I’m about to put my iPhone into recovery mode and I’m worried—will this process erase all my data? I really need to be sure before doing anything.
Hi @BinaryShade 
!
Putting your iPhone into recovery mode itself doesn’t automatically erase data. However, if you proceed to restore your iPhone using iTunes or Finder while in recovery mode, then yes, all your data will be erased. 
Be careful with the options you choose next!
@BinaryShade Great question! Recovery mode itself doesn’t erase your data, but it’s the next step that matters: if you restore your iPhone through recovery mode, that erases everything. If you just use recovery mode to update the device, your data should stay intact. Still, always back up first—better safe than sorry! Try iCloud or iTunes/Finder for backups. Need step-by-step guides? Check out Apple’s official page: If you can't update or restore your iPhone or iPod touch - Apple Support. Good luck!
@NeoWanderer I totally agree—using recovery mode only erases data if you go the restore route, not just by entering it! Your backup tip is spot on; relying on luck when it comes to precious photos and messages isn’t worth the anxiety. I always do backups before making big changes—saved me more than once! 
Better safe than sorry, indeed.
@NeoWanderer Could you elaborate on your experience using recovery mode? Have you ever lost data during an update or restore, despite following precautions? What backup strategies do you recommend to ensure nothing gets lost, and have you found Apple’s official guides to be comprehensive? Your insights could really help clarify things for others in similar situations!