How to Put Your iPod or iPhone into DFU Mode (For All Models)

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Simple ways to start a DFU restore on any iPhone or iPod
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To manipulate your device in many ways, including jailbreaking it, you might have to put it into DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode at one point or another. DFU mode is also useful if you need to restore or repair your iPod or iPhone and normal recovery mode isn’t working. Follow this guide to put your device into DFU mode. Because of the need for exact timing during the procedure, it is recommended that you read the entire guide first before beginning.

Putting an iPod or iPhone in DFU Mode: Fast Facts

  • Connect your iPod or iPhone to your computer with a USB-A cable. This process may not work with USB-C.
  • Hold down the correct combination of buttons (depending on the model) to enter DFU mode.
  • The screen will go black if you’ve entered DFU successfully.
Section 1 of 5:

iPod Touch 7, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus

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  1. 1
    Connect your iPod or iPhone to your computer with a USB cable. If you can’t get this to work with a USB-C cable, you might need to use a regular USB-A cable. You can use a USB-A to USB-C adapter if necessary.
  2. 2
    Hold down the Side button and Volume Down button. Press both buttons down at once and hold them.
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  3. 3
    Release the Side button after 8 seconds. Don’t release the Volume Down button yet!
    • If you see the
      Mac Apple
      Apple logo on your iPod or iPhone at this point, you held the Side button down too long and will need to try again.
    • If you entered DFU mode successfully, your screen should go black. You can now release the Volume Down button.
  4. 4
    Look for a notification on your computer. If you have Finder or iTunes open, you may see a notification that a device was connected in recovery mode.
    • If you see a message on your iPod or iPhone’s screen telling you to connect to Finder or iTunes, you have not successfully entered DFU mode. Repeat the steps above and try again.
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Section 2 of 5:

iPod Touch 6 and Below, iPhone SE, and iPhone 6s and Below

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  1. 1
    Plug your iPhone or iPod into your computer with a USB cable. This process may not work if you use a USB-C cable. Use a Lightning to USB-A cable instead. Depending on your computer, you might need a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
  2. 2
    Press the Sleep/Wake button on your device for 3 seconds. Depending on your device, this button will be at the top or side. For example, on a 6th generation iPod touch, it’s at the top of the device.
  3. 3
    Hold down the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons. After 3 seconds, press the Home button while continuing to hold down the Sleep/Wake button.
  4. 4
    Release the Sleep/Wake button after 8 seconds. Keep holding the Home button down.
    • After you release the Sleep/Wake button, you should see a black screen on your device. If you see the
      Mac Apple
      Apple logo, you held down the Sleep/Wake button too long.
    • If you have iTunes or Finder open, you may see a message that a device has been detected in recovery mode.
    • Once you’re sure you’ve successfully entered DFU mode, you can release the Home button.
    • If you see a message on your iPod or iPhone saying you need to connect to iTunes, you’ll need to try this process again.
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Section 3 of 5:

Older iPods Models

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  1. 1
    iPod classic, nano, or shuffle. These instructions will work for the iPod classic 6th generation, the iPod nano 2nd-5th generation, or the iPod shuffle 2nd or 4th generation:
    • Use a USB cable to plug your iPod into a computer. You’ll need a USB-A cable or a USB-A adapter.
    • Press and hold the center and Menu buttons.
    • Keep holding the buttons as the iPod reboots, then hold them for 8 more seconds. Release both buttons after 8 seconds.
  2. 2
    iPod nano 6th and 7th generation. Use the following steps:
    • Plug the iPod nano into your computer using a USB-A cable.
    • Hold the Volume Down and Sleep/Wake or Home button at the same time.
      • Use Sleep/Wake for 6th generation models, and Home for 7th generation.
    • Hold both buttons while the device reboots. Hold them for an additional 8 seconds before releasing both buttons.
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Section 4 of 5:

iPhone 8 and Above

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  1. 1
    Plug your iPhone into a computer. If you have an iPhone 8 or above, getting into DFU mode is a little more complicated. Start by connecting your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable.
    • If you can’t get this to work with a USB-C cable, use a Lightning to USB-A cable instead. You will need to use an adapter if your computer doesn’t have a USB-A port.
  2. 2
    Press and release the Volume Up button. Don’t hold the button down.
  3. 3
    Press and release the Volume Down button.
  4. 4
    Hold the Side button until the screen goes black. After pressing and releasing both Volume buttons, press and hold the Side button. The screen should go blank.
  5. 5
    Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button. After the screen goes dark, press and hold the Volume Down Button. Keep holding the Side button at the same time.
  6. 6
    Release the Side button after 5 seconds. Let go of the Side button while continuing to hold the Volume Down button. If you’ve successfully entered DFU mode, you’ll see a black screen on your device.
    • You should also see a notification in Finder or iTunes that a device has been detected in recovery mode.
    • If you see the
      Mac Apple
      Apple logo or a message on your iPhone’s screen telling you to connect to iTunes, you have not successfully entered DFU mode. Try the steps above again.
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Section 5 of 5:

Understanding DFU Mode

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  1. If you want to go back to an earlier version of iOS, you will need to enter DFU mode so that the old operating system software can be installed.
    • DFU mode occurs before the device loads the installed operating system. This allows you to change system files while they're not being accessed.
  2. If you're jailbreaking your iPhone, you may need to put it into DFU mode to load the custom operating system. Not every jailbreak process requires you to do this.
  3. If you want to send in your jailbroken iPhone for warranty service, you will need to reverse the jailbreak process . This may require you to put your device into DFU mode. This is usually done as a troubleshooting step, when the device will not restore properly through iTunes.
  4. Sometimes, a firmware update may interrupt, causing corrupted files. It is advised that an iPhone or iPod is not force-restarted during a firmware update, as the device may not continue with the firmware update. However, a firmware update is interrupted or the system memory is corrupt as a result of a process like jailbreaking, DFU mode ensures that the iOS device can be restored even if the memory is corrupt.
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  • Question
    Can iPhone in DFU mode connect to WiFi?
    Community Answer
    No, an iPhone or iPod in DFU mode can only connect to iTunes via a USB sync cable.
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  • Question
    How long will this take?
    Community Answer
    It depends on what you're doing. if you're just booting into DFU then it's about 15-20 seconds before the computer picks up on it.
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  • Question
    I cannot do the DFU mode, why?
    Community Answer
    It all depends on the timing. If you cannot do it after a few attempts, try again later.
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      • Timing is critical when putting a device into DFU mode. It may take a few attempts before you are successful.
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      Warnings

      • Jailbreaking will void your warranty and expose your phone to threats such as malware and other security issues. wikiHow and the authors of this article are not responsible for any damage caused to your device by jailbreaking.
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