[Full Guide] How to Enter/Exit DFU Mode on iPhone Without Effort?

"Hello everyone, I've been having a hardware problem on my iPhone, so I wanted to reset my iPhone to send it for warranty. I followed a tutorial to reset my iPhone in DFU mode. But now, the iPhone has been stuck on the Apple logo with the empty progress bar beneath it. When I connect iTunes, it orders me to enter my PIN code, but it does not ask on the iPhone. I can't enter it anywhere. I can't get it out of DFU mode either... What can I do?"

- from Apple Discussion Forum

It makes people panic when the iPhone is stuck in DFU mode. Fortunately, you will learn how to get iPhone out of DFU mode quickly with the help of this guide. Let's take a closer look.

Part 1. What Is the DFU Mode?

Before you exit DFU mode on your iPhone, you may want to figure out what the DFU mode is.

DFU, abbreviated from Device Firmware Update, is a recovery mode for iPhone that allows you to interact with iTunes without entering the boot loader and fix various iPhone system glitches if needed. When your iPhone enters the DFU mode, you can upgrade or downgrade the iOS version, unlock the SIM card, or jailbreak your device.

Although sometimes it is regarded as one of the Recovery modes, it is different from the traditional Recovery mode since the DFU mode displays a black screen. In contrast, the Recovery mode shows the iTunes logo while on a black screen.

Part 2. How to Put an iPhone into DFU Mode?

You can follow the steps below to enter DFU mode on your iPhone. The order of the steps and the duration of button presses are very important, and may vary slightly between different models.

On iPhone 8/8 Plus and above versions:

• Power off your iPhone and connect it to the computer via a USB cable.
• Press and release the "Volume Up" button and then do the same to the "Volume Down" button.
• Press and hold the "Side" button until the screen turns black.
• Press and hold the "Side" + "Volume Down" buttons together for 5 seconds and then release the "Side" button, but keep holding the "Volume Down" button.
• If iTunes pops up and prompts you that your device is detected in Recovery mode, you are successful.

On iPhone 7/7 Plus:

• Turn off your iPhone and plug it into a computer via a USB cable.
• Press and hold the "Side" + "Volume Down" buttons for 8 seconds.
• Release the "Side" button, but continue holding the "Volume Down" button.
• When iTunes pops up, alerting you that it has detected your device in Recovery mode, you are successful.

On iPhone 6s and below:

• Power off your iPhone and connect it to a computer with a USB cable.
• Press and hold the "Home" + "Lock" (Side) buttons for 8 seconds.
• Release the "Lock" button while continuing to hold the "Home" button.
• If iTunes tells you that it has detected your device in Recovery mode, you are done!

Note: Nothing will show up on the black screen when your iPhone is in DFU mode. If the Apple logo appears, you may have pressed the Side button for too long.

Part 3. How to Get iPhone Out of DFU Mode?

If you accidentally entered DFU mode or can't exit after completing a repair, don't panic. Here are four common and effective methods, listed from easiest to hardest, for exiting DFU mode. Try them one by one.

Way 1. Force Restart the iPhone to Exit DFU Mode on iPhone

The first and easiest solution you should try is a force restart. This method requires no computer, no software, and does not erase any data.

Here is how to get an iPhone out of DFU mode without a computer:

On iPhone 8/8 Plus and later:

• Press and release the "Volume Up" button.
• Press and release the "Volume Down" button.
• Press and hold the "Side" button until your device automatically reboots.

On iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the "Side" + "Volume Down" buttons simultaneously until the device restarts.

On iPhone 6s and lower: Press and hold the "Home" + "Lock" buttons until the device reboots.

Way 2. Using iTunes/Finder to Leave DFU Mode on iPhone

Apart from a hard reset, you can also use iTunes to exit DFU mode on an iPhone. If you don't mind losing all content, you can start with the following instructions.

How do you get your iPhone out of DFU mode via iTunes?

Step 1. Ensure that the latest version of iTunes is installed on your computer. Then, run it and connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.

Step 2. When a pop-up appears and shows that iTunes has already detected the iPhone in Recovery mode, tap "OK" to agree to the restore iPhone advice.

Step 3. Hit the "Restore iPhone" button and confirm the operation.

Way 3. Using iOS System Recovery (No Data Loss)

If you want to get your iPhone out of DFU mode without losing data, a professional iOS repair tool is the best option. iOS System Recovery is designed to fix system-level iOS problems such as DFU mode, black screen, boot loops, and update failures. It offers a Standard Mode that repairs iOS without deleting personal data, making it ideal for most users.

The highlights of iOS System Recovery:

* Fix various iOS system issues: Disabled iPhone, iPhone activation problems, battery drain, iPhone gets stuck in Apple logo/DFU/Recovery mode, loop restart, iPhone/iPad red/white/black/blue screen of death, iTunes errors, etc.

* Upgrade or downgrade the iOS version.

* Two repairing modes: Standard (no data loss) and Advanced modes.

* Easy and safe to use.

* Support almost all iPhone and iPad models (iOS 26 compatible), such as iPhone 17/16/15/14/13/12/11, etc.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

Here is how to get out of DFU mode on iPhone without data loss:

Once the firmware download is completed, the iOS System Recovery will automatically get your iPhone out of DFU mode, giving you back a normal iPhone.

Way 4. Go to Apple Support to Remove iPhone from DFU Mode

If nothing works for exiting the DFU mode on your iPhone or iPad, you still get the last resort - taking your device to the Apple Authorized Service Center for repair or contacting the Apple Support Team, and they will tell you how to kick your iPhone out of DFU mode.

Here are some things you need to prepare before they can help you as soon as possible:

• Keep your Apple ID and password in mind in case the service provider needs them.
• Take along the purchase receipt as the sales evidence.
• Bring all the device accessories.
• Remember to book an appointment if needed.

Wrapping Up

That's all for how to get iPhone out of DFU mode in four proven ways. Among all the methods, it is not hard to find out that only iOS System Recovery preserves your data while exiting the DFU mode. Therefore, you can adopt this solution if you don't want any data loss.

If you encounter any problems while using the product, please leave a comment below describing your problem.

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