Most iPhone problems don't need DFU mode. A force restart or Recovery Mode will usually get the device working again. But sometimes an iPhone gets stuck in a boot loop, refuses to restore, or simply won't start the way it should. You try the usual fixes, connect it to a computer, maybe even put it into Recovery Mode, and still get nowhere. That's usually when DFU mode comes up.
It sounds more technical than Recovery Mode, and the button timing can be a little unforgiving, but the idea is fairly simple once you know what you're looking for. Below, we'll go through what DFU mode actually does, how to enter and exit it on different iPhone models, and when it's worth using instead of Recovery Mode.
Important: A DFU restore erases everything on the iPhone. Before attempting it, always ensure you have a backup of your iPhone, either through iCloud or DearMob iPhone Manager.
What is DFU Mode on iPhone
DFU stands for Device Firmware Upgrade. It is a special state where the iPhone is powered on and able to communicate with a computer, but iOS itself has not started. That is why the screen stays completely black. The phone may look turned off, but it is actually waiting for instructions from the computer.
In this state, the computer can start a restore without relying on the normal iOS startup process. This is why DFU mode is sometimes used when an iPhone will not boot properly or when Recovery Mode cannot complete a restore.
How to Put iPhone in DFU Mode
The steps are different depending on your iPhone model.
Before You Put an iPhone in DFU Mode
You'll need a Mac or Windows PC and a cable that can connect the iPhone to the computer. On a Mac, use Finder. On a current Windows PC, use the Apple Devices app. Older Windows systems may still use iTunes. If you plan to restore the iPhone after entering DFU mode, keep in mind that the restore process erases the device. Back up the iPhone first if it is still accessible. You can use iCloud, Finder, Apple Devices, or an iPhone backup tool such as DearMob iPhone Manager.
iPhone 8 and Later
Step 1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
Step 2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
Step 3. Press and hold the Side button until the screen turns black.
Step 4. As soon as the screen goes black, press and hold the Volume Down button while continuing to hold the Side button.
Step 5. Hold both buttons for about 5 seconds.
Step 6. Release the Side button, but keep holding Volume Down until the computer detects the iPhone.
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
Step 1. Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button together for about 8 seconds.
Step 2. Release the Side button, but continue holding Volume Down until the computer detects the iPhone.
iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st Generation), and Earlier
Step 1. Press and hold the Home button and Side or Top button together.
Step 2. After about 8 seconds, release the Side or Top button, but keep holding the Home button.
Step 3. Continue holding Home until the computer detects the iPhone.
If done correctly, your iPhone's display stays completely black in DFU mode. That's your clue that you are in DFU and not just standard recovery. iTunes or Finder will prompt that it has detected an iPhone in Recovery Mode, even if it is actually in DFU Mode – Apple's software doesn't explicitly distinguish the two in the alert.
If you see the "Connect to iTunes/computer" graphic, it means you accidentally entered the standard recovery mode. If the Apple logo appears, you held the Power button for too long, and the phone rebooted. In either case, please retry these steps and adjust your timing.
How to Exit DFU Mode iPhone
Exiting DFU mode is straightforward. You need to force-reboot the device to leave the state and boot it back to the normal operating mode, or recovery mode if there's an OS issue.
- iPhone 8 and later: Quickly press and release Volume Up, then press and release Volume Down, then immediately press and hold the Side (Power) button until the Apple logo comes up.
- iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side (Power) and Volume Down buttons together until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 6s and earlier, and iPhone SE (1st gen): Press and hold Home and Power buttons together until the Apple logo appears.
Once you see the Apple logo, the device is no longer in DFU mode. If the phone's OS is functional, it will boot up normally. If there is an issue with iOS, the device may go to the recovery screen or require a restore.
When Should You Use DFU Mode
DFU mode is useful, but it shouldn't be the first fix you try. For most iPhone problems, start with a normal restart or force restart. If the iPhone still won't boot or cannot be updated normally, try Recovery Mode. DFU mode makes the most sense when those options have not solved the problem. Typical situations include:
- An iPhone is stuck in a persistent boot loop and Recovery Mode cannot restore it.
- A software update or restore repeatedly fails.
- The iPhone cannot boot iOS properly after a serious software problem.
- Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes cannot complete a normal recovery restore.
- A beta or firmware-related problem has left the device unable to start normally.
- You need to perform a clean restore after other recovery methods have failed.
DFU mode is also sometimes used in advanced firmware or jailbreak-related procedures, but those are separate from normal iPhone troubleshooting and can involve additional risks.
If your only problem is a forgotten iPhone passcode, you normally do not need DFU mode. Apple's standard recovery and reset procedures are designed for that situation and should be tried first.
How a DFU Restore Works
You don't need to understand the technical side of DFU mode to use it, but knowing what happens can explain why it works when a normal startup does not.
When an iPhone enters DFU mode, it communicates with the computer at a very early stage of the boot process. The normal iOS environment does not need to load first.
During a restore, the computer sends the components required to prepare the device for installation. The iPhone verifies that the software is authorized by Apple before it is installed. The device storage is then erased as part of the restore, the operating system and required firmware components are written to the iPhone, and the device restarts.
If the restore completes successfully, the iPhone eventually boots to the familiar Hello setup screen. This is also why DFU mode is not a way to install any iOS version you want. Apple verifies restore software, and an iOS version that is no longer authorized for a particular device normally cannot be installed through an ordinary DFU restore.
Does DFU Mode Delete Everything
Simply entering DFU mode does not delete your data. The data is erased when you choose to restore the iPhone through Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes. A restore reinstalls iOS and returns the device to a clean state. Afterward, you can set the iPhone up as new or restore your data from a previous backup. This distinction matters because DFU mode itself is just a device state. It is the restore operation you perform afterward that wipes the phone.
DFU Mode vs Recovery Mode
The DFU restore and Recovery mode restore converge on the same process. Both end up loading a ramdisk, checking the firmware signature, and flashing the OS. The key difference is in how we get there: DFU mode starts from a more fundamental state.
From a technical standpoint, a DFU restore is often considered deeper than a recovery restore. DFU mode is a raw, hardware-level state used when the normal boot process can't start at all. It reloads the device's firmware components, such as the bootloader and radio firmware, even if they were intact. Recovery mode is a slightly higher-level mode used when the software iBoot detects an issue or when manually invoked for repairs. They operate at different levels.
In practice for our end users, DFU mode is not designed for casual use and is hard to enter. The timing of button presses is tricky, and there's no confirmation on the device's screen. However, it's relatively easy to enter the Recovery mode. Each model has a simple button sequence, and the device gives on-screen feedback.
In summary, use Recovery Mode for standard restores or updates. But if Recovery Mode fails or the device is in a more bricked state, DFU mode is the next step.
Final Words
Hope this instruction on iPhone DFU model has provided you with thorough information of DFU mode and when and how to enter it on your iOS or iPadOS devices, especially iPhone. But there's one more thing you need to keep in mind: don't risk taking the DFU mode unless other modes such as the "recovery mode" won't work, in case your device will be damaged.
