What is DFU Mode?
DFU mode on an iPhone or iPad is essentially a state where your device can communicate with iTunes at a firmware level. It stands for Device Firmware Update, in which you can either updateg iOS firmware, restoring or repairing your device by using iTunes or third-party software.
There's quite a bit of confusion around DFU mode and Recovery mode. These two are different. The first one allows you to choose the firmware you want to install on your device, while recovery mode is usually used by iTunes to restore your device by installing the latest signed iOS version from Apple. If you want to do a firmware downgrade, for example, then DFU mode is what you will need.
In this article, we will describe how to put various iPhone models into DFU mode, and also how to get them out of DFU mode when you're done with the update or repair.
- Part 1: How to Put iPhone X/8/8S/ into DFU Mode
- Part 2: How to Get iPhone 7/7S in or out of DUF Mode
- Part 3: How to Enter and Exit DFU Mode for iPhone 6S and Earlier Versions
- Part 4: What is to Do If iPhone Stuck in DFU Mode
Part 1: How to Enter and Exit DFU Mode on iPhone 8/8S and iPhone X
Since 2016, when iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus were released without physical home buttons, the method to put the device into DFU mode has changed. Moreover, on the newer iPhone 8 family of devices, as well as iPhone X, the process is once again a little different.
For iPhones made in 2017 (including iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone X), Apple once again switched around the process for entering and exiting DFU mode. Please follow the steps below to enter and exit DFU mode on these newer devices.
Step 1. Connect the device to a computer running iTunes.
Step 2. For a few seconds each, press the Volume up and then Volume down buttons in sequence. Now press and hold the side button, but do not let it go even when the screen turns black.
Step 3. Now, along with the side button, press and hold the volume down button and do this for five seconds, after which you can release the side button but keep your finger on the volume down button for another 5 seconds. Your phone will now enter DFU mode.
To get out of DFU mode on iPhone X/8/8S, press the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons in succession, followed by holding down the side button until the Apple logo appears on screen.
Part 2: How to Put iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in DFU Mode
As we know, Physical Home button was removed from iPhone 7, so the action is different from iPhone X or iPhone 8. Please check out the steps in below to put iPhone 7 into DFU mode.
Step 1. Press and hold the Volume down and Side buttons at the same time for about 8 to 10 seconds.
Step 2. Let go of the Side button but keep holding the volume down button for 5 seconds.
Step 3. Again, if your device is connected to your computer and iTunes is running, you will see that the software has recognised the change in mode for your device. Your device screen should now be blank.
To exit DFU mode on the iPhone 7 family of devices, force-restart the device by holding down the Volume Down and Side buttons simultaneously till the Apple logo is seen on the screen.
Part 3: How to Put iPhone 6S/6/5S/5 into DFU Mode
iPhone had been involved a lot by Apple for recent years so it is quite different to get earlier iPhones into DFU mode as we stated above. Please don't worry. It is much simple to do that.
Step 1. Simultaneously press and hold the Home button and Side button for about 8 to 10 seconds.
Step 2. Let go of the side button but keep holding the home button for another 5 seconds.
Step 3. If you have successfully entered the DFU mode it will be detected by iTunes and your screen will go black.
To come out of DFU mode you must force-restart your device. On iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus and earlier devices, simultaneously hold down the side and home buttons until the Apple logo appears on your device's screen.
Part 4: iPhone Stuck in DFU Mode, How to Fix it?
If you followed the instructions correctly, then there is absolutely no issue by getting into or exiting DFU mode no matter which iPhone mode is. However, due to some unknown erros, the device refused to exit DFU mode, which means it was stuck on DFU mode forever.
There is a premuim program called iOS Repair that can fix a set of system issues related to iPhone, like stuck on Apple logo, kept in boot loop or stuck in DFU mode. It only takes a couple of minutes to solve this issue. And the iPhone will be back to normal. Intestered in learning how to fix it? Please follow this link to learn how to get it done.
Summary
You are most likely to enter DFU mode while using iTunes to upgrade your firmware to the next available iOS version, but DFU mode is typically used during an iOS recovery, firmware downgrade or iOS repair process using third-party software. In all cases, entering DFU mode manually and exiting it manually can be done as described above for the respective iPhone models.
