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    4 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    What Is iPhone Recovery Mode and When to Use It

    Recovery mode is an emergency tool for updating or restoring an iPhone that won't turn on, is stuck, or has a forgotten passcode. Here's how to use it safely.

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Try a Force Restart First
    2. 2.Prepare Your Computer
    3. 3.Enter Recovery Mode
    4. 4.Choose Update or Restore in iTunes/Finder
    5. 5.Wait for the Process to Complete
    1

    Try a Force Restart First

    ~23s
    Before recovery mode, try a force restart — it solves most freezes. iPhone 8 and later: quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. iPhone 7: hold Volume Down and Side button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. iPhone 6s and earlier: hold Home and Power/Sleep buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
    2

    Prepare Your Computer

    ~15s
    Connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable. On Mac (macOS Catalina or later): open Finder. On Mac (older): open iTunes. On Windows: open iTunes (download from Apple's website if not installed). Make sure the software is updated.
    3

    Enter Recovery Mode

    ~33s
    With the phone connected to the computer but NOT turned on: iPhone 8 and later: quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen (plug-in cable icon). iPhone 7: hold Volume Down and Side button simultaneously until recovery mode screen appears. iPhone 6s and earlier: hold Home and Power buttons until recovery mode screen appears.

    Warning

    If you hold the Side button too long after the Apple logo appears, the phone may turn on normally instead of entering recovery mode. Release when you see the cable/laptop icon, not the Apple logo.

    4

    Choose Update or Restore in iTunes/Finder

    ~15s
    On your computer, a dialog appears asking if you want to Update or Restore. Choose "Update" first — this reinstalls iOS while preserving your data. If the update fails, choose "Restore." Restore erases all data and installs fresh iOS.
    5

    Wait for the Process to Complete

    ~27s
    The iPhone downloads the latest iOS version (this may take 15-30 minutes depending on your internet speed) and installs it. Keep the phone plugged in throughout. When complete, the iPhone restarts and shows the setup screen. If you updated, your data should be intact. If you restored, set up as new or restore from a backup.

    Quick Tip

    After a successful update in recovery mode, check if a recent iCloud backup is available: during setup, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" to get your data back.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: What Is iPhone Recovery Mode and When to Use It

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Recovery mode is a special state your iPhone can be put into when it is having serious software problems: it will not turn on, it is stuck on the Apple logo for more than 10 minutes, it is stuck in a reboot loop, or you need to restore it because you forgot your passcode.

    In recovery mode, your iPhone shows a specific screen: either a plug-in-to-iTunes/Finder graphic (a computer with a cable icon) or the Apple logo with a progress bar. It is not broken — it is waiting for your computer to help it.

    Recovery mode works through Apple's iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on Mac with macOS Catalina and later). Your computer detects the phone in recovery mode and offers two options: Update (keeps your data and reinstalls iOS) and Restore (erases everything and installs fresh iOS).

    Always try Update first — it downloads and reinstalls the latest iOS version while preserving your data. Restore is the nuclear option that erases everything, used only when Update fails or when you need to set up the phone fresh.

    Entering recovery mode requires a computer and a cable. If you do not have a computer available, you cannot use recovery mode. For iPhones that simply will not turn on or are stuck, a "force restart" (holding specific buttons to hard-restart the phone) is always the first thing to try — it does not require a computer and solves most minor software freezes.

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    Official Resources

    Apple Support — iPhoneGoogle Help — AndroidSamsung Support

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    What Is iPhone Recovery Mode and When to Use It — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure