This article will be useful for those who professionally repair devices such as iPhone or iPad because today we will talk about the DFU mode for updating the device firmware (Device Firmware Update). As a rule, this information will not be useful to the average user.
What is DFU and what is it for?
As we mentioned earlier, this mode is needed by service engineers and is not an iPhone recovery mode. We will carry out all the actions on the iPhone, but note that on the iPad the procedure itself is not radically different.
For the curious, here are a few facts about the difference between the modes, so that unnecessary questions do not arise in the future:
1. When loading DFU mode, you will not see the iTunes cable icon, the screen will simply be black;
2. In DFU, the use of iTunes is mandatory; without this program you simply cannot enter it;
3. DFU is launched in addition to the iOS operating system itself, i.e. at the hardware level, while Recovery Mode using iOS;
4. Device Firmware Update is mainly designed to restore “dead” smartphones that do not show any signs.
How to put iPhone or iPad into DFU mode
There are two methods available for this, we will look at both of them. But before you start, you need to prepare:
1. Prepare a standard USB cable, which comes with the kit;
2. Install and run iTunes on the connected computer;
3. Do not use any USB adapters;
4. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer.
First method
Probably the fastest and easiest method. First, simultaneously press the two Home and Power buttons and hold for 10-12 seconds, then release the Power button while continuing to hold Home.
Second method
It is more correct, but for some reason it doesn’t work out right away for beginners. First, turn off the gadget, then press the power button and hold it for three seconds, without releasing the power, press HOME, count to 10 and release the power, continue to hold HOME.
Looking at a smartphone or tablet is pointless, since you won’t see anything. The only way to determine that the device is in DFU mode is to look at the iTunes window, where there should be a sign like this.
If you see this window and the screen is black, congratulations, you are in DFU mode, if you see the tuna logo with a cable, it means you are in recovery mode, and the procedure must be done first.
How to exit DFU mode
Everything is very simple, to do this, make sure that no process is running (flashing, recovery, etc.) or they are completed. Then press the HOME + power button for 10 seconds. The smartphone will reboot and start in normal mode.
Good time! All you need to know about the DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is that it allows you to put your iPhone or iPad into a state in which it is possible to completely restore the iOS system - after this operation, your gadget will be “like new”. No, scratches and abrasions will not go away; simply restoring the firmware via DFU will not get rid of it - you need something more serious. But the inside of the device will be clean.
Why is this even necessary? Various software failures, proper removal of jailbreak - all this can be cured and corrected only by completely reinstalling the system. Which, in turn, cannot be completed without entering this mode.
As you can see, DFU is a useful thing. And now is the time to learn how to use it all. One two Three. Go!
Putting any iPhone or iPad into DFU mode (if it has a mechanical Home button)
Follow these steps in sequence:
- Launch iTunes and connect your phone or tablet to your computer.
- Turn off the device (it should still be connected to the PC).
- Press and hold two buttons at the same time - Home (under the screen) and Power (located on the top edge of the device, except for iPhone 6 and older versions - here it was moved to the right side).
- We wait 10 seconds and release the Power button while holding the Home key.
- Continue holding the button for about 10 seconds.
- After a while, iTunes will notify you that the program has detected the device in recovery mode.
- Finally releasing the button :)
That's all, you can safely start restoring the firmware! The only thing is to avoid mistakes, use only original wires. Of course, non-certified ones also know how to charge (if there are any), but they don’t cope very well with software updates.
By the way, when transferred to DFU, iOS devices do not show any signs. That is, the screen is completely black, nothing is written on it, there are no identification marks and no characteristic sounds are played.
Only iTunes will inform you about the successful result of all manipulations performed. Here's a sign like this
How to put iPhone 7, iPhone 8 and iPhone X into DFU mode?
A small update to the article related to the release of the iPhone 7 (Plus), iPhone 8 (Plus) and iPhone X. As you know, the Home button in these models has ceased to be mechanical (in the “top ten” it was removed altogether) and is no longer pressable as before. How now to enter the DFU?
Everything is very simple, here are short instructions:
- Launch iTunes and connect the iPhone to the computer.
- Turn off the gadget.
- On the phone we simultaneously press two buttons - power and volume down (!!!).
- We wait 10 seconds and release the power button, but continue to hold the “volume down” button.
- After 5-10 seconds, iTunes will see the device in recovery mode.
- Release the volume down key.
Congratulations, your iPhone has entered DFU mode, you can start restoring the firmware.
How to enable DFU mode on iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR?
The devices are new, but entering the Device Firmware Update mode is carried out in the old way (exactly the same as in the “eight” and iPhone X).
However, as Malakhov says, do not rush to switch.
For those who have problems activating DFU mode using the method from the previous subheading, there are slightly modified instructions.
Hopefully this will be a little easier.
So, enter iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR into DFU:
- Turn on iTunes and connect the phone to the computer.
- Press the power key and wait.
- The “Turn Off” slider appears. We wait and do nothing. Don't let go of the power button!
- After some time, the phone screen will turn black.
- Press and hold “Volume Down” (while continuing to hold the power button!).
- After 5 seconds, release the power button (“Volume down” still held!).
- After 5-10 seconds, iTunes will see the iPhone in DFU mode.
- Victory!
Let me remind you that these instructions are suitable for any iPhone starting with iPhone 8. Let’s use it!
