My iPad is bricked on recovery mode and no restore or update can get it out, what can I do?

This is common. You need to download the exact restore image for your device, otherwise it will try to install it, fail, and leave you with a brick. When you finally restore it to the right ipsw file it will accept the restore and your device will be back to work.

That's what I think. Every time I try it shows an error 9 message that's supposed to be related to USB connectivity, is this normal for such cases?

Also I'm trying to find iOS 11 Publi Beta 1 ipsw for the iPad Air cause I think maybe this is the one ipsw I need to restore it but it doesn't seem to be anywhere, do you have any idea where I can look for it?

You might want to try a different USB/Lightning cable. I have sometimes found that knock-offs or cheap ones have issues. Try an Apple one.

Don't mean to insult your intelligence if already thought of it. Had similar problem & talked to support (on cordless phone) while in front of my desktop.

First thing he did was have me check iTunes which was up to date. Then he had me find USB & ’apple usb driver‘ or some such. ‘update driver’ solved it.

Just another variable to rule out if haven't already.

What number did you called? I actually haven't thought it could be the USB driver

Same issue with beta 3 iPad mini 2. Tried 10.3.3. image to restore. Failed

I think you have to set up a time for them to call you: immediate, or when you can have device in front of desktop/laptop.

Unfortunately, forgot exactly what I typed when prompted, "What is wrong with your iPad?" Think it was "other" & I entered "restore from backup = fail" or something.

Phone rang & it might be luck of the draw. Don't think the first rep really knew what he was going on & just following a flow chart. Thanked him & rang off. Second call & guy knew his stuff. Downloaded 'view' app so he could point me to exactly where I needed to go on desktop. Felt kind of silly when the only thing wrong was driver update. He was very supportive & stayed with me through entire process.

Anyway, probably more than you wanted to know. : ) Here is link to get started

https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=home&PRKEYS=PF22

Best wishes!

--Bruce

Hi,

Don't know how this works as far as getting notifacation or whatever.

Can try updating iTunes & make sure USB 3.0 "Apple USB Cable" (or whatever it's called) driver is up to date. Link to spt & more details in reply to 'AdrianP' above.

Hope it works out!

--Bruce

Feel like i have tried everything now. How can i tell if Apple USB Cable driver is up to date?

iTunes on Mac or PC?

Here's how on Windows 10 & probably 7 too. If Mac, hopefully someone else can chime in.

Plug device into usb port.

Type "device manager" in search window next to start button.

Look for Universal Serial Bus controllers. Click on > symbol (on the left) to drop down list.

Find "Apple Mobile Device USB Driver" and right click on it. Select "Properties"

General tab will probably read "This device is working properly" Lets update it anyway.

(Create a restore point just to be safe.)

Now select "Driver" tab. Click "Update Driver..." box. Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" (on my desktop it updated)

Shut down both devices so everything gets refreshed.

If two step password, have your other phone/tablet ready.

Bootup PC & open iTunes.

Boot up iOS 11 device. Put it in recovery mode by holding both buttons down until you see iTunes logo on your screen with Apple cord & arrow.

iTunes will read, " iPad serial # n/a"

Click restore & follow the prompts. iPad will look like you are setting up for first time. Eventually you should see "restore from backup."

Pick most recent encrypted iOS 10 & know PW. (I know that sounds silly, but I picked most recent & guess what... password probably in my desk @ work. Restored from one done in June)

Here's where it got weird.

Error. "Your device is locked, please try again later." (I didn't have my i7 handy for 2 step PW so it had timed out?)

Try again & enter 6 digit PW it sends to phone.

All is going well. I'm at intro screen, "Hello... Hola... Bonjour..." I nuked it?

Proceed with setup by logging in with Apple ID password & got screen, "restore iPad from backup?"

Select & enter password. Device does its thing.

iTunes Error. " iTunes cannot connect to device. Incorrect passcode." What? I entered in same lock screen code twice by accident?

Unplug & reboot both machines. Odd, but maybe they just needed rebooting.

After reboot, tablet showed iOS 10.3.2 with almost all data (except for july)

Plug device into PC. Run itunes.

"Bruce's iPad = iOS 10.3.2" Yay... Mega-Yayness... : )

=====

Final note of caution about backups and ipsw files. I mean no offense if this is self evident. Better safe than sorry. : )

----

If not backed up or copied, find backups by typing:

%appdata% in the search window next to the start menu.

Might look something like:

C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\iPad Software Updates\iPadPro_9.7_10.3.2_14F89_Restore_14F89.ipsw

Under properties, mark as read only, or copy it.

backups path might look like:

C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup

Bunch of directories with long alpha-numeric names like, "b0048dc............."

same thing, add read-only, or copy them somewhere else.

Hopefully this will work for others. As said, reverting wasn't very fun but it was something I needed to learn to do...

Best wishes & sorry for such a long post! : )