If your iPhone 11, 12, or 13 is unresponsive, stuck on the Apple logo, in a boot loop, or won’t update properly, entering Recovery Mode can help. Recovery Mode allows your computer to detect the iPhone and gives you the option to update or restore the iOS software—useful when the device can’t function normally.
This article provides a complete, step-by-step guide to entering Recovery Mode on iPhones without a Home button, explains when to use it, and walks you through what to do next once your iPhone is in Recovery Mode.
🔧 What Is Recovery Mode?
Recovery Mode is a special troubleshooting state built into iOS. It allows you to:
- Reinstall iOS without needing the iPhone’s screen to respond
- Fix iPhones stuck during updates or on the Apple logo
- Perform a software update (to keep data) or a restore (to erase and reset)
⚠️ Use Recovery Mode when force restarting doesn’t work, or your iPhone is stuck and won’t boot normally.
🧠 When Should You Use Recovery Mode?
Enter Recovery Mode if your iPhone:
- Is stuck on the Apple logo
- Won’t boot past a black or white screen
- Is in a boot loop (restarts repeatedly)
- Failed an iOS update and can’t recover
- Has a disabled screen or is unresponsive
- Shows an iTunes or computer icon (already in Recovery Mode)
🛠 What You Need Before You Begin
- A computer with the latest version of macOS Finder or iTunes (Windows or older macOS)
- A Lightning to USB or USB-C cable
- Ensure your iPhone is not connected to the computer at first
📲 How to Enter Recovery Mode on iPhone 11, 12, or 13
These models do not have a Home button, so the method uses the Volume and Side buttons.
🔄 Step-by-Step Guide:
- Connect your iPhone to the computer
- Use a certified Lightning cable
- Open Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (Windows/macOS Mojave or earlier)
- Force Restart to Trigger Recovery Mode
Do the following button combination in quick sequence:- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button
- Press and hold the Side button
- Keep holding the Side button even after the Apple logo appears
- Release only when you see the Recovery Mode screen
- The screen will show a cable pointing to a laptop (or iTunes logo)
💡 This indicates your iPhone has successfully entered Recovery Mode.
🖥️ What to Do After Entering Recovery Mode
Once your iPhone is in Recovery Mode, your computer will detect it and display the following message:
“There is a problem with the iPhone that requires it to be updated or restored.”
You now have two options:
🔄 Update (Recommended First)
- Installs the latest iOS version without deleting your data
- Fixes many boot issues caused by software errors
🗑 Restore (Use If Update Fails)
- Erases your iPhone and reinstalls the latest iOS
- Use if Update fails or iOS is deeply corrupted
Click Update first. If it fails, repeat the Recovery Mode steps and choose Restore.
⏱ How Long Will It Take?
- Update: Typically 10–30 minutes depending on your internet speed
- Restore: 20–60 minutes, plus additional time to restore data from backup
If your iPhone exits Recovery Mode (screen goes black or shows Apple logo again) during the process, repeat the steps to re-enter it.
❌ How to Exit Recovery Mode (If You Change Your Mind)
If you entered Recovery Mode accidentally and want to exit without updating or restoring:
- Disconnect your iPhone from the computer
- Press and release Volume Up
- Press and release Volume Down
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears
🧠 Your iPhone will restart normally, assuming it doesn’t have a deeper issue.
🆘 When Recovery Mode Doesn’t Work
If your iPhone:
- Exits Recovery Mode before completing the process
- Gets stuck in Recovery Mode repeatedly
- Isn’t recognized by your computer
- Can’t be updated or restored successfully
…it may need DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode or hardware service. DFU is a deeper restore mode and should only be used when Recovery Mode fails.
You can also schedule support through https://support.apple.com/or visit an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider.
🧼 Tips to Avoid Needing Recovery Mode in the Future
- Always keep your iOS updated via Settings
- Avoid interrupting your iPhone during software updates
- Don’t let your iPhone run completely out of storage
- Use only Apple-certified charging accessories
- Back up regularly with iCloud or your computer
✅ Summary: Entering Recovery Mode on iPhone 11/12/13
Recovery Mode is a powerful tool for fixing an iPhone that won’t start or function properly. On iPhones without a Home button like the 11, 12, or 13, use the Volume Up > Volume Down > hold Side button method to enter it.
Quick Recovery Mode Guide:
| Action | Button Sequence |
| Enter Recovery Mode | Vol Up → Vol Down → Hold Side Button |
| Exit Recovery Mode | Force restart while disconnected from computer |
| What to Do After | Choose Update (keep data) or Restore (erase all) |
