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If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Posted in Apple Mac OS

Use recovery mode

You might need to use recovery mode to restore your device in these cases:

  • iTunes doesn't recognize your device or says it's in recovery mode.
  • You see the Apple logo onscreen for several minutes with no progress bar.
  • You see the Connect to iTunes screen.

Learn what to do if you see the progress bar onscreen for several minutes.

To put your device into recovery mode, follow these steps:

  1. Turn off your device and leave it off.
  2. Plug in your device's USB cable to a computer with iTunes. 
  3. Hold down the Home button on your device as you connect the USB cable. Keep holding down the Home button until you see the Connect to iTunes screen.
    Screenshot showing the Connect to iTunes screen on iOS.
  4. When you see this screen, release the Home button. If you don't see this screen, try steps 1 through 3 again. 

When your device is connected, iTunes will open. You'll see a message saying that iTunes has detected an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in recovery mode.

iTunes dialog: "iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes."

Use iTunes to restore your device. Restoring in recovery mode will erase your device. If you previously synced with iTunes or iCloud, you might be able to restore from your backup.

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