iPhone stuck in recovery mode? Here are 4 steps to fix it - AppleToolBox (2023)

Your iPhone is stuck in recovery mode. Depending on your iOS version, you may see a black screen with an iTunes icon or a computer icon. You might even see an Apple logo. In any case, you won't be able to use your iPhone again until you fix it.

In this article, we have outlined the four steps you can take to fix your iPhone stuck in recovery mode. These steps are also exactly the same for iPad and iPod touch devices.

Related:

• iOS: All About DFU and Recovery Mode
• Use Recovery Mode to fix your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
• How to Factory Reset an iPad Successfully – A Complete Guide

What is recovery mode?

recovery modeis a special state that your iPhone enters when there is a problem with the operating system. You cannot use your iPhone at all while it is in recovery mode. Usually the only way to fix the problem is to reinstall iOS.

The most common reason why an iPhone gets stuck in recovery mode is that something went wrong during a software update. These problems range from a power outage to corrupted update files.

Whatever the cause, the result is the same. Your iPhone shows a black screen with an icon or logo on it that asks you to connect to a computer.

Will recovery mode erase my data?

Recovery mode doesn't erase the data on your iPhone, but you usually have to erase your iPhone to fix it. This means you will lose all content and data on your iPhone that you have not backed up.

If you cannot risk this data loss, take your iPhone to a data recovery specialist to see if they can recover anything without erasing the device.

Alternatively, try the first step below, which should not risk any data loss; If someone intentionally put your iPhone into recovery mode, it should be back to normal after the restart. That means you won't lose any data.

Make sure regularlyBack up your iPhonein the future, so you don't have to worry about data loss if it gets stuck in recovery mode again.

Step 1. Force restart to exit recovery mode

You may be able to exit recovery mode by restarting your iPhone. Of course, you won't be able to restart your iPhone as usual since nothing will appear on the screen. However, you can force a reboot instead.

Disconnect all cables from your iPhone first, otherwise you will put it back into recovery mode. Then follow the steps below to force restart your iPhone.

To force restart an iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone 11 or later:

1. Press and releasevolume up, followed by thevolume downTaste.
2. Then press and holdPerformancePress until your iPhone restarts.

To force restart an iPhone 7:

1. Hold down thePerformancebutton with thevolume downTaste.
2. Keep holding both buttons until your iPhone restarts.

To force restart an iPhone 6S or earlier:

1. Hold down thePerformancebutton with theHeimTaste.
2. Keep holding both buttons until your iPhone restarts.

Step 2. Restore your iPhone using a computer

When your iPhone is stuck in recovery mode, the iTunes or computer icon on the screen will prompt yourestore with a computer. To do this, you need to connect it to iTunes or Finder and download the latest version of iOS.

Restoring your iPhone will likely fix software issues. But it also erases all content and data from your device. If you have a backup, you can restore it afterwards.

To restore your iPhone using a computer:

1. Connect your iPhone to a computer using the cable that came with it.
2. On macOS Catalina or later:OpenFinderand select your iPhone in the sidebar.
3. On Windows or earlier versions of macOS:OpenItunesand select the iPhone icon in the top left corner.
4. Click the option toRestore iPhone, and then confirm that you wantRestore and updateyour iPhone.
5. This will erase all content and data from your device.
6. Stay connected to your iPhone while your computer downloads and installs the latest version of iOS. This usually takes at least 30 minutes but depends on your internet speed.
7. When it's done, your iPhone should restart to the Hello screen. Follow the setup prompts to restore your backup.

How to repair corrupt iOS downloads

It is possible that your iPhone is stuck in recovery mode because the iOS update files on your computer are corrupted. If this is the case, using the same computer to restore your iPhone will not fix the problem.

This is because your computer uses the same corrupted software files to reinstall iOS. To fix the problem, you need to delete the downloaded iOS software from your computer and force it to download a fresh copy from Apple.

On a Mac:OpenFinder, then hold thePossibilitypress and selectGo to > Libraryfrom the menu bar. Navigate toiTunes > iPhone Software-Updatesand delete the update files.

On a PC:Openfile managerand enableHidden files. Then navigate toUsers > [your name] > AppData > Roaming > Apple Computer > iTunesand delete the update files.

After deleting the corrupted files, repeat the above instructions to restore your iPhone. This should prompt your computer to download new iOS files from Apple, which shouldn't be corrupt.

Step 3. Put your iPhone in DFU mode to restore it

If restoring the operating system on your iPhone didn't work, there may be a firmware issue. You can reinstall the firmware on your iPhone by putting it in DFU mode and restoring it with a computer.

DFU Modebehaves like recovery mode — which makes your iPhone unresponsive — except nothing shows up on the screen at all. Follow the steps below to put your iPhone in DFU mode.

You know your iPhone is in DFU mode when the screen is completely blank, but your computer recognizes it as a device in recovery mode. Don't worry if you have to repeat the steps a few times before you get it right.

To put an iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone 11 or later into DFU mode:

1. Connect your iPhone to a computer with the cable that came with it and open iTunes or Finder.
2. Press and releasevolume up, followed by thevolume downTaste.
3. Then press and holdPerformanceTaste.
4. Once the screen goes black, press and holdvolume downbutton while holding itPerformancebutton held down.
5. Keep both buttons pressed5 seconds, then releasePerformancebutton and hold it downvolume downTaste.
6. Your iPhone is in DFU mode if it appears on your computer but the iPhone screen is blank. If anything appears on the screen, return to step one.
7. Wait for your computer to download the appropriate software, and then follow the prompts to restore your iPhone.

To force restart an iPhone 7:

1. Connect your iPhone to a computer with the cable that came with it and open iTunes or Finder.
2. Hold down thePerformancebutton with thevolume downTaste.
3. Keep both buttons pressed8 seconds, then releasePerformancebutton, but keep it pressedvolume downTaste.
4. Your iPhone is in DFU mode if it appears on your computer but the iPhone screen is blank. If anything appears on the screen, return to step one.
5. Wait for your computer to download the appropriate software, and then follow the prompts to restore your iPhone.

To force restart an iPhone 6S or earlier:

1. Connect your iPhone to a computer with the cable that came with it and open iTunes or Finder.
2. Hold down thePerformancebutton with theHeimTaste.
3. Keep both buttons pressed8 seconds, then releasePerformancebutton, but keep it pressedHeimTaste.
4. Your iPhone is in DFU mode if it appears on your computer but the iPhone screen is blank. If anything appears on the screen, return to step one.
5. Wait for your computer to download the appropriate software, and then follow the prompts to restore your iPhone.

Step 4. Schedule a physical repair for your iPhone

If your iPhone is still stuck in recovery mode after restoring the firmware and software, then there must be a hardware issue with the device. That means you'll need to speak to Apple Support for a physical repair.

Even if your iPhone was working before attempting a software update, the process of updating iOS may have alerted the iPhone to corrupted hardware, which is why it got stuck in recovery mode.

Talk to Apple Supportdirectly to set up a support chat or Genius Bar appointment. Feel free to refer them to this article to show the solutions you have already tried.

An Apple logo means your iPhone is stuck in a boot loop

If you cannot get past the Apple logo on your iPhone screen, it means your device is probably stuck in a boot loop and not in recovery mode.

Most of the troubleshooting steps for these issues are the same. But you should take a look at our dedicated onesBoot loop troubleshooting guideto check if there are no other solutions you can try.