How To Put Your iPhone/iPad Into DFU Mode For Recovery

Whatever the case, all you need to do is get into DFU mode from iPhone or iPad, and then you can probably fix your device or do whatever else you might want to achieve with it. You can look forward to DFU mode as your ultimate saviour from firmware crisis, So let’s get right into it.

Things you need to know about DFU mode before getting into it

Device firmware update or (DFU) is a mode through which you can allow a computer to update your device firmware. In simpler words, you connect with iTunes and let it restore the broken firmware or update it to the latest one. In this mode, your device can communicate with iTunes and let it handle the complicated things like installing correct updates on your behalf.

Here iTunes will skip the bootloader, and you can go back to the previous version of iOS (maybe for unlocking SIM or jailbreaking). Also, let’s not confuse recovery mode with DFU mode as in recovery mode, it’s like a factory reset with having the latest version of iOS. In contrast, for DFU mode, you get to choose firmware and iOS for your adventures.

How to start DFU mode in iPhone/iPad

Getting into DFU mode is simple, but there are different ways dependent on your iPhone version. Please follow the steps that match the version of your iPhone, and you will enter the Device Firmware Update mode just right. It might take two or three tries if you haven’t done it before, but rest assured, we will help you start the mode. Here’s how:

Note: It’s always a wise move to backup everything to iCloud or iTunes before moving forward.

First and foremost, make sure that you have iTunes installed and ready on your Mac or PC. Now next thing to do is plug in your iPhone via a USB cable to your computer. It doesn’t matter if the iPhone is switched off or it’s still on.

Enter DFU Mode on iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, and iPhone 11 Pro

1. Quick press the Volume up button (Quick press means to hold and release the button quickly and move on to the next step).
2. Again Quick press the Volume Down button.
3. Now, you need to hold the Side button till your iPhone screen goes black.
4. After the screen is black, you will hold the Side button and the Volume Down button for five seconds and release the Side button (while continually holding the Volume Down button)
5. Now depending upon how you performed the above steps, either of these three things might happen.

• • If you encounter an apple logo, then you might have pressed the side button for a little more time then required.
  • If your iPhone says to connect to iTunes or gives any other error, then please check the connection with iTunes and repeat the steps again.
  • In case if nothing happens, as in your screen remains black, then iTunes will send you an alert (on PC) that your device is detected in the recovery mode.

Enter DFU Mode on iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 plus

The process here is relatively more straightforward as compared to other versions.

1. Hold the Volume Down button and the Side button for eight seconds.
2. After that, release the Side button (while continually holding to the Volume Down button)
3. If the Apple logo appears, then you need to keep a check on how much time you are pressing the side button and keep it to 8 seconds as this seems only if you held it for too long. Also, if your iPhone asks you to connect yo iTunes, then you did everything correctly, but the connection to iTunes isn’t working, so check that first and retry.
4.  For the folks who did everything correctly, DFU mode is on, and you will receive a notification from iTunes (on your PC) conforming the same.

Enter DFU mode in iPad, iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone SE and below

1. You need to hold both Home and the Lock button for eight seconds.
2. After eight seconds, release the Lock button. (here, continue holding the Home button).
3.  As per your performance, if you encounter with apple logo, then you have held the home button for too long, so try to minimize it up to eight seconds only.
4. Nothing actually happens when you enter the DFU mode as your iPhone screen won’t show anything. You will get a notification on iTunes, suggesting that you have entered the recovery mode successfully.
5. In case of iPhone throwing an error message that says connect to iTunes first, then your connection to the PC is not correctly established, resolve it first, and then repeat all the steps.

Exiting the DFU Mode in iPhone and iPad

Steps are reasonably similar to that of entering the DFU mode. You can always choose to exit the DFU mode after you are done with your business.

For iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, and iPhone 11 Pro

1.  First, quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Next quick press the Volume Down button.
3. Now, hold the side button till your device reboots.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 plus

1. All you have to do is hold down the Side button and Volume Down button till your device reboots. That’s it! Now you are good to go.

For iPad, iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone SE and below

1. It’s too easy. Just hold down the Side button and the Lock button till your device reboots.

Conclusion

DFU mode will help you resolve almost any software related issue. Consider it as a last resort for the times when you have royally messed up with settings or updates. Do let us know if you encounter any problem while getting into the DFU mode in the comments section below.