Here’s how you can enter DFU mode on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Revive Your iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro with Corrupted iOS Software Using DFU Mode and Finder
Though it rarely happens, but you may find yourself in a situation where you are required to restore your iPhone 16 firmware from scratch. For example, you are performing a downgrade or simply want to reinstall iOS from scratch for a fresh start.
Can be any reason, really.
While simply turning off Find My and restoring the latest firmware file using Finder is the way to go, sometimes you may want to go one step further. That one step takes you into a territory that requires you to enter DFU mode on your iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, then restore iOS.
DFU mode, or ‘device firmware update mode’, lets you install iOS onto your iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro if the software is severely corrupted. If Finder refuses to install anything, DFU mode makes sure your Mac detects your iPhone 16 and you can then install a fresh firmware file on it.
Before I show you how to enter DFU mode, do keep in mind you will lose all your files and data if you plan to restore a fresh firmware on it. If the firmware is already corrupted, then you can’t do anything about your data anyway.
But, if things are under your control and you can access iOS, it’s best to take a backup of everything before moving forward.
Also, while you can enter DFU mode manually, you do have the option to exit it as well. I am going to highlight both in this tutorial.
Let’s start things off with how you can DFU mode on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro:
Enter DFU Mode
Important note: read these steps multiple times before attempting to put your device in DFU mode. It’s completely normal to get this wrong in the first try.
Step 1. Connect your iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro to your Mac using a USB-C cable and launch Finder.
Step 2. Press and release the ‘Volume Up’ button.
Step 3. Press and release the ‘Volume Down’ button.
Step 4. Press and hold the ‘Power’ button until the screen turns off – do not let go of the power button when the screen turns off.
Step 5. Press and hold the ‘Volume Down’ + ‘Power’ button for 5 seconds.
Step 6. When the 5 seconds are up, let go of the ‘Volume Down’ button and keep on holding the ‘Power’ button for 10 seconds.
If your iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro displays remains off, it means you’ve successfully entered DFU mode. Now you can restore the firmware file using Finder.
Again, it may take several tries. But, you’ll eventually get it right.
Exit DFU Mode
Like I said, while you can enter DFU mode, you can exit it as well. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1. Press and release the ‘Volume Up’ button.
Step 2. Press and release the ‘Volume Down’ button.
Step 3. Press and hold the ‘Power’ button until you see the Apple logo on the display which indicates that your iPhone is now booting up and has exited DFU mode.
