Get Disabled iPhone Into Recovery Mode: Step-by-Step

If your iPhone is disabled — either from too many failed passcode attempts or a software glitch — recovery mode is the standard way to restore it through a computer. This guide walks you through entering recovery mode on every modern iPhone model, what to do if it doesn’t work, and how to avoid common pitfalls. You’ll need a computer with the latest version of iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS Catalina or later), plus a compatible USB cable.

What You’ll Need

• A computer (Windows PC or Mac) with iTunes or Finder installed and updated
• A USB cable that works with your iPhone (Lightning or USB-C, depending on model)
• Your iPhone itself — even if the screen says “Disabled” or is stuck on the Apple logo
• Patience: the process takes about 5–10 minutes, plus restore/download time

Step-by-Step

The exact button sequence depends on your iPhone model. Check which one you have first:

For iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and newer (no Home button)

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. If you see a prompt on the computer asking to trust the device, you can ignore it for now — the phone is disabled anyway.
2. On the iPhone, press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
3. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
4. Press and hold the Side button (the power button on the right edge) until the recovery mode screen appears. This usually takes about 10–20 seconds. Keep holding even if the Apple logo appears — do not release until you see the recovery mode screen, which shows a computer icon with a cable pointing to it.
5. Once the recovery mode screen is visible, release the Side button. Your computer should now detect the iPhone in recovery mode and show a pop-up offering to Update or Restore.
6. Choose Update first — it tries to keep your data while reinstalling the system. If that fails or you need to erase the phone, choose Restore (this wipes everything).
7. Wait for the download and installation to finish. Do not unplug the cable during this time.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Press and hold the Side button (power button) and the Volume Down button together.
3. Keep holding both for about 10–15 seconds, until the recovery mode screen appears.
4. Release both buttons. Then follow steps 5–7 from the section above.

For iPhone 6s and earlier, including iPhone SE (1st generation)

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Press and hold the Home button and the Side/Top button together.
3. Keep holding both for about 10–15 seconds, until the recovery mode screen appears.
4. Release both buttons. Then follow steps 5–7 from the first section.

Common Mistakes

• Releasing the buttons too early. The recovery mode screen takes 10–20 seconds to appear. If you let go when the Apple logo shows, the phone will boot normally and you’ll have to start over.
• Using the wrong button combination. The iPhone 7 uses a different combo than the iPhone 8 or later. Double-check your model before starting.
• Unplugging the cable mid-restore. This can leave the iPhone in a bricked state. Keep it connected until the process finishes completely.
• Not updating iTunes/Finder first. An outdated version may not recognize the device or may fail during the restore.
• Confusing recovery mode with DFU mode. Recovery mode shows a computer icon on screen. DFU mode shows a black screen — you don’t need DFU for a disabled iPhone.

Tips

• Use a genuine or certified USB cable. Cheap third-party cables often cause connection drops.
• Plug the cable directly into the computer’s USB port, not through a hub or keyboard.
• If you have a backup in iCloud or on the computer, you can restore from it after the process. But a disabled iPhone may not back up automatically, so check your last backup date.
• Choose Update instead of Restore if you want to try to keep your data. Update reinstalls iOS without erasing your files.
• If the phone is disabled because of too many passcode attempts, the countdown timer (e.g., “iPhone is disabled, try again in 5 minutes”) does not need to finish before you enter recovery mode — you can do this immediately.

Troubleshooting

Recovery mode screen doesn’t appear

If you hold the buttons and nothing happens after 30 seconds, try these in order:

1. Force restart the iPhone first (quickly press Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears), then try the recovery mode sequence again.
2. Check that the cable is fully inserted on both ends and try a different USB port.
3. Make sure the computer is on and unlocked — some systems won’t detect a device if the screen is locked.
4. Try a different cable, preferably an Apple-certified one.

Computer says “iPhone is in recovery mode” but then disconnects

• This usually means the cable is faulty or the USB port is unstable. Swap both and retry.
• Close other apps that might be using the USB port (like phone managers or sync tools).
• Restart the computer and try again.

iTunes/Finder says “The iPhone could not be restored. An unknown error occurred.”

• Error 4013, 4005, or 4014 often points to a bad cable or USB port. Try a different cable and port.
• Update iTunes to the latest version (Windows) or update macOS (Mac).
• Disable antivirus or firewall software temporarily — they can block communication with Apple servers.
• If the error persists, try a different computer.

iPhone is stuck in recovery mode loop (keeps returning to recovery screen)

• This can happen after a failed restore. Force restart the iPhone, then try the restore again.
• If it still loops, try entering DFU mode (for your specific model) and restore from there — though DFU is more advanced and should only be attempted if recovery mode fails repeatedly.

Computer doesn’t detect the iPhone at all

• Install the latest Apple Mobile Device USB driver (Windows) or update macOS.
• Try a different computer if possible.
• On Windows, open Device Manager and check if the iPhone shows up under “Universal Serial Bus devices” or “Portable Devices.” If it has a yellow warning icon, uninstall the driver and reconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will recovery mode erase my data?

Entering recovery mode itself doesn’t erase anything. But if you choose Restore, it wipes the phone. Choosing Update attempts to keep your data, though it’s not guaranteed if the system is severely corrupted.

Can I enter recovery mode without a computer?

No. Recovery mode requires a computer with iTunes or Finder to actually restore or update the iPhone. The phone itself can enter recovery mode, but without a computer it just sits on that screen.

How long does the whole process take?

Entering recovery mode takes about 30 seconds. The restore or update itself depends on your internet speed — downloading iOS can take 10–30 minutes, plus a few minutes to install.

My iPhone says “Disabled, connect to iTunes.” Is this the same as recovery mode?

No. That message means the phone is disabled and waiting for a connection. Recovery mode is a separate screen you enter manually. You still need to enter recovery mode as described above to restore it.

What if I don’t know my Apple ID password?

After restoring, the iPhone will ask for the Apple ID password that was used on it (Activation Lock). If you don’t know it, you’ll need to recover it through Apple’s website or contact Apple Support. Without it, the phone cannot be activated.

Can I use recovery mode to bypass the passcode?

No. Recovery mode is for restoring the system, not bypassing security. After a restore, the phone will still require the Apple ID password tied to the device, and the passcode may still be required depending on iOS version and settings.

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