iOS 27 introduces a new recovery mode that allows iPhone and iPad users to boot into an alternative user interface without loading the main operating system. The recovery mode provides options to restore software, enter diagnostics mode, erase the device, and perform some automated fixes via a feature called Recovery Assistant.
This recovery mode is available in both iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. To enter recovery mode, users must first turn off the device. After shutting it down, holding the side button powers on the device, displaying the Apple logo. Users should continue to hold the side button until a progress bar appears, indicating the launch into recovery mode.
The method to access this recovery mode mirrors that used on Apple Silicon Macs, where the Touch ID power button is held down. The recovery screen presents several options, including ‘Recovery Assistant’, ‘Software Update’, ‘Diagnostics Mode’, ‘Erase All Content and Settings’, and ‘Recovery Mode’. Additionally, the recovery screen displays the current battery percentage in the top corner and connects to known WiFi networks automatically.
A power button located in the toolbar allows users to attempt a normal restart of the phone. These new recovery options enable users to perform fixes independently, which previously required connecting to a computer.
While recovery situations are rare, they can occur when a software update fails, such as when the device loses power during installation. Past iOS beta versions have led to devices soft-locking and entering boot loops, which may be resolved using the Software Update recovery assistant to reinstall the last-known stable OS version without needing to connect to a computer.
