To exit Restore (Recovery) Mode on an iPhone or iPad, perform a Force Restart using your model’s button sequence — the Apple logo confirms the exit.
One interrupted update or a failed software restore can land your iPhone or iPad on the familiar “Connect to iTunes” screen with the support.apple.com/iphone/restore URL underneath. Apple calls this Recovery Mode, but most people know it as Restore Mode, and the same fix gets you out either way. The solution is a Force Restart — a button sequence that reboots the device directly into normal operation without touching your data.
What Is Restore Mode on an iPhone or iPad?
Restore Mode — technically Recovery Mode — is a diagnostic state iOS or iPadOS enters when it cannot complete a normal boot. The screen is black with a white cable icon pointing toward a laptop or iTunes logo. The device is not bricked; it is waiting for either a Force Restart to reboot it normally or a computer connection to reinstall the operating system. The mode itself does not erase any data.
Force Restart to Exit Restore Mode: The Button Sequence for Every Model
The Force Restart is the fastest way out, and it works for the vast majority of cases. The exact button presses depend on your device model, and getting the timing right matters. Here is the sequence for every current iPhone and iPad.
| Device Category | Models Included | Force Restart Sequence |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X | iPhone 8 through X | Quick press Volume Up, quick press Volume Down, then hold Side button until the Apple logo appears. |
| iPhone XS, XR, 11 Series | XS, XS Max, XR, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max | Same sequence: quick Volume Up, quick Volume Down, hold Side button. |
| iPhone 12, 13, 14 Series | 12 mini through 14 Pro Max, SE 3rd Gen | Same sequence: quick Volume Up, quick Volume Down, hold Side button. |
| iPhone 15, 16 Series | 15 and 16 families, including Pro models | Same three-step sequence with the Side button. USB-C cables must support data transfer for computer methods. |
| iPhone 7, 7 Plus, iPod touch 7th Gen | iPhone 7 family, iPod touch 7th generation | Hold Side button + Volume Down together until the Apple logo appears. |
| iPhone 6s, SE 1st Gen, 5s, 5, older iPod touch | Older models with a physical Home button | Hold Home button + Top (or Side) button together until the Apple logo appears. |
| iPad with Face ID | iPad Pro 2018+, iPad Air 4th Gen+, iPad Mini 6th Gen+ | Quick press Volume Up, quick press Volume Down, then hold Top button until the Apple logo appears. |
| iPad with Home Button | iPad 6th–9th Gen, iPad Air 1st–3rd Gen, iPad Mini 4th–5th Gen | Hold Top button + Home button together until the Apple logo appears. |
When you perform the sequence correctly, the screen goes black first, then the Apple logo appears. That logo is your the device is booting normally. If the screen stays black for more than 30 seconds after the logo vanishes, the device may have a deeper software issue.
What If the Force Restart Fails?
If the device stays on the Recovery Mode screen after two or three Force Restart attempts, the operating system likely needs to be reinstalled. You will need a computer and a cable, but you can preserve all your data by choosing the right option.
The key is to select Update rather than Restore when you connect the device. Update reinstalls the current version of iOS or iPadOS without touching your personal files, settings, or media. Restore erases everything and installs a clean copy of the OS — use it only as a last resort.
Apple’s official Recovery Mode support document confirms these sequences and the Update-before-Restore rule.
Using a Computer to Exit Restore Mode Without Data Loss
The computer method works when the Force Restart does not. Connect the device to your computer with a cable that supports data transfer — charging-only cables will not be detected.
| Your Computer | Software to Use | Action to Take | Data Preserved? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15 or later | Finder | Select the device in the sidebar, click Update, and follow the prompts. | Yes |
| Mac with macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier | iTunes | Select the device icon, click Update, and follow the prompts. | Yes |
| Windows PC with iTunes | iTunes 12.13 or later | Select the device icon, click Update, and follow the prompts. | Yes |
| Windows PC without iTunes | Apple Devices app (Microsoft Store) | Select the device, click Update, and follow the prompts. | Yes |
| Any computer (third-party tool) | Tenorshare ReiBoot | Connect the device and click Exit Recovery Mode. | Yes |
| Any computer (third-party tool) | iMazing | Connect the device and click Exit Recovery Mode in the Reinstall iOS screen. | Yes |
| Any computer (last resort) | Finder or iTunes | Click Restore instead of Update. | No — erases all data |
If Update completes successfully, the device reboots on its own and your data is intact. If Update fails, you can try the third-party tools listed above — both ReiBoot and iMazing have free modes for exiting Recovery Mode — or proceed with Restore, which will wipe the device but get it operational again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Three errors account for nearly every case where a device stays stuck after a reasonable attempt to exit Restore Mode.
- Selecting “Restore” instead of “Update.” This is the most costly mistake. When Finder or iTunes asks how you want to proceed, the Update button is on the left and Restore is on the right. Read the dialog twice before clicking.
- Releasing the button too early. The Force Restart only works if you hold the final button until you see the Apple logo. Releasing as soon as the screen goes black sends the device right back into Recovery Mode.
- Using a cable that only charges. Some USB-C and Lightning cables handle power but not data. If the computer does not detect the device, switch to the cable that came in the box or one known to sync data.
Final Fix Sequence for a Stuck Device
Here is the exact order to follow when your iPhone or iPad is stuck in Restore Mode, with each step building on the last so you stop before any data loss.
- Disconnect the device from any USB cable if one is attached.
- Force Restart using the correct sequence from the table above. Hold the final button until the Apple logo appears and stays visible.
- If the device returns to the Recovery screen after the Force Restart, connect it to a computer with a data-capable cable.
- Open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (macOS Mojave or earlier, Windows).
- Click Update when prompted. Do not click Restore.
- Wait for the software download and installation to finish. The device will reboot on its own.
- If Update fails after two attempts, try ReiBoot or iMazing to force an exit without a full restore.
- As a final step, use Restore in Finder or iTunes. This erases the device but returns it to working order. Restore from a backup afterward.
Following this sequence keeps your data safe through every stage and only resorts to a full wipe when no other option works.
References & Sources
- Apple Support. “If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is stuck in Recovery Mode.” Official button sequences and Update-before-Restore guidance for all supported devices.
- Tenorshare. “How to Enter and Exit iPhone Recovery Mode Free.” Free tool method for exiting Recovery Mode when button sequences fail.
- iMazing. “How to Get iPhone/iPad Out of Recovery Mode.” Alternative recovery exit method using the Reinstall iOS feature.