve.

Yep, another fault with the AppStore.

This is what I then did to resolve the problem:-

Next step, lets remove AirSharing icons from the the front screen and select the delete option and the other applications that are failing to update with the 0xe800002e error, then do a cold reboot of the iPhone – just for good measure.

On restart – AirSharing is Back !

Let’s Re-sync…

NOW – AirSharing is on the iPhone, BUT not in iTunes, its not selected to be installed !!!!!

airsharing de-selected

BUT – it is on the iPhone!!!!!!

airsharing on iphone

So to try and get everything correct again, I will add the AirSharing application back into the iphone and re-sync.

I now have one AirSharing application installed, and syncronising is working again, and so far – no password requests.

APPLE – Sort the AppStore out !!!! Please…

In summary, when the AppStore indicates that their are updates for applications, they are downloaded, and then the iPhone is synchronised. This is where the problem starts, Error 0xE800002E is then given for one or more applications, and the relevant update not applied.

iTunes iPhone sync error message 0xE800002E

The recently released 2.1 firmware doesn’t make any difference, BUT, a quick fix of

Delete the Application from the iPhone
reApply the Application to the iPhone

Will get around the problem, * BUT * this is only until the next update.

The main annoyance of this, is that the local data, like user ids, passwords etc is lost when the application is removed, so has to be re-entered each time. High scores etc, are lost with no method of getting them back without playing a game again.

Come on Apple, give this some sort of priority.

I’m not the only one, there are lots of information on the web about it:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=541871
http://forums.macnn.com/103/ipod-iphone-and-apple-tv/376631/cant-update-any-iphone-apps/
http://www.macworld.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=1788&mode=linear
and generally on Google…

BUT, until it is fixed, this is just another thorn in the side of what should be a good product.

[although I hear the first Android handset is out next week (at least in some countries)...maybe....]

Some further links:
http://www.macfixitforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/450071/0xE800002E_Error
http://rupertgee.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/error-0xe800002e/
http://www.macfixitforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/450071/0xE800002E_Error
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smenzel/2810760668/
http://www.touchfs.com/node/99
http://tech.kateva.org/2008/09/iphone-21-does-not-fix-unknown.html
http://www.iphonedownloadblog.com/unknown-error-occurred-0xe800002e/

Come on Apple, get it sorted