iPhone’s Recovery Mode and DFU Mode are both the iPhone’s problem-fixing modes. Both of these modes can help you when your iPhone encounters problems. Let’s take a look at what these two modes are and how to set them up.
Note: iPad also has Recovery Mode and DFU Mode, and they work the same as the two modes of iPhone. What we talk about iPhone next also applies to iPad. Therefore, in most sections of this article, we will only mention iPhone, except for the sections about how to set up Recovery Mode and DFU Mode.
- What are iPhone Recovery Mode and DFU Mode?
- What are the differences between Recovery Mode and DFU Mode?
- Will iPhone Recovery Mode and DFU Mode delete data?
- When do you use Recovery Mode and DFU mode?
- How do you put iPhone into Recovery Mode?
- How do you put iPhone into DFU mode?
- How do you get iPhone out of Recovery Mode and DFU Mode?
- How do you put iPad into Recovery Mode?
- How do you put iPad into DFU Mode?
- How do you get iPad out of Recovery Mode and DFU Mode?
1. What are iPhone Recovery Mode and DFU Mode?
Recovery Mode is commonly used by iPhone to help iTunes detect the device when there is a problem with the iPhone and it cannot boot the iOS. It is a safe mode of iPhone that helps to reflash your device with new software. You can either update or restore your iOS.
DFU is Device Firmware Update, which allows you to restore your iPhone from any state. When you put your iPhone in DFU Mode, the device is in a more initial state, just like Windows BIOS.
2. What are the differences between Recovery Mode and DFU Mode?
They are 2 different states of iPhone. The boot process of iPhone starts by running the Boot ROM code which will proceed to load iBoot. DFU is a part of the Boot ROM which is burned into the hardware of the device. Recovery Mode is a failsafe in iBoot which will load the iOS kernel and then the rest of the operating system. DFU Mode is a more initial state than Recovery Mode.
When iPhone enters DFU Mode, although the iPhone has started, the system has not started running, so the iOS can be modified. Therefore some people who are tech-savvy will use this mode to root iPhone, downgrade the iOS or choose the firmware their want to install on iPhone.
3. Will iPhone Recovery Mode and DFU Mode delete data?
The direct answer is NO. Under Recovery Mode or DFU Mode, the data on iPhone is still there and will not be damaged, modified, or lost, because they are just 2 states of the iPhone. You can exit these 2 modes without losing data if there is no problem with your iPhone.
When your device is in Recovery Mode or DFU Mode, don’t connect your device to your computer and restore it using iTunes in Windows or Finder on Mac. Then your data won’t be affected.
4. When do you use Recovery Mode and DFU Mode?
Both modes can be used to restore the iPhone, but usually, the Recovery Mode is used to update the iPhone, and the DFU Mode is used more for system downgrades and jailbreaks. If iPhone cannot load the iOS, for example, the iPhone cannot be turned on with a white apple, a black screen, etc., then you can try both modes. However, if some problems cannot be repaired by using the Recovery Mode, you can try the DFU Mode.
5. How do you put iPhone into Recovery Mode?
The steps to enter the Recovery Mode are slightly different for different iPhone models. Please check the corresponding steps according to your model.
Connect the iPhone to the computer first. If the iPhone has entered the Recovery Mode, the phone screen will show an “a cable connecting to computer” icon; if it is an older iOS version, it will display an “a cable connecting to iTunes” icon, as shown below. iTunes will recognize the model of the device and display it on the interface. You will see a pop-up on iTunes saying that there is a problem with your iPhone and there will usually be options for Update and Restore iPhone.
iPhone 8 and later models
- Press the Volume Up button once.
- Press the Volume Down button once.
- Keep pressing the Side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen. Don’t let go of the Side button, even when you see the Apple logo.
iPhone 7/7 Plus
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side button at the same time.
- Likewise, when you see the Apple logo, don’t let go of the buttons until you see the Recovery Mode screen on the phone’s interface.
iPhone 6/6 Plus and older models
- Press and hold the Home button and the Side or Top button at the same time.
- Press and hold these two buttons until you see the Recovery Mode screen on your phone. Also, don’t release the buttons when you see the Apple logo.
