My iPad 2 Stalled During the iOS 7.0.6 Update in Recovery Mode; What Should I Do?

Q: Today I’ve tried to update my iPad to iOS 7.0.6 using iTunes on my PC. But suddenly it got stuck in recovery mode. Now my iPad cannot detect iTunes. I’ve checked it in Windows device manager and I realize my iPad driver is missing. I need some help here…

A: Sometimes, it is the case (although unfortunate) that updates stall during the download process and we see the page with a spinning circle that just sits there – and sits there – and, well, you get the picture. Whenever something goes wrong during an update, recovery mode is always the next step. Unfortunately, many users end up getting their device into recovery mode but do not know where to go next.

We’ll show you here how to get your device in recovery mode and get the iOS 7.0.6 update to download and install on your device:

Step 1 

If you find yourself with a stalled download or a spinning circle, prepare to place your device in recovery mode. To enact recovery mode on your iPad 2 running iOS 7.0.4 (or any iOS update for that matter), remember that you will erase the content on your device. If you’ve been backing up your content into iTunes, an iPad restore is not a problem. If you have not, however, and are now stuck with no iTunes solution, an iPad restore will delete the content from your device.

To start recovery mode, hold down both the sleep/wake button until the iPad prompts you to turn the device off. Slide to turn the device off. Once the screen goes black, hold down the home button while attaching the iPad to the USB cable that connects to your computer. Hold down the home button until the USB and iTunes screen appears. You will likely arrive at a screen where you’re told to connect your iPad to your computer via the USB cable. If you have a plug-in adapter, you should be able to disconnect the parts of the adapter. The first part is the USB cable.

Step 2

After you connect the iPad to the computer via USB, iTunes will tell you that your phone is in recovery mode and needs to be restored. Select “restore this device,” and follow the remaining steps at iTunes to restore your device to working fashion. Remember that the recovery mode and factory restore will not eliminate the current iOS update, so if you’re on iOS 7.0.4, you’ll still be there unless you’re updating the device to iOS 7.0.6.

If you do not perform the steps properly to see the iTunes and USB cable appear on your iPad, perform the steps over until you do. If you get stuck, visit Apple’s Support Page for a few quick visuals that will make the process easier.

Have you been having problems with your iOS 7.0.6 update? Have you noticed anything unusual about your apps, movie-playing, or game-playing experience since you updated? If so, please feel free to let us know. We’re always glad to help.