How to Enter and Exit DFU Mode on iPhone

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Part 1: What DFU Mode Is (and How It Differs from Recovery Mode)

DFU mode puts the iPhone into a low-level state where the boot screen does not load normally, but a computer can still send firmware. That is why DFU is often tried after Recovery Mode fails.

Common reasons people use DFU mode:

1. The iPhone is stuck during an update or will not finish a normal restore.
2. System data looks corrupted and Recovery Mode did not repair it.
3. Advanced troubleshooting workflows that require a firmware-level restore.

Jailbreaking or iOS downgrading may also involve DFU, but those workflows depend on signing windows and carry extra risk. For most users fixing a broken iPhone, DFU is a last-resort restore state—not the first step. For a deeper comparison, see DFU mode vs Recovery Mode.

Part 2: What to Do Before You Enter DFU Mode

Before you put your iPhone into DFU mode, prepare the computer side carefully. A bad cable or outdated desktop app is one of the most common reasons DFU attempts fail.

1. Back up first when possible: If the iPhone still unlocks or can connect normally, back up your iPhone before any restore-level action.
2. Install the right desktop app: On a Mac, use Finder or the Apple Devices app. On Windows 10 or later, use the Apple Devices app, or iTunes if that is what you already manage devices with.
3. Update the desktop software: Outdated Finder/Apple Devices/iTunes installs often cause detection failures during DFU.
4. Use a reliable USB cable: Prefer an Apple or MFi-certified cable. Unstable third-party cables frequently interrupt DFU detection.
5. Know the success signal: True DFU keeps the screen black. If you see the Apple logo, you likely restarted the phone. If you see the computer/cable icon, you entered Recovery Mode instead.

Part 3: How to Put iPhone in DFU Mode

Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC first, then open Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes. Keep the device plugged in for the full sequence. Timing matters: if the Apple logo appears, start over; if the computer/cable screen appears, you landed in Recovery Mode instead of DFU.

Enter DFU mode on iPhone 6s and earlier

1. Open Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes, then connect the iPhone with a USB cable.
2. Press and hold the Top/Side button and the Home button together for about 8 seconds.
3. Release the Top/Side button, but keep holding Home for another 5–10 seconds.
4. Stop when the computer detects the iPhone and the phone screen stays black.

Enter DFU mode on iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

1. Connect the iPhone to your computer.
2. Press and hold the Side button and the Volume Down button together.
3. After about 8 seconds, release the Side button but keep holding Volume Down.
4. If the screen stays black and the computer detects the device, you are in DFU mode.

Enter DFU mode on iPhone 8, X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and later

1. Connect your iPhone to the computer.
2. Quickly press and release Volume Up.
3. Quickly press and release Volume Down.
4. Press and hold the Side button until the screen goes black.
5. Keep holding Side, then also hold Volume Down.
6. After about 5 seconds, release Side but continue holding Volume Down until the computer detects the iPhone.
7. Confirm the screen is still black. That black screen is the DFU success signal for these models, including iPhone X and newer.

If you prefer software-assisted workflows for related recovery states, you can also review DFU mode tools for iPhone. After a successful DFU connection, use your computer to update or restore only if you accept that a restore can erase content.

Part 4: How to Exit DFU Mode on iPhone

If you entered DFU by mistake, or the restore did not finish, exit DFU with a force restart. The goal is to bring back the Apple logo and reboot to the Lock Screen or setup screen.

Exit DFU Mode on iPhone 6s and earlier

Press and hold the Top/Side button and the Home button together until the Apple logo appears. Then release both buttons and wait for the iPhone to restart.

Exit DFU Mode on iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

Press and hold the Side button and the Volume Down button together until the Apple logo appears. Release the buttons and let the iPhone reboot.

Exit DFU Mode on iPhone 8, X, 11, and later

Quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. This is the same family of force-restart timing used on iPhone X and newer models.

If the phone immediately falls back into a black screen or never shows the Apple logo, continue with the stuck-DFU options below instead of repeating the same sequence endlessly.

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Part 5: If Your iPhone Is Stuck in DFU Mode

A stuck DFU state usually means the black screen remains, the computer no longer completes restore, and force restart did not bring the Apple logo back reliably. Before another long button session, try a guided exit.

Dr.Fone - System Repair

Exit DFU Mode with on-screen guidance, or repair iOS system issues when a manual restore keeps failing.

• Includes a dedicated Exit DFU Mode option with model-based instructions.
• Also repairs common iOS issues such as Recovery Mode loops, Apple logo loops, and black screen problems.
• Works with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch across recent iOS versions.
• Available on Windows and Mac.

Available on: Windows Mac

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How to exit DFU mode with Dr.Fone

1. Install and launch Dr.Fone - System Repair, then go to Toolbox > System Repair.

   

2. Select Exit DFU Mode.

   

3. Connect your iPhone and follow the on-screen button instructions for your exact model.

   

4. Wait for the process to finish, then check whether the Apple logo returns and the iPhone reboots normally.

Part 6: Fix iOS Issues Without Using DFU First

If your goal is to repair system errors rather than force a DFU restore, try Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS) first. This path is useful when the iPhone is looping, stuck on the Apple logo, or repeatedly failing normal recovery.

Important data note: Standard Repair is designed to fix many iOS issues while keeping your data. Advanced Repair reinstalls firmware and will erase data. Back up first whenever the device is still accessible.

How to repair iOS system issues with Dr.Fone

1. Launch Dr.Fone and open System Repair > iOS System Repair.

   

2. Choose Standard Repair or Advanced Repair based on the data-risk note above.

   

3. Connect your iOS device, confirm the detected model/firmware, and download the required package.

   

4. Click Repair Now and wait for the repair to finish.

   

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Tips: Restore Only the Data You Need After a DFU Restore

If you already restored through DFU, you can bring everything back from an iTunes/Finder backup or iCloud backup. If you only want selected photos, messages, contacts, or other items, use an iTunes backup extractor such as Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS).

Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS)

Preview iTunes or iCloud backup content and restore only what you need.

• Recover data from iOS device scans, iTunes backups, or iCloud backups.
• Preview photos, videos, contacts, messages, notes, and more before restoring.
• Restore selected items to your computer or device instead of rolling back everything.
• Supports recent iPhone models and current iOS versions.

Available on: Windows Mac

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How to selectively restore an iPhone backup with Dr.Fone

Step 1. Choose the recovery source.

Open Data Recovery and select Recover from iTunes Backup or Recover from iCloud Backup.

Step 2. Select the backup file and scan.

Pick the backup you want, then click Start Scan.

Step 3. Restore only the items you need.

Preview the content, select the items worth keeping, and restore them to your computer or device.

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FAQs

Does DFU mode erase everything on iPhone?

No. Entering DFU mode does not erase your content by itself. Your data is at risk when you restore or update from a computer, or when you run an advanced firmware reinstall.

What does DFU mode look like?

A successful DFU state keeps the iPhone screen completely black. If you see a computer or cable icon, you are in Recovery Mode instead.

How do I put iPhone X or newer in DFU mode?

Connect to a computer, press Volume Up, then Volume Down, hold Side until the screen goes black, hold Side + Volume Down briefly, then release Side and keep holding Volume Down until the computer detects the device.

How do I exit DFU mode on iPhone?

Use the force-restart sequence for your model until the Apple logo appears. On iPhone 8/X and later, that means Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold Side.

What if my iPhone is stuck in DFU mode?

Retry the correct exit sequence once or twice. If it still stays black, use Dr.Fone’s Exit DFU Mode guide or continue with system repair options after you understand the data-risk difference between Standard and Advanced Repair.