If you want to change the firmware on your iPhone, jailbreak your iPhone, or unlock your SIM card, DFU mode may be the tool you need.
However, do you know what DFU mode is?
What does DFU mode actually do?
How to enter or get rid of DFU mode?
Here we will introduce a comprehensive introduction of iPhone DFU mode in detail.
- Part 1: What is iPhone DFU Mode?
- Part 2. What does DFU mode have to do with it?
- Part 3: Is DFU mode the same as recovery mode?
- Part 4: How to Enter DFU Mode on iPhone?
- Part 5. How to exit iPhone DFU mode?
What is the difference between DFU mode and Recovery Mode?
DFU mode on iPhone (otherwise known as firmware updates ) is constantly confused with Recovery Mode . In fact, the difference is huge, and it is as follows:
- Recovery Mode – a softer mode compared to DFU ; into Recovery Mode using the iOS operating system, and into DFU Mode by bypassing it. DFU mode is applied only when Recovery Mode refuses to help.
- DFU mode cannot be accessed if the device is not connected to the iTunes . To enter Recovery Mode, it is not necessary to connect the gadget to the PC.
There are also external differences between the two specific modes. The gadget in DFU MODE a completely black screen, without the Apple logo; the gadget does not respond to pressing “Home” and “Power” separately. On the display of a smartphone in Recovery Mode , a USB cable and an iTunes .
How to enter iPhone into DFU MODE?
There are two ways to enter an Apple gadget into DFU mode - both are applicable to any Apple device. The first one is:
Step 1 . Connect your iPhone to your PC and launch iTunes .
Step 2 . Press and hold the Home and Power buttons at the same time for 10 seconds.
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Step 3. Release “Power” and leave “Home” pressed until iTunes displays a message indicating that the iPhone has been detected in emergency mode.
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The gadget itself will not let the user know that it has switched to DFU MODE .
The second method of switching to firmware update mode is considered more correct, however, it is often not suitable for beginners. The initial step is also to connect your smartphone to iTunes - then you need to proceed like this:
Step 1. Turn off the device - wait until its screen goes completely dark.
Step 2. Hold down the “Power” key, count down 3 seconds, then additionally press “Home”. This is where the main difficulty lies: you need to perform these operations in such a way that the iPhone does not turn on in normal mode.
Step 3 . Count 10 seconds after pressing "Home" and release "Power". Don’t let go “home”.
Step 4: in iTunes - click OK in the window.
Next, you can begin restoring your iPhone - this procedure is described here.
Why reflash your iPhone?
Before flashing your iPhone, we’ll tell you a little about why and in what cases it is necessary to reinstall the OS.
- If you need to install the latest operating system.
- After a software failure in your iPhone, only flashing it will help.
- If you bought a second hand phone and want to completely clean your iPhone.
- If you forget your password, flashing it will help.
To restore your iPhone to working order, you do not need to perform any complex actions. Flashing can be carried out not only by a programmer, but also by an ordinary user. All you need is an iPhone, a computer and the iTunes app.
It is important to remember that before you start flashing, you need to back up all your data. Otherwise, all contacts, photos and other data will be permanently deleted from the device.
Is it possible to put an iPhone into DFU mode if the physical buttons don't work?
To get into DFU without using physical buttons, you will have to transform your existing original firmware into custom firmware using a simple utility called redsnOw . You can download this program for Windows and OS X here.
Before you start using the utility, you need to download the appropriate firmware to your PC hard drive. Then you should do this:
Step 1. Launch redsnOw and follow the path “Extras” - “Even More” - “DFU IPSW”.
Step 2. In the “DFU-mode IPSW workaround” window, click “OK”.
Step 3 . Using File Browser, find the firmware that you downloaded earlier ( ipsw ).
The utility will begin creating custom firmware - the progress of this process is reflected in the status bar.
Once the process is completed, a message will appear indicating that the IPSW file has been successfully created. In the message you will see the path along which you can get to the firmware.
You can distinguish DFU firmware from the original one by its name: custom firmware always has the prefix “ENTER_DFU_”.
Step 3. Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch the iTunes program, go to the gadget control menu by clicking on the icon with the image of a smartphone.
Step 4 . Hold down “Shift” on the keyboard of a Windows PC (on a Mac – “Option”) and click on the “Restore iPhone...” button.
Step 5 . Select custom firmware in the window that appears.