We enter DFU mode without buttons, i.e. programmatically
Unfortunately, the previous methods may not always be suitable, because they are based on the use of buttons - Home, Power and “volume down”, but what if they don’t work? Left without DFU mode and, accordingly, without the ability to restore the software? Nothing of the kind - there is still a way out. We will need:
- Computer and wire for synchronization.
- A file downloaded to your PC with the latest firmware for your device.
- Redsn0w program. Download links - redsn0w_win_0.9.15b3 and redsn0w_mac_0.9.15b3. The first is a version for Windows, the second for Mac OS.
Download and install redsn0w. In the window that opens, select Extras.
Follow DFU IPSW and indicate the previously downloaded official firmware.
We wait for some time and a modified software file appears on the desktop.
Now, if you specify this particular file when restoring iOS, you do not need to press any Home or Power buttons; you will enter DFU mode automatically.
How to get your iPhone or iPad out of DFU mode
There is also a small nuance here. In most cases, you can get away with simply rebooting the gadget. Well... you just have to hold the power button a little longer than usual.
Does not help? Then we perform a forced restart - . Naturally, you must first disconnect the device from the computer.
Here is such a short instruction. However, there is nothing more to describe here - they pressed and held two buttons, released one and connected it to the computer. All!:)
P.S. But if I missed something or have any questions, write in the comments, I’ll add to the article and answer with pleasure!
P.S.S. I almost forgot the most important thing! Attention! For successful and correct operation of the DFU mode, you must click on the social network buttons and “like” this article. Try it, it really works! :)
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.
Why do you need DFU mode in iPhone, for example?
DFU mode is used to restore or update iPhone firmware (aka iOS) in cases where standard iTunes tools cannot perform the necessary operation.
In some cases, DFU mode can fix a system crash in your iPhone, allowing the device to reboot normally.
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).
- or press and hold the “ Home" And " Power"for 10 seconds.
- After 10 seconds release the "Power" button, wherein keep holding the Home button pressed.
- Hold down the Home button until the computer recognizes the 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 “or Power, or both at once” will be useful to you.
Video “How to enter iPhone into DFU mode”
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
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.
Finally
DFU mode in an iPhone or any other device running iOS is extremely useful; it allows you to restore the device to its working state in the event of any system failure, restore the firmware or update iOS to the latest version, bypassing the normal mode. If your device refuses to boot in normal mode or when restoring/updating the firmware from normal mode using iTunes, a system error occurs, just enter it into DFU mode and perform a firmware recovery or update in this mode.
Any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch can be entered 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
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. 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 remove the phone from it using the usual method - holding 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, the firmware got out and our iPhone fell into a permanent recovery mode, from which only . 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.
You need to enter the device into this mode if the user of an Apple gadget encounters problems when updating the operating system or when flashing a jailbroken smartphone. In addition, by transferring the iPhone to DFU-mode and returning it to normal, you can correct a number of system errors that can lead to incorrect operation of the device.
DFU mode on iPhone (otherwise - firmware updates) is constantly confused with Recovery Mode(recovery mode). In fact, the difference is huge, and it is as follows:
- Recovery Mode– softer mode compared to DFU; V Recovery Mode The iPhone is accessed using the iOS operating system, and in DFU Mode- walking around her. Mode DFU only applies when Recovery Mode refuses to help.
- To mode DFU impossible to get in if the device is not connected to the media harvester iTunes. To enter in Recovery Mode It is not at all necessary to connect the gadget to a PC.
There are also external differences between the two specific modes. At the gadget in DFU MODE completely black screen, no Apple logo; The gadget does not respond to pressing " Home" And " Power" separately. On the display of a smartphone located in Recovery Mode, the USB cable and icon are visible 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 iPhone to PC and launch iTunes.
Step 2. Press the buttons " Home" And " Power» simultaneously and hold for 10 seconds.
Image: 4pda.biz
Step 3. Release " Power", A " Home» leave it clamped until iTunes A message about detecting an iPhone in emergency mode will not appear.
Image: nastroyka.zp.ua
The gadget itself will not let the user know that he 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 the 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", count down 3 seconds, then press additional " 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 down 10 seconds after pressing " Home" and release " Power». « Home"Don't let go.
Step 4. IN iTunes a message will appear - in the window, click “ OK».
Is it possible to put an iPhone into DFU mode if the physical buttons don't work?
To get into mode DFU without using physical buttons, you will have to transform the existing original firmware into custom one using a simple utility called redsnOw. You can download this program for Windows and OS X.
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. Run redsnOw and follow the path " Extras» — « Even More» — « DFU IPSW».
Step 2. In the window " DFU-mode IPSW workaround» click « OK».
Step 3. Through File Browser find the firmware that you downloaded earlier (file format 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. On your Windows PC keyboard, press “ Shift” (on Mac - “ Option") and click on the button " Restore iPhone..."
Step 5. Select custom firmware in the window that appears.
Step 6. iTunes will warn you that restoring iPhone leads to data deletion - click " Restore».
From this moment on, the firmware will begin downloading to the smartphone via DFU Mode.
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 the buttons " Home" And " Power"at the same time and hold it 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 during normal switching on).
Conclusion
Putting a smartphone into DFU mode is a rather dangerous procedure; if the user makes a mistake, the iPhone may end up in " eternal apple" or in " recovery loop“It’s not easy to get out of these modes. To return your smartphone to normal operation, you will have to use additional software, like iReb or Tiny Umbrella, or turn to specialists for paid help (if there is no time to master special programs).