How to restart iPhone, put it into recovery mode or DFU

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Step-by-step instructions for different models.

How to restart iPhone

A reboot may be necessary if the smartphone is frozen and does not respond to pressing. Keep in mind that if the iPhone is not frozen, pressing the buttons below may display a standard shutdown dialog with a slider. Ignore it and just keep holding the buttons until the device reboots.

How to reset iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone X and newer models

1. Quickly press and release the volume up button.
2. Quickly press and release the volume down button.
3. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

How to restart iPhone 7

1. Hold down the side button and the volume down button.
2. Hold them until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

How to restart iPhone 6s and 6

1. Hold the side button and the Home button.
2. Hold them until the Apple logo appears.

How to reset iPhone SE (1st generation), 5s and earlier

1. Hold the top button and the Home button.
2. Hold them until the Apple logo appears.

How to put iPhone into recovery mode

Recovery mode is used when errors occur when updating and flashing a smartphone.

1. Install the latest version of iTunes and close the app. MacOS Catalina uses the standard Finder file manager instead.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer with a cable.
3. Reboot your smartphone as described above and wait for the iTunes or Finder connection screen.
4. Agree to the offer to perform a repair or upgrade.

How to put iPhone into DFU mode

If nothing helps at all, the DFU mode comes to the rescue. This is a special state of the device required to completely reinstall the system.

Connect iPhone to your computer and make sure iTunes (PC, macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina and later) is running.

Then proceed depending on the model of the device:

• If you have an iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone X and later: quickly press the volume up button, then just as quickly the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until the screen goes dark. Without releasing the side, immediately press the volume down key. After 5 seconds, release the side button, but continue to hold the Volume Down key while the computer recognizes the iPhone.
• If you have an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: Press and hold the side button and the volume down button. After 8 seconds, release the side button, but continue to hold the Volume Down key until the computer recognizes the iPhone.
• If you have an iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the Side (or Top) button and the Home button. After 8 seconds, release the Side (or Top) button while continuing to hold the Home button until the computer recognizes the iPhone.

If everything is done correctly, the screen will remain black, and iTunes or Finder will detect the device in DFU mode and offer to restore it. If the Apple logo appears on the display, iTunes or the iPhone turns on - you have been holding one of the buttons for too long. In this case, repeat everything again.

This material was first published in December 2018. In January 2021, we updated the text.