Step 6 . iTunes will warn you that restoring your iPhone will delete data - click Restore.
Image: iphonegeek.me
From this moment, the firmware will begin downloading to the smartphone via DFU Mode .
Preparing for firmware
Before flashing your iPhone, you need to properly prepare it.
In order for the process of changing the operating system to end positively, it is advisable to prepare in advance before flashing the iPhone 4 (or other models) and other models of the Apple gadget. First, you will need to save the data and download the necessary programs so that the procedure leads to the least inconvenience.
Backup copy
Flashing an iPhone 6 means losing data; a backup copy will allow you to save it.
Before flashing an iPhone 6 (or other models), in order not to lose data on the smartphone, a backup is created, which will include contacts, media files and save application templates. You can transfer them either to iCloud cloud storage or save them on your computer.
In the first case with iCloud you need:
- open the settings menu;
- at the top, click the user name;
- in the menu that opens, select iCloud; when scrolling, the backup option will be available;
- Click on the copy button and wait for the procedure to complete.
In the future, when you reinstall and log into your AppleID account, the information will be automatically transferred.
In the case of iTunes, the process is simpler:
- open the program and connect your smartphone using a USB cable to the PC;
- then press the button with the image of the phone, and at the bottom select the option to create a backup copy to the computer;
- if there is a need to save confidential data, a password is placed on the copy, but this does not have to be done;
- After the copying is completed, the system is reinstalled.
Flashing via Wi-Fi
If you want to flash iPhone 5 over the air, there may be problems, then all that remains is to restore it.
When asking how to flash an iPhone 4s without iTunes, a person will receive the answer that only an update is possible in this way. An update is available that opens with a new iOS. To go to this section you will need:
- open “Settings”;
- go to the “Basic” section;
- select the item with software update;
- After checking for a new version, the screen will either prompt you to download and install the OS, or a message about the latest version installed.
iOS update
Installing a new iOS may help fix the problems.
Sometimes updating iOS will help fix the problem, which is only possible if the phone is working. But it is also possible to do it through iTunes; to do this, connect the phone to the computer, and instead of the restore button, press the update option. All you have to do is wait for the firmware to download and install. The over-the-air update procedure is carried out according to the same algorithm as indicated above.
iTunes
The latest version of iTunes will allow you to flash your iPhone 4 without any problems.
For the flashing procedure to be successful, the user will need to install the latest build of iTunes, a program that provides work with Apple services and acts as a phone manager. If it is already present on your computer, you can update it without downloading a new package. This function exists in the program. You can download the official iTunes on the Apple website, where there is a special section for this.
We will look at step-by-step instructions on how to flash an iPhone via iTunes below.
Firmware download
IPSW format files must be downloaded before flashing the iPhone 4s yourself via iTunes.
If the phone is working, the firmware will be downloaded automatically, as is the case when connecting via iTunes. The latest version of the operating system available for a specific phone is downloaded, and you cannot select another one.
If there are problems with the phone, or you need to install an OS lower than the latest available, the file is downloaded from third-party sources. The preferred resource is ipsw.me, where you can not only select the operating system, but also verify the signature.
After all, if the distribution is not already signed by Apple, it will not be possible to install it, since software restrictions are imposed on this. To download you will need:
- Go to the website.
- Select the device type and iPhone model.
- The communication standard is also selected - GSM or CDMA; most Apple smartphones in Russia are equipped with the GSM standard.
- On the page that opens, a selection of firmware will be available; those that are available for installation are marked in green and located at the top of the page.
- The required version is clicked, after which the download begins.
How to get iPhone out of DFU mode?
It's quite easy to restore your iPhone back to normal:
Step 1 . Disconnect the gadget from the PC.
Step 2: Press and hold the Home and Power buttons at the same time for 10 seconds. All you have to do is wait until the smartphone exits DFU mode, reboots and starts working in standard mode.
If the gadget is connected by cable to the computer, then after a 10-second wait you need to release the buttons and hold down “Power” for another 3 seconds (as when turning it on normally).
How to turn off
iPhone 8 (Plus), X, XR, XS (Max), 11 (Pro, Pro Max), SE 2020, 12 (mini, Pro, Pro Max), 13 (mini, Pro, Pro Max)
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button
- Press and hold the lock button until the device restarts
iPhone 7 (Plus)
- Press and hold the Lock and Volume Down buttons at the same time until the device reboots
