SellUsediPhoneFast · Safe · Simple
To put an iPhone 8 or later in recovery mode, connect it to a computer, press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then press and hold the side button until the recovery mode screen appears. The same steps apply to every Face ID model, from the iPhone X to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and to the iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation. Recovery mode lets Finder on a Mac, or the Apple Devices app or iTunes on Windows, reinstall iOS or erase the phone. It does not remove Activation Lock. A restored, unlocked phone is ready for Sell iPhone for Cash.
- iPhone 8 and later, SE 2nd and 3rd gen: volume up, volume down, hold side.
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: hold side and volume down together.
- iPhone 6s and earlier, SE 1st gen: hold Home and side or top together.
- Screen to look for: a computer and a cable on a black screen.
Which button steps enter recovery mode by model?
The button steps that enter recovery mode depend on the model group. The table lists each group.
| Model group | Button steps |
|---|---|
| iPhone 8, iPhone X and every later model, including iPhone 11 to iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 16e and 17e, iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation | Press and release volume up. Press and release volume down. Press and hold the side button until the recovery mode screen appears. |
| iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus | Press and hold the side button and the volume down button together until the recovery mode screen appears. |
| iPhone 6s and earlier, iPhone SE 1st generation | Press and hold the Home button and the side or top button together until the recovery mode screen appears. |
Keep holding the final button when the Apple logo appears, because the logo comes before the recovery mode screen. Releasing at the logo restarts the phone normally. Which iPhone Do I Have? Find Your Model Before You Sell identifies the model.
How do I restore from recovery mode?
Restore from recovery mode in 6 steps:
- Connect the iPhone to a Mac or a Windows PC with a cable.
- Open Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or the Apple Devices app or iTunes on Windows.
- Enter recovery mode with the button steps for the model.
- Choose Restore when the computer shows Update or Restore.
- Wait while the computer downloads iOS and restores the phone.
- Complete Activation Lock with the Apple Account password when the phone restarts.
Update reinstalls iOS and keeps data, which can fix a phone stuck on the Apple logo. Restore erases the phone and installs a fresh copy of iOS. A forgotten passcode requires Restore. Forgot iPhone Passcode? How to Reset It Before Selling covers that case.
Does recovery mode remove Activation Lock?
Recovery mode does not remove Activation Lock. Activation Lock is stored on Apple's servers and linked to the Apple Account, not to the software on the phone. After a restore, the setup screen asks for the email and password of the account that was signed in. The lock is removed in 3 ways:
- Enter the Apple Account password on the Activation Lock screen.
- Remove the device from the account at icloud.com/find.
- Submit an Activation Lock support request to Apple with proof of purchase, as the original owner.
A phone that stays Activation Locked cannot be sold at a working-phone price. How to Turn Off Find My iPhone Before Selling explains the account step.
When should I use recovery mode?
Use recovery mode in 5 situations:
| Situation | Recovery mode action |
|---|---|
| Forgotten passcode on an offline phone | Restore |
| Phone stuck on the Apple logo | Update first, then Restore |
| Phone restarting in a loop | Update first, then Restore |
| Failed iOS update | Update |
| Computer does not recognize the phone | Enter recovery mode, then Update or Restore |
A phone that works normally can be erased in Settings without recovery mode. How to Factory Reset an iPhone Before Selling It covers that method.
How do I exit recovery mode?
Exit recovery mode by pressing and holding the side button until the recovery screen disappears and the phone restarts. On iPhone 8 and later, the volume up, volume down and side button sequence also restarts the phone. An iPhone also exits recovery mode on its own after about 15 minutes without a restore. Repeat the button steps if the download takes longer than that.
What is the difference between recovery mode and DFU mode?
Recovery mode and Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode both let a computer restore an iPhone, but DFU mode loads less of the phone's software and shows a black screen with no image. The table compares them.
| Attribute | Recovery mode | DFU mode |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | Computer and cable image | Black, appears off |
| Update option | Yes | No; Restore only |
| Typical use | Passcode reset, failed update, boot loop | Restores that fail in recovery mode |
| Removes Activation Lock | No | No |
Recovery mode is the right first step in almost every case. DFU mode is for restores that fail repeatedly.
What if the computer does not see the iPhone?
When the computer does not see the iPhone in recovery mode, check 5 items:
- Use a different cable, preferably an Apple cable.
- Use a different USB port, connected directly rather than through a hub.
- Update macOS, or update the Apple Devices app or iTunes on Windows.
- Restart the computer.
- Clean lint from the iPhone's charging port.
A phone that still does not appear may have a charging port fault. Selling an iPhone With a Bad Charging Port explains how that fault is priced.
What error codes appear during a restore?
Restore error codes, such as error 9, 4013 or 4014, usually point to a connection problem between the iPhone and the computer, or to a hardware fault. Try another cable and port first, then update the computer. A restore that fails repeatedly with the same code often means a hardware fault, and the phone can be sold as a non-working phone. How Much Is a Broken iPhone Worth? Fault-by-Fault Guide explains pricing.
How long does a recovery mode restore take?
