How to put iPhone into recovery mode: everything to know
Having problems with your iPhone and need to enter recovery mode? Here's everything to know about iPhone recovery mode and how to boot from it to troubleshoot issues.
Alex Griffith Updated on Nov 3, 2026 5:21 PM
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Depending on your model, the way of booting iPhone from recovery mode varies.
Sometimes, things go wrong with your iPhone, forcing you to try to enter recovery mode to troubleshoot and fix the problems that can't be dealt with in other ways. For example, if you want to get into your iPhone saying security lockout, you would want to put the device into recovery mode and restore it to regain control of it.
Whether your iPhone is trapped in a boot loop, won't turn on past the Apple logo, not charging, frozen, or needs a complete factory reset because you've forgotten your passcode, recovery mode is the ultimate failsafe. It is a built-in troubleshooting state that forces your iPhone's iBoot bootloader to communicate with a computer, allowing you to reinstall iOS or wipe the device clean.
However, because Apple uses different physical button combinations depending on which model you own, entering iPhone into recovery mode can feel like navigating a video game cheat code. This guide walks you through how to access the iPhone recovery mode feature: prepare your machine, identify your hardware, execute the exact button presses, and handle what comes next.
Here's everything about iPhone recovery mode.
Table of Contents
What's Recovery mode?
Recovery Mode is a tool included with iPhone devices that lets you quickly fix many of problems you might encounter by installing iOS updates, and even resetting the iPhone to its factory settings. It's not hard to use, but it's something you only use when other ordinary ways don't work.
One thing to be noted, after putting your iPhone into recovery mode, you will be prompted to run and connect to iTunes or Finder on your computer to execute further operation, whether you want to update or restore the iPhone.
What can recovery mode do for iPhone?
Most people never need to use recovery mode, but there are scenarios where iPhone experiences system malfunctions, fails to boot normally, or requires a reset that requires you to enter recovery mode to get your iPhone back to working.
Once your iPhone is in recovery mode and connecting to a computer via iTunes or Finder, you can fix the following issues:
- iPhone is unavailable, disabled, or security lockout
- iPhone is locked because you forgot the passcode
- iPhone won't charge or ring
- iPhone stuck at Apple logo
- iPhone stuck at update requested
- iPhone won't connect to Wi-Fi
- iPhone not making calls
- iPhone says no service
- iPhone keeps dimming
- iPhone screen is frozen
- iPhone won't turn on
- iPhone stuck at spinning
- iPhone keeps shutting off
- iPhone won't update
- Facetime not working on iPhone
- Other problems
Precautions:
If you choose to select "Restore" tool in recovery mode, it lets you reset the iPhone to its factory settings and delete all data on it. Ideally, you've got a recent backup of your data in iCloud or computer. If not, you may end up losing it permanently.
Your pictures were deleted by mistake? See what to do if photos disappeared from iPhone.
What you need before you begin
Before you start pressing buttons frantically, take a few minutes to get your environment ready. Skipping these preparation steps is the number one reason iPhone recovery mode fails to trigger.
Update your computer software
On a Mac: Make sure your Mac is running the latest version of macOS. Open Finder (iTunes is no longer used for device management on modern macOS versions).
On a Windows PC: Ensure you have the latest version of the Apple Devices app downloaded from the Microsoft Store, or update iTunes if you are on an older version of Windows.
Grab a trusted cable
Use a certified USB-C to Lightning, or USB-C to USB-C cable (depending on your iPhone model). Avoid cheap third-party charging cables that lack data transfer capabilities; if the computer can't pass data, recovery mode won't initialize.
Back up if possible
Recovery mode itself doesn't automatically delete your data, but if your iPhone is corrupted to the point where you need a Restore rather than an Update, all local data will be erased. If your phone is responsive enough to back up to iCloud right now, do it.
See also: iMessages disappeared on iPhone
How to enter iPhone into recovery mode
It's easy to get your iPhone to the recovery mode when you know how. You will need to press a specific combination of physical buttons on the iPhone after you turn it off.
The button combination you must press depends entirely on how old your iPhone is. Note: Do not let go of the buttons when you see the Apple logo appear—keep holding until you see the "Connect to Computer" graphic (a cable pointing toward a laptop).
Here's how to boot your iPhone into recovery mode.
Step 1: Power off the iPhone and execute the button sequence
iPhone with Face ID:
(iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16, iPhone 17, iPhone 18 series (and newer), and iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd generation))
1. Press and hold both the Side button and the Volume down button a few seconds until the power off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider to shut the device off.
3. Plug the iPhone into your computer where has iTunes installed if you're running a PC (Finder has already been preinstalled on Mac) and quickly hold the Side button.
4. Keep pressing the button even you see the Apple logo. Only release the button when you get an image of a computer and a cable on the screen.
iPhone with Home button:
1. Press and hold both the Side button until the power off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider to shut the iPhone off.
3. For iPhone 7, plug it into your PC or Mac computer and quickly hold the Volume down button; for iPhone 6s and earlier or iPhone SE (1st generation), plug it into your PC or Mac computer and quickly hold the Home button
4. Keep pressing the button until you see an image of a computer and a cable appear on the screen.
Congratulations! Your iPhone is in recovery mode.
