How to Put Your iPhone/iPad into DFU Mode For Recovery

Whenever your Apple mobile device stops working, and you’re unable to restore it using Recovery Mode, an alternative method is to put it in DFU mode. DFU mode, which stands for Device Firmware Update mode, is a mode created by Apple that essentially freezes your iOS device. It won’t allow iOS to boot the device (bypassing the iBoot mechanism), but the device will still be able to communicate with iTunes on a PC/Mac, and hence can be restored. You can then choose to upgrade, downgrade or restore iOS software.

Putting your iOS device into DFU mode requires a combination of buttons that are different on every new major device that Apple releases (due to the fact Apple has removed the Home button in most recent variations of its devices). However, all of the methods still make use of the Power button (the On/Off button located on the right side of the device or top of the device on previous versions). The difference is that later Apple models use the Volume Down button instead of the Home button for entering DFU mode.

Note: When you DFU restore your iPhone, your computer erases and reloads every bit of code that controls the software and hardware on your iPhone. Hence, all the data on your device will be deleted. Make sure you use this method as a last resort to fix a non-working device.

iPhone XR, XS, XS Max

1. Connect your iPhone XR, XS or XS Max to your PC/Mac and make sure iTunes is running on your computer.

2. Turn off your iPhone. Keep it connected to your PC / Mac.

3. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.

4. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.

5. Now press and hold the side button until the Power Off slider appears. Release the button, and drag the slider to power your iPhone off.

6. Press and hold the side Power button on your iPhone. After three seconds, while still holding down the Power button, press and hold the Volume Down button for ten seconds.

7. Release the Power button only while continuing to hold down the volume button for another five seconds.

8. If the Screen is still black, your device is now in DFU mode. iTunes should have popped up automatically with a notification similar to the one above.

Note: If after step 6 you see the Apple logo or the “Plug into iTunes” screen after step 7, it means you’ve held the buttons down too long. Try the method once again, as the timings can be a bit tricky sometimes.

iPhone X, 8 Plus and 8

The method is a bit different on these models of the iPhone.

1. Connect your iPhone X or 8/8+ to your Mac or PC. Make sure iTunes is running.

2. Turn off your iPhone.

3. Press and hold down the Power button on your iPhone. After three seconds, press and hold down the Volume Down button while still pressing the Power button. Keep both of these buttons pressed down for ten seconds.

4. Release the Power button but keep on pressing the Volume Down button for another five seconds. If the screen stays black, your device is now in DFU mode.

Note: If after step 3 you see the Apple logo, or you see the “Plug into iTunes” screen after step 4, it means you’ve held the buttons down too long. Try the method once again, as the timings can be a bit tricky sometimes.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

1.Connect your iPhone 7/7+ to your Mac or PC. Make sure iTunes is running.

2. Turn off your iPhone.

3. Press and hold both the Power and the Volume Down button simultaneously for ten seconds.

4. Release the Power button but keep the Volume Down button pressed for another ten seconds.

If the screen stays black and you get the iTunes DFU message “iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode, you must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes,” your phone is now in DFU mode.

iPhone 6s, 6s Plus and Earlier, iPod Touch (all versions)

Fortunately, the method to put the iPhone 6S and all previous variants into DFU mode is the same. Likewise, the method for all iPod Touch variants is also the same. The method is described below.

1. Connect your iPhone or iPod Touch to your Mac or PC. Make sure iTunes is running.

2. Turn off your device.

3. Press the Power button on your device for three seconds.

4. While keeping the Power button held down, press the Home button and keep both buttons pressed for ten seconds.

If the Screen stays black, your device is now in DFU mode.

iPad Pro 2018 (without Home Button)

Apple finally removed the Home button On the latest iPad Pro, instead replacing it with Face ID and swipe gestures as seen in the iPhone series. Thus, getting it into DFU mode is a bit different compared to previous iPad models that come with a Home button. The method is described below:

1. Connect your iPad Pro to your Mac or PC. Make sure iTunes is running.

2. Turn off your device.

3. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.

4. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.

5. Now press and hold the side button until the Power Off slider appears. Release the button, and drag the slider to power your iPhone off.

6. Press and hold the side Power button on your iPad for three seconds. Now, while still holding down the Power button, press and hold the Volume Down button for ten seconds.

7. Release the Power button only while continuing to hold down the Volume button for another five seconds.

If the Screen has stayed black, your device is now in DFU mode.

iPad (All Previous Versions)

Use the following method for all iPads with a Home button:

1. Connect your iPad to your Mac or PC. Make sure iTunes is running.

2. Turn off your device.

3. Press the Power button on your device for three seconds.

4. While keeping the Power button held down, press the Home button and keep both buttons pressed for ten seconds.

If the Screen stays black, your device is now in DFU mode.

Using DFU mode, you can now upgrade/downgrade your iOS software using iTunes.