Fix iPhone Stuck In Recovery Mode After iOS 26 Update [5 Ways]

Is your iPhone stuck in Recovery Mode? Learn 5 ways to get out of it safely without bricking your device.

You updated your iPhone to iOS 26, but then you faced a minor problem, and you wanted to correct it by placing your device into Recovery Mode. However, your iPhone is stuck in Recovery Mode and is not responding anymore. 

You are afraid that you will not follow the right steps to fix it, which will worsen the situation or even brick your device. However, worry not, as in this tutorial, we’ll explain how to get rid of Recovery Mode without risking any damage to your iPhone. We’ll also tell you how to enter Recovery Mode properly so you won’t face any issues in the future!

Why Is Your iPhone Stuck in Recovery Mode After iOS 26 Update?

If your iPhone is stuck in Recovery Mode after the iOS 26 update, it could be because of the following reasons:

• Something went wrong during the update.
• A loose or faulty USB cable can interrupt the update.
• Not enough space on your iPhone for the iOS 26 update.
• A poor WiFi connection can cause update issues.

Video Guide: How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Recovery Mode

How to Get iPhone Out of Recovery Mode Without Restoring?

While you can get your iPhone out of Recovery Mode by restoring, you can also do so without restoring it. Here are 5 ways to take out your device if it’s stuck in Recovery Mode:

Way 1: Exit Recovery Mode Using Tenorshare ReiBoot in 5 Minutes

Don’t want to manually exit Recovery Mode to get your iPhone out of it because of complicated steps or fear of data loss? Tenorshare ReiBoot allows you to exit Recovery Mode automatically in just 5 minutes without data loss. It can also help you to fix any iOS issues that are resulting in the iPhone getting stuck in Recovery Mode. Here are this tool’s key features:

• Fixes more than 150 iOS issues, including iOS devices stuck on the Apple logo/black /blue/update, or white screen/Recovery Mode/in boot loop, etc.
• Supports iDevices in upgrading to the newest iOS 19 Beta or downgrading to the current iOS 18 version.
• Have the opportunity to get in/out of Recovery Mode with only one click.
• Is able to solve iTunes errors, and factory reset iDevices without iTunes/password/Apple ID/jailbreaking.
• Be able to erase data permanently from iOS devices to sell or give them away.
• Supports all the latest versions of iPhones/Macs/iPads.

Here’s how to get an iPhone stuck in Recovery Mode out of it with ReiBoot:

Step 1: Connect your stuck iPhone to a computer. Then, execute ReiBoot on the same PC.

Step 2: Once the tool recognizes your iPhone stuck in Recovery Mode, hit “Exit” beneath “Recovery Mode” to get it out of it. 

Way 2: Force Restart Your iPhone and Mac

First, try force restarting your iPhone and Mac to fix iOS 26 stuck in Recovery Mode. This is because a temporary glitch or bug, or background apps eating resources, can cause this issue. A force restart will clear the glitch and restart the apps and settings afresh. However, a force restart will only fix minor iOS issues and not severe ones. 

Here’s how to force restart your Mac and iPhone based on its model to exit recovery mode:

• iPhone 8 & Newer (incl. iPhone SE 2nd/3rd gen): Press and release “Volume Up.” Then, do the same with “Volume Down.” Hold the “Side” button until you see the Apple logo.

• iPhone 7 / 7 Plus: Hold “Volume Down” + “Side” buttons together. Release when the Apple logo appears.

• iPhone 6s & Older (incl. SE 1st gen): Hold “Home” + “Top/Side” buttons together. Release when the Apple logo shows up.

Force Restart Mac:

Step 1: Hold “Command” + “Control” + “Power” (or “Eject/Touch ID”) for ~10 seconds.

Step 2: Let go when the screen goes black. Press “Power” again to turn it back on.

Way 3: Restore with iTunes/Finder

If force restarting your iPhone doesn’t get it out of Recovery Mode, you can restore it with iTunes/Finder. This will fix the iOS issue, which is causing it to be stuck in Recovery Mode, and reinstall the latest iOS. However, this method will erase all data from the device, unless you have a backup. Follow the instructions beneath to restore your iPhone with iTunes/Finder:

Step 1: Plug your stuck iPhone into your computer. Then, execute “Finder” (new Macs) or “iTunes” (older Macs/Windows)

Step 2: iTunes/Finder will recognize your iPhone stuck in Recovery Mode. You’ll see “Update” or “Restore.”

