Apple devices are reasonably reliable, but like any other piece of technology, they occasionally crash or become unresponsive. If a hard reset does not resolve the problem, you will need to restore your iPhone in recovery mode. This is distinct from DFU Mode, the last resort for getting your phone to work again. iTunes returns your device to its original factory settings in recovery mode, but with the most up-to-date iOS and firmware. Let’s take a look at the process for the iPhone 13 and other device models.
How to Enter Recovery Mode on an iPhone 13, 12, 11, X, or iPhone SE 2020, 8
- Using a Lightning to USB cable, connect your iPhone to a computer.
- Use Finder if your Mac is running macOS Catalina or Big Sur. If you’re using an older version of macOS or a Windows PC, you’ll need to use iTunes.
- On the left side of the device, press and then release the Volume Up button.
- Then, press and hold the Volume Down button.
- Now, for about ten seconds, press and hold the Side button (power button). You will see a completely black screen. The Apple logo will then appear (boot up screen). DO NOT PUSH THE BUTTON.
- After a few seconds, you should see a lightning cable with an arrow pointing to a Mac. NOW PUSH THE BUTTON. A pop-up will also appear in Finder or iTunes.
- ‘There is a problem with the iPhone that requires it to be updated or restored,’ says the Finder or iTunes pop-up.
- To resolve the issue, click Update. This will save all of your iPhone’s settings and data.
- If the Update does not resolve your issue, repeat the process, click on Restore. All settings and content will be erased if you use Restore. You can later restore everything from a backup if you have one in iCloud or on your computer (while settings up your iPhone)
Note: If you don’t see a pop-up in Finder or iTunes in step 5, but you do see the lightning cable and MacBook logo on your iPhone, release the button. Next, manually select your iPhone from the left Finder sidebar on Mac or the iPhone icon in iTunes.
Simply press and hold the Side button on your iPhone to exit recovery mode until the lightning cable and MacBook logo vanish from the screen. Your iPhone will restart normally.
How to enter recovery mode on iPhone 7
- Open iTunes/Finder and connect your device to the computer. Then, make sure the device icon is visible in the top left menu.
- Hold down the side button. Then, slide to turn off the power.
- Now, hold down the side button until the connect to iTunes screen appears on the screen.
- Disconnect your device from the computer to exit recovery mode. Then, hold down the side and volume down buttons until the Apple logo appears.
- How to Enter Recovery Mode on an iPhone 6s or earlier and an iPad
- Switch off your iOS device. For 3 seconds, press and hold the On/Off button.
- Now, slide the power off slider to the right.
- On your device, press and hold the home button.
- You must now connect your iPhone to your Mac or Windows PC. Make sure iTunes is open on your computer.
- When the Connect to iTunes screen appears, release the home button.
To exit recovery mode, disconnect your device from the computer. Then, press and hold the side and volume down buttons until the Apple logo appears.
How to Enter Recovery Mode on an iPhone 6s or earlier and an iPad
- Switch off your iOS device. For 3 seconds, press and hold the On/Off button.
- Now, slide the power off slider to the right.
- On your device, press and hold the home button.
- You must directly connect your iPhone to your Mac or Windows PC. Make sure iTunes is open on your computer.
- When the Connect to iTunes screen appears, release the home button.
- iTunes will notify you that it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode and prompt you to restore your device.
