DFU or Device Firmware Upgrade mode of iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch is different from the recovery mode. If you are experiencing restore problems with iTunes, you should try restoring your device after putting it in DFU mode. What DFU mode does is that it bypasses the operating system installed on iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch and makes the upgrade or downgrade process pretty convenient.
DFU mode is different than the recovery mode found in iPhone, iPad, or the iPod Touch. When your device is in DFU mode its screen stays completely black and still iTunes detects it. On the other hand, when the device is in recovery mode, you will see a graphic on the screen asking you to connect your device to iTunes using USB cable.
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What is DFU mode?
DFU mode stands for Device Firmware Upgrade mode. This mode allows Apple’s iTunes to interface with iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch without loading the bootloader or the iOS operating system installed on the devices. This is also the key difference between the recovery and DFU mode. DFU mode comes in handy when regular iTunes restore is not working for you.
What is the use of DFU mode?
It is used to restore your device, upgrade it to a newer firmware, downgrade firmware to an older version, and in some jailbreak cases it helps in booting tethered jailbroken devices.
How to enter DFU mode
Here is the easiest way to put your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch into DFU mode:
- Connect your device to your computer using USB cable
- Turn off your device: hold down the Sleep/Wake/Power button and then Slide to Power it off
- Now hold down both the Power and Home buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds
- After exactly 10 seconds, release the power button but keep holding the Home button until iTunes detects your device in DFU mode and shows a prompt that it has detected your device in recovery mode. Your screen must be completely black at this point.
That’s it! you’ve successfully put your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch in DFU mode.
If you’re having a tough time putting your device in DFU mode, try adjusting the 10 seconds wait time to slightly below 9 seconds, 8 or even 7 seconds. Time is a bit tricky part in entering DFU but you’ll eventually master it after a few tries.
How to exit DFU mode
To get your device out of DFU mode (the black screen + iTunes detects it when connected to computer):
- Hold down Power + Home buttons simulteneously until you see the Apple logo on your screen.
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