6. How do you put iPhone into DFU Mode?
Also, connect the iPhone to the computer first. If the iPhone has entered the DFU Mode, the phone screen will turn into a black screen, as shown in the image below. If the iPhone is originally a black screen, nothing will change, but iTunes will say that it detects your iPhone recovery mode (yes, iTunes will consider it Recovery Mode) and give you the option to restore your iPhone.
iPhone 8 and later models
- Press the Volume Up button once, then press the Volume Down button again.
- Keep pressing the Side button. When the iPhone screen goes black, press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side button at the same time for about 5 seconds, then release the Side button.
- Continue to hold down the Volume Down button for about 5-10 seconds and the iPhone will enter DFU Mode. At this time, the phone screen is black, and iTunes will also prompt.
iPhone 7/7 Plus
- Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button at the same time for 8-10 seconds.
- After 8-10 seconds, let go of the Side button, but continue to hold the Volume Down button for at least 5 seconds. If the iPhone enters DFU Mode and the phone screen is black, iTunes will also prompt.
iPhone 6/6 Plus and older models
- Press and hold the Side/top button and home button at the same time for 8-10 seconds.
- After 8-10 seconds, you can let go of the Side/top buttons, but keep pressing the home button for at least 5 seconds. If the iPhone enters DFU Mode and the phone screen is black, iTunes will also prompt.
7. How do you get iPhone out of Recovery Mode and DFU Mode?
The way to exit Recovery Mode and DFU Mode is actually to force restart the iPhone. First of all, if the phone is connected to the computer, unplug the cable first. Then refer to the following steps to exit the two modes according to your model.
iPhone 8 and later models
- Press the Volume Up button once.
- Press the Volume Down button once.
- Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo, and release the button.
iPhone 7/7 Plus
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side button at the same time.
- Again, let go of the buttons when you see the Apple logo.
iPhone 6/6 Plus and older models
- Press and hold the Home button and the Side or Top button at the same time.
- Release the buttons when you see the Apple logo.
8. How do you put iPad into Recovery Mode?
The steps for iPad to enter the Recovery Mode are also different based on different models, with or without a Home button.
When iPad enters the Recovery Mode, you will see an “a cable connecting to computer” icon as shown below; if it is an older iPadOS version, it will display an “a cable connecting to iTunes” icon.
iTunes will recognize your iPad and a pop-up says that there is a problem with your iPad. Usually, you will have 2 options – Update or Restore the iPad.
Let’s put your iPad into Recovery Mode now. Connect the iPad to your computer first. Then follow the guide below according to your iPad model to put your iPad into Recovery Mode.
iPad without a Home button
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and keep holding the Power button. Don’t release the button until you see the Recovery Mode screen. You may see the Apple logo during the process.
iPad with a Home button
- Press and hold the Home and the Power buttons at the same time.
- Keep holding the buttons until you see the Recovery Mode screen. Don’t release them when you see the Apple logo.
9. How do you put iPad into DFU Mode?
When iPad enters DFU Mode, the phone screen will turn into a black screen, as shown in the image below. If the iPad is originally a black screen, nothing will change, but iTunes will display a pop-up saying that it detects an iPad in Recovery Mode (yes, iTunes will consider it Recovery Mode) and give you the only option to restore your iPad.
Let’s put your iPad into DFU Mode now. Also, connect the iPad to your computer first and then follow the steps below.
iPad without a Home button
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and keep holding the Power button until the screen turns black.
- When the screen gets black, don’t release the Power button, but press the Volume Down button together with it for 5 seconds.
- 5 seconds later, release the Power button but still hold the Volume Down button for at least 5 seconds until iTunes detects your iPad.
iPad with a Home button
- Press and hold the Home and the Power buttons at the same time for 8-10 seconds.
- Release the Power button but still hold the Home button for at least 5 seconds until iTunes detects your iPad.
10. How do you get iPad out of Recovery Mode and DFU Mode?
To exit iPad Recovery Mode and DFU Mode, you just need to force restart the iPad. First of all, if the iPad is connected to your computer, unplug the cable first. Then refer to the following steps to exit the two modes according to your model.
iPad without a Home button
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Keep pressing the Power button and release it when you see the Apple logo.
iPad with a Home button
- Press and hold the Power and Home buttons at the same time.
- Keep pressing the buttons and release them when you see the Apple logo.
