iOS 17.3 update on month old 15 pro max - phone stuck in recovery mode

tu0219 wrote:

Hello everyone!

I have a month old 15 Pro Max. Last night it updated to iOS 17.3, following this update the screen was non-responsive and I cannot access my phone at all. The screen still works, I receive notifications, but I cannot do anything with it.

I tried the reset (pressing volume up/volume down, held the lock button) at least 10 times with no success.

I plugged it into my MacBook, it says my phone is in recovery mode and needs to be restored to factory settings.

I tried to access the Apple Configurator app, but I am unable to download it to my MacBook due to it's age (it can only run macOS 12.7).

I am FRUSTRATED, as this is a brand new phone and was fine until this update. I did not have my phone recently backed up to iCloud, so restoring will cause me to lose a significant amount of data.

Wondering if there is any solution to fix this problem, or if I am out of luck. I don't want to waste any more of my time by going to the Genius Bar and having them tell me there is nothing they can do.

Thank you!

If your phone is in recovery mode, there is no data on it, you've already lost it.

You'll need to restore to factory settings to get back into your phone again.

tu0219 wrote:

Thank you, but unfortunately I have tried that 10+ times and the screen is still unresponsive

Are you holding it long enough to see the apple logo and then release, if not do so.

If you are then you'll need to restore the phone.

tu0219 wrote:

Even though my lock screen still shows one of my photos? What you're saying does make sense but the fact that it's still my photo and I am getting notifications is throwing me off.

This should fix your issue click here Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

Something similar happened to me with 15 Pro. Tried to update on Mac, screen went black with "restore" message. Unable to restore. Phone was new enough that Verizon replaced, said it was a "hardware problem." Same thing happened to second phone. Verizon replaced. No way I will update to 17.3. Sorry for your problems and frustrations. I totally understand your anger. This experience makes me more and more dissatisfied with Apple. Hate to sound like an old guy, but Apple products seemed to work better before.