Use Recovery Mode to fix your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Recovery mode is a powerful tool you can use to fix problems with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. It reinstalls the software on your device, resolving a wide range of software-related issues in the process.

Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch might go into recovery mode after a failed software update. Other times, you might choose to put it in recovery mode as a troubleshooting solution. Either way, you can follow the instructions in this guide to restore your software and get your device back to normal again.

Contents

0.1 Related articles:

1 What Is Recovery Mode?
- 1.1 How to Exit Recovery Mode
2 What Problems Does Recovery Mode Fix?
- 2.1 Make a Backup Before Using Recovery Mode
3 How to Put Your Device in Recovery Mode
4 How to Update or Restore in Recovery Mode
5 What If Recovery Mode Doesn’t Work
- 5.1 Related Posts:

What Is Recovery Mode?

An iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in recovery mode shows an iTunes or computer icon on the screen, prompting you to connect it to a computer. When you do so, you can choose to Update or Restore the software on your device.

Either option reinstalls the latest available operating software from Apple, but the Restore button also erases all the content and data from your device. Afterward, you can choose to recover a backup or set it up as new.

Computer and iTunes icons on iPhone recovery mode — A device in recovery mode prompts you to connect it to a computer.

How to Exit Recovery Mode

While in recovery mode, your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is totally unresponsive. You can’t wake it up, receive phone calls, or use it in any other way. You may be able to exit recovery mode by holding the Sleep/Wake button or following these instructions to force restart your device.

How to force a restart on your iDevice

iPhone 8 and above and iPad models with Face ID: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Power button (Top or Side) until the device restarts
iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPod touch 7th generation+: Press and hold both the Top (or Side) button and the Volume Down buttons until you see the Apple logo
iPad with Home button, iPhone 6s or earlier, and iPod touch (6th generation) or earlier: Press and hold both the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons until you see the Apple logo

However, if there is a problem with the operating software on your device, it may be impossible to exit recovery mode. In this case, you need to update or restore the software to fix your device.

What Problems Does Recovery Mode Fix?

A boot loop is when your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch can’t get past the Apple logo.

Since recovery mode reinstalls the software on your device, it’s an effective solution for any software-related problems you might come across. To name a few, these include failed updates, boot loops, unresponsive touchscreens, and even poor battery life.

If you experience the same software problems after using recovery mode, there might be an issue with your backup. Restore your device with recovery mode again, but set it up as new afterward. If that doesn’t work either, restore using DFU mode or seek a hardware repair.

Make a Backup Before Using Recovery Mode

Recovery mode gives you the choice to Update or Restore your device. If you choose to Restore, it also erases your content and settings. That includes any photos, messages, apps, and other data on your device.

Even if you only want to update your device, make a backup before putting it in recovery mode. It’s not possible to back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when it’s in recovery mode and you could lose all your data otherwise.

How to Put Your Device in Recovery Mode

To put an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in recovery mode you need to connect it to a computer and force restart the device. When you do this correctly, a computer or iTunes icon appears on the display. Your computer also recognizes a device in recovery mode.

Select your device from the list below to jump to the right instructions:

iPhone 8, iPhone X, or later
iPhone 7
iPhone 6S, iPhone SE, or earlier
iPad with Face ID
iPad with Home button
iPod touch (7th generation) or later
iPod touch (6th generation) or earlier

iPhone 8, iPhone X, or later / iPad with Face ID

Connect your device to a computer using an Apple-certified USB cable.
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Side or Top button.
Your iPhone or iPad will restart, keep holding the Side or Top button until it enters recovery mode. Choose to update or restore your device.

iPhone 7 / iPod touch (7th generation) or later

Connect your device to a computer using an Apple-certified USB cable.
Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button with the Volume Down button.
Your iPhone or iPod touch will restart, keep holding both buttons until it enters recovery mode. Choose to update or restore your device.

iPhone 6S, iPhone SE, or earlier / iPod (6th generation) or earlier / iPad with Home button

Connect your device to a computer using an Apple-certified USB cable.
Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button with the Home button.
Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch will restart, keep holding both buttons until it enters recovery mode. Choose to update or restore your device.

How to Update or Restore in Recovery Mode

Your computer should recognize an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in recovery mode and automatically open Finder or iTunes, depending on your computer software.

Update and Restore buttons when computer recognizes device in Recovery Mode — You should see this message in iTunes or Finder when your device is in recovery mode.

Choose whether you want to Update or Restore the software on your device. When you update it, you shouldn’t lose any content. Whereas choosing to restore your software also erases all the content and settings.

After 15 minutes, your device may automatically exit recovery mode. If this happens, repeat the instructions above to put it in recovery mode again and finish updating or restoring the software.

What If Recovery Mode Doesn’t Work

There aren’t many problems you can’t fix by restoring your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with recovery mode. But if it didn’t do the trick, there is an even deeper restore you can do instead.

Device Firmware Update mode—or DFU mode for short—reinstalls the firmware on your device as well as the software. If your problem persists after using recovery mode, restore your device with DFU mode instead.

Dan Helyer( Senior Writer )

Dan is a freelance writer based in South West England.

He spent two years supervising repairs as a Genius Admin for Apple Retail and uses that knowledge to keep our troubleshooting guides up to date.

Long before that, Dan turned to Apple products from a musical background. Having owned iPods for years, he bought a MacBook to learn sound recording and production. It was using those skills that he gained a first-class Bachelor of Science in Sound Technology.

Show 6 Comments

BEVERLY Talbott says

January 1, 2020 at 2:20 PM

I replaced my screen on my iPad because it was broken, now it won’t accept my password to open my phone. I haven’t forgotten my passcode, the button won’t work.

- Elizabeth Jones says
  
  January 2, 2020 at 7:16 AM
  
  Hi Beverly,
  
  Does the iPad recognize your taps on the screen–we’re asking just in case the screen replacement is the issue. Did Apple repair the screen or a third-party provider (or even yourself)?
  
  We’ve heard from some readers that there are problems with some third-party screen repairs and/or parts.
  
  If Apple repaired the iPad, set-up an appointment with an Apple Store Genius to review the issue. Even if Apple did not make the repair, they still may be able to assist you.
  
  If you don’t want to go to an Apple Store or if it’s not an option due to location, try a DFU Mode restore of your device. Hopefully, you backup your iPad’s data and can reconnect to that backup. If you do not backup, you will lose your device’s data including photos, texts, and so forth.
  
DONG says

May 12, 2018 at 6:42 AM

Thanks so much for this solution.
It worked perfectly to solve my IP 6s problem.

Donna says

January 14, 2017 at 12:42 PM

Same problem

Richard says

May 25, 2016 at 1:25 PM

I’m having exactly the same problem. Do you ever find a solution?

Gay Nordquist says

April 13, 2016 at 1:32 PM

My Mini Ipad does not respond to touch, it’s stuck in the beginina open screen with the date and slider moving on the button to open but when i slide my finger to open it does not respond not when i turn it off and reboot does it do anything, pressing the home key and power button on top takes it to another ‘power off’ slide prompt but still does not repsond. My co-workers whos been trying to help isn’t having any help. i told him i would need to call Apple Support and he said “good luck with that!” he’s never gotten ahold of a live person yet. Please show him wrong and help with my phone call for support. Thanking you in advance

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Use Recovery Mode to fix your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

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