Sometimes an iPhone must be placed into Recovery Mode to be able to effectively troubleshoot the device. Usually this is only necessary when an iPhone XS, XR, XS Max or X is stuck on the Apple logo for an extended amount of time and does not boot, is stuck on the iTunes logo with a USB cable, or if the computer is not recognizing the iPhone. When in Recovery Mode, the iPhone XS, XR, XS Max, or X can be restored directly with iTunes or macOS Finder (for Catalina and later).
To effectively use Recovery Mode with iPhone you will need a USB cable and a computer with the latest version of iTunes, or MacOS Catalina or later. Update iTunes before attempting to use Recovery Mode. Additionally, you will want to make sure that a backup of the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone X is available before starting the process, as using recovery mode or attempting to restore without a backup can result in permanent data loss.
How to Enter Recovery Mode on iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, X
Be certain that you have a backup of your iPhone before beginning. Failure to have an available backup may lead to permanent data loss from the iPhone.
- Connect the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone X to a computer with a USB cable
- Open iTunes on the computer (Mac or Windows, or in macOS Catalina open Finder)
- Press and release Volume Up on the iPhone
- Press and release Volume Down on the iPhone
- Press and continue holding the Power button until the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, X is in recovery mode
- iTunes (or Finder) will show an alert stating an iPhone has been found in Recovery Mode
After the iPhone has entered into Recovery Mode, you can update the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, X with the latest available iOS release, or restore with iTunes (or Finder) as usual either with a backup or by setting the device up as new.
An iPhone in recovery mode can also be restored by using IPSW if needed, as long as the IPSW file is actively being signed by Apple and matches the specific iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, X model. You may find iOS IPSW files here for the latest iOS versions.
How to Exit Recovery Mode on iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, X
Exiting Recovery Mode happens automatically once the iPhone is restored or updated, but you can also exit recovery mode without restoring by issuing a force reboot to the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, X as follows:
- Disconnect the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, X from the computer
- Press and release the Volume Up button on iPhone
- Press and release the Volume Down button on iPhone
- Press and hold the Power button on iPhone, continue to hold until you see the Apple logo appear on iPhone screen
Exiting Recovery Mode will return the iPhone to whatever the prior state was before it was placed into recovery mode in the first place. If the iPhone was stuck on the ‘connect to iTunes’ screen anyway, then it won’t boot back into the normal home screen or lock screen.
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