How to Restore iPhone from DFU Mode via iTunes or Finder

Glossary

• Reasons to Restore iPhone from DFU Mode
• Restore DFU iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, SE (2nd Gen)
• DFU Restore iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
• DFU Restore iPhone 6S, 6, SE (1st Gen), and Previous Versions
• How to Exit iPhone DFU Mode

Reasons to Restore iPhone from DFU Mode

You can try an in-depth reset when a regular restore cannot fix your situation and bring your iPhone back to life. The iRemove team has prepared a guide on how to restore the iPhone from DFU mode via iTunes or Finder. Follow it step-by-step to completely erase your smartphone and reload its hardware and software control.

Before we explain why you need to use iPhone DFU restore, it is a must to tell you more about this term. DFU stands for Device Firmware Upgrade. It is a special mode that helps restore any iPhone from any possible state.

Through DFU, your BootROM accepts iBSS, and it can accept APTicket if you own an A7+ smartphone. The thing is, your Device Firmware Upgrade is a SecureROM's part. You cannot remove it because it is burned into your iPhone hardware.

Restore DFU iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, SE (2nd Gen)

Find your USB to Lightning cable and a working computer. Ensure that your Windows PC or Mac running Mojave or an earlier version than macOS 10.14 has the most recent iTunes. If you have a computer with macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or newer, you will use Finder.

1. With your iPhone 8, X, or newer version, connect to Mac or PC, launch iTunes or Finder.
2. Click once your Volume Up on the smartphone. Then click once your Volume Down button.
3. Click-hold the Side button. Do so and watch how the display becomes black.
4. With a black screen, you should keep holding your Side button and press-hold the Volume Down button for approximately five seconds.
5. Let go of only the Side button but still keep pressing Volume Down. Release it when your smartphone is visible in iTunes or Finder.
6. Restore DFU iPhone 8 or newer Apple handset.

DFU Restore iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

Use your computer, Mac Mojave or older Apple computer or Windows PC, a USB to Lightning cable, and the most recent iTunes. Work with Finder instead of iTunes if you have Mac Catalina or a most recent macOS device.

1. After your iPhone 7/7 Plus (powered on or off) is connected to a computer, launch iTunes or Finder.
2. Press these two buttons at once (hold them too), Power (Sleep/Wake) + Volume Down.
3. After counting to eight, release only the Power (Sleep/Wake) button while still pressing the Volume Down.
4. When your iTunes or Finder shows the iPhone, you can let go of Volume Down. The phone screen must be black. Only when it is dark, have you successfully entered DFU. If you see the Apple logo on your handset screen or iTunes asks you to connect your smartphone, you should repeat all the steps.
5. Once in DFU, restore iPhone 7 or 7 Plus.

DFU Restore iPhone 6S, 6, SE (1st Gen), and Previous Versions

You will need a computer (Mac or PC), a Lightning to USB cable, and iTunes software. It will work for all Windows computers and macOS Mojave (or older) Macs. Owners of Catalina Macs will use Finder instead of iTunes (it works similarly).

1. Launch iTunes once you connect your iPhone 6S, 6, SE (1st Gen) to your computer. Please note that your iPhone can be on or off (it does not matter now).
2. You must press-hold two buttons at once, Home + Side (On/Off/Lock). Count to eight and let go of Side (On/Off/Lock) while still holding Home.
3. Release the Home button only when iTunes (or Finder) shows your smartphone. The iPhone screen must be black with no logos when it enters DFU mode. Thus, if you see a logo or the display is not black, you are unsuccessful. Follow the instructions above to fix the situation.
4. After entering DFU, restore your iPhone 6S, SE (1st Gen), 6.

Please note! Suppose it takes iTunes or Finder longer than 15 minutes to restore your iPhone from DFU mode, and your smartphone exits Device Firmware Upgrade itself. Then, you must repeat the steps above again. It is a must to enter DFU mode and try to DFU restore it from scratch.

Remember that an iPhone with a broken component might not complete the DFU restore successfully in some situations. If you have a damaged device, entering DFU mode can break it.

How to Exit iPhone DFU Mode

Do you wish to exit the mode yourself? It would help if you force restart the Apple smartphone by using the following button combinations:

• iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X: Click Volume Up, click Volume Down, click-hold Side waiting for the phone to reboot;
• iPhone 7, 7 Plus: Click-hold two buttons, Power (Sleep/Wake) + Volume Down, till your mobile phone reboots;
• iPhone 6S, 6, SE: Press-hold Home + Side (On/Off/Lock) buttons waiting for your handset to reboot.

Here we go! Your smartphone should work as if new. It is best to charge it and discharge it a few times, let it recalibrate, and its software issues will be gone. Hopefully, DFU restore will bring your iPhone back to life and let you enjoy its flawless work.