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This article is general for iOS devices and can be applied to iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch.

I. Understand Recovery Mode and DFU Mode

1. What is Recovery Mode

Recovery Mode, also known as Recovery Mode, is a way to put the iPhone into iBoot boot loader Mode. When your iOS device goes into recovery mode, it will display the connect to iTunes screen. In this mode, you can restore the iPhone via iTunes/Finder to fix iOS stuck on the Apple logo, corrupted iOS downloads, unresponsive phones, etc. After that, your device will be updated with the latest version of iOS.

The left side of the image below is the iTunes screen. MacOS Catalina before 10.15 or Windows requires an iTunes connection. MacOS Catalina 10.15 and later connect to iOS devices directly in Finder, the right-hand screen.

This article uses recovery mode to update the full iOS package, specifying the version, not just the latest version, as long as Apple has not turned off validation for that version.

2. What is DFU Mode

DFU Mode refers to Device Firmware Upgrade Device Firmware Upgrade Mode, in which the iBoot boot loader will be bypasses when you need to fix critical software issues, while the iOS Device will connect to iTunes/Finder. In iPhone DFU mode, your device will display an all-black screen. This mode is usually used to resolve device problems after jailbreak.

3. Difference between DFU Mode and Recovery Mode

The recovery mode and DFU mode can be used to restore iOS software, but the difference is that DFU mode directly skips the iBoot boot program, so the screen is completely black.

Here’s what Apple says about the iBoot:

iBoot

Code that loads XNU, as part of the secure boot chain.  Depending on the system on chip (SoC) generation, iBoot may be loaded by the Low-Level Bootloader or directly by the Boot ROM.
Copy the code

In Recovery Mode, you can update software without erasing data or restore factory Settings, but in DFU Mode, you can only restore original Settings and all data is erased.

Jealous break is also used by common users who can degrade iOS versions that have not turned off authentication using the recovery mode. Manually updating iOS software through iTunes/Finder, as described below, is also done in recovery mode.

In The Apple Configurator 2, you can intuitively see the difference of iPhone states:

Normal mode

Recovery mode

DFU mode

4. Manually enter Recovery Mode

The following words are slightly different and actually refer to the same button:

Side button, top button, power button, power button

Volume up button, volume up button, volume + button

Volume down button, volume down button, volume – button

HOME screen button, HOME button

  • For iPad models without a home screen button: Press the lower volume button and release it quickly. Press the lower volume button and release it quickly. Hold down the top button until the device starts to reboot. Continue holding down the top button until the device enters recovery mode. [Note: Same as iPhone 8 or newer (just description of power button, iPad called top button, iPhone called side button)]

  • IPhone 8 or newer: Press the lower volume button and release quickly. Press the lower volume button and release it quickly. Finally, hold down the side button until you see the Restore Mode screen.

  • IPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and iPod Touch (7th generation) : Hold down the top (or side) button and lower the volume button at the same time. Hold down both buttons until you see the Resume mode screen.

  • IPad, iPhone 6s or earlier and iPod Touch (6th generation) or earlier with a home screen button: Hold down the home screen button and the top (or side) button at the same time. Hold down both buttons until you see the Resume mode screen.

The above operations do not need to slide to unlock, press the power button will appear “slide to shut down” interface, otherwise there is no response.

Top (or side) button, that is, the power key, because of the location of the difference so called.

Note: Do not release the Apple Logo  until the recovery mode screen as shown below appears.

Here is a screenshot of the Finder prompt status:

Can be compared with the following DFU mode, the function is slightly different, more “serial number” display.

Update is available: update firmware but retain data.

5. Manually exit the Recovery Mode

  • For iPad models without a home screen button: Press the lower volume button and release it quickly. Press the lower volume button and release it quickly. Hold down the top button until the device starts to reboot. Continue to press and hold the top button until the Apple Logo  is released, and wait until the lock screen is entered. Exit successfully.

  • IPhone 8 or newer: Press the lower volume button and release quickly. Press the lower volume button and release it quickly. Finally, press and hold the side button until the Apple Logo  appears on the screen and release. Wait until the lock screen enters and exit successfully.

  • IPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and iPod Touch (7th generation) : Hold down the top (or side) button and lower the volume button at the same time. Press and hold the two buttons until the Apple Logo  is released, and wait until the lock screen is entered and the exit is successful.

  • IPad, iPhone 6s or earlier and iPod Touch (6th generation) or earlier with a home screen button: Hold down the home screen button and the top (or side) button at the same time. Press and hold the two buttons until the Apple Logo  is released, and wait until the lock screen is entered and the exit is successful.

Note: The button is the same as the one used to enter Recovery Mode, but must be released after the Apple Logo  appears.

6. Manually enter the DFU Mode

  • IPad models without the home screen button: Same as iPhone 8 or newer (just a description of the power button, iPad called the top button, iPhone called the side button)

    Press the lower volume button and release it quickly

    Press the lower volume button and release it quickly

    Hold down the top button and the “Slide to Power off” screen appears until the screen goes black

    Once the screen is black, release the top button

    Simultaneously quickly press the top and lower volume buttons for 5 seconds

    After 5 seconds, release the side top button without releasing the Volume Down button until iTunes/Finder prompts “Restore Mode”

  • IPhone 8 or newer:

    Press the lower volume button and release it quickly

    Press the lower volume button and release it quickly

    Hold down the side button and the “Slide to Power off” screen appears until the screen goes black

    Once the screen is black, release the side buttons

    Simultaneously quickly press the side and lower volume buttons for 5 seconds

    After 5 seconds, release the side and side buttons without releasing the Volume Down button until iTunes/Finder prompts “Restore Mode.”

  • IPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and iPod Touch (7th generation) : Press and hold down the volume down button and the power button at the same time, Apple Logo  will appear on the screen. Keep holding down the two buttons, and wait for  to disappear for about 2-3 seconds. Release the power button, but keep holding down the HOME button. Until iTunes/Finder prompts “Restore mode”.

  • For iPad, iPhone 6s or earlier and iPod Touch (6th generation) or earlier with a HOME screen button: Press and hold both the On power button and the HOME button until the 10th second, immediately release the power button and continue holding the HOME button. At this point iTunes/Finder will automatically launch and prompt you to go into recovery mode (iOS devices will remain black).

Note: After entering DFU mode successfully, the screen of the iOS device is black, and the word “Restore Mode” is displayed on the computer. If the screen of the iOS device lights up, or you see the Apple Logo  or iTunes Logo on the screen, it indicates that the DFU mode is not entered.

Note: After entering DFU mode, “Recovery Mode” is still displayed, but it is different from “Recovery Mode”.

Here is a screenshot of the DFU mode Finder:

This mode can be compared with the Recovery mode above, “Update” is not available, only the original Settings can be restored, all data will be erased, and the serial number is not displayed.

7. Manually exit the DFU Mode

  • IPad models without the home screen button: Same as iPhone 8 or newer (just a description of the power button, iPad called the top button, iPhone called the side button)

    Press and release the volume up button press and release the volume down button press the power button and hold it down until the Apple Logo  appears on the screen release the power button

  • IPhone 8 or newer:

    Press and release the volume up button press and release the volume down button press the power button and hold it down until the Apple Logo  appears on the screen release the power button

  • IPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPod Touch (7th generation) : Hold down the volume – button and the power button until the Apple Logo  appears on the screen, then release the Volume Decrease button and the power button.

  • For iPad, iPhone 6s or earlier, and iPod Touch (6th generation) or earlier with a HOME screen button: Hold down the HOME button and the Volume + button until the Apple Logo  appears on the screen, then release the HOME button and the Volume + button.

8. Update OTAs regularly

See also: Update iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

OAT update refers to online update, OTA generally refers to over-the-air Technology. Although the online update is convenient, it is a patched update after all. Especially, frequent use of the online update may sometimes lead to system lag or some anomalies. Therefore, it is recommended to download the complete firmware and manually update it, and it is not necessary to update all the minor versions.

Second, prepare to update

1. Download the complete iOS software package in IPSW format

ipsw.me/

Select the device type and model and download Signed IPSWs.

2. Prepare the iPhone

Restart the iPhone: Go to Settings ⚙️ > General > Power off, and then restart the iPhone to ensure that the iPhone is running properly.

Ensure that you have enough free space: Choose Settings ⚙️ > General > iPhone Storage space.

3. Prepare a Mac or PC

To use iTunes: macOS Catalina before 10.15, or Windows, download the latest version of iTunes.

Use Finder: macOS Catalina 10.15 (included) or above, and will prompt you to update if the software version is too early.

You can also update and restore software in recovery mode or DFU mode using the Apple Configurator 2, which is not described in detail in this article.

In Apple Configurator 2, select the device in the Devices window and drag the.ipsw file onto the device, then select Update or Restore the device.

3. Update process

The following example is a complete update of iOS 14.0 to 14.5, operating in macOS Big Sur, similar to the process of using iTunes in older macOS or Windows.

Using ipSW updates downloaded locally, hold down the Option key in macOS before clicking the update button. Use iTunes update in Widows with Shift key down.

1. Connect the iPhone

As shown in the picture, click “Trust”, then click “Trust” on iPhone, and input your password as prompted.

2. Check for updates

At this time, the “Update” button does not appear, click “Detect update”.

Check the new software version and click cancel.

3. Update the ipsw

At this point, the update button appears. Hold down the Option key and click Update.

Note: Hold down the Shift key in iTunes of Widows.

Warning: Click “Restore iPhone…” The software will be updated and the data erased to restore factory Settings.

At this point, the open dialog box appears to browse to the ipSW file downloaded above.

4. Update software (if needed)

If the macOS version is not up to date, you may be prompted to update the software. This is not a system update, which can be completed in a few minutes.

5. Update ipSW again

Repeat step 3, hold down the Option key and click “Update” and browse to the IPSW file.

The update officially begins, during which the iPhone automatically goes into recovery mode for software updates and restarts automatically.

The following information is displayed after the update process is complete.

6. The update is successful

When the iPhone starts up, it automatically reconnects and you can see that the version has been updated.

Addendum: Block iOS automatic updates

The above update has been updated to iOS 14.5, and the iOS 14 update is basically done, except to support new devices, it’s time to block the automatic updates and prevent those stubborn red dot numbers from appearing.

See also: How to block iOS software from automatically updating, removing update notifications and flags