Learn 5 Effective Solutions To Fix iPhone XS Max/XS/XR/X Stuck In Recovery Mode!
Overview: It has been reported that there are several iPhone XS Max/XS/XR and iPhone X users who are complaining that their iPhone got stuck at Recovery Mode. So, if your iPhone also got stuck on recovery mode, then just relax! Read this article and follow the solutions and fix iPhone XS (Max), XR, X stuck in Recovery Mode by yourself.
- Solution 1: Force Restart Your iPhone XS Max/XS/XR/X
- Solution 2: Use iOS System Repair To Fix iPhone XS (Max)/XR/X Stuck In Recovery Mode
- Solution 3: Fix iPhone XS Max/XS/XR/X Stuck In Recovery Mode With TinyUmbrella
- Solution 4: Restore iPhone XS (Max)/XR/X Using iTunes
- Solution 5: Restore iPhone XS (Max)/XR/X In DFU Mode Using iTunes
- Bonus Tip: Recover Lost Data After Fixing iPhone XS (Max)/XR/X Stuck In Recovery Mode

With iOS System Repair tool, you can:
- Effectively fix iPhone XS Max, XS, XR or iPhone stuck at recovery mode.
- Fix other iOS problems such as iPhone stuck at Apple logo, stuck in attempting data recovery, stuck in DFU mode, white/black/red/blue screen of death, stuck in recovery mode loop and so on.
- Fix iPhone stuck on recovery mode without data loss.
- Support all models of iPhone including iPhone XS Max/XS/XR/X/8/8 Plus/7/7 Plus/SE/6S/6S Plus/6/6 Plus, etc.
- 100% safe, secure and easy to operate.
Free Download Trial Version/Buy Now iOS System Repair To Fix iPhone Stuck In Recovery Mode
![]() *Trial version only show how it works and not fix iOS to Normal. |
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![]() *Trial version only show how it works and not fix iOS to Normal. |
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As I said that there are several iPhone XS (Max), XR and iPhone X/10 users out their experiencing that their iPhone get stuck in recovery mode which is displayed as iPhone stuck in iTunes Logo with USB cable on their device screen.
Also Read: [Solved]: iPhone XS (Max)/XR/X/8 Stuck On FaceTime Ending
For example, just have a look at practical scenario mentioned-below!
Practical Scenario: iPhone X Stuck At Recovery Mode When User Try To Update To iOS 11.1
Trying to update to iOS 11.1 using latest iTunes and had tried on two different computers for iPhone x, both facing problems , cannot update or restore, now stuck at recovery mode.
If try to restore, gets following error:
Restoring iPhone firmware
Could not be restored error 3003
If try to update, gets following error:
Updating iPhone firmware
Could not update error 3003
Anyone faced similar problem?
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Source: HardwareZone Forums
Just like above-mentioned practical scenario, there are other several users out there encountering with the similar kind of issue.
So, now the question arises – How to fix iPhone XS (Max), XR, X stuck in recovery mode?
Well, if your iPhone also has got stuck on recovery mode and want to fix it, then just relax. Simply follow the solutions one-by-one that is mentioned below and check whether your problem is solved or not, but only after knowing the causes – What makes iPhone to get stuck in recovery mode?
Also Read: Best Way To Recover Deleted iCloud Backup Data [3 Solutions]
Causes: What Makes iPhone XS (Max)/XR/X Stuck In Recovery Mode
Besides fixing the issue, it is also important to know the causes that make iPhone stuck on recovery mode so that you can fix the problem properly.
Basically, there are two main causes behind the occurrence of iPhone stuck at recovery mode, they are as follows:
- Hardware Problems.
- Software Problems.
In very rare cases, there could be hardware issues, but software issues can be found in almost major of the cases. The software issues include:
- When you try to update your device to latest version of iOS software.
- When you try to jailbreak your iPhone and you fail.
- You entered into recovery mode in order to fix another issue, but got stuck.
- When you try to restore your device, but somehow iPhone got stuck in recovery mode and it won’t restore.
Those were some common reasons that can put your iPhone XS Max/XS/XR/X stuck into recovery mode.
Nevertheless, here comes the solutions section.
Solution 1: Force Restart Your iPhone XS Max/XS/XR/X
This is the universal solution that you must first follow. Force restarting the device fixes most of the issue related to your iOS device. Hence, you must force restart your iPhone XS (Max), XR, X to get out of recovery mode without computer.
Here follow the steps to force restart your iPhone X/XS/XS Max/XR:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down
- Press and hold the Power button on the other side, until you see the Apple Logo, and then release.
- The screen will go black temporarily as the iPhone shuts down and reboots.
Now see, if your problem is solved or not, if not then follow the next troubleshoot.
