TUTORIALS

How to Put iDevice in DFU Mode, Recovery Mode and Normal Mode?

07/12/2018

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iDevice has three modes, normal mode, recovery mode and DFU mode. But what can we do with iDevices in these three modes? How to put them in DFU mode, recovery mode and normal mode?

 

In general, it is required to know how to enter/exit these three modes when you flash, restore and downgrade your iDevices using 3uTools. Now, this tutorial is for you to know what to do when you begin iOS jailbreaking, flashing and restoring.

 

1.Normal mode


Keep the iDevice in normal operating, and connect your iDevice to the computer via the USB cable. Start 3uTools, and then the device is in normal mode as following screenshot:

 

How to Put iDevice in DFU Mode, Recovery Mode and Normal Mode?

 

2. Recovery mode 


There are two ways to enter recovery mode.

1. Enter recovery mode manually.

  • Ensure you connect your iDevice to 3uTools.

  • Turn off the iDevice.

  • Press the Power button, and the white Apple logo will appear on the screen.

  • Don't release the Power button, and then hold the Home button till the screen become blank.

  • Please release the Power button as the screen become blank, but don’t let go Home button. The device enters recovery mode when 3uTools detects an iOS device in recovery mode.


How to Put iDevice in DFU Mode, Recovery Mode and Normal Mode?


2. Enter recovery mode using 3uTools


How to Put iDevice in DFU Mode, Recovery Mode and Normal Mode?


How to exit recovery mode?

  • Ensure 3uTools has detected an iDevice in recovery mode.

  • Hold “Home+Power” at the same time, till the white Apple logo appears on the screen. It means that the iOS device has exited the recovery mode, and is rebooting.


Or you could exit recovery mode using 3uTools. 


How to Put iDevice in DFU Mode, Recovery Mode and Normal Mode?


3. DFU mode


 How to Put iDevice in DFU Mode, Recovery Mode and Normal Mode?


How to enter DFU mode?

For iPhone 6s or earlier or iPad: Firstly hold the Home button, and then the Power button. Continue holding them for about 4 seconds after the screenbecome blank, and then release the Power button. Keep holding the Home button till 3uTools detects an iOS device in DFU mode.


For iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: 

1. Open 3uTools and connect your device with your PC. 

2. Turn off your iDevice by long-pressing Power Button.

3. Long-press the Power Button for about 3 seconds, then press Volume Down Button. Note that you need to still hold down Power Button.

4. Now keep holding both of the buttons for about 10 seconds. It is to be noted here that if Apple logo appears on the screen, you will have to start it again.

5. Release Power Button and keep pressing Volume Down Button for around 5 seconds.

6. This might bring you on a screen where it is written “Plug into iTunes”, and 3uTools will display that the device is in DFU mode. Make sure not to hold it for too long.


For iPhone 8/8 Plus, or iPhone X: 

Step 1: Connect your iPhone PC with a Lightning to USB cable, and then launch 3uTools.

Step 2: Press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button, and press and hold the Side button for 10 seconds until the screen turns black.

Step 3: While still holding the Side button, press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds, and then release the Side button while continuing to hold the Volume Down button for another 10 seconds. The screen should remain black. 3uTools will detect your device in DFU mode.


How to exit the DFU mode ?

For iPhone 6s or earlier or iPadHold “Home+Power” till the Apple logo comes out on the screen, and then the device can exit the DFU mode.


For iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: Long-press Power Button and one of the Volume Down Button till Apple logo appears on the screen.

 

For iPhone 8/8 Plus, or iPhone X: Press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button, and press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo appear on screen.

Windows
Mac OS
iOS
Linux
3uTools
Win 64-bit For this device
V9.0 2025-11-11
Download
Win 32-bit For this device
V9.0 2025-11-11
Download
3uTools V3.18
2025-09-18
Please use the 3uTools PC client to install the iOS client:
1、 Install either the Windows or Mac version of 3uTools on your computer
2、 Open the PC client and connect your device to the computer via USB cable
3、 After the connection is successful, wait for the computer to automatically install the mobile app for the device, or locate “Install Mobile App” on the computer and manually click to install.
3uTools
deb file
v3.01 2025-11-20
Download
rpm file
v3.01 2025-11-20
Download
Windows
iOS
Android
3uAirPlayer
Win 64-bit For this device
V6.0.2 2025-11-19
Download
Win 32-bit For this device
V6.0.2 2025-11-19
Download
iOS Device Mirroring (No App Required)
1、 Install 3uAirplayer on the Windows PC
2、 Open Control Center and select Screen Mirroring
3、 From the list, choose your PC to start mirroring
4、 Or connect your iOS device to the PC via USB to begin mirroring
Scan to get "3uAirPlayer" App