Beginning iPhone and iPad users often encounter difficulties in the process of flashing the iPhone and updating iOS to the latest version. This is especially true for owners of jailbroken iPhones, whose flashing from iOS sometimes causes iTunes errors. In this manual we will introduce you, dear readers, to what DFU mode iPhone, what is it for, how to enter DFU mode and what to do if the iPhone is “stuck” in this mode and will not boot.
What is DFU mode on iPhone?
DFU mode (Device Firmware Update) is a device firmware update mode. Refers to emergency modes and is recognized by iTunes when connecting an iPhone or iPad to a computer using a USB cable as a recovery mode.
It differs from Recovery Mode in that in this mode the device does not show visible signs of life (the control buttons do not work, there is no image on the display).
In this mode, the iDevice operates without loading the operating system shell, so no picture is visible on the iPhone display and the device does not react in any way to pressing the “Power” and “Home” buttons separately.
Getting iPhone out of DFU mode
In order to take the iPhone out of mode, you need to perform the algorithm as when entering it, only in reverse. To get the device out of this position, you just need to restart it by holding the “Home” and “Power” buttons for 10 seconds. After completing this simple procedure, the phone will reboot and turn on in its normal state. To exit Recovery Mode, you will need to repeat the above operation (Home+Power=10 seconds). If the cable is connected to the computer at this time, the device in some cases cannot start.
To summarize, we note that sometimes, after updating the firmware, the iPhone may not recover quite correctly and fall into an eternal “coma” in the update or recovery mode. In this case, the way out of the situation may be to use programs like TinyUmbrella or iReb . You can learn about them in subsequent articles on our website.
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How to put iPhone into DFU mode?
The DFU mode in both the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4, and in any other mobile device from Apple (iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad) is launched exactly the same:
- Connect your iDevice to your computer (it can be a Windows PC or Mac).
- Turn off your iPhone using any available method or press and hold the “ Home ” and “ Power ” buttons for 10 seconds.
- After 10 seconds , release the "Power" button , while continuing to hold the "Home" button pressed.
- Hold down the Home button until the computer recognizes your iPhone in DFU mode.
DFU login process. Click to enlarge
Let us remind you that it will not be possible to recognize the DFU mode in an iPhone by external signs; in this mode, it does not respond to single button presses and the display does not work.
It’s good when the iPhone is working and all the controls work, but it also happens that one of the “Home”, “Power” buttons or both do not work at once, what should I do? In this case, our instructions “How to enter DFU mode on an iPhone with a broken Home or Power button, or both at once” will be useful to you.
Login to DFU without buttons
Despite the fact that entering the recovery state is carried out using physical buttons, you can do without them. For example, if one or both buttons are broken. The redsn0w program will help with this, creating special firmware. The program is available for both Windows and Mac. If you install it through iTunes, it will automatically reboot the device, enabling DFU mode. To create custom firmware:
- Select Extras.
- Next is “Even More”.
- Click "DFU IPSW".
- In the dialog, select the pre-downloaded official firmware for your Apple model.
- Install the resulting file via iTunes.
How to recognize DFU mode?
DFU in an iPhone or iPad can only be recognized when the device is connected to a computer and only using a USB cable. It is the computer that will notify the user about the device firmware update mode. iTunes recognizes "Device Firmware Update" mode as recovery mode.
Recovery mode or DFU warning when connected to iTunes
This is what the device looks like in recovery mode or DFU iTunes
Removing a smartphone from DFU
We figured out how to enter the iPhone into DFU mode, now it’s worth figuring out how to return to normal. The device will not reboot automatically, so you will have to perform this operation yourself. The algorithm is simple - hold down the power and exit buttons to the home screen for 10 seconds. The phone will reboot and greet the owner with the logo. The setup process is done from scratch as user information and files are removed. That's why experts advise regularly backing up important files to iCloud to quickly get your photos, music, and apps back, as well as user settings, accounts, and payment information.
