Enter Recovery Mode to Restore or Unlock iPhone with iTunes

By Justin SabrinaUpdated on December 16, 2022

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Sometimes an iPhone must be putted into Recovery Mode to be able to fix the iPhone device with iTunes/Finder or other third-party application. Then, under what circumstances we need to put iPhone, iPad or iPad into recovery mode? If you can't update, restore or unlock your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you need to put iPhone into recovery mode. This article teach you how to restore or unlock a disabled iPhone with iTunes, Apple Finder(ios 13 macos catalina) or UkeySoft Unlocker.

CONTENTS

Part 1: Why We Need Put iPhone into Recovery Mode?

• iPhone is disabled for unlocking failure
• iPhone has frozen up, or the touch screen become unresponsive
• iPhone is stopped working during a software update
• iPhone is in black/red/blue/white screen death
• iPhone is stuck in Apple logo or headphone mode
• iPhone won't turn on
• iPhone stuck in spinning circle or iPhone boot loop

If your iPhone stuck on the Apple logo for long time and does not boot, or if your iPhone screen displays connecting to the iTunes logo with a USB cable, or if the computer is not recognizing the iPhone, or if you forgot the passcode on your iPhone, or your iPhone is disabled. When in Recovery Mode, the iPhone can be restored or unlocked directly with iTunes or macOS Finder (for Catalina and later). Let’s teach you how to put your iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, or iPhone 11 Pro into recovery mode in the below part 2 guide, then you also can learn how to restore iPhone in iTunes or macOS Finder (for Catalina and later), or unlock iPhone without passcode.

Part 2: How to Enter Recovery Mode on iPhone 8, X, XR, XS, XS Max or iPhone 11

This article main teach you how to put an iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X or iPhone 11/11 Pro into recovery mode here are different from prior iPhone models. If you have an older iPhone/iPad, such as iPhone 7/ 7 Plus, iPhone 6s or earlier and iPad. Please read this guide about how to enter recovery mode on older iPhone models and iPad instead.

Before putting iPhone into recovery mode to restore/unlock it with iTunes or Finder, whats things you need to prepare and what should be pay attention.

• 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.
• 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.
• Before using recovery mode or attempting to restore iPhone, make sure you have backed up your iPhone, since the process cause all data loss permanently.

Step 1. Power off your iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone X.
Press and hold the Power button along with the Volume Up or Volume Down button until two sliding buttons appear on the screen.

Release the physical buttons and swipe right on the slide to power off button at the top of the screen.

Step 2. Connect the iPhone to a computer with a USB cable
Step 3. Open iTunes on the computer (Mac or Windows, or in macOS Catalina open Finder)
Step 4. Press and release Volume Up on the iPhone
Step 5. Press and release Volume Down on the iPhone

Step 6. Press and continue holding the Power button for 10 seconds until you see the recovery mode screen with the "Connect to iTunes" logo screen, then release it.

Step 7. iTunes (or Finder) will show an alert stating an iPhone has been detected in Recovery Mode. You'll then be given options to update or restore your ‌iPhone‌’s software.

Part 3: Use iTunes/ Finder to Restore or Update iPhone in Recovery Mode

Option 1: Use iTunes or Finder to Restore iPhone in Recovery Mode

Step 1. Above step, you have put iPhone into Recovery Mode, the iTunes (or Finder) has found the device is in Recovery Mode status and pop up a new windows, as the below screenshot:

For iTunes or Finder (for Catalina and later): “There is a problem with the iPhone "iPhone" that requires it to be updated or restored.” Please click “Restore” button.

Screenshot - iTunes (For Windows and macOS 10.14 and older):

Your Mac detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used. Click “OK” button to go on.

Step 2. To restore your iPhone to its factory settings, click “Restore iPhone...”.

Now, the iTunes/Finder staring restore your iPhone.

Option 2: Use iTunes to Update iPhone in Recovery Mode

In iTunes (For Windows and macOS 10.14 and older):
Step 1. To update your iPhone without erasing its contents, click Update.

Now, 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.

Step 2. An iPhone in recovery mode can also be restored by using IPSW if needed, please click “Update” as long as the IPSW file is actively being signed by Apple and matches the specific iPhone 8, XR, XS, XS Max, X, 11 model.

Step 3. The iTunes will find and download the iOS IPSW files here for the latest iOS versions.

Step 4. After downloading completed, the iTunes start extracting software, then the iTunes is preparing to update the software on your iPhone.

Once this process completes, the iPhone be updated or restored, and you should now be able to set up your iPhone and access it without entering passcode.

Part 4: How to Unlock a Disabled iPhone with iTunes or Finder

When the iPhone message tells you that 'iPhone is disabled. Try again in X minutes' or 'iPhone is disabled. Connect to iTunes'. Don’t worry, use recovery mode, you can unlock the disabled iPhone with iTunes. If you have ever synced the iPhone with iTunes on your computer (Windows/Mac), you can unlock the disabled iPhone by restoring it with iTunes or Finder.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer and put it into recovery mode(above guide). Then, iTunes will found the iPhone in recovery mode.

