iPhone X Stuck in Restore Mode? Fix It

If your iPhone X is stuck in restore mode, it usually means the device is showing a computer-and-cable icon on a black screen and is not responding to normal restarts. The fix is to force restart the phone, then either update or restore it through a computer, or use recovery mode to exit the loop.

What Does Restore Mode Look Like?

Restore mode on the iPhone X displays a black screen with an image of a laptop or computer and a cable pointing to it. This screen appears when the iPhone’s operating system has failed to load properly, often after a failed software update, a corrupted restore, or a hardware issue. Unlike the normal Apple logo boot screen, restore mode is a special state that tells the phone to wait for a connection to a computer running iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).

Why Does an iPhone X Get Stuck in Restore Mode?

Several scenarios can cause this. The most common is a software update or restore that was interrupted—maybe the USB cable was unplugged, the computer lost power, or the iPhone ran out of battery mid-process. Another cause is a corrupted iOS file after a jailbreak attempt or a failed downgrade. In rare cases, a hardware failure, like a damaged NAND flash chip or a faulty logic board, can trigger restore mode. Also, if you previously used a third-party tool to force a restore, that can sometimes leave the device in a stuck state.

How to Force Restart Your iPhone X

The first step is to try a force restart, which does not erase data. On the iPhone X, the button layout is different from older models. Follow these steps exactly:

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Side button (on the right) until you see the Apple logo, then release.

If the Apple logo appears, the phone may boot normally. If it returns to the restore mode screen, move on to the next step.

Using a Computer to Exit Restore Mode

If a force restart doesn’t work, you’ll need a computer. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, use Finder. On Windows or older macOS, use iTunes. Connect your iPhone X to the computer with a USB cable, then open Finder or iTunes. You should see a prompt saying “There is a problem with the iPhone that requires it to be updated or restored.” Choose Update first—it keeps your data and just reinstalls the operating system. If that fails, you’ll have to choose Restore, which erases the phone completely.

What If the Computer Doesn’t Recognize the iPhone?

Sometimes the computer won’t detect the device at all. Try these in order:

Use a different USB port, preferably directly on the computer, not a hub.
Try a different Apple-certified Lightning cable.
Restart the computer and reconnect the iPhone.
Put the iPhone into recovery mode manually: connect to the computer, then force restart as described above, but keep holding the Side button after the Apple logo appears until you see the recovery mode screen (computer-and-cable icon). Then release.

If the phone enters recovery mode, the computer should detect it and offer to update or restore.

When to Try Recovery Mode vs. DFU Mode

Recovery mode and DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode are two different low-level states. Recovery mode still loads a minimal bootloader that can communicate with iTunes/Finder. DFU mode is deeper—the screen stays black and the device doesn’t load the OS at all. If recovery mode fails, DFU mode might work to restore the iPhone. To enter DFU mode on iPhone X:

Connect to the computer, then press Volume Up and release, Volume Down and release.
Hold the Side button for 10 seconds, then while still holding Side, press and hold Volume Down for 5 seconds.
Release the Side button but keep holding Volume Down for another 10 seconds.
If the screen stays black (no Apple logo), you’re in DFU mode. The computer should show a “Recovery Mode” alert.

DFU mode is a last resort because it completely reinstalls iOS and erases all data.

What to Do If Restore Fails or the Phone Won’t Exit Restore Mode

If the update or restore repeatedly fails, the issue is likely hardware-related. Common causes include a damaged Lightning port, a faulty battery that can’t sustain the process, or a logic board problem. Try cleaning the Lightning port gently with a soft, dry toothbrush. Also, make sure the battery has some charge—plug the phone into a wall charger for 30 minutes, then retry. If none of this works, contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service provider. They have diagnostic tools that can identify the exact fault.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my data if my iPhone X is stuck in restore mode?

Not necessarily. If you choose “Update” in Finder/iTunes, your data is preserved. However, if the update fails and you have to “Restore,” all data will be erased. If you have an iCloud or iTunes backup, you can restore from it afterward.

Why does my iPhone X keep going into restore mode after a force restart?

This usually indicates a deeper software corruption or a hardware fault. If the phone cycles back to the restore screen, the iOS installation is likely damaged. Try a full restore via DFU mode. If that doesn’t help, it’s probably a hardware issue.

Can I fix restore mode without a computer?

No, you need a computer with Finder or iTunes to update or restore the iPhone. The restore mode screen is designed to wait for a computer connection, so without one, the phone remains stuck.

How long does a restore take on iPhone X?

The download of iOS can take 10-30 minutes depending on your internet speed, and the installation itself takes another 5-10 minutes. The whole process can take up to an hour. If it takes longer, the connection may have dropped.

Is it safe to use third-party tools to exit restore mode?

Third-party tools like ReiBoot or Tenorshare can sometimes help, but they are not official and could potentially cause more issues or void your warranty. It’s safer to use Apple’s official methods first.

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

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