The main thing is to remember that the firmware recovery process cannot be interrupted so as not to “brick” the device. The Device Firmware Update mode does not update the existing operating platform (iOS), and does not roll back the phone to factory settings. This function is used by developers to debug and test the iPhone; in firmware recovery mode, a new file is loaded that erases system errors and returns the smartphone to functionality. Use the mode in emergency situations - the phone will receive the latest firmware version along with features, useful programs and updates.
How to get iPhone/iPad out of DFU mode?
If the computer recognizes the iPhone, for example, in firmware update mode (aka DFU), in order to get the device out of this mode, you need to perform a “cold restart” of the iPhone.
To do this, simultaneously press and hold down the “Power” and “Home” buttons for about 10 seconds. Then briefly press the iPhone's power button (aka Power). A company logo should appear on the device’s screen, which is evidence that the device boots in normal mode.
How to enter DFU mode on iPhone?
When you notice that your iPhone isn't entering DFU mode, it's worth making sure you're doing it correctly.
- Initially, you can try holding down the lock and Home buttons for 10 seconds and release the lock while holding the second one. You will see your phone enter this mode.
- The second method will be more complicated. As a rule, it is considered correct. Press and hold the lock button for 3 seconds, and without releasing it, press “Home”. Next, release the lock after 10 seconds and continue to hold it until the characteristic inscription in the iTunes program.
DFU Mode for iPhone and iPad - Input and Output
Any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch can be put into DFU mode . To be honest, I myself have never entered my iPhone into DFU mode; they say that beginners do not succeed right away; to enter the device into this mode, you need to get used to it, which is what we will do today. We will take the Apple iPhone as a sample for experimentation. The peculiarity of entering DFU mode is a completely black screen, and there are no identifying marks on the iPhone screen; if the transfer to DFU was accompanied by at least an inscription, as in the picture on the left, it would be a little clearer.
Besides DFU, there is another mode called Recovery Mode. What are these two modes for? They are mainly used to flash or restore the firmware of their iPhone. It also happens that the iPhone or iPad crashes and the iOS firmware does not start; in such cases, Recovery Mode and DFU are used. To begin with, they always try a softer mode - Recovery Mode, but if it does not help, then they already use the DFU mode.
Sometimes DFU is confused with Recovery Mode. So that you don’t get confused, I’ll try to explain what the difference is between them:
- When you put your iPhone or iPad into Recovery Mode, appears on the device screen. When entering DFU, the device screen shows a black display.
- You don't have to use iTunes to enter Recovery Mode. I can’t start DFU mode without iTunes, I tried it myself.
- Recovery Mode is launched using the iOS operating system, and DFU mode bypasses the operating system, i.e. at the hardware level.
How to put iPhone into DFU mode
The input methods described here are relevant for models with a physical Home button, but if you have an iPhone 7, 7 Plus and a higher model, then launching DFU is done like this - New DFU instructions for iPhone 7.
We will look at two combinations that can put our iPhone into DFU mode. You can use any one that is more convenient. Before we begin, launch iTunes on your computer and connect your iPhone or other gadget to it using the included cable. Do not use USB adapters; plug the cable into the computer itself. After the iPhone is connected to a computer running iTunes, we try to put the phone into DFU mode using one of the methods below:
Method 1. How to log into DFU
Putting iPhone into DFU mode. Method No. 1
The easiest way to enter an iPhone into DFU is as follows: simultaneously hold down the Home button plus the Power button and count to 10. After holding it for 10 seconds, release the Power button and continue to hold the Home button.
Method 2: Second attempt to enter DFU
Step by step launching DFU mode on iPhone. Method No. 2
This method is called more correct, but it is more difficult for beginners. Turn off the iPhone and wait for the device to turn off completely. Now hold down the Power button and after counting to 3 seconds, press and hold the Home button in the same place. Now, while holding Home + Power, count to 10 and release Power, but continue to hold the Home button.
iTunes program while starting DFU mode
When finishing putting your iPhone into DFU mode, it is useless to look at the phone screen, since it will simply be black; you need to look at the running iTunes program, which will detect the device with DFU mode running and display the following message:
iTunes detected the iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before using it with iTunes.