Step 2. Click the iPhone icon and then hit the Summary option on the left side. In this way, you can view the iPhone details and get the restore option.

Step 3. Here comes the most important step—click the Restore iPhone option.

Step 4. Click Restore on the confirmation window. After that, just wait for the restoration is completed.

Step 5. When restoring process finished, the iPhone will restart with Hello screen. By the way, all data on the iPhone has been erased.Now, you can set up your iPhone as if it was new. You'll get the option while following these steps to restore from backup.

Under what circumstances that the iTunes cannot restore/unlock a disabled iPhone or iPad

If the iTunes pop up the message “Find My iPhone must be turned off”, you can cannot unlock the disabled iPhone with iTunes. So, make sure you have disabled “Find My iPhone” function before.

Don’t worry, if your iPhone or iPad was activated before, no matter what’s the situation, UkeySoft Unlocker can help you unlock any activated iPhone, iPad or iPod touch easily. Let’s teach you how to unlock a disabled iPhone and iPad with a professional iPhone Unlocker.

Part 5: How to Unlock a Disabled iPhone with UkeySoft Unlocker

UkeySoft Unlocker is a specialised iPhone unlocking tool that can unlock a disabled iPhone without iTunes or iCloud. When iPhone is disabled and you're no longer allowed to enter a passcode, Apple tells you to connect to iTunes to fix the iPhone. UkeySoft Unlocker is designed to unlock a disabled iPhone in an easier way. Your Apple ID account is disabled unexpectedly? When it comes to unlocking Apple ID on iPhone, the UkeySoft Unlocker is also the great Apple ID removal can be used to unlock Apple ID without using a password.

Steps to Unlock A Disabled iPhone with UkeySoft Unlocker

Step 1. Start the UkeySoft Unlocker on Computer
Click on the UkeySoft Unlocker icon to launch the software, and click on the “Unlock Screen Passcode” entrance to enter the disabled iPhone unlocking mode.

Step 2. Connect iPhone to PC
Connect your disabled iPhone to a Windows or Mac computer with a USB cable and click "Next" button.

Step 3. Put iPhone into Recovery Mode
Follow the on-screen prompts to put iPhone into recovery mode. If you are using iPhone 8, X, XR, XS, XS Max or iPhone 11, please quickly press and release the volume up button and quickly press and release the volume down button. Hold the Side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen.

Step 4. Download Firmware Package
Click on Download tab to download the firmware package used to unlock the disabled iPhone. And the iPhone unlocking will start after downloading.

All you need to do is wait for it to end and keep your device connected well.

Step 5. Unlock A Disabled iPhone Successfully
At the end of the download you will be taken to a warning page, you need to check and agree to these terms and then click Start Unlock to begin unlocking the disabled iPhone.

When you see a "Removal Completely" screen, your iPhone will restart and the disabled state as well as the screen passcode have been removed successfully.

You can see the iPhone reboots with "Hello" screen, it means the passcode be removed successfully. Please set up the device and set a new passcode, Touch ID or Face ID for it.

Free download the UkeySoft Unlocker and start to unlock iPhone without iTunes or iCloud on PC/Mac.

Video Guide: How to Unlock a Disabled iPhone with UkeySoft Unlocker

Comparison: Unlock iPhone Screen Passcode with iTunes, Finder or UkeySoft Unlocker

Although iTunes/ Finder can help you erase screen passcode though restoring or updating the device, but if you haven’t turn off “Find My Device”, the iTunes/ Finder requires you need your iCloud password; If you haven’t connect or sync your iPhone with iTunes/ Finder before, the iTunes/ Finder will requires you enter the passcode and tap "Trust your computer" on your device, but since you forgot the screen passcode, the iPhone is disabled, you cannot got "Trust your computer" on your device. In this case, the iTunes or Finder cannot help you unlock your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

UkeySoft iPhone Unlocker - Simple, Fast and Reliable

If you want to remove iPhone screen passcode and Apple ID, the UkeySoft Unlocker is the best iTunes alternatives for Windows and Mac, this professional iOS Unlocking tool can unlock any activated iPhone, iPad or iPod touch without passcode, it means if the iOS device was activated before, UkeySoft Unlocker can unlock the iPhone quickly.

To unlock a disabled iPhone with UkeySoft Unlocker, you need to enter into recovery mode on iPhone, then this iPhone Unlocker can will detect your iPhone device and download a matching firmware package to unlock it. UkeySoft is a reliable iPhone/iPad unlocking tool, which can unlock what iTunes can’t! You don’t need your iCloud password if “Find My Device” has been enabled, you also do not need to authorize your device to the computer if it’s the first time your connect your iPhone with the computer. Just put your iPhone/iPad into recovery mode and connect with computer, UkeySoft Unlocker can detects the device and unlock your iPhone and iPad without passcode.