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How to Back Up iPhone in Recovery Mode [Easy & Quick Ways]

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"My iPhone 16 is stuck in Recovery Mode or DFU Mode and won't turn on. I'm trying to find a way to save some photos before restoring. Is it possible to Back up an iPhone in Recovery Mode? How can I do this?"

- From Apple Support Community

Sometimes your iPhone may get stuck on the Apple logo when it boots up, especially after a bad iOS update or an app crash. In some cases, iTunes may not even detect your device. You may also see a screen asking you to connect to iTunes, which means your iPhone has entered recovery mode. The problem is, once your phone is in recovery mode, it's hard to get out. This brings up a big question: How do you avoid data loss? Is there a way to back up iPhone when in recovery mode? Keep reading to find out.

backup iphone files in recovery   mode

Directory
 

Part 1: Can you Back up an iPhone in Recovery Mode?

A common question from iPhone users is whether it's possible to create a backup while the device is in recovery mode. Unfortunately, the answer is NO. When your iPhone is in recovery mode, it can't be accessed for backup. The good news is that you can first get your iPhone out of recovery mode, and then use tools like iTunes, iCloud, or trusted third-party software to back up your data safely.

Part 2: How to Get iPhone Out of Recovery Mode (3 Ways)

If your iPhone is stuck in recovery mode, there are a couple of ways to fix it. You can either force restart your iPhone or reset it using iTunes. Here's how:

Method 1: Force Restart Your iPhone

A force restart is often the quickest way to fix many iPhone issues. Here's how to do it:

For iPhone X and later:

  • Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
  • Do the same with the Volume Down button.
  • Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release it.

For iPhone 8 and iPhone SE (2nd Gen):

  • Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
  • Press and release the Volume Down button quickly.
  • Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo, then release it.

For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

  • Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time.
  • When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

force restart iphone to exit recovery mode

Method 2: Restore iPhone Using iTunes

If a force restart doesn't work, you can restore your iPhone to factory settings via iTunes. This will erase all data, so make sure you have a backup. Here's what you need to do:

restore iphone in recovery mode

  1. Open the latest version of iTunes on your computer.
  2. Connect your iPhone to the computer.
  3. iTunes should automatically detect that your iPhone is in recovery mode.
  4. You will see an option to "Restore iPhone". Click it.
  5. After the restore is complete, your iPhone will return to its original state, and you can set it up again.

Method 3: Get iPhone Out of Recovery Mode via iOS System Recovery

To effectively get your iPhone out of recovery mode without data loss, it is highly recommended the iOS System Recovery. It is a professional software designed to fix all kinds of errors on iPhone/iPad/iPod with a few clicks, including iPhone stuck in reboot loop, iPhone stuck on Apple logo and other iPhone or iTunes errors. And it is a safe way to help you exit recovery mode of your iPhone as well. Besides, it is fully compatible with all iOS device, including all generations of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Now, please download the free trials of the program on your computer, and follow the instructions as below to get your iPhone out of recovery mode before backing up iPhone data.

Steps to Fix iPhone Stuck in Recovery Mode to Back Up iPhone Data:

01 Connect iPhone to computer and launch iOS System Recovery

After downloading and installing iOS System Recovery software on your computer, please launch it and connect your iPhone to computer with a USB cable. On the main interface of the program, please click "More tools" > "iOS System Recovery" option to move on.

connect iphone to pc

02 Scan and detect the problems on your iPhone

Then the program will automatically detect your iPhone's problems and show the possible issues of your iPhone, such as iPhone stuck in recovery mode, iPhone stuck on Apple logo, iPhone blue screen of death or other iPhone errors. Then please click "Start" button to move on.

detect the system problems on iphone

03 Start to fix iPhone stuck in recovery mode

Later, you are required to confirm your iPhone information. Check the information and click "Repair" button if it is right; if not, please select the right ones and hit "Repair" button to start fixing the issue of iPhone stuck in recovery mode. To fix the problem, the recovery mode will detect your iPhone's current iOS version and upgrade it to the latest software.

start to repair iphone white screen of death

Part 3: How to Back up iPhone after Existing Recovery Mode

After getting your iPhone out of Recovery Mode, you can back it up using either a third-party tool or Apple's built-in options like iTunes and iCloud.

Method 1: Backup iPhone with Coolmuster iOS Assistant

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and convenient way to back up your iPhone, Coolmuster iOS Assistant is a professional and reliable tool worth trying. This powerful iPhone data transfer and manager software lets you efficiently back up all kinds of iPhone data, including photos, videos, music, voice memos, contacts, messages with attachments, and much more to your computer. It works smoothly and helps avoid common errors during the backup process.

To back up your iPhone with Coolmuster iOS Assistant, follow these steps:

01 Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer using a USB cable. Unlock your device and tap "Trust" when prompted to trust the computer. Once your device is connected, launch Coolmuster iOS Assistant. The program will automatically detect your iPhone or iPad right away.

main interface of ios assistant

02 On the left panel, you'll see a list of data categories from your iPhone or iPad. After a short scanning process, you can click any category to preview its contents. Select the specific data you wish to back up, such as certain photos, videos, or files.

export contact from idevice

03 Once you've made your selections, click the "Export" button to begin the backup process. The software will then save the selected files to your computer.

If you ever need to restore this data to your iPhone or iPad in the future, simply click the "Import" button at the top and follow the instructions to complete the restoration. (How to Restore iPhone Without iTunes?)

Video Guide:

Method 2: Backup iPhone with iCloud

iCloud offers wireless backup for your iPhone data, making it super convenient. However, it doesn't back up everything, only photos, accounts, documents, and settings. Also, the free iCloud storage is limited to 5GB, so you might need to buy more space if you have a lot to back up.

  1. Go to "Settings" on your iPhone and tap on your name.
  2. Tap "iCloud," then choose "Backup" (or "Storage & Backup" on older iOS versions).
  3. Make sure "iCloud Backup" is turned on and tap "Back Up Now."

backup iphone to icloud

Method 3: Backup iPhone with iTunes

iTunes is a good choice for backing up large files, but the downside is that the data you back up can't be accessed directly. To view it, you'll need to restore the entire backup to your device.

  1. Install the latest version of iTunes on your computer and open it.
  2. If prompted, enter your password and select "Trust This Computer."
  3. In iTunes, click on the iPhone icon.
  4. Click "Back Up Now" to save your data.

how to backup iphone to itunes

Conclusion

Choose any of the above methods and you will be able to successfully exit recovery mode on your iPhone. After that, you can back up your iPhone data at any time to prevent any potential data loss in the future. Please choose a reliable backup method according to your needs and ensure that your important files are safe. Whether you use iCloud, iTunes or a third-party tool, regular backup is always a wise habit.

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