Tip: How to put your iPhone or iPad into DFU mode
Interested in Jailbreak or having trouble updating to the latest iOS release and need to put your iPhone or iPad into DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode? Some Jailbreaks don't do this automatically, you're often required to do it to downgrade your iOS, and sometimes iTunes gives your errors when trying to update from beta or GM firmware to final release. While DFU mode is straight forward it can also be a little tricky. We'll go over the steps after the break.
(And yes, we really should have made this for Georgia before last week's iPhone Live! podcast. Our bad...!)
DFU mode as opposed to Recovery Mode, requires a bit of timing and can take practice so if at first you don't succeed, don't be afraid to keep trying.
- Plug your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad into your Mac or Windows PC and make sure iTunes is running.
- Hold down both the Sleep Button (on top of your device) and the Home Button (on the front underneath the screen).
- Keep them both held down from about 10 seconds. (If you see the Apple logo, you've held them too long and will need to start again.)
- Let go of the Sleep Button but keep holding the Home Button for about 5 seconds. (If you see the "Plus into iTunes" screen than you held it too long and will need to start again.)
- If the screen stays black, that's it! Your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad should now be in DFU mode.
At this point your Jailbreak should take over, or iTunes should be showing you an alert saying it's detected your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad and it needs to be restored.
If you're curious as to the difference between DFU mode and and Recovery Mode, our own Ally Kazmucha explains:
Recovery mode will implement iBoot (basically a portion of the bootloader than runs an integrity check) which will not allow you to downgrade your device. DFU mode will still talk to iTunes but it bypasses iBoot which will then allow you to downgrade firmware.
If you're having trouble and need any extra help, check out our Jailbreak Forum.
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There are 19 comments. Add yours.
Geez. Learn something new every day. I thought DFU stood for "done f'ed up".
A great post guys! Very helpful especially for those looking to downgrade their iOS version.. Cheers!
You should also mention in the post, that in DFU mode, the screen will be black.
If you see the iTunes logo and cable, then you're NOT in DFU mode, as I've seen a lot of people confused about this.
Make sure Georgia watches this tutorial plz. :)
I really thought this post was going to be from georgia ;)
How about when the power button is not working? Tried several options, for example RecBoot, but my iPhone 3G still gets stuck at the apple logo. iTunes won't recognize it either. Bummer.
This article is all wrong. You have to wait to see the apple logo to let go of the sleep button and you have to continue to hold the home button until iTunes says it detects an iPhone/iPad in recovery.
Thank you so much!!!!! I tried what the article had written to no avail, however, your method DID work!
There is an app called LAST DFY r5[beta 5] that will automaticly put ur iOS in DFY mode flair you. Im pretty sure it's for Mac only but it's pretty old so u never know If they updated and added a wiinsmdows version. If not and u still have problems manually getting in dfu mode google dfu apps for windows and there is most likely a version for windows. Also if it jbing or downgrading fw's and get an error code at the end of the process u can use tiny umbrella to kick ur device out of recovery mode( or if ur on Mac 10.5x get "reboot" it works flwalessly and has come in handy many times(especially 2day lol.) any question feel free to contact. I'm really good with iOS/iPhone tweaks/troubleshooting. Hope this helps.
Sent from my iPhone
" sry for the spelling mistakes lol. But it's called "recboot" ( get the enter and exit one. GL. And enjoy! Also by the way my buddy has a iPhone 3G 4.2.1 can sone1 in my situation tell me what's the best option( or what worked the best for them? Thanks in advance. Im not a noob and have been hacking 4 yrs now(havent been keeping up with 3g) but short cuts r always appreciated &
welcomed.
Sent from my iPhone!
just follow the instructions on installing the redsnow
make sure it is off
press the sleep button 1st for 2-3sec
then without releasing the sleep button
press and hold the home button for several sec
then without releasing the home button
release the sleep button
fiz o jailbreak da 4.3.3 e não ta amarrado, ta funcionando normalmente.
Observação: fiz com Redsnow 9.06 rc17
I did the jailbreak of 4.3.3 and not tied ta, ta functioning normally.
Note: I made Redsnow 9.6 RC17
Falo de Manaus- Amazonas Brasil, me ajudaram muito obrigado.
Talk of Manaus, Amazonas Brazil, helped me very much.
Aprendi direito com tantas dicas.
Useless, does not work with latest release of IOS.
Useless, does not work with latest release of IOS.
Any guys know how can jailbrake or downgrade (without SHAH) ipad 2 (A5) wifi with ios 5.1 ?
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what can I do to restore my iphone3 when my top button does not work at all??
thanks so much for this :)
was about to order parts for phone thanks guys easy quick fix