How to Manually Put iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch into Recovery Mode

If you can’t update or restore your Apple device, recovery mode can be a lifesaver. Normally, restoring your device with a computer will prompt you to enter your passcode. But what if you forget your passcode? That’s when recovery mode becomes essential.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to manually put your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch into recovery mode using button combinations. By following these steps carefully, you can prepare your device for restoring or troubleshooting.

How to Manually Put Your iPhone into Recovery Mode

The steps to enter recovery mode vary depending on your iPhone model. Start by checking your model and then follow the instructions for your device.

Steps to get started:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (macOS Mojave and earlier, or Windows PC).
3. Follow the steps for your iPhone model below to enter recovery mode.

iPhone 8 or Later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation)

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.

iPhone 7 / iPhone 7 Plus

Press and hold both the Side (or Top) and Volume Down buttons at the same time. Keep holding until the recovery mode screen appears.

iPhone 6s or Earlier (including iPhone SE 1st generation)

Press and hold both the Home and Side (or Top) buttons simultaneously until the recovery mode screen appears.

How to Manually Put Your iPad into Recovery Mode

Putting your iPad into recovery mode depends on whether it has a Home button. Follow the instructions based on your device type.

1. Connect your iPad to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open Finder or iTunes.
3. Enter recovery mode using the steps below.

iPad with a Home Button

Press and hold both the Home and Side (or Top) buttons until the recovery mode screen appears.

iPad without a Home Button (Face ID)

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Top button until the recovery mode screen appears.

How to Manually Put Your iPod Touch into Recovery Mode

Entering recovery mode on an iPod Touch varies slightly by generation.

1. Connect your iPod Touch to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open Finder or iTunes.
3. Follow the steps for your iPod model.

iPod Touch 7th Generation

Press and hold both the Top (or Side) and Volume Down buttons until the recovery mode screen appears.

iPod Touch 6th Generation or Earlier

Press and hold both the Home and Top (or Side) buttons at the same time until the recovery mode screen appears.

Final Words

This guide has walked you through how to put your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch into recovery mode. Start by identifying your device model, then follow the corresponding steps carefully. Recovery mode is a powerful tool when your device cannot update or restore, and following these instructions should help you get your device back in working order with ease.