How ToiPhoneTips & Tricks

How to Put Your iPhone or iPad into DFU Mode?

iPhones and iPads have become everybody’s one-stop device for all their daily work and have become too common. While the user-friendly approach and easy to use are some of the reasons for using the Apple products by customers there are various other rationales on which iPhone has become the customer’s first choice phone available and iPad the first choice while buying a tablet. One of the many reasons is the DFU mode. 

The simple problems that your iPhone or iPad may face can easily be solved by force restart iPhone or switching it off for some time. Bigger problems, however, require a more comprehensive approach which is known as the DFU mode.

It is actually a recovery mode that can seldom be used by users to solve issues. While not many people are aware of the DFU mode and how it can be used, this article will help you know all about DFU mode.

DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode

Device Firmware Update DFU Mode Cover

The Device Firmware Update (DFU) Mode in the iPhone and iPad helps the users make low-level changes to the software that is running the device. It s the deepest form of restore that you can do on your Apple device. 

In a DFU mode, the device is powered but it hasn’t booted up the operation system (iOS). As a result of this, one can make changes to the operating system as it is not running yet. In the DFU mode, the iPhone or iPad can interface with iTunes, but it does not load the iPhone operating system or boot loader (this is what really differs DFU mode from the more simple recovery mode).

Why use DFU ( Device Firmware Update) Mode?

If a person wants to escalate his privileges of Apple devices by removing the many restrictions that have been imposed by Apple on iOS devices (Jailbreaking), one must know all about the DFU and how to put your iPhone or iPad into DFU mode. 

While the Recovery mode is the best option for small issues in your device like the device is stuck in a loop after updating an operating system or the data is corrupted causing your device to have problems while running. For larger problems, DFU is the Solution.

Reasons, why DFU mode is used, are:

  • Downgrading the version of iOS that is running on your device: Sometimes an upgrade to a higher version of the iOS running on the device damages the device or causes some app to not work properly. While normally avoiding downgrading the operating system must be avoided, however, if it is very necessary one must put their iPhone or iPad on the DFU mode.
  • Jailbreak the device or un-jailbreak it: As mentioned earlier jailbreaking the device means removing the restrictions that Apple has imposed on the iOS devices. 
  • Remove the expired beta version of the iOS: If you running your device on an expired beta version of the iOS then you can use the DFU mode to remove that beta version. 
  • If Your Device does not start: If you are facing some problems with your iPhone or iPad and it does not start up past the Apple logo, you may have to consider the DFU mode. The DFU mode will help you make changes with the operating system and fix what is hampering the device to start.

While in some situations putting the device into DFU Mode may become mandatory to fix the situations, but what one must not forget is that it’s potentially dangerous. By using the DFU Mode, you are messing up with the device normal working by downgrading the OS or jailbreak the device, it can damage the device and also violate the warranty.

How to put your iPhone or iPad into the  DFU mode?

How to put your iPhone or iPad into the  DFU Mode

Putting a device into DFU mode is similar to Recovery Mode, with a slight difference. You have to make sure that you take special care of the timings that are mentioned in the guide. Here’s a step to step guide for putting your iPhone or IPad into the DFU along with some necessary tips that must be kept in mind while putting your phone into DFU mode.

Below we will also discuss the detailed  methodology for specific devices

Step1: Connect the iPhone or iPad to a computer and then open iTunes.

Step2: Hold the Sleep/Power button, which is located on top of the device to display a slider. Once the slider is visible then drag the slider to the right to turn off the device.

If you fave difficulty in turning the device off, continue to hold on to the Power button and Home button simultaneously after the slider appears. Eventually, the device will turn off. 

once the device powers down release both the power and home buttons.

Step3:  With the device turned off, hold the Sleep/Power button and Home button at the same time.

If you have an iPhone 7 or newer, hold the Sleep/Power button along with the Volume down button and not the Home button.

Step4: Hold these buttons for 10 seconds.

If the buttons are held for too long then the device goes into Recovery Mode instead of DFU mode. Also, the Apple logo appears when the device goes into Recovery Mode.

Step5: Release the Sleep/Power button, but continue to hold the Home Button (or Volume down button on an iPhone 7 or newer) for 5 seconds.

Identify whether it is recovery mode or DFU mode

Identify whether it is the recover mode or DFU mode

One way to identify whether it is the recovery mode or DFU mode is that if the iTunes logo and message appear, you held the button for too long and you need to start again. 

However, If the device screen is black, it’s in DFU Mode. If iTunes recognizes that the iPhone is connected, you’re ready to proceed.

If you see any icons or text on the device screen, it’s not in DFU Mode and you’ll need to start again.

Thus, with the above steps, you can put your iPhone or iPad in the DFU mode and mend the problem that your device is facing. 

With the many upgrades in the Apple iPhone and iPad, there are different ways of putting the device in DFU mode. Read about all the devices individually.

