6 Ways to Fix iPad Stuck in Recovery Mode [2026]
Is your iPad screen showing a cable pointing to a laptop icon? Don't panic. This is called Recovery Mode, and while it looks scary, your data is likely safe. Whether your iPad got stuck during an iOS update, a restore attempt, or just froze randomly, you don't necessarily need to wipe your device to fix it.
In this guide, we cover 6 proven methods to get your iPad out of Recovery Mode, starting with the easiest fixes that preserve your photos and apps.
Part 1：Why Is My iPad Stuck in Recovery Mode?
Your iPad may get stuck in Recovery Mode for several reasons, often tied to software, hardware, or update issues:
1. Interrupted iOS Update or Restore – If the process was stopped mid-way due to low battery, poor connection, or force quitting, the device may fail to exit Recovery Mode.
2. Corrupted System Files – Damaged or missing iOS files can prevent the iPad from booting normally.
3. Incompatible Firmware – Installing firmware that doesn't match your device model can lock it in Recovery Mode.
4. Jailbreaking Errors – Failed or incomplete jailbreak attempts can corrupt the operating system.
5. Hardware Problems – Faulty cables, damaged ports, or internal component issues can disrupt system installation.
Video Guide: How to Fix iPad Stuck in Recovery Mode
To save your time, you can watch this short video to quickly get the fixes in action— from force-restarting your iPad to restoring it on a computer using iTunes, plus using TunesKit iOS System Recovery to exit iPad Recovery Mode in one click.
Part 2: Top 6 Methods to Fix iPad Stuck in Recovery Mode
Before you start, check which method fits your situation to avoid accidental data loss.
| Method | Time Required | Data Loss? | Ease of Use | Success Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Force Restart | 2 Mins | No (Safe) | Easy | 30% | Minor software glitches |
| 2. Manually Exit | 1 Min | No (Safe) | Easy | 30% | Minor screen freezes |
| 3. One-Click Exit (TunesKit) | 1 Min | No (Safe) | Very Easy | 95% | Users with broken buttons |
| 4. System Repair (TunesKit) | 30+ Mins | No (Safe) | Easy | 100% | Users who want a guaranteed instant fix |
| 5. iTunes/Finder Restore | 30+ Mins | Yes (Wipes Data) | Medium | 90% | Users who want the official Apple method |
| 6. DFU Mode | 45+ Mins | Yes (Wipes Data) | Complicated | 95% | Severe failures when nothing else works |
Method 1. Hard Reset Your iPad
The first step for any iOS issue is a Force Restart (also called a Hard Reset). This cuts power to the iPad hardware and forces a fresh reboot, often breaking the Recovery Mode loop without a computer. You can follow the quick steps below.
- For iPads with Face ID (No Home Button): Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, and then the Volume Down button. Next, press and hold the Top (Power) button. When the Apple logo appears, release the button.
- For iPads with a Home Button: Press and hold the Home button (on the front of the device) and Top (Power) button (on the top of the iPad) simultaneously. Release both buttons until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
Method 2. How to Exit Recovery Mode Without a Computer
If your buttons are working but the screen is still stuck, you can try the manual exit sequence. This is similar to a force restart but specific to the recovery loop.
Step 1. Disconnect the iPad from any cables.
Step 2. Next press and hold the Home button (for older iPads) or the Volume Down button (for Face ID iPads) along with the Power button at the same time for about 10 seconds and then let go off both buttons.
Step 3. Now tap the Power button immediately and wait for the iPad to turn on.
Note:
If this doesn't work, the software corruption is likely deeper, and you will need to use a tool (Method 3) or a computer (Method 4).
Method 3. One-Click to Exit Recovery Mode (Free & Easiest)
If the manual buttons aren't working, you can use a free tool to help your iPad exit the Recovery Mode in one click and this powerful software is named TunesKit iOS System Recovery.
Unlike many competitors, TunesKit iOS System Recovery offers a feature to enter/exit Recovery Mode completely for free. There is no need to purchase the full repair license for this specific feature.
Why Use TunesKit iOS System Recovery?
Exit the Recovery Mode on iPad in one click, with no cost. It avoids the complex button combinations and works instantly.
600,000+ Downloads
Now download and install TunesKit iOS System Recovery on your PC or Mac and follow the steps below to use it.
Step 1. Launch TunesKit program, and use an original USB cable to connect your iPad to the computer. The software will detect your device.
Step 2. After your device is successfully recognized by the program, it must be shown in the Recovery Mode already. Then choose Enter/Exit Recovery Mode > Exit Recovery Mode to let TunesKit help you exit the Recovery Mode automatically.
Method 4. Fix iPad Stuck in Recovery Mode Without iTunes (No Data Loss)
If your iPad keeps rebooting back into Recovery Mode, the operating system files may be corrupted. iTunes often forces a "Restore" (data wipe) in this scenario. However, TunesKit iOS System Recovery's "Standard Repair" mode can reinstall the iOS firmware without touching your photos, apps, or messages.
