If you have issues that the recovery mode can not resolve on your device, the next effective solution is to perform a DFU Restore. The Device Firmware Update (DFU) is a very deep type of restore you can do on an iPhone. Essentially, DFU reloads the software and the firmware on your device.
Please note that if you haven't upgraded your iOS to the latest version, performing a DFU Restore will automatically upgrade your device and this upgrade cannot be reversed.
To avoid any loss of data that may arise from performing a DFU Restore on your iPhone, it is recommended that you back up your device to iCloud or iTunes. You are advised not to skip this step!
Read how to enter the DFU Mode for your iPhone models in the following sections.
DFU Mode for iPad, iPhone 5, iPhone 6s, iPhone SE and iPod Touch
- Connect the device to a computer with a USB cable.
- Hold down both the Home button and Lock button (at the same time).
- Wait for 8 seconds, then release the Lock button while continuing to hold down the Home button.
- If the Apple logo shows on the screen, that means the Lock button was held down for too long.
- Nothing will be displayed on the screen when the device is in DFU mode. If you open iTunes, it alerts you that a device was detected in recovery mode.
If your device shows a screen telling you to connect the device to iTunes, retry the steps above.
DFU Restore for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
- Connect the device to a computer with a USB cable.
- Hold down both the Side button and Volume Down button (at the same time).
- Wait for 8 seconds, then release the Side button while continuing to hold down the Volume Down button.
- If the Apple logo appears, that means the Side button was pressed for too long.
- Nothing will be shown on the screen when the device is in DFU mode. If open, iTunes will alert you that a device was detected in recovery mode.
If your device shows a screen telling you to connect the device to iTunes, please retry the steps above.
DFU Mode for iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
- Quick-press the Volume Up button
- Connect the device to a computer with a USB cable.
- Quick-press the Volume Down button
- Hold down the Side button until the screen turn black, then hold down both the Side button and Volume Down button (at the same time).
- Wait for 5 seconds, then release the Side button while still holding down the Volume Down button.
- If the Apple logo appears on the screen, that means the Side button was pressed for too long.
- Nothing will be displayed on the screen when the device is in DFU mode. If open, iTunes will alert you that a device was detected in recovery mode.
If your device shows a screen telling you to connect the device to iTunes, retry the steps above.
How to Exit the DFU Mode on Your iPhone
To exit DFU Mode, you have to force restart your device by taking the following steps.
- For iPad, iPhone 5, iPhone 6s, iPhone SE and iPod touch: hold down the Home button and the Lock button until the device reboots.
- For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: hold down the Side button and Volume Down button until the Apple logo appears.
- For iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X: quick-press the Volume Up button, then quick-press the Volume Down button, then hold down the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Please note that to exit DFU mode on iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, or iPhone 11 Max, follow the same steps as you would for an iPhone 8 or newer.
Please note that your device may need a few days to recalibrate. So, it's important to fully charge your device and let it fully discharge several times before concluding that the problem is fixed or not.