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 1. How-to
 2. iPhone


IPHONE RECOVERY MODE: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO USE IT TO RESTORE LOCKED IPHONES

By Richard Priday
published May 07, 2023

Here's how to use iPhone recovery mode to fix frozen or locked-out iPhones

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

Comments (0)

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)


It's worth knowing what iPhone recovery mode is, in case of emergency. It's a
last resort for getting your iPhone to work if it's completely frozen, or a
computer or other device doesn't recognize it. It's also what you can do to open
up an iPhone that's been disabled from too many incorrect password attempts.



Assuming your iPhone has functional side and volume buttons, and you've got a
Mac or PC handy to assist you, you can try out recovery mode if you've got a
phone that's otherwise locked up tight.


HOW TO PUT AN IPHONE IN RECOVERY MODE, AND RESTORE IT

 1. Plug your iPhone into a Mac, or a PC with iTunes installed
 2. Open up Finder or iTunes, depending on your computer
 3. Press volume up, then volume down, then press and hold the side button on
    the iPhone until Recovery Mode is enabled.
 4. Open the iPhone in Finder or iTunes
 5. First attempt to update the iPhone, or restore it through the on-screen
    prompts
 6. Set up your iPhone again as necessary



Read on for more detailed, illustrated steps




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: This guide relies on the fact that your iPhone still has functional
buttons. If your phone's damaged in a way that stops you from doing the
necessary button presses (see step 3), you'll have to take it into Apple for
fixing and restoring.

RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU... Tom's Guide




1. PLUG YOUR IPHONE INTO A MAC, OR A PC WITH ITUNES INSTALLED



(Image: © Tom's Guide)



Get your Lightning cable, either with a USB-A or USB-C end depending on your
computer's available ports, and connect up your iPhone and machine.


2. OPEN UP FINDER OR ITUNES, DEPENDING ON YOUR COMPUTER



(Image: © Tom's Guide)



Before you do anything more to your iPhone, make sure your computer is ready to
help restore the iPhone. 



On a Mac, you'll need to either open Finder if you're running macOS Catalina or
newer, or the iTunes app if you're running macOS Mojave or earlier.


If you're on a Windows PC, you'll need to have iTunes installed (available from
Apple) no matter its version, and have it up to date and open.


3. PRESS VOLUME UP, THEN VOLUME DOWN, THEN PRESS AND HOLD THE SIDE BUTTON ON THE
IPHONE UNTIL RECOVERY MODE IS ENABLED.



(Image: © Tom's Guide)



To put your iPhone in recovery mode, you'll need to use the three-button
sequence above. Make sure you keep holding the side/power button down even after
the phone's restarted and shows the Apple logo. Only let go when your phone
displays the recover mode screen, shown here.



(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Alternatively, with your iPhone turned off, press and hold the side button while
plugging the iPhone into your computer. Keep holding as the Apple logo appears
on screen, and you should also enter recovery mode.
If you do this without having your iPhone plugged in, you'll hard reset your
iPhone instead. This could solve your problem, but it isn't the same as recovery
mode, which we're focusing on here.




4. OPEN THE IPHONE IN FINDER OR ITUNES



(Image: © Tom's Guide)



With recovery mode enabled, you can now look for it on your computer, be that in
Finder or iTunes. Once the iPhone's popped up, click it.


5. FIRST ATTEMPT TO UPDATE THE IPHONE, OR RESTORE IT THROUGH THE ON-SCREEN
PROMPTS



(Image: © Tom's Guide)



You'll then be able to pick whether you update or restore the iPhone to factory
settings. It's best to start with Update first, as it'll reinstall iOS to try
and fix the issue. Only go for Restore the iPhone if that fails, since that'll
mean waving goodbye to any data saved on your phone.











(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Be warned that these steps could take several minutes to finish, so don't hang
around expecting it'll be done imminently.

If the process takes longer than 15 minutes and your iPhone leaves recovery
mode, Apple recommends trying the recovery mode process again once it's
finished.


6. SET YOUR IPHONE UP AGAIN AS NECESSARY



(Image: © Tom's Guide)



Once the reset is done, you will either be able to set the iPhone into data
recovery mode (shown here), or set it up from scratch if it was fully reset.
Either way, you shouldn't lose much if any data if you have an iPhone backup
set-up. 



Read more about how to back up your iPhone in this guide so you're prepared in
case of situations like this.


From start to finish, the whole process took us the best part of an hour to
complete. If you're reading this in advance of trying to put your own iPhone
into recovery mode, then ensure you set aside some time where you can babysit
your phone through the process.






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We've got more iPhone how-tos for you if you need more advice or tips. For
instance, we can demonstrate how to schedule a text on iPhone for preparing
messages to go out at a precise time, how to delete wallpapers on iPhone if
you're fed up of your current background, or how to edit Control Center on
iPhone to put the functions you use the most within easy reach.

Can't decide what to learn next? Take a look at our hidden iPhone features
everyone should know for a selection of our favorites.


MORE FROM TOM'S GUIDE

 * Your iPhone camera has a self timer for selfies and group portraits — here's
   how to turn it on
 * Thinking about ditching iPhone for Samsung? Here's how to try it now
 * How to use voice record on iPhone

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Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Richard Priday
Social Links Navigation
Assistant Phones Editor

Richard is based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones,
tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his
MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for
WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely
thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.




More about iphone

Tired of Apple News Plus? Here's how to cancel your subscription



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Latest

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