Apple iOS: How to put your iPhone into maintenance mode (DFU mode)

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Is your iPhone or iPad no longer recognized in iTunes or does it not boot up? Then you can start maintenance mode (device firmware update, DFU for short) under Apple iOS to get the device up and running again. We’ll tell you below what you need to do to achieve this.

Depending on which iPhone you have, the key combinations differ. We will therefore show you the combinations for the different devices below. Have you made it into DFU mode and now want to restore your iPhone or iPad? Simply follow our instructions “How to downgrade to an older firmware version”. Instead of an old iOS version, simply use a current one.

Put iPhones with a notch in the display into DFU mode

1. 1

   Turn on your device, connect it to your computer and open iTunes. Now quickly press the volume up and then the volume down button one after the other and then hold down the right side button until the screen goes black. This takes up to 10 seconds.

2. 2

   As soon as the screen is black, briefly release the right side button and then press it again together with the volume down button for 5 seconds.

3. ❮ ❯ 3

   Release the right side button and hold down the volume down button, Figure 3, until iTunes recognizes your device in maintenance mode and provides feedback. Image 4

iPhones and iPads with a power button on the top

Is the on/off switch on your iPhone or iPad on the top? Then follow the instructions below.

DFU mode on iPad or iPhone SE

1. 1

   Connect your iPhone or iPad to the PC and open iTunes. Turn on your device if it is turned off. Now hold down the power button (on and off switch) and the home button at the same time for 10 seconds.

2. ❮ ❯ 2

   Now release the power button, but continue to hold down the home button. Picture 2 Do this until iTunes reports that a device has been detected in maintenance status. Image 3 Your device is now in maintenance status and you can restore it.

iPhones with power button on the side

Is the power button on your iPhone on the right side? Then we will show you below how to put your device into maintenance mode.

DFU mode on iPhone 6S (Plus)

1. 1

   Connect your iPhone or iPad to your PC and open iTunes. If your device is turned off, turn it on. Now hold down the on/off switch and the home button at the same time for 10 seconds.

2. ❮ ❯ 2

   Now release the power button, but continue to hold down the home button. Image 2 Do this until iTunes reports that a device has been detected in maintenance status. Figure 3 Your device is now in maintenance status (DFU mode) and you can restore it.

You just wanted to see what the maintenance status looks like? No problem. This will return you to normal mode.

Exit DFU mode again

1. 1

   On the iPad: If you are in DFU mode, simply press and hold the power button together with the home button until you can see the Apple logo. This takes up to 10 seconds – then simply release both buttons.

2. 2

   For iPhone X and later: The power button has been removed from the new iPhones such as the iPhone X or XS. Here the key combination is different. First briefly press the volume up button and then the volume down button. Release it and hold down the right side button until the apple appears on the screen. Then release the button again.

3. 3

   For iPhone 6 and lower: The procedure is the same as with the iPad or iPhone 5S, only the power button is in a different place on the iPhone 6, namely on the side. Hold it down together with the home button until the Apple logo appears. Then release the buttons again.