iPhone DFU mode explained, and how to enter DFU mode on your iPhone

What is iPhone DFU mode?

DFU mode is a state that you can put your iPhone into where it can interface with iTunes but does not load the iPhone operating system or boot loader (this is what really differs DFU mode from recovery mode). DFU stands for Device Firmware Update.

What is DFU mode used for?

The primary reason people need to access DFU mode on their iPhone is to change the firmware on the device. This can serve to downgrade to a prior iPhone firmware and operating system, or to use a custom firmware that is required for a jailbreak or SIM unlock. For instance, if you got the iPhone OS 4 download installed and decided you would rather have a prior version of the firmware on your iPhone, you would need to do this through DFU mode.

How to enter iPhone DFU mode

• Connect the iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes
• Turn the iPhone off (hold down the power button at the top of the iPhone)
• Hold down the sleep/power button and home button together for exactly 10 seconds, then release the power button
• Continue to hold down the Home button until a message appears in iTunes telling you an iPhone in recover mode has been detected

• When you are in DFU mode your iPhone screen will be completely black

Even though the screen is black, that doesn’t mean the device can’t be interfaced with either iTunes or a custom firmware client (for jailbreaking, etc).

Remember that if you see the restore logo, iTunes logo, or any message on the iPhone screen, you are not in DFU mode but standard Recovery Mode. Again, DFU mode is signified by having a completely black screen on the device. If anything else is the case, repeat the steps above until you enter into DFU mode successfully.

Exit DFU mode on iPhone

The simplest way to exit out of DFU mode is to hold down the Home and sleep/power buttons on the iPhone while connected to iTunes. Then just hit the power button as and this should reboot the device as usual.

And if you’re curious, yes this works all the same on an iPod touch.

The most common use for DFU mode is to jailbreak. It’s not unusual for people to buy an existing iPhone and jailbreak the device to use the phone on another network

How to Put an iPhone Into DFU Mode

DFU means Device Firmware Update. If a restore using Recovery Mode doesn't work you will want to use DFU Mode as a last resort. When placing your iPhone into DFU Mode it does not load the OS before attempting the restore

To put the iPhone into DFU mode so you can do an iTunes firmware restore follow these steps:

Step One
Open iTunes and connect the iPhone to your Mac.


Step Two
Press and hold the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time.


Step Three
After exactly 10 seconds release the Sleep/Wake button. Continue holding the home button until you iTunes pops up a message telling you that it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode.


The iPhone screen will remain black like this:


NOTE***: It may take a few attempts to get your iPhone into DFU mode. Generally, I hold down both buttons then release the Home button just before I think the Apple logo would appear. If you are still holding both buttons down and you see the Apple logo you are holding them down for too long!