A recovery mode restore usually takes 15–45 minutes. Most of the time is the iOS download, which is several gigabytes. The installation itself takes about 10 minutes. A fast internet connection shortens the process. Keep the phone connected and the computer awake until the Hello screen appears.
Does recovery mode delete all data?
Recovery mode deletes all data when Restore is chosen, and keeps data when Update succeeds. Only data in an iCloud backup, a computer backup or iCloud sync services remains after a restore. Choose Update first when the goal is to fix a phone without losing data, and Restore when the goal is to erase it for sale.
Is recovery mode safe for the iPhone?
Recovery mode is safe for the iPhone, because it uses Apple's own restore process and installs a version of iOS signed by Apple. It does not void a warranty or change the phone's hardware. A restored phone runs the latest iOS version the model supports. iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 and later, plus iPhone SE 2nd generation and later.
Can I sell an iPhone that only boots to recovery mode?
An iPhone that only boots to recovery mode, even after a restore, can be sold as a non-working phone, and the offer reflects the fault. A phone stuck on the Apple logo or in a restart loop is priced the same way. iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo or Boot Loop: Sell or Fix? compares repair with selling.
What should I do after the restore?
After the restore, complete 3 steps before selling:
- Clear Activation Lock with the Apple Account password, or remove the phone at icloud.com/find.
- Stop at the Hello screen without setting up the phone.
- Request a quote and ship the phone within the 14-day validity with the free prepaid label.
Inspection takes 1–2 business days after arrival, and payment is sent 1–2 business days after testing.
Can I use recovery mode on a Mac without Finder support?
Macs with macOS Mojave or earlier use iTunes instead of Finder for recovery mode. The steps are the same: connect the phone, open iTunes, enter recovery mode and choose Restore. Very old computers may not support the latest iOS restore, so use a newer Mac or a Windows PC with the Apple Devices app when the restore fails.
Do iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 models use the same steps?
The iPhone 17 lineup, the iPhone Air and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max use the same steps as other Face ID models: volume up, volume down, then hold the side button. The Camera Control button on recent models plays no part in recovery mode. Connect these models with a USB-C cable.
What should I prepare before entering recovery mode?
Prepare 5 items before entering recovery mode:
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A Mac or Windows PC | Recovery mode needs a computer to install iOS |
| A working USB-C or Lightning cable | A faulty cable is the most common cause of failed restores |
| A stable internet connection | The computer downloads several gigabytes of iOS |
| The Apple Account email and password | Activation Lock asks for them after the restore |
| A recent backup | Restore deletes all data on the phone |
Can I enter recovery mode with broken buttons?
An iPhone with a broken side button cannot enter recovery mode with the standard steps, because the final step requires holding that button. A phone with broken volume buttons on iPhone 8 or later also cannot complete the sequence. Repair shops can restore such phones with specialized tools, or the phone can be sold with the fault declared. A phone that still works can be erased in Settings instead.
Does recovery mode change the iOS version?
Recovery mode installs the latest iOS version that Apple currently signs for the model, so a phone on an older version is updated during the restore. Downgrading to an older iOS version is not possible after Apple stops signing it.
Does a buyback need the phone restored before shipping?
A buyback does not require the seller to restore the phone, but it does require the phone to be removed from the Apple Account so Activation Lock is off. Phones arrive erased in most cases, and the buyback erases each phone again during testing. A phone that cannot be restored can still be quoted as non-working.
Frequently asked questions about iPhone recovery mode
How do I put my iPhone in recovery mode?
On iPhone 8 and later, including every Face ID model and the iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation, connect the phone to a computer, press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then hold the side button until the recovery mode screen shows a computer and a cable. Older models use different buttons.
Does recovery mode remove Activation Lock?
Recovery mode does not remove Activation Lock, because the lock is stored on Apple's servers and linked to the Apple Account. After a restore, enter the account password on the Activation Lock screen, remove the phone from the account at icloud.com/find, or submit an Activation Lock support request with proof of purchase.
Will recovery mode erase my iPhone?
Recovery mode erases the iPhone when Restore is chosen, and keeps data when Update completes successfully. Choose Update first to fix a phone stuck on the Apple logo. Choose Restore to remove a forgotten passcode or to erase the phone before a sale. Only backed-up data remains after a restore.
How long does it take to restore an iPhone in recovery mode?
A recovery mode restore usually takes 15–45 minutes, mostly for the iOS download of several gigabytes. The phone exits recovery mode after about 15 minutes without a restore, so repeat the button steps if the download is slow. Keep the phone connected until the Hello screen appears. Keep the Apple Account password ready, because Activation Lock asks for it after every restore.
What if my iPhone will not enter recovery mode?
When an iPhone will not enter recovery mode, try another cable and USB port, update the computer, clean the charging port and repeat the button steps, holding the final button past the Apple logo. A phone that still does not enter recovery mode may have a hardware fault and can be sold as a non-working phone.
Sources and references
- Apple Support: if you cannot update or restore your iPhone, and recovery mode instructions.
- Apple Support: Activation Lock for iPhone.
- Apple Support: iOS 27 compatible devices.