DFU or Device Firmware Upgrade mode allows all devices to be restored from any state. When we are using our iOS systems on newer versions or even jailbroken versions, there are times when we may end up with a bricked phone. DFU mode is the best way to quickly attempt to restore the unit back to its original settings.
DFU mode is the last step on the iPhone / iPad troubleshooting ladder. It is essentially a mode where the BootROM can accept iBSS. DFU is burned into the hardware, so it cannot be removed. This allows your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to be restored from any state. DFU is a solution when nothing else is working, putting your iOS device into DFU mode can be your last hope.
How to Enter DFU Mode
You need a USB cable plugged into your computer with iTunes open and ready to use. Make sure iTunes is running.
1. Turn Off your iOS device.
2. Press and hold down the On/Off button on the right side (iPhone 6 or later) or top of the device for 3 seconds.
3. Swipe the slide to power off slider to the right.
4. Press and hold down the On/Off button on the right side (iPhone 6 or later) or top of your device for 3 seconds.
5. Press and hold down the Home button on the front of your device while still holding down the On/Off button.
6. Keep holding both buttons down for 10 seconds. Release the On/Off Button but keep holding the Home button for about 5 seconds.
Note: If you see any logos on your device, you might be in Recovery Mode, but you’re not in DFU mode. If Recovery Mode works, great. If not, try for DFU Mode again.
Restore
You should know that the device has successfully entered DFU mode when an alert from iTunes pops up stating that it has detected a device in recovery mode and will ask you to restore it.
- Click Restore in order to attempt to resurrect your device and allow iTunes to download and update your software back to the latest supported version.
- Allow iTunes to go through the process and note any error codes that are triggered if it fails. There are thousands of error codes yet different categories of numbers will indicate what kind of failure you are experiencing.
- If you did not receive an error code and the iPhone reboots successfully after the restore, you should be in good shape. DFU mode differs slightly from standard recovery mode as recovery mode is usually used by the iOS to perform standard upgrades to the OS and appears as an iPhone in iTunes.
- DFU mode will not load the firmware and iOS version automatically.
Knowing how to use DFU mode is a great resource if you are having problems with your iPhone software. It is not necessary to use DFU mode for every restore that you perform, yet you should how to do the thing.