If your iPhone 12 is stuck in recovery mode and you don’t have access to iTunes, don’t worry – there are a few different methods you can try to get it out of recovery mode without needing iTunes.
What causes an iPhone to get stuck in recovery mode?
There are a few main reasons an iPhone 12 may get stuck in recovery mode:
- Attempting a failed iOS update – If the iOS update gets interrupted or fails, it can cause the device to get stuck in recovery mode.
- Restoring from a backup – If the restore process doesn’t complete successfully, it can cause the device to get stuck in recovery mode.
- Hardware failure – Issues with the battery, logic board, or other components can sometimes cause an iPhone to get stuck in recovery mode during reboot.
- Jailbreaking incorrectly – If the jailbreak process doesn’t complete properly, it can cause the device to be stuck in recovery mode.
How to get an iPhone 12 out of recovery mode without iTunes
If you don’t have access to a computer with iTunes installed, try these methods to get your iPhone 12 out of recovery mode:
Method 1: Hard reset
Performing a hard reset can force your iPhone 12 to exit recovery mode and boot up normally. Here are the steps:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Then, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo appear.
This process will force your iPhone to restart, which should kick it out of recovery mode.
Method 2: Connect to power
If your iPhone is stuck in recovery mode and the battery has fully drained, connecting it to power can sometimes resolve the problem. Follow these steps:
- Connect your iPhone 12 to a power source using the charging cable.
- After connecting, the phone may boot itself out of recovery mode.
- If it doesn’t exit recovery mode, also try hard resetting after connecting to power.
Connecting the iPhone to power allows the boot process to start normally, kicking it out of recovery.
Method 3: Force restart
You can also try forcing the iPhone to restart, which interrupts the recovery mode.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
This will restart your iPhone, interrupting the recovery mode process.
Method 4: Update with Finder/iTunes
If you have access to a Mac or Windows PC, you can update or restore your iPhone using Finder or iTunes to resolve the recovery mode issue:
- Download and install the latest version of iTunes or macOS Finder if needed.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer while holding the Side button.
- An option to Restore or Update should appear – select Update to reinstall iOS without losing data.
Updating your software can help resolve any iOS corruption that caused the recovery mode issue.
Preventing iPhone 12 from getting stuck in recovery mode
To avoid your iPhone 12 getting stuck in recovery mode in the future, follow these tips:
- Keep your iPhone software updated to the latest version of iOS.
- Back up your iPhone regularly via iCloud or iTunes.
- Avoid interrupting iOS updates and restores.
- Don’t jailbreak your iPhone unless you are experienced.
- If your iPhone is lagging, restart it before it freezes.
Staying up-to-date on iOS versions, regularly backing up your device, and avoiding interruptions during updates can help prevent recovery mode issues.
Fix recovery mode loop
If your iPhone 12 is stuck in a loop of going into recovery mode when you restart it, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Force restart your iPhone again by pressing Volume Up, Volume Down, then holding the Side button.
- As soon as you see the Apple logo, immediately press and hold the Volume Up button. Keep holding Volume Up until your iPhone finishes booting up.
- This will boot your iPhone into safe mode. Then restart your device again normally.
Booting into safe mode can help your iPhone 12 break out of the recovery loop cycle on restart.
Recovery mode exit unsuccessful?
If you still can’t get your iPhone 12 out of recovery mode after trying these methods, a full restore may be required. Here are some options:
- Restore using Finder or iTunes on your computer. This will wipe your device and reinstall iOS.
- Visit an Apple store for help restoring your device.
- Contact Apple support online or by phone for further troubleshooting.
A full restore should resolve any software issues causing your device to stay in recovery. Be sure to backup your data first!
Conclusion
Getting stuck in recovery mode is annoying, but solvable. For an iPhone 12, the best first steps are to hard reset your device, connect it to power if needed, and force restart it. Updating your software via Finder or iTunes can also get it out of recovery mode. Avoiding interruptions during updates and restores is key to preventing recovery mode issues in the future. With some patience and using these troubleshooting steps, you can get your iPhone 12 out of recovery mode without needing iTunes.