The timeout that looks like a loop
When a computer downloads iOS for a restore, the iPhone drops out of recovery mode after about fifteen minutes if the download has not finished. It looks like the phone is refusing to cooperate; it is a timer.
The fix is simply to re-enter recovery mode while the download continues in the background. Repeat as often as needed — the download picks up where it left off, and once it completes the restore proceeds.
Try a plain force restart first
Before assuming the worst, force restart the phone: volume up, volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, releasing there rather than continuing. On some occasions the device simply boots normally.
Our force restart guide covers the sequence for older models.
Update before Restore
With the phone connected and in recovery mode, the computer offers Update and Restore. Update reinstalls iOS while keeping your data and is far more likely to succeed than people expect.
Only move to Restore if Update fails, since Restore erases the device. Our recovery mode guide covers both.
Cable, port and computer
A cable that charges but does not carry data reliably is a common cause of restores that fail part-way and drop the phone back into the loop. Use a known-good, preferably Apple or MFi-certified cable, plugged directly into the computer rather than through a hub.
If the computer loses sight of the device mid-restore, that is what you are looking at. Trying a different computer entirely is worth doing before concluding the phone is at fault.
Version and signing problems
A restore can fail because the version being installed is no longer signed by Apple. Apple only signs a narrow window of releases, and anything older is rejected regardless of the file being genuine.
If you are trying to restore a specific older version, that is very likely the cause. Our IPSW guide explains signing and what can still be installed.
When Update and Restore both fail
DFU mode is the next step: it writes firmware to a device too broken for recovery mode to handle. It always erases — see our DFU guide for the exact sequence.
If DFU also fails, the cause is almost certainly hardware. A phone that was dropped, got wet, or has a failing storage chip cannot be fixed by any restore, and repeated attempts will not change that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iPhone keep dropping out of recovery mode?
The download times out after about fifteen minutes. Re-enter recovery mode while the computer finishes downloading.
How do I get my iPhone out of recovery mode without restoring?
Force restart it — the button sequence for your model, releasing at the Apple logo. If iOS is intact it boots normally.
Why does the restore keep failing?
Usually a faulty cable, a hub, or a version Apple no longer signs. Try a known-good cable directly into the computer.
What if DFU restore fails too?
The cause is almost certainly hardware — storage or logic board damage. No restore will fix that.