Apple Configurator 2: “The operation couldn’t be completed. (AMRestoreErrorDomain error 4 – failed to handle message type StatusMsg) [AMRestoreErrorDomain – 0x4 (4)]”
Date : September 26, 2020
Problem
Whilst trying to restore iOS or iPadOS devices in Apple Configurator 2, you receive the following error message after the device reboots into restore mode:

"The operation couldn’t be completed. (AMRestoreErrorDomain error 4 - failed to handle message type StatusMsg) [AMRestoreErrorDomain – 0x4 (4)]"
iPad (7th Gen), Apple Configurator 2.13.1, running on macOS 10.15: Catalina, attempting to restore iPadOS 14
Solution
- Unplug all iOS devices and close Apple Configurator
- Open the Finder app and plug in one of the affected devices
- The device should appear in the left-hand column; click on it
- Follow the instructions to restore the device. As part of this process, you will be prompted to download and install a smaller update on the Mac itself, separate to the iOS. This is the golden ticket!

Once the update has fully completed, you can then re-open Apple Configurator and plug in all devices; all should now restore without issue.