iPhone Stuck in Recovery Mode After an iOS Update? What to Do Next
You updated your iPhone, walked away for a moment, and returned to find a black screen with a cable pointing at a laptop. The phone won't turn off or on. This is a common issue that our technical experts at iFixScreens see regularly. In most cases, the phone isn't broken, and your photos are probably safe.
An iPhone stuck in recovery mode displays the connect-to-computer screen after a failed iOS update.
That screen is called recovery mode. Your iPhone goes there on its own when it can't finish starting up, usually after an update stops halfway. The steps below, recommended by our technical experts at iFixScreens, should be followed in the order shown.
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Key Takeaway
Why Does an iPhone Get Stuck in Recovery Mode?
An iOS update replaces the software that runs your phone. If something stops that process partway, the phone can't start, so it waits for a computer to help. The usual reasons:
The update lost Wi-Fi or the cable came loose
The battery ran low during the install
There wasn't enough free storage for the new iOS
The battery or another part is worn out and couldn't hold up
Common reasons an iPhone gets stuck in recovery mode after an iOS update.
Our technical experts at iFixScreens emphasize one key point. If you see the "connect to computer" cable on screen, your data is still on the phone. Recovery mode is a temporary state, not a data wipe.
How to Get Your iPhone Out of Recovery Mode
Try these in order. Stop as soon as your phone starts up like normal.
Step 1: Force Restart Your iPhone
Our technical experts at iFixScreens note that a force restart resolves about half of all recovery mode cases. Unplug the cable first, then use the buttons for your model:
iPhone 8 and newer (X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, SE 2 and 3): Press and let go of Volume Up, press and let go of Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo shows up.
Step-by-step force restart buttons to get your iPhone out of recovery mode.
If the Apple logo loads and your home screen comes back, you're done. Give it two tries before moving on.
Step 2: Reinstall iOS With "Update" (Keeps Your Data)
If the restart doesn't hold, you'll use a computer to reload iOS. This step keeps your files:
Plug your iPhone into a computer with a good cable.
Open Finder if you're on a Mac (macOS Catalina or newer), or the Apple Devices app or iTunes on Windows or an older Mac.
A box pops up saying there's a problem with your iPhone. Click Update, not Restore.
Let it download and reinstall iOS. Your photos, apps, and messages stay put.
Our technical experts at iFixScreens advise that if the download runs past 15 minutes, the phone can drop out of the recovery screen. Let the download finish, then put it back into recovery mode and try again.
Step 3: Restore (Only as a Last Option)
Use this step only if the update does not work. Restoring will delete everything on your phone and install a new version of iOS. Make sure you have a recent iCloud or computer backup, since you cannot undo this action.
What If My iPhone Keeps Going Back Into Recovery Mode?
Sometimes the phone reboots, then drops right back into recovery mode. Or your computer shows an error code like 4013, 4014, 9, or 14. When that happens, the problem is usually the hardware, not the software.
A tired battery, a damaged logic board, or past water or drop damage can all stop the phone from starting. Running Restore over and over won't fix that, and it can make your data harder to save. This is the point to stop and get help.
If Update and Restore both fail, don't keep trying on your own. You could lose data you can still save.
When Should You Take It to a Repair Shop?
Bring your iPhone to a technician if:
Update and Restore both fail.
It keeps looping back into recovery mode.
You see an error code.
You have no backup and can't lose your photos.
The phone got wet, was dropped, or the battery looks swollen
At iFixScreens, our certified technicians can pull your data off before wiping, check the battery and logic board, and quickly determine whether it's a quick software fix or a hardware repair. If the issue can be resolved at home, they will let you know.
iPhone Recovery Mode Help in New York, Georgia, and Florida
We've run iFixScreens since 2012, fixing failed updates and recovery-mode iPhones across New York, Georgia, and Florida, from Manhattan and Astoria to Long Island City and our home base in Lake Grove, NY. Walk into a store near you, no appointment needed. You get a free diagnostic, most software fixes done the same day, and an 180-day warranty on the work.
How iFixScreens Can Help
If your iPhone stays stuck in recovery mode, the certified technicians at iFixScreens can help. Our technical experts provide software troubleshooting and iOS reinstallation to get your device running again without losing your data. Our services also include full diagnostics, data recovery assistance, and hardware inspections when a deeper issue is found. Every repair begins with a free diagnostic and is backed by a 180-day warranty.
Still stuck on that recovery screen? Don't risk your photos with a Restore. Bring your iPhone to your nearest iFixScreens store for a FREE diagnostic, no appointment needed; most repairs same day. Find a store at ifixscreens.com or Call (855) 462-4349.
The Bottom Line
If your iPhone is stuck in recovery mode, don’t worry—it’s usually not as bad as it seems. Try a force restart first. If that doesn’t work, use the Update option to reinstall iOS and keep your data safe. Only use Restore as a last resort. If your phone keeps looping or you see an error code, it’s best to let a technician check it before you risk losing your files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my data if my iPhone is stuck in recovery mode?
Usually not. If you choose Update instead of Restore, your iPhone reinstalls iOS and keeps your photos, apps, and messages. Only Restore erases the phone.
How do I force my iPhone out of recovery mode?
Force-restart it. On iPhone 8 and newer, press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. Unplug the cable first.
Where can I repair my iPhone or iPad at the best price on the same day?
Bring your iPhone or iPad to your nearest iFixScreens store for a FREE diagnostic, no appointment needed, and most repairs are done the same day. You get a lowest-price guarantee and a 180-day warranty on every fix. Find a store at ifixscreens.com or call (855) 462-4349.
Why does my iPhone keep going back into recovery mode?
A loop usually points to corrupted software, low storage, a weak battery, or logic-board damage. Try Update once more. If it keeps looping, have a technician check it.
What's the difference between Update and Restore?
Update reinstalls iOS and keeps your data. Restore wipes everything and installs a clean copy. Always try Update first.
How long does it take to fix an iPhone stuck in recovery mode?
A force restart takes seconds. Reinstalling iOS with Update usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Most software fixes at our shops are same-day.