How to Put Your iPhone into DFU Mode (Updated for iPhone 14 or 13 Series, SE 2022)

DFU stands for Device Firmware Update. This is the last possible solution to fix serious issues on your iOS or iPadOS device.

You can put your iPhone into DFU mode when it refuses to turn on/off, gets stuck on the Apple logo, freezes on the screen, or stops responding.

Thus, DFU mode is the highest level of recovery that you can perform on your device. Let’s check it out!

• How to put iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11 and iPhone SE 2022 into DFU mode
• Enter DFU Mode on iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
• How to enter DFU mode on iPhone 6s and earlier
• How to put iPad with Face ID into DFU mode
• Put your iPad with a home button into DFU mode.
• How to Exit DFU Mode on Any iPhone and iPad

Before you start:

• Back up your device to a computer or iCloud (if possible)
• DFU Restore will also update your device to the latest applicable version of iOS or iPadOS.
• Don’t try to repair DFU if your device is water damaged. This can do more harm than good!
• If your Mac has macOS Catalina or Big Sur, use the Finder. If you’re using an older version of macOS or a Windows PC, use iTunes.

How to put iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11, X and iPhone SE 2022 into DFU mode

Flagship iPhones like the iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11 and X series have Face ID. Others, including the latest iPhone SE 2022 and iPhone 8, 8 Plus, have a home button. However, the process to enter DFU mode is the same on these devices. Here:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC with a Lightning to USB cable.
2. Press and then release the volume up button.
3. Immediately press and release the volume down button.
4. Now press and hold the side button for 10 seconds. The screen will turn black.
5. Keep holding the side button and then press the volume down button for 5 seconds.
6. After 5 seconds, release the side button but keep holding the volume down button.
7. Keep pressing the volume down button for another 10 seconds. And all this while your iPhone screen is black.
8. Release the volume down button after a pop-up appears in Finder or iTunes saying “Your Mac has detected an iPhone in recovery mode.”You must restore this iPhone before it can be used.”
9. Now click “OK”on the pop-up window and click “Restore iPhone”.

Note. If you see the Apple logo or your iPhone is restarting, it means that one of the steps was not completed correctly. In this case, read carefully and repeat the process.

How to Enter DFU Mode on iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

1. Connect your iPhone 7 to your Mac or PC with a Lightning to USB cable.
2. Press and hold the On/Off button on the right side of iPhone for 3 seconds.
3. Now press and hold the volume down button on the left side of your iPhone while still holding the on/off button.
4. Make sure both buttons are held down for 10 seconds. Note. If the Apple logo appears on the screen, you will have to restart the process. Don’t keep them too long.
5. Now release the on/off button but keep holding the volume down button for about 5 seconds. Note. If a computer connection notification appears on the screen, you will need to start over. Make sure not to keep it on for too long.
6. Your iPhone will now be in DFU mode. The screen will be black. You will receive a warning from iTunes or Finder that it has detected your iPhone. Click Restore iPhone.

How to enter DFU mode on iPhone 6s and earlier

1. Connect your iPhone 6s, SE 1st generation or earlier to your computer.
2. Press and hold the right on/off button for 3 seconds.
3. Then, while still pressing the on/off button, press and hold the home button on the front of the device.
4. Keep holding both buttons for 10 seconds. Use a watch if necessary. Note. If you hold them for too long, you will see the Apple logo. This means that you have failed and you will have to start from the first step again.
5. Immediately after the 10 seconds have elapsed, release the On/Off button, but continue to hold the Home button for the next 5 seconds. Note. If the “Connect to a computer”screen appears on the screen, you will need to run it again. Make sure not to keep it on for too long.
6. After you complete step 5 correctly, your iPhone screen will remain black. This means that your iPhone is now in DFU mode.
7. iTunes or Finder will also display a popup. Click “Restore iPhone”to continue.

How to put iPad with Face ID into DFU mode

The process to enter DFU mode on iPad with Face ID is similar to iPhone with Face ID and iPhone 8/SE 2020. Here is a quick overview.

1. Connect your iPad with Face ID to your Mac or PC.
2. Press and hold the power button on the top of iPad for 3 seconds.
3. Keep holding the power button. Then press and hold the volume down button on the right side of the iPad.
4. Keep holding both buttons for 10 seconds. Use a watch if necessary. Note. If you see the Apple logo, it means you’ve been holding them for too long. In this case, you will have to start the process over again.
5. Now release the top Power button but keep holding the Volume Down button for the next 5 seconds.
6. If the iPad screen stays black and you see a pop-up window in iTunes or Finder, it means that you have successfully entered DFU mode.

How to Put an iPad with a Home Button into DFU Mode

The process for putting an iPad with a home button into DFU mode is similar to the iPhone 6s and earlier. Let’s take a look.

1. Connect your iPad to your Mac or PC with a Lightning to USB cable.
2. Press and hold the top power button for 3 seconds.
3. Then, while still holding the Power button, press and hold the Home button on the front of your iPad. Keep holding both buttons for 10 seconds. Use a watch if necessary. Note. If you hold them for too long, you will see the Apple logo. This means that you have failed and you will have to start from the first step again.
4. Release the top power button immediately after 10 seconds, but keep holding the Home button for the next 5 seconds. Note. If the Connect to a Computer screen appears, you will need to start it again. Make sure not to keep it on for too long.
5. After you complete step 5 correctly, your iPad screen will remain black. This means that your device is now in DFU mode. iTunes or Finder will also display a popup. Click “Restore iPhone”to continue.

How to Exit DFU Mode on Any iPhone or iPad

If you change your mind and want to exit DFU mode halfway through, here’s how to exit DFU mode on iPhone and iPad.

To exit DFU mode on iPhone 14, 13, 12, SE 2022, SE 2020, iPhone 11, X series, and iPad with Face ID: Press and release the volume up button. Immediately press and release the volume down button. Finally, press and hold the Power/Side button (top button for iPad) until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

To exit DFU mode on iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the side power button and volume down button at the same time. Leave both buttons when you see the Apple logo on the screen.

To exit DFU mode on an iPhone 6s and earlier or an iPad with a home button, press and hold the home button on the front of the device and the side power button (top button for iPad) together. Leave the buttons when you see the Apple logo.

In short, use force restart to get out of DFU mode on any iPhone or iPad.

This is all!

This is how you can enter DFU mode on your iPhone or iPad. Just remember that if you see the lightning cable logo and the MacBook logo on your iPhone, it means that you are not in DFU mode, but in recovery mode.

This is different. In DFU mode, you have only one option – “Restore iPhone”. In recovery mode, you will see two options: “Update iPhone”and “Restore iPhone”. If the update works for you and solves your problem, then there is no need to repair DFU. Enjoy your working device!

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us in the comments below.

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