Step 2. Choose between Update and Restore
When you enter iPhone recovery mode, you can open iTunes or Finder on your computer. A pop-up window will automatically appear on your computer screen within the app.
Click "Update:"
Try to update iOS software to the latest version to see if that resolves the issue without erasing your content on the device. If that works, great.
Your computer will attempt to reinstall iOS without erasing your personal data. Always try this option first if you are trying to rescue stuck software or fix a boot loop. It preserves your files, photos, and app settings.
Click "Restore:"
If update fails, put your iPhone into recovery mode again and this time perform a restore attempt to return your iPhone to its factory defaults, which wipes the device completely, installs a fresh copy of iOS from Apple's servers to get from scratch.
See also: iPhone is disabled connect to iTunes
How to reset a locked iPhone via recovery mode
Let's say you have forgotten the lock screen passcode and see an iPhone unavailable screen after entering wrong codes too many times, now what?
If your is iPhone is locked due to a forgotten passcode, the only way to bypass the unavailable screen is reset the phone. Fortunately, you can put your iPhone into recovery mode and perform a factory reset through "Restore" option there.
1. To reset the locked iPhone, follow the instructions above to enter your iPhone into recovery mode.
2. Go back to iTunes or Finder on your computer.
3. You should see a message reading "there is a problem with the iPhone" and asking if you want to Update or Restore.
4. Click Restore to do a complete reset.
Now sit back and wait for the iPhone to be reset and iOS to be updated on it.
See also: How to set ringtone on iPhone from music library
Bonus: how to unlock iPhone using iPhone Unlocker software
If, for some reasons, you can't access iPhone recovery mode to unlock a locked iPhone without passcode, you can also use a dedicated app to help you out. Among such kind of apps in the market, Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker is one of the easiest to use.
It is an amazing app that has "Wipe Passcode" feature to get rid of lock screen on your iPhone or iPad when locked, and also offers a set of tools to handle other tasks, including the ability to reset inactive Apple ID, remove SIM locks, bypass MDM profiles, unlock Screen Time password, and more.
Here're steps on how to unlock unavailable iPhone with iPhone Unlocker app when recovery mode doesn't work. First of all, download and install the app on your either Mac or Windows PC.
1. Launch iPhone Unlocker and select "Start Unlocking" from its interface.
Find out what to do when you get an Apple ID locked for security reason message.
2. Plug your locked iPhone into your computer and the software will guide you to trigger Recovery Mode on your device
3. After the app recognizes your phone and displays its basic information, check it and then click "Start Now" button to begin downloading the most appropriate firmware for your phone model.
Wait a while until you see the progress bar indicating the firmware download go to 100%.
4. Finally, click "OK" button on the screen. At this point, you should see a warning message asking whether you want to unlock and reset your iPhone when locked.
Click "Confirm Again" button to initiate the process.
That's all there is to it.
Keep in mind, when you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message, you may wait until the duration mentioned has passed, then enter your correct passcode if you remember.
How to exit recovery mode on iPhone
Hopefully, information provided in this article above worked to get your iPhone into recovery mode for troubleshooting your problems. On the other hand, if you entered recovery mode by accident, or if you tried updating/restoring and want to abort the process, you can force the iPhone to exit recovery mode and boot back up normally (provided the operating system isn't fatally corrupted). Do the following:
Note, you can get out of iPhone recovery mode without restoring your iPhone.
1. Unplug the phone from the USB cable if it connects to your computer.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume up button, quickly press and release the Volume down button, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, release it.
For older iPhone 7 and earlier, just hold the Side button instead.
3. Keep holding the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
4. Let go of the button and the iPhone will start up.
What to do if computer doesn't recognize your iPhone while entering recovery mode
If your computer doesn't detect the phone:
- Try a different USB port on your computer (avoid unpowered USB hubs).
- Clean out any lint or debris blocking the Lightning or USB-C port on your iPhone.
- Ensure your PC or Mac has trusted the device previously, or reinstall the Apple mobile device USB drivers (on Windows).
- Restart both your computer and your iPhone.
See also: Access iPhone videos on Mac
FAQs
What is the difference between Recovery Mode and DFU Mode?
Recovery mode uses Apple's native iBoot bootloader to interface with your computer via a visual "Connect to Computer" screen. DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is a deeper, more primitive state where the screen remains completely black, bypassing iBoot entirely. DFU mode is used for deep system-level modifications, jailbreaking, or severe firmware corruption when standard recovery mode fails.
Can I put an iPhone into recovery mode if the screen is completely broken?
Yes. As long as the phone's internal logic board and buttons are functional, you can perform the physical button sequence blindly while connected to a computer. Finder or the Apple Devices app will prompt you that a device in recovery mode has been detected, even if you can't see the visual cues on the phone's display.
Will putting my iPhone into recovery mode delete my data?
Entering recovery mode and selecting Update will not delete your data; it simply reinstalls the iOS operating system framework over your existing files. However, selecting Restore will completely erase everything on the device. If you do not have an active iCloud or computer backup, a restore means data loss.
