*Pre iPhone 7/7th Gen Touch* How to access Recovery Mode - OBSOLETE

Written By: Nick
  • Comments: 12
*Pre iPhone 7/7th Gen Touch* How to access Recovery Mode - OBSOLETE

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

6

Time Required

25 minutes - 2 hours

Introduction

This guide was labeled “Obsolete” on 2/14/2022. This procedure applies to really old models of iPhone largely affected by the 3G sunset and activation blocks (outside of the 6s, in the US) and older iPod Touch models largely left behind by old "single digit" iOS releases. Many of these devices are also older in general and due to issues like the 3G sunset and wear and tear, these devices are nearing the end of their lives. Some of these phones are also "Sprint only" phones unsupported by T-Mobile as well, which puts them in the same group as the non-VoLTE phones in terms of network support.

If you own one of these, this will still work but I am no longer updating it (nor assisting with these devices). However, I decided to leave it available for public viewing for the foreseeable future.

Guide notes

  • (iPhone only) This method only works up to the iPhone 6s. The current method varies by the device on newer models.
  • iCloud warning: Devices running iOS 7 or newer will have an iCloud activation lock. If you restore a device with unknown credentials, you will no longer be able to use the device. Furthermore, devices with an unofficial iCloud unlock will no longer work.
  • With iOS 8 and up, the device data is encrypted. If you need your data, you must guess the password.
  • WARNING: ALL DATA ON THE DEVICE WILL BE ERASED! IF POSSIBLE, GUESS THE PASSWORD.

If you purchased a used iDevice or forgot the password on your current device, this guide will show you how to restore the device so you can use it again. If you did not forget the password but are having problems that prevent a normal recovery, this method can also be used for this purpose.

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    • Clearing a unknown password while keeping the data intact is beyond the scope of this guide.

    • Plug your device into your computer. Use the correct cable for your device.

    At this point it's coming in my computer: itune couldn’t connect to iPod because it's locked with a passcode.

    any idea how to solve that?

    Mer -

    That’s normal. Put the device in recovery mode and it will not have that problem. Just bear in mind you won’t be able to do a backup of your data.

    Nick -

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    • Some devices and firmware do not show up in iTunes while locked with a password. This is expected.

    • Since this is a used device, the previous owner's name has been blurred.

    • Once the device is plugged in, verify it shows up in iTunes. The device will not sync while it is locked, but this is expected.

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    • Reset the device. Hold both the power and home buttons down at the same time. Do this until the device screen turns black.

    • This is the power button.

    • This is the home button.

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    • This screen may vary based on the version of iOS and device model. Some show the iTunes icon, while others show a computer.

    • Once the Apple logo shows up on the screen, let go of the power button. Hold the home button until the recovery mode screen comes up.

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    • If you have done the previous steps correctly, the device will show in iTunes, but prompt it is in recovery mode.

    • Click Restore iPod/iPhone/iPad and then Restore and Update. Agree to the EULA.

    • Once you agree to the EULA (not shown), iTunes will download the latest firmware. Your device will be restored once this is finished.

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    • Restoring from a backup is NOT recommended. These backups may contain also contain a password, which will force you to repeat this procedure. Delete all existing backups known to have the passcode once restored.

    • Once the device is restored, set it up as a new device. Make a new backup to use moving forward.

Author

Nick

Member since: 11/11/09

83288 Reputation

10 comments

So what happens when this dosen't work?

Ashanti Lewis -

you are a life saver!!!! thank you so much!

laranishino -

This worked. You must continue to hold the home and power button until the apple logo shows up. Once it shows up, hold the home key. Your iTunes will then have a couple prompts.

Ross Kellman -

A couple days ago, I bought myself a used iPhone 3G for $25. It didn’t have a SIM card, but I was able to connect it to my MacBook Pro, fire up iTunes, and basically load the same songs that are on my iPod on it. I was even able to download and install an app I had downloaded from the programmer’s website a few years ago I was sure hadn’t been updated.

All good so far … until I decided to add a password, and then decided that maybe updating the phone’s OS might be a good idea. The password was the same as that of my iPod … but after the update, suddenly I “typed in the wrong pass code.”

After fighting with that for a few hours, I did the restore bit … but now, since there is no SIM card (did I mention I have three phones? No need for another), I can’t get back to where I was before the stupid software update and now I have a phone I can’t use for the purpose for which I bought it.

Thanks, Apple.

That said, any ideas on how to get past that SIM card issue?

G.D. Warner -

Okay, so I got on eBay and bought a SIM card “for testing purposes” for about three bucks. It may or may not work, but it should at least get me past the “Dude. You Need a SIM Card” error.

We’ll see how that goes.

G.D. Warner -

Good news! Got a SIM card. Bad news: It was too small to fit into the holder in the phone.

After a quick trip to my local T-Mobile store, I had an adapter — which, I just discovered, I probably could have made myself, according to this article:

Create a Micro-SIM to SIM Adapter

Alas, the SIM card I stuck in there was identified as not being one of the phone’s supported carriers … so we’ll see.

G.D. Warner -

I have a 8+ n it has a activation lock don’t it since I was scammed so help me so I can use it or sell it

DeiShawna Foust -

Apparently I left my second gen iPod Touch on, face down on coffee table, and untouched … for about six months. Today I wanted to check something on it, and when it didn’t power up, I connected it to my MacBook Pro.

Everything seemed to be fine, except I couldn’t set the date or time. Each time I had the time almost correct, the wheel would turn, leaving me with (once again) a date from 1969.

Couldn’t connect to the App Store, because of the system’s date. Google wasn’t much help, so after trying a few things that didn’t work, I came here and sure enough, I’m not the only person that had that problem!

Kudos to the author of that guide!

G.D. Warner -

This worked like a charm. Thanks.

Jason Penner -

It work, it was clear, thx a lot !!!

simarclub -