How to Enter DFU Mode on iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR When Recovery Mode Doesn't Work

[MacRumors]

With the launch of the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X last year, Apple made some changes to the way a forced restart is performed and also to the way the devices are put into DFU mode. These changes remain in place for Apple's latest iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR devices.

A forced restart can be used if an iPhone is freezing, throwing up errors, or has stopped responding completely. DFU mode (standing for Device Firmware Update) on the other hand restores an iPhone if a restart or standard Recovery Mode doesn't solve the problem you're experiencing.

• How to Enter DFU Mode on iPhone 6s and iPhone 7

DFU mode lets the device interface with iTunes, update the firmware, and restore the OS without automatically installing the last downloaded version. It's useful for installing older versions of iOS if a beta persistently hangs your phone, or if a jailbreak goes bad.

How to Enable DFU Mode

Before following the steps below, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer.

1. 
   Turn on your iPhone if it isn't already.
2. Connect it to your computer using a Lightning to USB cable.
   Launch iTunes on your computer, and check that your iPhone appears in the list of devices.
3. On your iPhone, press the Volume Up button immediately followed by the Volume Down button.
4. Next, press and hold the Side button (or power button) until your iPhone's screen turns black.
5. Release the Side button and then hold down both the Side button and Volume Down button together for approximately five seconds.
6. Now release the Side button, but continue to press the Volume Down button.
7. Wait for at least five seconds for iTunes to recognize DFU recovery mode has been enabled.

You should see a message dialog saying "iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes". If you don't see the message, repeat the steps above.

Once you've closed the iTunes recovery prompt you can go ahead and restore your iPhone back to factory settings by selecting Restore iPhone on the iPhone Recovery Mode screen. Once restored, your iPhone will automatically exit out of DFU mode and boot up to its activation screen.

How to Exit DFU Mode

If you enabled DFU mode and want to manually exit out of it, here's how it's done.

1. Press the Volume Up button on your iPhone and quickly release it.
2. Press the Volume Down button and release it.
3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on your iPhone's screen.

Your iPhone should now have exited DFU recovery mode.

Article Link: How to Enter DFU Mode on iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR When Recovery Mode Doesn't Work

 

[now i see it]

IMO, if an iPhone requires the last ditch drastic measure of a DFU reset, it's time to throw it in the trash. It should never hang like that, and if it does, something is malfunctioning inside.

 

[TantalizedMind]

I've never experienced a problem like this ever. Great write-up for those who have.

I'm using a 5S right now and I'm still not having issues with it. Currently using iOS 10.2.1.

To XR or not XR?
Note 9 or keep iPhone "5"?

 

[GadgetBen]

This is the most ridiculous, long winded approach to reset an iPhone.

I’ve had my iPhone XS screen freeze on several occasions. The screen was not accessible however the phone was fully functional.

 

[roguedaemon]

Entering DFU mode harder than punching in Konami codes

 

[decypher44]

Or, go to Apple store and throw it at a “genius”.


/don’t really do that

 

[Apple_Robert]

While I have never had this problem, I saved the article to Notes. You just never know.... Thanks, MacRumors.

 

[Jordan921]

While I have never had this problem, I saved the article to Notes. You just never know.... Thanks, MacRumors.

So did I. I would have never knew how to do it.

 

[mariusignorello]

Ok that’s pretty convoluted. Was hoping it was just an added step from a forced restart. Oh well.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Would be nice if Apple created a toggle or option in IOS like they have for reset all settings.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Grand Theft Auto cheat codes are easier to remember than this

 

[MauiPa]

This is way harder than Apple support page https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201263

If this hadn’t happened since iOS 4.3, I’d be tempted to see which is right

After starting iTunes, then plugging in phone:

• On iPhone 8 and later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Side button until you see the connect to iTunes screen.

When you see the option to Restore or Update, choose Update. iTunes will try to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. Wait while iTunes downloads the software for your device. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits the connect to iTunes screen, let the download finish, then repeat step 3.

 

[Even Longer]

1. Press the Volume Up button on your iPhone and quickly release it.
2. Press the Volume Down button and release it.
3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on your iPhone's screen.

4. Turn around clockwise 2x times
5. Jump (1x time)
6. Turn around counter-clockwise 3x times

Perform all these moves while holding the Side Button!

 

[JosephAW]

All this because Apple decided the home button with Touch ID was obsolete.
I can't image what it will be like when they seal the entire device with no physical buttons.

 

[dampfnudel]

Definitely a process that could be streamlined.

 

[iModFrenzy]

Definitely a process that could be streamlined.

You will rarely need this process anyway, there’s no need to improve it.

