How to Put iPhone and iPad in Recovery Mode


If your iPhone or iPad suddenly freezes up while you’re using it, what do you do? What happens if your device stops working all of a sudden while undergoing a software update? First off, don’t panic. There are several reasons why this could happen and one of the solutions to this is putting your iPhone or iPad in recovery mode. It’s not exactly the first step you should take but you should still know how to do it in case you need to. How to put your iPhone and iPad in recovery mode varies depending on the model you’re currently using.

How to Put Your iPhone or iPad in Recovery Mode (with a Physical Home Button)

If you own an iPhone 6 or earlier or an iPad, here are the steps to take to put your device in recovery mode:

  1. Turn off your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Once the device has been shut off, press and hold the Home button located below the screen.
  3. On your desktop or laptop, open and run iTunes.
  4. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your desktop while iTunes is running.
  5. Your desktop screen should prompt a Connect to iTunes window. Once this is shown, you can now release the Home button on your iPhone or iPad. This should already put your device in recovery mode.

How to Put Your iPhone in Recovery Mode (with a Capacitive Force Touch Home Button)

If you’re using an iPhone 7, follow these steps to put your device in recovery mode:

  1. Turn off your iPhone.
  2. Once your iPhone has been shut off, press and hold the Volume Down button located on the left side of your device.
  3. On your desktop or laptop, open and run iTunes.
  4. Connect your iPhone to your desktop while iTunes is running.
  5. Your desktop screen should prompt a Connect to iTunes window. Once this is shown, you can now release the Volume Down button on your iPhone. This should already put your device in recovery mode.

How to Put Your iPad Pro in Recovery Mode (without a Home Button)

Unlike most iPads, iPad Pro doesn’t come with a Home button. Hence, recovery mode can be achieved by pressing a series of buttons as instructed below:

  1. While holding the iPad Pro in Portrait Mode, press and hold the Lock/Unlock button located at the top side of the device.
  2. Simultaneously, press and hold the Volume Up or Down button located on the upper right side of your iPad Pro until the Slide to Power Off slider shows on the screen.
  3. Drag the slider to turn off your iPad Pro
  4. Do not release the Lock/Unlock button. While holding this button, plug your iPad Pro into your desktop or laptop.
  5. Once the recovery mode screen turns on, you can now release the Lock/Unlock button.

How to Put Your iPhone in Recovery Mode (without a Home Button)

Similar to iPad Pro, iPhone 8 and later do not come with a physical Home button. Hence, recovery mode for these devices can be achieved by pressing a series of buttons as instructed below:

  1. To start, your iTunes must be closed on your Mac.
  2. Connect your iPhone to your Mac.
  3. Once the device has been connected, that is the time when you should open your iTunes.
  4. Press then release the Volume Up button followed by the Volume Down button located on the left side of your iPhone.
  5. After that, press and hold the Lock/Unlock button located on the right side of your iPhone. The recovery mode screen should turn on after a few seconds.

What’s the Difference Between Recovery Mode and DFU Mode?

If putting your device on recovery mode doesn’t work, you can also opt to try putting it on Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode. Do note that the DFU mode is not the same as recovery mode. Recovery mode often works without a problem but the issue may still persist if your device’s software has been substantially corrupted.

That’s where DFU mode comes into play. DFU mode is considered as the last resort to force your device to restore to its original settings. You might also have to make a few tries before you can actually access DFU mode right, as it can get a bit tricky and complex. Still, it is recommended to try regular restore mode before you jump the gun with DFU mode.

In an ideal situation, you wouldn’t have to put your iPhone or iPad in recovery mode. However, it pays to know how to do this just in case. It’s sort of an almost-last resort if rebooting your device wouldn’t work. Hopefully, this helps in restoring your iPhone or iPad to a working condition. If you find that there’s still an issue, it would probably best to contact Apple Support.


Kokou Adzo

Kokou Adzo is a stalwart in the tech journalism community, has been chronicling the ever-evolving world of Apple products and innovations for over a decade. As a Senior Author at Apple Gazette, Kokou combines a deep passion for technology with an innate ability to translate complex tech jargon into relatable insights for everyday users.

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