iPhone SE Stuck in Recovery Mode? Here’s How to Fix It

If your iPhone SE is stuck in recovery mode after an iOS update or other system change, it’s more than just an inconvenience—it often points to a serious software issue that needs attention. Don’t worry though, there are several ways to bring your iPhone back to life. This guide walks you through step-by-step methods to fix an iPhone SE stuck in a recovery mode loop.

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Why Your iPhone SE Gets Stuck in Recovery Mode

Here are the most common reasons:

• Failed or incomplete iOS update
• Corrupted system files
• Restoring from a damaged backup
• Liquid damage or hardware issues
• Interruptions during system restore or jailbreaking

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1. Try a Force Restart First

A force restart can sometimes snap your iPhone out of recovery mode.

• Hold down the Home button and the Power (Sleep/Wake) button simultaneously
• Keep holding until you see the Apple logo
• If the logo doesn’t appear after 20 seconds, move on to the next method

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2. Restore Your iPhone Using iTunes (Recovery Mode)

If a force restart didn’t work, restoring with iTunes might do the trick.

What you’ll need:

• A Mac or PC with the latest version of iTunes
• Your iPhone SE and its Lightning cable

Steps:

1. Connect your iPhone to the computer
2. Open iTunes
3. If iTunes recognizes your iPhone in recovery mode, you’ll see a pop-up
4. Choose Update (try this first to reinstall iOS without erasing data)
5. If Update fails, select Restore to reset the device

⏱️ If the process takes longer than 15 minutes, your iPhone will exit recovery mode. If that happens, repeat the steps.

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3. Use DFU Mode for Deep-Level Restore

If the standard recovery method doesn’t work, DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is your last software-based resort.

How to Enter DFU Mode on iPhone SE:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes
2. Hold the Power + Home button for 8 seconds
3. Release the Power button, but keep holding the Home button for another 5-10 seconds
4. The screen should stay black, and iTunes will detect a device in DFU mode
5. Choose Restore iPhone in iTunes to reinstall iOS from scratch

⚠️ DFU mode erases all content. Make sure you’ve backed up your data (if possible) beforehand.

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4. Use a Third-Party iOS Recovery Tool (Optional)

Several tools exist that can help exit recovery mode or repair iOS without wiping your device:

• ReiBoot by Tenorshare
• Dr.Fone – Repair (iOS)
• iMyFone Fixppo
• PhoneRescue by iMobie

Most of these offer a “Standard Mode” to fix stuck issues without data loss and an “Advanced Mode” for deeper repairs.

🔍 Always read reviews and stick with reputable providers.

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5. Check for Hardware Damage

If none of the above methods work, hardware damage might be the culprit—especially if:

• Your iPhone was recently exposed to water
• You’ve experienced random reboots, screen glitches, or battery issues
• The phone fails to restore even in DFU mode

In this case, bring your iPhone SE to:

• An Apple Store or authorized repair center
• Contact Apple Support online or by phone

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Still Stuck? Escalate It

If you believe a recent iOS update caused the issue, report it to Apple Support so they can flag it as a potential bug.

They may offer:

• Additional troubleshooting tools
• A fix in the next iOS patch
• Device repair or replacement if under warranty or AppleCare