Step 3: Choose “Restore” to erase and reinstall iOS on your iPhone.

Way 4: If iTunes/Finder Doesn’t Recognize the iPhone: DFU Mode

The iTunes/Finder might not detect your iPhone iOS 26 stuck on Recovery Mode. If that’s the case, put it in DFU Mode. It goes deeper than Recovery Mode by skipping the boot loader and iOS, making it useful for fixing severe software problems. However, DFU Mode is complicated, and a misstep can brick your iPhone. It will also erase all data, unless you have a backup. Follow the instructions beneath to place your iPhone into DFU Mode based on its model:

Step 1: Plug your stuck iPhone into a computer with iTunes/Finder installed. Then, place it in DFU Mode:

• iPhone 8 & newer: Press the “Volume Up” then “Volume Down” buttons. Hold “Power” until the screen goes black. Keep holding “Power,” then press “Volume Down.” After 5 seconds, release “Power,” keep holding “Volume Down” until iTunes/Finder detects your iPhone.
• iPhone 7 / 7 Plus: Hold “Power” + “Volume Down” together. After 7 seconds, release “Power,” keep holding “Volume Down” until iTunes/Finder detects your iPhone.
• iPhone 6 & earlier: Hold “Power” + “Home” together. After 7 seconds, release “Power,” keep holding “Home” until iTunes/Finder detects your iPhone.

Step 2: When iTunes/Finder recognizes your iPhone in DFU Mode, hit “Restore.”

Way 5: Contact the Apple Support Team

If your iPhone remains stuck in Recovery Mode, the issue might be more than you can think of. Your device might be physically damaged. Therefore, contact the Apple Support Team at once. Describe your issue, and they’ll share the solutions with you. If no solution works, schedule with them to send the iPhone to their center.

How to Put iPhone in Recovery Mode Manually?

Way 1. Press the Correct Button to Enter Recovery Mode According to Your iPhone Device

Placing your iPhone into Recovery Mode improperly can also cause it to get stuck on it. That’s why it’s imperative you hit the right combo of buttons. Here’s how you can place your iPhone manually into Recovery Mode:

Step 1: Plug your iPhone into a computer with iTunes/Finder installed on it. Then, open “Finder” (new Macs) or “iTunes” (older Macs/Windows).

Step 2: Place your iPhone into Recovery Mode based on its model:

• iPhone 8 & newer (incl. SE 2nd/3rd gen): Press “Volume Up,” then “Volume Down,” then hold “Power” until the Recovery Mode screen appears.

• iPhone 7 / 7 Plus: Hold “Power” + “Volume Down” together until you see the Recovery Mode screen.

• iPhone 6s & earlier (incl. SE 1st gen): Hold “Home” + “Power” together until the Recovery Mode screen appears.

Step 3: iTunes/Finder will detect the iPhone and show options to “Update” or “Restore.”

Step 4: Try tapping “Update” first to reinstall the iOS without deleting data. If it doesn’t click “Restore,” to erase everything and install a fresh version of iOS.

Way 2. Try 1-Click enter Recovery Mode via ReiBoot Recovery Button

If your iPhone won’t go into Recovery Mode manually, or you feel the steps are too complicated, you can use Tenorshare ReiBoot to enter Recovery Mode automatically. To do so:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to a computer. Then, execute ReiBoot on the same PC.

Step 2: Trust the computer when asked on your iPhone. Hit “Enter” beneath the Recovery Mode to enter it.

Part 6: Conclusion

When your iOS 26 is stuck in Recovery Mode after updating, there are several effective ways to fix it safely. From force restarting your device to using iTunes/Finder or even DFU Mode, each method can help depending on the severity of the issue. However, manual solutions can be complicated, time-consuming, may risk data loss, or even brick your device if not done correctly. 

That’s why we recommend using Tenorshare ReiBoot. It’s a user-friendly tool that lets you exit or enter Recovery Mode with one click, without technical steps or data loss involved. It can also repair 150 iOS-related issues, making it a reliable solution for anyone facing severe iOS device problems.

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