Easy Guide for iPad Stuck in Recovery Mode

Mar 09, 2023 • Filed to: Mobile Repair Solutions • Proven solutions

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The recovery mode on your iPad can help you resolve the most common bugs and issues. But sometimes, if the issue is too severe and your device's OS is affected, your iPad gets stuck on the restore screen and becomes unresponsive. When this happens, you can't cancel the recovery mode and cannot get access to the standard functions through normal means. But there is no need to worry.

Thankfully, there are many ways to resolve such an issue, such as doing a hard reset or using iTunes to reset your device. This guide will share four methods detailing how to get an iPad out of recovery mode. These methods are entirely safe and very easy to use, so anyone can restore their iPad to normal by following them step-by-step.

Part 1: What Is Recovery Mode in iPads?

recovery mode

Recovery mode is a feature in almost all the latest iPad versions. The recovery mode is a fail-safe troubleshooting state for the OS of your iPad. It resolves any system errors that might have been causing your device to become unresponsive or slow by reflashing your iPad.

The recovery mode can also resolve significant OS system errors that cannot be taken care of using a normal reset of your iPad. However, it would help if you took care when using recovery mode to prevent data loss. So it is recommended to back up your data before you go into recovery mode.

Features of Recovery Mode

Easy to Use

Recovery mode is a very easy-to-use feature for resolving bugs and system errors in your iPad. You don't need any specialized software, installations, or tools to use it. This makes it more accessible to people who may not be too tech-savvy. This also makes it a cheaper alternative to going to a specialist to resolve a simple bug.

Safe

Apple places a lot of emphasis on security, which is valid for the recovery mode feature. It is a safe way to remove system errors from your device and restore its responsiveness. With the recovery mode, you can troubleshoot tasks without needing third-party software.

Part 2: 4 Ways to Fix an iPad That is Stuck in Recovery Mode

1. Hard Reset Your iPad

Hard resetting an iPad stuck in recovery mode should resolve the issue in most cases. You can hard reset your iPad without a home button by following these steps:

  1. Press the Volume Up button of your iPad and let it go quickly.
  2. Next, press the Volume Down button and let it go quickly, just like in step 1.
  3. Press the Power button and keep it pressed until you see the Apple logo pop up, as shown in the above image.

hard reset

If you use an iPad with a home button, you must follow different steps to hard reset it. These steps are:

  1. Hold down the Power and Home buttons on your iPad simultaneously.
  2. Once the screen goes black and the Apple logo is shown on the screen, let go of the buttons.

ipad hard reset

2. Use iTunes to Restore Your iPad

Another way to recover your iPad stuck in the recovery mode is using iTunes. You need to have the latest iTunes version installed on your Mac or Windows PC. Otherwise, it may work differently than intended. Here are the steps to get an iPad out of recovery mode using iTunes:

  1. Use the original USB cable of your iPad to connect it to your computer.
  2. Run the iTunes app on your computer.
  3. Do the following:
  • For an iPad with a Home button, press the Home and Power buttons simultaneously. Continue holding the buttons as the apple logo comes on the screen. You can let go of the buttons once the apple logo disappears, and you can see the screen for recovery mode.
  • For an iPad without a Home button, you will need to press and let go of the Volume Up Now press and let go of the Volume Down button. The final step is to hold the Power button. Keep it pressed when the iPad restarts. Once you see the recovery mode screen, you can let go of the Power button.

ipad problem

  1. On your iTunes app, a pop-up will appear telling you that your device needs to be updated or restored, as shown above.
  2. Here click on the Restore option to reset the iPad entirely. This will cause you to lose all your data and restore the device. So be sure to back it up beforehand.

3. Try DFU Mode

DFU should be the last resort if you want to restore your iPad that's stuck in recovery mode. DFU stands for Device Firmware Upgrade, and it is the deepest restore type there is to reset your iPad. It will completely wipe out and then reload all the code on your iPad. This way, the iPad will return to a clean state as if it was brand new.

