iPhone Attempting Data Recovery? Here’s How to Fix It

Part 1. What Is the “iPhone Stuck on Attempting Data Recovery” Problem?

You might have seen “Attempting data recovery” on iPad or iPhone after restoring data or updating the system via iTunes or OTA (over the air). In most cases, that’s no cause for alarm because the process typically lasts several minutes before restarting your iPhone and allowing you to use it.

However, that error can become a boot loop, making your iPad or iPhone stuck on “Attempting data recovery.”

The problem is that this boot loop could partially or entirely erase your data. Why? Because it delays the recovery and calls for manual fixes that could cause further data loss.

Let’s see why the issue happens in the first place.

Part 2. Reasons iPhone Is Stuck on “Attempting Data Recovery”

If your iPhone says, “Attempting data recovery,” one of the following reasons might be the cause.

Updating or Downgrading Your iOS

This error often occurs after updating your iPhone to the latest iOS version. An iPhone attempting data recovery after an update can happen because of a lack of storage space or a bug, primarily if you use iTunes to update your iOS.

The same goes for downgrading your iPhone to the previous iOS version.

Updating Your iPhone After Jailbreaking

The “Attempting data recovery” loop is more common when updating an iPhone after jailbreaking – getting root access to remove software restrictions. Installing an update afterward confuses the system because you’ve modified it, making it start the boot loop.

Disconnecting Your Phone During an Update

Another reason for your iPhone being stuck on the “Attempting data recovery” screen is a disconnected USB cable. The problem can occur if you unplug the cable from your computer while updating your iOS via iTunes or if a power outage cuts the connection.

Part 3. How to Fix the “iPhone Attempting Data Recovery” Problem

You can quickly fix an iPhone stuck on “Attempting data recovery.” Here are the four best methods to close the boot loop and use your phone normally again.

Method 1: Do a System Repair

Repairing your iOS is the best way to get it out of the “Attempting data recovery” loop. We don’t mean visiting an Apple-authorized service provider or resorting to self-service repair. We’re talking about specialized software that can help keep your data.

Wondershare Dr.Fone is among the most reliable iOS system repair tools. It can fix 150+ iOS issues, including the boot loop, the white or black screen of death, the frozen screen, and the iPhone stuck in recovery mode.

You can even use the program to upgrade or downgrade your iOS without jailbreaking to avoid the boot loop.

Wondershare Dr.Fone offers three iOS system repair modes: Standard, Advanced, and Anti-Recovery. The last one is suitable for fixing complex issues and formatting your iPhone’s chips to delete all data before selling your phone.

Here’s how to fix your iOS with Wondershare Dr.Fone’s Standard Repair, which involves no data loss:

• Step 1: Download, install, and launch Wondershare Dr.Fone on your computer.
• Step 2: Select System Repairfrom the available tools.

• Step 3: Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable, choose a device type, and select iOS Repair.

• Step 4: Choose Standard Repairto keep all your data.

• Step 5: Follow the steps on the screen to enter the recovery mode and wait for Wondershare Dr.Fone to detect the firmware suitable for your iOS. Click Downloadnext to the desired version.

• Step 6: Once the program downloads the firmware package, click Repair Now, and hit Doneafter the successful fix.

After completing these steps, your iPhone will have the latest iOS version.

The steps are identical for the Advanced mode, suitable for complex issues that its Standard counterpart can’t fix. However, it deletes all data.

Method 2: Try Completing the Update

Since the “Attempting data recovery” problem isn’t always a boot loop, primarily when updating your iPhone, you can try completing the update before doing anything else.

That includes only one step: pressing the Home button and waiting for your iPhone to install the latest update.

However, this method works only in some cases. Try the following fixes if this one doesn’t bear fruit.

Method 3: Perform a Force Restart

A force restart often solves this issue, primarily if a software bug has caused it. It’s an excellent solution if the previous method doesn’t work. The best part? You don’t have to worry about data loss.

Here’s how to force-restart iPhone 8 and newer versions:

• Step 1: Press and quickly release the Volume Up
• Step 2: Press and quickly release the Volume Down
• Step 3: Press and hold the Power

• Step 4: Release the button once the Apple logo appears.

Force-restart iPhone 7 or 7 Plus by following these steps:

• Step 1: Press and hold the Powerand Volume Down buttons simultaneously.

• Step 2: Release the buttons once you see the Apple logo.

Here’s how to force-restart iPhone 6, 6s, and older versions:

• Step 1: Press and hold the Homeand Power buttons simultaneously.

• Step 2: Release the buttons once you see the Apple logo.

Once your iPhone restarts, the boot loop problem should be gone. You can follow the same steps to fix “Attempting data recovery” on iPad.

Method 4: Use the Recovery Mode

Putting your phone into recovery mode is a surefire way to close the boot loop when your iPhone is stuck on the “Attempting data recovery” screen. You can troubleshoot the issue with the faulty update and install the latest stable iOS version. However, this method might erase all your data.

We recommend the recovery mode only if you’ve previously backed up your iPhone. Otherwise, use Wondershare Dr.Fone because its Standard Repair can preserve your data.

The recovery mode requires connecting your iPhone to a computer so that you can update or restore it with iTunes. Here are the steps:

• Step 1: Connect your phone to a computer with a USB cable.
• Step 2: Force-restart your phone (follow the steps above for your iPhone version), but don’t release the button(s) when you see the Apple logo. Hold it for roughly ten more seconds until the Connect to iTunesscreen appears.

• Step 3: Launch iTunes on your computer.
• Step 4: You’ll see a dialog box stating that your iPhone has a problem that requires updating or restoring your phone. Click Updateto try fixing the issue without losing data.

If all goes well, iTunes will close the boot loop and update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

However, if your phone stays in recovery mode for over 15 minutes and suddenly exits it, it might indicate a more complex problem that requires restoring the iPhone. In that case, follow these steps, but remember that you’ll lose all your data:

• Step 1: Put your phone into recovery mode again, but click Restorethis time.
• Step 2: Confirm your choice by clicking the Restore and Update

If iTunes doesn’t display the dialog box asking to update or restore your iPhone, you can do it manually by following these steps:

• Step 1: Click the phone iconin iTunes to access your iPhone settings.

• Step 2: Go to Summary > Restore iPhone.

Once iTunes restores and updates your iPhone, you’ll finally say goodbye to the boot loop. Since the process will delete all your data, you can recover it from a computer or iCloud backup. Here’s how:

• Step 1: Choose the backup source (your computer or iCloud) in the Backupssection under Summary and click Restore Backup.

• Step 2: Confirm your choice by clicking Restoreto get the latest backed-up data back on your iPhone.

You can now finally use your phone with all your settings, messages, contacts, notes, and calendar data back in your possession again.

safe & secure

Conclusion

We understand your iPhone being stuck on “Attempting data recovery” may be stressful, but there’s no reason to panic. Whether the boot loop occurs because of an interrupted or faulty update, after downgrading your iOS, or after jailbreaking your phone, you can fix the problem with the methods above.

The best method includes a system repair, preferably with Wondershare Dr.Fone, which can preserve your data. Try it for free, and explore the entire toolkit for streamlining your phone management and backups.