iOS 27 introduces a new Recovery Mode for iPhone and iPad that allows the device to boot into an alternative, lightweight interface without loading the full operating system, similar to Recovery Mode on Apple Silicon Macs.
To use this feature, users must turn off the device and then hold the side button to turn it on. The Apple logo appears as during a normal startup, but holding the button for an extended period of time brings up a progress bar and the device then launches into the new recovery environment rather than continuing into iOS or iPadOS as usual. The process mirrors how Recovery Mode is triggered on Apple Silicon Macs by holding down the power button.
The new Recovery screen offers five options: Recovery Wizard, Software Update, Diagnostic Mode, Erase All Content and Settings, and Recovery Mode. The interface also displays the current battery percentage in the corner of the screen and automatically connects to a known Wi-Fi network, while a power button in the toolbar allows users to attempt a normal reboot.
New in iOS 27: On-device Recovery Mode options When you turn on your iPhone, if you continue to hold the Power button, you will see new recovery options such as: Recovery Assistant
Software update
Diagnostic Mode
Erase all content and settings
Recovery mode via Mac pic.twitter.com/eS404VH8Ca
— Aaron (@aaronp613) June 10, 2026
This addition means that some last-resort repairs that previously required connecting an iPhone or iPad to a computer can now be done independently on the device itself. Apple’s Recovery Assistant tool is designed to handle some of these automated fixes without further intervention.
The need to use the new recovery mode should remain rare. One scenario where this might be useful is if a software update fails to install, such as when a device runs out of battery while it’s updating. Some iOS beta versions have in the past caused devices to software lock up or enter boot loops, and in these cases, the Software Update option in the new recovery mode could allow a user to reinstall the latest stable version of the operating system without needing to put the device into DFU mode and restore it from a Mac or PC.
iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 are currently in developer beta testing, with a public beta expected next month and an official release in the fall.
