Your iPad is experiencing software problems and you don’t know what to do. A DFU restore is a great way to fix nagging software issues that keep occurring on your iPad. In this article, I’ll show you how to put your iPad in DFU mode and how to DFU restore your iPad!
What Is A DFU Restore?
A Device Firmware Update (DFU) restore is the most in-depth iPad restore. Every single line of code on your iPad gets erased and reloaded when you put it in DFU mode and restore.
The DFU restore is usually the last step you can take before completely ruling out an iPad software problem. If you put your iPad in DFU mode to resolve an issue, but that issue persists after the restore is complete, it’s likely your iPad has a hardware problem.
What You Need To DFU Restore Your iPad
You’ll need three things to put your iPad in DFU mode:
- Your iPad.
- A Lightning cable.
- A computer with iTunes installed on it — but it doesn’t have to be your computer! We’re just using iTunes as a tool to put your iPad into DFU mode. If your Mac is running macOS Catalina 10.15, you’ll use Finder instead of iTunes.
My iPad Has Water Damage. Should I Still Put It In DFU Mode?
Water damage is insidious and can cause all sorts of problems with your iPad. If your iPad issues are the result of water damage, you may not want to put it in DFU mode.
Water damage could potentially interrupt the DFU restore process, which could leave you with a completely broken iPad. It may be a good idea to take your iPad into your local Apple Store first if you think its problems are being caused by water damage.
What Should I Do Before Putting My iPad In DFU Mode?
It’s important to save a backup of all the information and data on your iPad before putting in DFU mode. A DFU restore erases all the content on your iPad, so if you don’t have a saved backup, all of your photos, videos, and other files will be erased for good.
Follow the steps below to learn how to put your iPad in DFU mode. If you’re more of a visual learner, you can watch our step-by-step iPad DFU restore video on YouTube!
How To Put Your iPad In DFU Mode
- Use a Lightning cable to plug your iPad into a computer with iTunes (Macs running macOS Mojave 10.14 or Windows computers) or Finder (Macs running macOS Catalina 10.15).
- Open iTunes or Finder and make sure your iPad is connected.
- Simultaneously press and hold the power button and the Home button until the screen turns black.
- Three seconds after the screen turns black, release the power button, but keep holding the Home button.
- Keep holding the Home button until your iPad shows up in iTunes or Finder.
If your iPad didn’t show up in iTunes or Finder, or if the screen isn’t completely black, it isn’t in DFU mode. Fortunately, you can try again by starting at step 1 above!
Put An iPad With No Home Button In DFU Mode
The process is slightly different if your iPad doesn’t have a Home button. First, turn off your iPad and plug it into into your computer and open iTunes or Finder.
When your iPad is off and plugged in, press and hold the power button. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the volume down button while continuing to hold down the power button. Hold both buttons simultaneously for approximately ten seconds.
After 10 seconds, let go of the power button while continuing to hold to volume down button for about another five seconds. You’ll know your iPad is in DFU mode it shows up in iTunes or Finder while the screen is still black.
You’ll know something went wrong if the Apple logo appears on the display. If you see the Apple logo on the display, start the process over again.
How To DFU Restore Your iPad
Now that you’ve put your iPad into DFU mode, there are a few things we need to do in iTunes or Finder in order to begin the DFU restore process. First, click “OK” to close the “iTunes/Finder has detected an iPad in recovery mode” pop-up, and then click “Restore iPad…“. Last, click “Restore and Update” to consent to everything on your iPad being erased.
iTunes or Finder will automatically download the newest version of iOS to put onto your iPad. The restore process will start automatically as soon as the download finishes.
Restored And Ready To Go!
You’ve restored your iPad and it’s working as good as ever. Make sure to share this article on social media to show your family and friends how to put their iPad in DFU mode too! Feel free to leave any other questions you have about your iPad in the comments section below.
Thanks for reading,
David L.
I tried 100 times to put my ipad 5th in dfu mode presing holding releasing button for 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 seconds or minutes nothing working. there is no video or instruction anywhere how to exactly go into dfu mode so anyone find out something plz tell me……
My ipad2 mini has been in DFU mode for 2-3 hours now but is still in the “preparing iPad to restore” setting.
It’s not got a lot of data or apps so I’m wondering if it’s stuck?
Any advice would be useful thanks
Ive tried almost a hundred times to put 3 different ipad4’s into DFU mode with no luck, what am I doing wrong? using usb to lightning cable into 2020 Mac book pro with iTunes running. no matter how short or how long I make those 3 seconds after the blackout screen while continuing to hold the home button The apple logo always reappears the a graphic asking me to connect to iTunes. What am I doing wrong here?
i have a iPad Air (4th generation) and while playing Pubg it was completely fine till boom. The screen stuck and it just shut down. Won’t turn on or anything no matter what I did. I even followed steps on how to put in DFU mode sadly, it didn’t work when I plug it in it just gets warm like any other charging iPad but without a sound or anything like it’s dead. Is there any solution? Please I need help
Thank you! Most sites tell you how to get into Recovery Mode, and claim that it is the same as DFU mode. It is very difficult to find clear directions on how to get to DFU Mode. (Even Qianli’s “iDFU GO” only boots to recovery, not DFU)
my machine still comes up at the end asking for a user name and password which i do not have what do I do next?
Just like last time the latest iOS update has put iPad Pro 10.5 in to reboot loop.
Beyond a joke ?
My iPad had middle blackouts like fat one I need fix my iPad please
My ipad has gone into disabled what do I do
Check out our article to learn what to do when your iPad is disabled.
It didn’t work
LOL dumbass!