If you see such a notification, and a single button appears in iTunes - Restore iPhone, now look at the phone screen, if the screen is black, then it is in DFU mode. If you pressed something incorrectly, an image with the iTunes logo and a USB cable may appear, which means this is Recovery Mode.
How to enter iPhone into DFU mode
If, while reading the instructions, you entered your working iPhone into DFU mode, you can get the phone out of it using a normal reboot - holding down the Home + Power buttons for 10 seconds. The phone will reboot and work normally. To exit the manually launched Recovery Mode, we used the same method of exiting Home + Power for 10 seconds. When the cable is connected, after holding Home and Power for 10 seconds, the phone may not start, then press the Power button and it will turn on.
One day, after an unsuccessful attempt to update the firmware, an error appeared and our iPhone fell into permanent recovery mode, from which only TinyUmbrella helped us get out of it. Perhaps, if the iPhone does not exit DFU with a reboot, then you can try programs like TinyUmbrella or iReb. I have not encountered such a situation yet, but if I do, I will definitely tell you.
Part 2, What to do before
Before you put your iPhone into DFU mode for recovery, you should do or know about it before.
- What we call the Home button is the round button below your iPhone's screen.
- The power button is also called Sleep/Wake Button for Apple devices.
- If you can't count 8 seconds accurately, you may need a timer to help you count 8 seconds.
- If you want and have the conditions, you can back up your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes.
In fact, putting your iPhone into DFU mode can fix some problems on your device, such as using DFU for recovery, but you need to remember that it is also potentially dangerous. If you downgrade your system or jailbreak your device using DFU mode, it may damage your device and void its warranty. So, think carefully before putting your iPhone into DFU mode.
Part 4, Best Way to Restore iPhone
Apart from putting your phone into DFU mode for recovery, Apeaksoft iPhone Data Recovery is also highly recommended for you. With iPhone Data Recovery, you can extract and export lost data from any iOS devices, get back data from iTunes backup, and even recover lost data from iCloud. It can be said that the best way to restore your iPhone is in the east. With the steps below, you can learn how to use this powerful tool instead of DFU mode for recovery.
Free Download Free Download
Step 1. Download Apeaksoft iPhone Data Recovery
First, you can go to the official website to download Apeaksoft iPhone Data Recovery and install it on your computer according to the instructions. Then run it.
Step 2. Connect to your computer and start scanning
After running Apeaksoft iPhone Data Recovery on your computer, connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. Once your device is detected, click "Strat Scan" and the program will scan your device. If you are using iPhone 4/3GS, you need to download the plugin and follow 3 steps in the interface to enter scan mode.
Step 3. Check detailed information
Wait for a few minutes and the scan will be completed, you can see the scan results of your backup and deleted files. If you want to check detailed information, you can select it from the list on the left.
Step 4. Select the file and restore
Select what you want to recover, click "Recover" to recover the data. And you can select the output folder on your computer in the window that appears. Then click "Restore" to begin the recovery.
Types of modes
In addition to DFU itself, Apple tablets have another mode - Recovery Mode. Many people think that these are the same thing. But this is a mistaken opinion. Let's look at their main differences:
- When you enter the gadget into Recovery Mode, the display shows the iTunes logo, next to which there is an image of a USB cable. If the device is put into recovery mode, the screen is completely black, without pictures or inscriptions.
- To enter DFU mode, the iPad must be connected to iTunes. In the case of Recovery Mode, this is not necessary.
- Recovery Mode is launched directly from the OS itself, and recovery is done bypassing it, at the hardware level.
DFU is designed specifically to restore all factory settings on the gadget. It is also possible to downgrade or upgrade the firmware level. In general, with its help it is possible to restore the operating capacity of the OS, and at the same time it does not start itself.