Steps to put iPhone with Face ID into DFU mode

Step1: Connect your iPhone with Face ID to your Mac or PC and make sure that iTunes is running.

Step2: Turn off your device I.e. iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max if it isn’t already.

  • Press and release the volume up button and down button quickly.
  • Press and hold the Power off button until the Power off slider appears. 
  • Drag the slider sideways to turn off your device. 

Step3: Press and hold the side button of your iPhone for 3 seconds

Step4: Still holding the side button, press the volume down button (on the left side of your iPhone)  simultaneously.

  • If you see the Apple logo on your device screen, you’ve held them down for too long and you need to try again.

Step5: While Releasing only the side button (On/Off), continue holding the volume down button for another 5 seconds.

  • If you start seeing the “Plug into iTunes” on your screen then you’ve again held it too long and need to try again.
  • If the screen has stayed black, then you’re in DFU mode.

By this point, the iTunes on your computer should have detected your device I.e iPhone or iPad and allowed it to be restored.

How to Put your iPad Pro into DFU Mode?

 

Put your iPad Pro into DFU Mode

Unlike the previous versions of iPad, the 3rd-generation iPad Pro (2018) did not have some features like the Home Button and Touch ID in exchange for Face ID, just like with the newer iPhone models. So putting your iPad into DFU mode is just like with an iPhone X series.

Steps to put your iPad into DFU mode

Step1: Plug in your iPad Pro 2018 to your Mac or PC and open iTunes.

Step2: Turn off your iPad Pro if it isn’t already.

  • Press and release the volume up button and down button quickly.
  • Press and hold the Power off button until the Power off slider appears. 
  • Drag the slider sideways to turn your iPad Pro off.

Step3: Press and hold the side button of your iPad Pro  for 3 seconds

Step4: Still holding the side button, press the volume down button (on the left side of your iPhone)  simultaneously. Continue holding both the buttons for 10 seconds. 

  • If you see the Apple logo on your device screen, you’ve held them down for too long and you need to try again.

Step5: While Releasing only the side button (On/Off), continue holding the volume down button for another 5 seconds.

  • If you start seeing the “Plug into iTunes” on your screen then you’ve again held it too long and need to try again.
  • If the screen has stayed black, then you’re in DFU mode.

How to put your iPhone 8 and iPhone X into DFU mode?

With a little realignment of some common buttons on the newer versions of Apple devices, the DFU mode is a bit different on the iPhone 8 and iPhone X than the previous generations. 

Here is a step to step guide to the same

Step1: Plug in your iPhone X or iPhone 8 to your Mac or PC and open iTunes.

Step2: Turn off your iPad Pro if it isn’t already.

Step3: Press and hold on to the on/off button on the right side of your iPhone for 3 seconds. 

Step4: Simultaneously press and hold the volume down button on the left side of your iPhone while still holding on to the power button. 

Step5: Hold both the buttons for 10 seconds (if you start seeing an Apple logo, you have held the buttons for too long and you will have to start again from the beginning).

Step6: Let go off the power button and hold on to the volume down button for around 5 seconds. (if you see the “plug into iTunes” screen, you have held the button for too long and you will have to start again from the beginning).

Step7: If your device screen stays black, congratulations your iPhone is now in the DFU mode. 

How to put your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch into DFU Mode?

For the previous models of iPhones, before iPhone 7 (iPhone 6s and earlier, including iPhone SE), along with all models of iPad (with Home Button).

Steps for Putting Phone into DFU Mode

Step1: Plug in your iPhone or iPad to your Mac or PC and open iTunes.

Step2: Turn Off your iPad or iPod touch if it isn’t already.

  • Press and hold on to the On/Off button at the top of the device for 3 seconds.
  • Swipe the slider to the right and turn off your device. 

Step3: once the device has been turned off, press and hold down the On/Off button again on for 3 seconds.

Step4: simultaneously also press and hold down the Home button at the front of your device.

Step5: Hold both the buttons for 10 seconds (if you start seeing an Apple logo, you have held the buttons for too long and you will have to start again from the beginning).

Step6: Let go off the power button and hold on to the home down button for around 5 seconds. (if you see the “plug into iTunes” screen, you have held the button for too long and you will have to start again from the beginning) .

Step7: If your device screen stays black, congratulations your iPhone is now in the DFU mode.

While all the above steps show how your iPhone or iPad can be put into the DFU mode easily. However, there are certain tips that you must always remember while doing so:

Tips to Put your Phone into DFU Mode

Tips to put your phone into DFU mode

  • The timing can be tricky, so don’t be afraid to try again until you get it.
  • You only know it is the DFU mode when the screen is black, any logo whether of iTunes or Apple means that you have not followed the steps properly.

Conclusion

In the DFU mode, you can actually downgrade the firmware if needed, since it skips the iBoot bootloader. Standard Recovery Mode runs iBoot, which means you can only restore to factory settings with the latest iOS firmware. So easily make changes to your iPhone or iPad with the above-given steps of putting your device into the DFU mode. 

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