Also Read: iPhone Keeps Freezing And Crashing? Fix It By Yourself!
Solution 2: Use iOS System Repair To Fix iPhone XS (Max)/XR/X Stuck In Recovery Mode
This is the second and quick solution that you must follow. Though you will find that there are many iPhone and iPad users recommend you to fix iPhone stuck in recovery mode by restoring the device to its factory settings. But you should also know that restoring the device to factory reset also erases all data stored within the device and that you may not like.
So, here we recommend you to try iOS System Repair software. It fixes all major iOS system issues without any data loss. You can effectively fix iPhone XS (Max), XR, X stuck in recovery mode without any data loss.
The best part about this iOS system repair tool is that it fixes other several iOS related problems such as iPhone stuck in boot loop, stuck in Apple logo, connect to iTunes screen, attempting data recovery, stuck at white/blue/red/black screen of death and so on. The software is available for both Windows and Mac computer.
![]() *Trial version only show how it works and not fix iOS to Normal. |
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![]() *Trial version only show how it works and not fix iOS to Normal. |
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The software support all models of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running on iOS 12, 11, 10, 9 and former versions.
Below, follow the complete guide to fix iPhone XS/XS Max/X/XR stuck in recovery mode without data loss by using iOS System Repair tool.
Also Read: Learn The Easiest Way To Recover Data From Bricked iPhone
Steps To Fix iPhone XS (Max)/XR/X Stuck In Recovery Mode Without Data Loss
Note: Fixing/Repairing iOS to normal by using iOS System Repair, your iOS device will get updated to latest iOS version. If your device is jailbroken, then it will get updated to non-jailbroken version. And if you have unlocked your device then it will get re-locked.
Step 1: Connect Your iOS Device To Computer
Download, install and launch iOS System Repair on your computer and click on “Repair” from the available option.
Now connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to your computer with the help of USB cable that came along with the device. As iOS System detects your iOS device click on “Start” to begin the process.
The tool will then show the details information of your device such as device model, iOS version, baseband version, jailbroken or not, etc. Click “Next” to continue.
Step 2: Boot Your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch In DFU Mode
If your iOS device is not functioning properly, then iOS System Repair Tool will prompt you to boot your iOS device in DFU Mode. Simply follow the steps mentioned-below to boot your iPhone, iPad or iPd Touch into DFU mode.
Step To Boot iPhone X/8/8 Plus/7/7 Plus In DFU Mode:
- Switch OFF your iPhone.
- Press and hold the “Volume Down + Power” button together for 10 seconds.
- Release the “Power” button but keep pressing the “Volume Down” button until your device get into DFU mode.
Steps To Boot Other iOS Devices Into DFU Mode
- Switch OFF your iOS device.
- Press and hold the “Power + Home” button together for 10 seconds.
- Release the “Power” button but keep pressing the “Home” button until your device get into DFU mode.
Step 3: Select And Download The Firmware
To get a guaranteed and successful system recovery, you must select the right device model and firmware information. After that, click on “Download” button.
Since the firmware download is large, you have to wait for some time to complete the download. During the process make sure your network is stable. If your firmware download fails or if it is not downloaded successfully, then you can also click on “Copy” to download the firmware from the Apple official site and click on “Select” to restore the downloaded firmware.
Step 4: Fix iOS Back To Normal Condition
As the firmware download gets completed, click on “Fix Now” button to begin the process of repairing the iOS system issues and bring back your iOS device to work normally again.
Once the repairing process gets complete, your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch will restart as normal. If it does not boot normally, then try the process again by clicking on the “Try Again” button.
![]() *Trial version only show how it works and not fix iOS to Normal. |
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![]() *Trial version only show how it works and not fix iOS to Normal. |
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You May Also Like:
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- How To Recover Deleted or Lost Data From iPhone XS Max
- How To Fix iCloud Backup Could Not Be Completed?
Solution 3: Fix iPhone XS Max/XS/XR/X Stuck In Recovery Mode With TinyUmbrella
TinyUmbrella is very handy tool that is widely used to fix iPhone stuck in recovery mode. Though, it might be not as powerful as iOS system repair tool, but it can meet basic requirement regarding iOS related problems.
Note: This solution erases all data stored within your iPhone.
Here follow the steps to fix iPhone XS (Max), XR, X stuck in recovery mode by using TinyUmbrella:
- Download TinyUmbrella from its official website. The tool is available for both Windows and Mac OS.
- Launch the tool on your computer and then connect your iPhone which is stuck in recovery mode.
- The tool will automatically detect your device in a while.
- Once your iPhone gets detected, simply click on “Exit Recovery” button as shown in image below.