This also means that restoring your iPad through DFU will cause you to lose all the data on your iPad. But if you back up your data beforehand, it can be restored later. Here are the steps you have to take to restore your iPad stuck on the restore screen using DFU:

  1. Launch your iTunes app on your Mac or PC and make sure it is the latest version.
  2. Use an original USB cable to plug the iPad into the PC or Mac.
  3. Do the following to enter the DFU mode:
  • For an iPad with a Home button, you need to keep the Power and the Home button held down simultaneously for around 10 seconds. After this, you can release the Power button while still holding down the Home After about 5 seconds of holding the Home button down, a message will show in the iTunes app telling you that an iPad in recovery mode has been detected.
  • If your iPad is without a Home button, you have to press and let go of the Volume Up button quickly. Next, do the same for the Volume Down Once done, you need to hold the Power button till the device screen goes black.

Now you have to hold down both the Power and the Volume Down buttons for 5 seconds. After the 5 seconds have passed, release the Power button but keep the Volume Down button pressed. After a while, a message will appear in iTunes saying that an iPad in recovery mode has been detected by the system.

dfu mode

  1. Once you enter the DFU mode on your iPad, through the steps mentioned above, the screen of the iPad should have turned black.
  2. You can now click on the Restore and Update option on the window that pops up to start the restoration process.
  3. With the restoration complete, set up the iPad and recover the data you backed up.

4. Dr.Fone-System Repair

A very easy and safe way to restore an iPad stuck on the restore screen is using the Dr.Fone-System Repair tool. This service is free, so you don't have to pay a penny. Here is how you can restore an iPad that is stuck in recovery mode with the Dr.Fone tool:

  1. Install and start the Dr.Fone tool.
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drfone

  1. Click on the System Repair option.
  2. For your iPad, you need to select the iOS option on the next screen.

ios repair

  1. In the next window, select the iOS Repair option.
  2. A new window will open up, listing all the bugs this repair will fix. Select the Repair Now option to proceed.
  3. You will get a prompt for choosing between Standard Repair and Advanced Repair options. Click on the Standard Repair option.

standard repair

  1. Once done, connect your iPad to the computer with a USB cable and enter its lock screen password.
  2. Tap on the Trust option on the pop-up that appears on your iPad screen.
  3. Once done, you can click on the Enter Recovery Mode option on your computer and follow the instructions provided on the screen to put your phone in recovery mode.

download

  1. Let the process finish, and in the new window, click on the Download option for the latest iOS firmware version for your iPad.
  2. The latest version will be downloaded and verified. After that, you need to click on the Repair Now option to begin the repairing process.
  3. After a while, the screen will show a Repair Completed message, and you can click on the Done option. Your iPhone should be recovered now. However, if the problem persists, you will need to repeat the process and select the Advanced Repair option instead of the Standard Repair option in step 6.

repair completed

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Part 3: How to Put iPad in Recovery Mode?

How to Put an iPad With Home Button in Recovery Mode

Follow these steps to put an iPad in recovery mode if it has a Home button:

  1. Using a USB cable, connect your iPad to a computer with iTunes App running on it.
  2. Press and hold the Top or Side button and the Home button simultaneously.
  3. Keep the buttons held until a computer icon appears on the screen.
  4. You are now in recovery mode.

How to Put an iPad Without Home Button in Recovery Mode

Follow these steps to put an iPad in recovery mode if it does not have a Home button:

  1. Connect the iPad to a computer with iTunes installed and running using a USB cable.
  2. Tap the Volume Up button and release it quickly.
  3. Do the same for the Volume Down button.
  4. Press and hold the Top or Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.

The Bottom Line

If you find an iPad that is stuck in recovery mode, there is no need to panic. Using the methods provided in this guide, you should be able to restore your iPad and have it running as well as new in no time. By far, the easiest and safest way to extract an iPad from recovery mode is using the Dr.Fone-System Repair tool by Wondershare. Its easy-to-use interface means that anyone can recover their iPad without a hassle.

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James Davis

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