What To Do If Iphone Cannot Be Restored

Oh no! Your iPhone's stuck. It won't restore, huh? Don't panic! We've all been there.

First Things First: The Obvious (But Crucial) Checks

Make sure your cables are snug. A wobbly connection is a restoration killer. Try a different USB port, too!

Give your computer a restart. Sometimes, that's all it takes. Magic!

Update iTunes or Finder. Seriously, an outdated version can cause chaos.

Force Restart: The iPhone's Secret Weapon

Let's try a forced restart. It's like a digital slap in the face for your phone. Each model is a little different, so here's a quick rundown:

iPhone 8 and later:

Press and quickly release the volume up button. Next, do the same with the volume down button. Then, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo. Ta-da!

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

Press and hold both the side button and the volume down button. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.

iPhone 6s and earlier:

Hold down both the Home button and the side button. Release when you see the Apple logo. Easy peasy!

Recovery Mode: A Slightly More Desperate Measure

Recovery mode is next up. It's a bit more intense, but don't worry! We'll get through this together.

Follow the same button combos as the forced restart, but keep holding even after the Apple logo appears.

Hold until you see the Recovery Mode screen. It looks like a phone connected to a computer. If you see this, you're golden!

Your computer should now recognize your iPhone. It will offer you options to update or restore. Choose Restore.

DFU Mode: The Last Resort (But Potentially Life-Saving)

DFU mode is the deepest restore possible. This is for when things get real. But it's not as scary as it sounds!

Connect your iPhone to your computer. Make sure iTunes or Finder is open.

iPhone 8 and later:

Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Press and hold the side button for 10 seconds.

While still holding the side button, press and hold the volume down button for 5 seconds. Release the side button but keep holding the volume down button for 10 more seconds.

If the screen stays black, you're in DFU mode! Your computer should detect a device in recovery, but your iPhone screen will remain black. If you see the Apple logo, you missed a step and need to try again.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

Press and hold the side button and volume down button for 10 seconds. Release the side button, but continue holding the volume down button for 5 more seconds. The screen should stay black.

iPhone 6s and earlier:

Press and hold the Home button and the side button for 10 seconds. Release the side button but continue holding the Home button for 5 more seconds. Watch for the black screen!

iTunes or Finder will prompt you to restore. Let it work its magic!