Putting an iPod or iPhone in DFU Mode: 8 Steps (with Pictures)

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For customizing your mobile device, including jailbreaking, you may have to put it into DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode at some point. Follow the guide below to put your device into DFU mode. Since exact timing is very important during this procedure, it is a good idea to read the entire manual first.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Putting your device in DFU mode

Put an iPod or iPhone into DFU Mode Step 1

Step 1. Connect your device to the computer

For DFU mode, your device will need to be connected to a computer with the USB cable. Make sure iTunes is running.

Put an iPod or iPhone into DFU Mode Step 2

Step 2. Turn off your device

Press and hold the Power button until the Power slider appears. Slide it to the right to turn off the device. Wait until your device is completely turned off before continuing.

Put an iPod or iPhone into DFU Mode Step 3

Step 3. Press the Power button

Press and hold the Power button for 3 seconds.

Put an iPod or iPhone into DFU Mode Step 4

Step #4. Press the Home button

After the first 3 seconds, press and hold the Home button while also holding the Power button. Do this for 10 seconds.

Put an iPod or iPhone into DFU Mode Step 5

Step 5. Release the Power button

After exactly 10 seconds, release the On/Off button, but keep the Home button pressed. After a few seconds, a message will appear in iTunes to let you know that the device has been recognized. The device screen will remain blank if successful.

Part 2 of 2: Understanding DFU mode

Put an iPod or iPhone into DFU Mode Step 6

Step 1. Put your device into DFU mode if you want to downgrade

If you want to go back to an earlier version of iOS, you'll need to enter DFU mode to install that old operating system.

The DFU mode can be accessed before the operating system is loaded by the device. Since they are not yet accessed, you can modify the system files

Put an iPod or iPhone into DFU Mode Step 7

Step 2. Put your device into DFU mode while jailbreaking

If you jailbreak your iPhone, you may need to put the device into DFU mode to load the modified operating system. This is not necessary for every jailbreak procedure.

Put an iPod or iPhone into DFU Mode Step 8

Step 3. Put your device into DFU mode if you want to unjailbreak

If you want to have a modified iPhone repaired under the warranty conditions, you will have to undo the jailbreak. This may require you to put the device into DFU mode. Usually this is done as an intermediate troubleshooting step if the device cannot be fully restored using iTunes.