 

[dirtylilhobo]

Forgot the most important step:
Click your heels three times and recite three times “May the demigods of microwaves bless my iPhone”

 

[Cmd-Z]

Forgot the most important step:
Click your heels three times and recite three times “May the demigods of microwaves bless my iPhone”

Let's not forget the final steps ...

You put your right hand in,
You put your right hand out,
You put your right hand in,
And you shake it all about,

You do the hokey pokey
and you turn yourself around
That what it's all about.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

IMO, if an iPhone requires the last ditch drastic measure of a DFU reset, it's time to throw it in the trash. It should never hang like that, and if it does, something is malfunctioning inside.

Fake news!!!!!!!

I’ve brought many iPhones back from death using DFU. especially back in those old times you needed a computer to update.

 

[C DM]

IMO, if an iPhone requires the last ditch drastic measure of a DFU reset, it's time to throw it in the trash. It should never hang like that, and if it does, something is malfunctioning inside.

Except that plenty of people have used DFU mode for one reason or another and have been using their devices just fine afterward. Not sure why someone would want to just trash something that still works and they still need/want.

 

[dirtylilhobo]

All this because Apple decided the home button with Touch ID was obsolete.
I can't image what it will be like when they seal the entire device with no physical buttons.

By then it'll be a black box that does nothing....

 

[c.gull]

IMO, if an iPhone requires the last ditch drastic measure of a DFU reset, it's time to throw it in the trash. It should never hang like that, and if it does, something is malfunctioning inside.

No. There's other good reasons to do it. I had an audio-stutter problem on my iPhone 7. An ordinary update didn't cure it but a DFU update + restore made it go away.

 

[predation]

1. Press the Volume Up button on your iPhone and quickly release it.
2. Press the Volume Down button and release it.
3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on your iPhone's screen.

4. Turn around clockwise 2x times
5. Jump (1x time)
6. Turn around counter-clockwise 3x times

Perform all these moves while holding the Side Button!

Then the lte issues will be fixed right? Lol

 

[benjo765]

With the launch of the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X last year, Apple made some changes to the way a forced restart is performed and also to the way the devices are put into DFU mode. These changes remain in place for Apple's latest iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR devices.

A forced restart can be used if an iPhone is freezing, throwing up errors, or has stopped responding completely. DFU mode (standing for Device Firmware Update) on the other hand restores an iPhone if a restart or standard Recovery Mode doesn't solve the problem you're experiencing.
[*]How to Enter DFU Mode on iPhone 6s and iPhone 7
DFU mode lets the device interface with iTunes, update the firmware, and restore the OS without automatically installing the last downloaded version. It's useful for installing older versions of iOS if a beta persistently hangs your phone, or if a jailbreak goes bad.

How to Enable DFU Mode

Before following the steps below, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer.

1. Turn on your iPhone if it isn't already.
2. Connect it to your computer using a Lightning to USB cable.
   Launch iTunes on your computer, and check that your iPhone appears in the list of devices.
3. On your iPhone, press the Volume Up button immediately followed by the Volume Down button.
4. Next, press and hold the Side button (or power button) until your iPhone's screen turns black.
5. Release the Side button and then hold down both the Side button and Volume Down button together for approximately five seconds.
6. Now release the Side button, but continue to press the Volume Down button.
7. Wait for at least five seconds for iTunes to recognize DFU recovery mode has been enabled.

You should see a message dialog saying "iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes". If you don't see the message, repeat the steps above.

Once you've closed the iTunes recovery prompt you can go ahead and restore your iPhone back to factory settings by selecting Restore iPhone on the iPhone Recovery Mode screen. Once restored, your iPhone will automatically exit out of DFU mode and boot up to its activation screen.

How to Exit DFU Mode

If you enabled DFU mode and want to manually exit out of it, here's how it's done.

1. Press the Volume Up button on your iPhone and quickly release it.
2. Press the Volume Down button and release it.
3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on your iPhone's screen.

Your iPhone should now have exited DFU recovery mode.

Article Link: How to Enter DFU Mode on iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR When Recovery Mode Doesn't Work

[doublepost=1539399256][/doublepost]It reads like a cheat you’d have to tap in on PlayStation

 

[kstotlani]

I've never experienced a problem like this ever. Great write-up for those who have.

I'm using a 5S right now and I'm still not having issues with it. Currently using iOS 10.2.1.

To XR or not XR?
Note 9 or keep iPhone "5"?

Note 9 would be a big phone going from 5S but a great phone if you are not tied to iOS. In my opinion the screen for XR would be a let down. Going for XS Max to iPhone 8 Plus which is a HD screen also feels quite bad.