iPhone Stuck in Recovery Mode Won’t Restore? Fixes

If your iPhone is stuck in recovery mode and won’t restore, the fix usually involves forcing a restart, trying a different cable or USB port, or using a computer that trusts your device. This article explains why iPhones get stuck, how to exit recovery mode, and what to do when iTunes or Finder repeatedly fails to restore.

What Recovery Mode Is and Why It Happens

Recovery mode is a built-in emergency state in iOS that lets you reinstall the operating system when the phone won’t boot normally. It appears as a screen with a cable pointing to a computer or laptop. The iPhone enters recovery mode automatically after a failed software update, a corrupted restore, or a hardware problem that prevents normal startup. Sometimes it happens when you try to update over the air and the installation fails, or when you use a third-party tool incorrectly.

When the device is in this state, it is not completely broken. The bootloader is still working, which is why the screen lights up. The problem is that the main operating system is missing or damaged, so the phone cannot finish starting up. The only way out is to restore the firmware with a computer, or to force a restart if the phone entered recovery mode by accident.

First Try: Force Restart to Exit Recovery Mode

Before you do anything complicated, try a force restart. This does not erase your data and often kicks the phone out of recovery mode if it got stuck there because of a temporary glitch.

For iPhone 8 or later (including SE 2nd generation and newer): press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. This can take up to 20 seconds.
For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: press and hold the Side button and the Volume Down button together until the Apple logo appears.
For iPhone 6s and earlier, plus iPad with a Home button: press and hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button together until the Apple logo appears.

If the Apple logo appears and the phone starts normally, you are done. If it goes back to the recovery mode screen, you need a computer restore.

How to Restore an iPhone Stuck in Recovery Mode

Restoring means erasing the phone and installing a fresh copy of iOS. You need a computer with the latest version of iTunes (on Windows or older macOS) or Finder (on macOS Catalina or later). Use a cable that you know works for data transfer – some cheap cables only charge and cannot communicate with a computer.

Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. If you see a “Trust This Computer?” alert on the phone, tap Trust. If the phone is in recovery mode, the alert may not appear.
Open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (Windows or older macOS).
Select your device when it appears. If it does not appear, try a different USB port, a different cable, or restart the computer.
You will see a dialog saying the iPhone is in recovery mode and needs to be restored. Click Restore (or “Update” if you want to keep your data, but Update often fails if the phone is stuck).
Wait for the download and restore to finish. Do not unplug the phone during this process.

If the restore fails with an error like error 4013, 9, or 14, the problem is usually the cable, the USB port, or the computer’s security software. Try a different cable, plug directly into the computer (not a hub), and disable any antivirus that might interfere.

What to Do When Restore Fails Repeatedly

If you have tried the restore several times and it always fails at the same percentage, the issue is likely not the software. Here are the most common causes and what to try:

Bad cable or port: Use an Apple-certified cable and a USB port directly on the computer. Try a different port.
Computer security software: Temporarily disable antivirus or firewall programs that might block communication.
Outdated computer software: Update iTunes to the latest version, or update macOS to the latest version.
Another computer: Try restoring on a different computer (a friend’s Mac or PC) to rule out a problem with your main computer.
DFU mode: If normal recovery mode fails, try Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode. DFU is a deeper restore that bypasses the bootloader and is the last software option. The steps vary by iPhone model, so search for the exact DFU steps for your model. In DFU mode, the screen is completely black, but iTunes/Finder still detects the device.

If DFU mode also fails, the problem is likely hardware – for example, a damaged NAND chip, a faulty logic board, or a broken charging port that cannot maintain a stable connection. At this point, contact Apple Support or an authorized repair center. There is no reliable home fix for hardware issues.

Common Mistakes That Keep the iPhone Stuck

Many people make the restore worse by doing the following:

Unplugging during restore: Never disconnect the phone while the progress bar is moving. This can corrupt the restore and make the phone permanently stuck.
Using a Windows PC without the latest iTunes: Older iTunes versions may not support the latest iOS.
Not trusting the computer: On newer iOS versions, if you don’t tap “Trust” when prompted, the computer cannot access the phone. If the phone is in recovery mode, the trust prompt may not appear, but you can still restore.
Using a USB hub or front-panel port: These often provide unstable power and data, causing errors.
Ignoring the “Update” vs “Restore” choice: If you choose Update, it tries to keep your data, but if the system is too damaged, it will fail. Restore is the only reliable option when stuck.

Will I Lose My Data?

Yes, restoring erases everything on the phone. If you have an iCloud or iTunes/Finder backup, you can restore your data after the phone finishes restoring. If you never backed up, your data is likely lost. There is no official way to extract data from a phone in recovery mode without a backup. Some third-party tools claim to recover data from recovery mode, but they are not reliable and may cause more damage. The safest approach is to always back up your iPhone regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I exit recovery mode without a computer?

Yes, a force restart (the steps above) will exit recovery mode if the phone entered it by accident. If the phone is stuck because of a failed update, a force restart may not work, and you will need a computer.

What does error 4013 mean?

Error 4013 is a generic communication error between the iPhone and the computer. It usually means the connection was interrupted or the device had a hardware problem. Try a different cable, port, or computer, and if it persists, it may be a hardware issue.

What is the difference between recovery mode and DFU mode?

Recovery mode shows a cable icon on the screen and loads a minimal bootloader. DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode does not load the bootloader at all; the screen stays black. DFU mode allows a deeper restore and can fix issues that recovery mode cannot, but it is riskier because you have less feedback.

How long does a restore take?

The restore process usually takes 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your internet speed and the computer. The download of the iOS firmware is the longest part. If it takes more than an hour, something is wrong.

My iPhone is stuck in recovery mode but iTunes doesn’t detect it. What now?

First, make sure the cable is data-capable and the port works. Try a different cable and port. If still not detected, try a different computer. If no computer detects it, the charging port or logic board may be damaged.

Can I use a third-party tool to fix recovery mode?

Some tools like ReiBoot or Tenorshare claim to exit recovery mode without data loss. They can work for minor glitches, but they are not official and may void your warranty or cause further issues. The official methods are always safer.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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