How to Put iPhone in Recovery Mode (Step-by-Step) - Gotechtor (2024)

Here’s what’s in this guide:

1. What Is iPhone Recovery Mode?
2. When to Use iPhone Recovery Mode
3. How to Put iPhone in Recovery Mode?
4. How to get iPhone Out of Recovery Mode?

What Is iPhone Recovery Mode?

We’ll put it nice and simple. iPhone Recovery Mode is a safe method that allows you to restore a damaged iOS.

In more technical terms, iPhone Recovery Mode is a failsafe method in iBoot, which is Apple’s stage 2 bootloader for all iOS devices.

It allows your iPhone to interface with iTunes on your Mac or PC, while iOS is not totally booted.

Since Recovery Mode does not completely load iOS, which comes with lots of restrictions, it lets you update or restore the OS onto the device.

You should note that you cannot downgrade iOS when in Recovery Mode. In that case, you’d need to put your iPhone in DFU Mode, which is one of the three iOS device modes.

When to Use Recovery Mode

At this point, you should have a clear idea of what iPhone Recovery Mode is. Here’s when you should use Recovery Mode to the benefits of your iPhone:

1. Your iPhone keeps restarting after you’ve installed an iOS update.
2. When iTunes doesn’t recognize your iPhone when connecting to a Mac or Windows PC.
3. Your iPhone got stuck on the Apple logo for a while without displaying the progress bar.
4. If you have installed a bad beta and are trying to get off it.
5. Your iPhone is locked, and you don’t remember the password.
6. You’ve been locked out of your iPhone for exceeding the maximum number of attempts to enter the passcode, and the “Connect to iTunes” message is displayed.

When your iPhone enters Recovery mode, you’ll have two options: update or restore your iPhone with a new (or current) version of iOS. If you restore your iPhone, you will lose all data on your device.

That’s why it’s critical to have a recent backup of your phone. To play it safe, we strongly recommend you back up your iPhone with iCloud or Finder/iTunes.

But if you go for an update, it will upgrade iOS to the latest version while keeping all your device contents and settings.

See also: How to fix iPhone stuck in SOS mode

How to Put iPhone in Recovery Mode

You’ll need a few things to put your iPhone in recovery mode.

1. A computer (Mac or Windows PC)
2. Finder or iTunes
3. Internet connection
4. A Lightning to USB cable
5. Obviously your iPhone

First, make sure your Mac or Windows PC is connected to the internet and has the latest version of iTunes installed.

You’ll need to force restart your iPhone. This process will differ in some steps depending on what iPhone model you’re using. But don’t worry. We’ll cover every model.

For iPhone 8, 8 Plus, iPhone X, and Later

• Press and release the Volume Up button and then theVolume Downbutton.
• Then, press and hold theSidebuttonuntil you see the connect to iTunes screen. Your iPhone is now in Recovery Mode.

For iPhone 7, 7 Plus

• Turn off your iPhone, and connect it to your Mac or PC.
• Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time. Your iPhone will force restart but continue to hold on to the buttons.
• After a couple of seconds, the Apple logo will show on the screen. Don’t let go of the buttons yet.
• Keep holding them until you see the iTunes connect message. And voilà, you just put your iPhone into Recovery Mode.

For iPhone SE, 6s, and Earlier

If you happen to use an iPhone SE (like I do) or earlier, here is how to put it in Recovery Mode.

• While your iPhone is off, press and hold the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time.
• You can find the Sleep/Wake button on the top right for iPhone 5s and earlier and on the side for iPhone 6 or later.
• The Apple logo will flash, then reappear but stay a little bit longer. Continue to hold on to the buttons until the Recovery Mode screen appears.

How to Get iPhone Out of Recovery Mode

Now that your iPhone is in Recovery Mode, you’ll have about 15 mins before it exits Recovery Mode automatically.

If you’ve successfully restored your iPhone, it will exit Recovery Mode when your iPhone reboots.

If, for some reason, you didn’t restore or update your iPhone, here’s how to get out of Recovery Mode.

• Unplug your iPhone from your Mac or PC.
• Hold down your iPhone’s Lock and Home (Volume Down for iPhone 7) buttons.
• Let go of the Home (or Volume Down) button while you keep holding down the Lock button.
• Release the Lock button when the Apple icon appears to let your finish restarting.

Final Thoughts on iPhone Recovery Mode

This was our complete guide on how to put an iPhone into Recovery Mode. As you can see, it’s not difficult at all to enter your iPhone into Recovery Mode. You only need a computer and follow a few steps.

Getting your iPhone out of Recovery Mode is even easier. All you need to do is unplug your iPhone and use a few button combinations.

If you have any feedback or questions, then please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.

Herby has a healthy obsession with all things technology, especially smartphones. He loves to rip things apart to see how they work. He is responsible for the editorial direction, strategy, and growth of Gotechtor.

Herby Jasmin

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