Now disconnect your iPhone from the computer. Check if your problem is solved or not. If not then try Solution 2 which is recommended by expert or you can try below-mentioned solutions.
Also Read: How To Recover Data From Water Damaged iPhone That Won’t Turn ON
Solution 4: Restore iPhone XS (Max)/XR/X Using iTunes
This is the second solution that you can follow in order to exit out recovery mode that your iPhone got stuck on. You can take help of Apple’s iTunes and restore your iPhone to factory settings and start with fresh.
Note: Restoring iPhone to factory reset will erase all data stored within your device.
Here follow the steps to restore your iOS device to factory reset with iTunes to fix iPhone that got stuck in recover mode:
Before you start the process, make sure no extra external device or USB is connected to your computer. If any program or application is opened, then please close them.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer (PC/Mac) with the help of USB/lightning cable.
- Launch iTunes on your computer. Make sure that you have latest version of iTunes.
- iTunes will automatically detect that your iPhone is stuck in Recovery mode and it will pop-up the message to restore your iPhone. Kindly restore your iPhone.
If no pop-up is displayed, then you can manually restore your iPhone:
- Select your iPhone icon under “Devices” and wait for the next screen to open-up.
- Now go to “Summary” tab and click on “Restore iPhone”.
- iTunes will pop-up another confirmation window, just click on “Restore”.
- Now simply just wait for the restore process to get complete.
Once the restore process gets complete, you can set-up your device as new one.
Also Read: [Problem Fixed]: iPhone Deleting Photos By Itself
Solution 5: Restore iPhone XS (Max)/XR/X In DFU Mode Using iTunes
If the above solution failed to fix iPhone XS Max, XS, XR, X stuck on recovery mode, then you can put iPhone in DFU mode and try to restore iPhone with iTunes to fix the issue. DFU mode stands for “Device Firmware Upgrade” mode and it means that your device is capable of communicating with iTunes on your PC or Mac. This is last solution that you must follow as DFU mode is often used as last resort when restoring malfunctioned iPhone back to its factory settings.
Note: Even restoring iPhone in DFU mode also erases all data stored within the device.
Here follow the steps to restore iPhone XS Max/XS/X/XR in DFU mode with iTunes:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer (PC/Mac) with the help of USB/lightning cable.
- This will automatically launch iTunes on your computer. If not then manually launch iTunes on your computer. Make sure that you have latest version of iTunes.
- Once your device is connected to computer. On your iPhone press and quickly release the Volume Up
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down
- Press and hold the Power button on the other side, until screen goes black.
- Release the Power button once the screen goes black and then quickly press and hold both Volume Down and Power button together for 5 seconds.
- After 5 seconds release the Power button, but continue holding the Volume Down button for at least another 5 seconds.
- Now, the key to final step is to pay attention to your computer screen. If iPhone recovery pop-up from within the iTunes, then release the Volume Down button and see your iPhone display. If screen is black, it means you have successfully entered to DFU mode.
- Note: If iPhone restarts or enter into recovery mode and display “Connect to iTunes” screen, instead of showing black screen, then you have to start again from the beginning.
- If your iPhone has successfully entered DFU mode, the black screen will remain black and pop-up message will appear on your computer within iTunes.
- Click “Restore” on the pop-up message.
- Now iTunes will download the firmware for your iPhone. Just sit back and allow the process to get complete.
Once completed, you can set-up your iPhone as new device.
Also Read: [Fixed] iPhone Stuck At ‘Attempting Data Recovery’ On iOS 11/10
Bonus Tip: Recover Lost Data After Fixing iPhone XS (Max)/XR/X Stuck In Recovery Mode
If you have lost your important data after fixing iPhone XS/XS Max/XR/X stuck in recovery mode that you do not want to lose at any cost, then here we recommend widely used iOS Data Recovery which is perfect iPhone Data Recovery software that will help you to effectively recover lost data from iPhone after fixing iPhone stuck on recovery mode.
Note: Try the software immediately after fixing the stuck issue. If any kind of new data is added to iPhone, then it will overwrite the existing data and hence you will lose the chance to recover all lost data.
Here follow the steps to recover data from iPhone after fixing iPhone stuck at recovery mode.
Wrap Up
This article provide 5 solutions to fix iPhone XS (Max), XR, X stuck in recovery mode. But, if your iPhone got stuck in recovery mode and iTunes won’t restore it or if you want to get out of recovery mode without restoring, then it is highly recommended that you must try iOS System Repair which is mentioned in Solution 2. It will help you to fix the problem without data loss.

Max Field
Max Field is a founder of recoveriphone-data.com. He is an iOS lover and loves to write tips, tricks, fixes for errors, data recovery solutions and more related to iOS, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, iTunes and iCloud.