TunesKit is a versatile iOS related repair utility that help users fix up to 150+ various iOS issues such as iDevice stuck and unresponsive problems, screen display problems, or more serious issues like iPhone is unavailable, etc. More importantly, it will retain all your existing data on the device while repairing your system problems.
Now just follow the simple step-by-step guide below to fix it right now.
Step 1 Connect your device to the computer and open TunesKit iOS System Recovery program. Afterwards, click the iOS System Repair button to begin and choose the Standard Repair on the next interface to proceed.
Step 2 Next, you should check your device info and correct the data if something is not right. Then hit the Download button and TunesKit will start to download and verify the iOS firmware package that matched to your device.
Step 3 Once the download is done, you can now click the Repair button to let the software to fix your iPad problem instantly. Wait for the process bar ends and your iPad will get out of the Recovery Mode successfully. If not, you can try it again or switch to the Advanced Mode to fix it completely.
Method 5. Use iTunes or Finder to Update/Restore
Another method you can rely on to fix the issue that iPad stuck on restore screen is to restore your iPad with iTunes or Finder. This solution will erase all the data on your iPad, so we don't recommend you to try this method unless you have made some backup for your iPad data.
Note
If you are using macOS Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, or newer, iTunes no longer exists. You will use Finder. For Windows and older Macs, continue using iTunes.
Now, you can then follow the steps below to resolve the problem.
Step 1. Connect your iPad to the computer. Open iTunes or Finder. If your iPad is stuck, you should see a pop-up window immediately.
Step 2. You will see two options: Update or Restore.
- Select "Update": This attempts to reinstall iPadOS without erasing your data.
- Select "Restore": Only choose this if "Update" fails. This will erase all data and return the iPad to factory settings.
Troubleshooting: What if iTunes doesn't recognize my iPad?
1. Try a different USB-C or Lightning cable (original Apple cables are best).
2. Check that your iTunes/macOS is updated to the latest version.
3. If it still fails, move to Method 6 (DFU Mode).
Method 6. Restore from DFU Mode
The last method you can try to fix iPad stuck in restore mode is to restore it from DFU mode. DFU (Device Firmware Update) is deeper than Recovery Mode. It bypasses the bootloader to reinstall the OS from scratch.
Though DFU Mode will erase all your iPhone content, it is still worth trying if all the methods above are not working. Based on your device model, there are different ways to put your iPad into DFU Mode.
-
For iPads with Face ID (No Home Button):
Step 1. Connect your iPad to a computer and launch iTunes/Finder on computer.
Step 2. Press Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold Power until the screen goes black.
Step 3. Once black, hold Power + Volume Down for 5 seconds.
Step 4. Release Power but keep holding Volume Down for 10 seconds.
Step 5. The screen should stay completely black (if you see a logo, you did it wrong). iTunes/Finder will say it detected an iPad in recovery mode. Click Restore.
-
For iPads with a Home Button:
Step 1. Connect your iPad to your computer using a USB cable. Launch iTunes/Finder on computer.
Step 2. Hold the Power button (Top) and the Home button at the same time for exactly 10 seconds.
Step 3. Release the Power button but keep holding the Home button for another 5 seconds.
Step 4. If the screen stays completely black but iTunes/Finder says "iTunes has detected an iPad in recovery mode", you are successfully in DFU mode. Click Restore.
Part 3: More Q&A About iPad Recovery Mode
-
1. What is iPad Recovery Mode?
iPad Recovery Mode is a failsafe state on iPad to help users update or restore the iPad with a new operating system. Different from Device Firmware Upgrade (DFU) mode, it won't bypass the device's bootloader and will install a modified or new firmware package. You need iTunes program to help upgrade or restore your iPad.
See more: DFU Mode vs. Recovery Mode: What're the Differences? -
2. When will I use iPad Recovery Mode?
You'd like to use iPad Recovery Mode under several circumstances, for instance, your iPad stuck in Recovery Mode loop after update or get stuck in the restart loop or other states and cannot responsive while you're updating your iOS system; The process isn't completed when you're restoring your iPad from the backup and meantime iTunes cannot recognize your device; Your iPad screen turns white, black, blue or red due to some unknown reasons, etc.
So just list a few of them, and of course there are many other situations that you may want to put your iPad into the Recovery Mode. -
3. How can I put iPad in Recovery Mode?
To place your iPad into Recovery Mode, you have to first connect your device to the computer and open iTunes, and then keep hold the Power button and Home button simultaneously until white Apple logo appears. Keep holding these two buttons until you see an arrow pointing to iTunes icon appears on the screen, which means that your iPad is now in the Recovery Mode.
Or you can use TunesKit iOS System Recovery to enter iPad Recovery Mode in one click freely and easily, as we shown in the Method 3.
Part 4: The Bottom Line
Getting an iPad stuck in Recovery Mode is stressful, but it's usually a software glitch, not broken hardware. Try the Force Restart first. Use TunesKit's Free Exit feature if you want a one-click solution without fiddling with buttons. Or use its Standard Repair mode to fix the iPad stuck issue without data loss. Only use iTunes Restore as a last resort if you have a backup.
Ready to fix your iPad? Download TunesKit iOS System Recovery to exit Recovery Mode instantly.
