Apple iPhone XR iOS Restore: How to perform a Recovery Mode restore, DFU Mode Restore on iPhone XR [Tutorials]

It’s irrefutable that Apple made most, if not all its devices more credible and sturdy in both hardware and software aspects. As a matter of fact, people can see a big difference between Android and iOS devices when it comes to the system structure. Although there are also other Android devices, particularly those in the highest-tiered categories like flagship devices that are likewise as optimal and sturdy as iOS. But nevertheless, flaws always emerge regardless of how well-programmed or well-crafted a device is or platforms they’re running on. Hence, iPhone problems exist.

Device issues can come in various symptoms and the effects vary depending on the underlying cause. In most software-related cases, the emerging symptoms are rectifiable by some workarounds except for those that are attributed to hardware damage. To deal with complex software problems in iOS devices, system resets and iOS restores are often needed. Thus, these must be regarded among the first important methods to know of especially among iOS newbies. Outlined in this post are simple steps on how to carry out two major types of system restore done on the new Apple iPhone XR handset. Read on to learn when and how to carry out a Recovery mode restore and DFU mode restore on the iPhone XR.

Now, before anything else, if you have other issues with your phone, make sure you drop by our troubleshooting page for we have already provided solutions to hundreds of problems reported by our readers. Odds are that we may have already provided a solution to the problem you currently have so try to find issues that are similar with yours on that page and feel free to use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work or if you need further assistance, fill up our iPhone issues questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.

When and how to perform a Recovery Mode restore on the iPhone XR?

Recovery mode is often used when the current iOS is corrupted or when troubleshooting complex software issues that could not be remedied by a factory reset or standard iOS restore in iTunes. It’s an iBoot state that allows iOS update installation and software damage repair. If your iPhone software is broken after an iOS update installation, then you can use recovery mode to restore the device to its previous state before the system gets corrupted. To put your iPhone in recovery mode, you will need to use iTunes. This also means the need for you to secure a computer either Mac or Windows PC that has the latest version of iTunes software installed.

1. Plug your iPhone in to your computer using the original Lightning cable to USB port.
2. While it’s connected, press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
3. Then quick press and release the Volume Down button.
4. Next, press and hold the Side/Power button and continue to hold as it restarts. Don’t release the Side/Power button when the Apple logo appears as you need to put the device in a recovery state.
5. Release the Side/Power button when you see the Connect to iTunes logo on the screen.
6. Go to iTunes then you should see a message saying that your connected iOS device is in recovery mode and prompts options to update or restore.
7. Choose the Restore option to wipe everything from the phone system and then restore iOS through iTunes.
8. Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions in iTunes to complete the system restore. You may opt to restore from a previous backup or set up your iPhone as new.

If you choose the option to Update, iTunes will attempt to reinstall iOS without wiping data from your iPhone.

It usually takes 15 minutes for iTunes to download the software for your iPhone. If the download takes longer than the same time, your iPhone exits the recovery mode (Connect to iTunes) screen. If this happens, just let the download to finish and then put your iPhone in recovery mode again to complete the entire iOS restore process.

To exit recovery mode, press and hold the Side/Power button until the Connect to iTunes logo disappears and your iPhone restarts. Your iPhone goes back to its normal state after it power cycles.

When and how to perform a DFU Mode restore on the iPhone XR

DFU stands for Device Firmware Update, a state in which your iPhone can communicate with iTunes without activating the operating system or boot loader. It is generally used to perform more advanced troubleshooting for a malfunctioning iPhone like when the device is going through persistent and major system issues. Compared to a recovery mode restore, performing a DFU mode restore stands a better chance of fixing major software problems on both early and new iPhones. Symptoms that often require a DFU mode restore would include but not limited to infinite bootloops, frequent system crashes, as well as stuck iPhone display issues such as stuck on black or blank screen, stuck on Apple logo screen, or stuck on iTunes or recovery mode screen.

DFU mode can also be utilized for iOS update and firmware modifications. It’s also deemed among the last methods to fix a bricked iPhone from failed iOS updates. Other people would also resort to a DFU mode for iOS downgrades while some for iPhone jailbreaking and SIM unlock. To put your iPhone in DFU mode, the use of iTunes is necessary. So similar to performing a recovery mode restore, you will also need to secure either a Windows or Mac computer that runs on a later or latest operating system and has the latest version of iTunes program in it. Once you’ve got all things set, you can proceed with these steps:

1. Connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied Lightning cable or USB cable.
2. While your iPhone is connected, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Then press and hold the Side/Power button until the screen becomes black.
4. As soon as your iPhone screen turns black, press and hold the Volume Down button while continuing to hold the Side/Power button.
5. After 5 seconds, let go of the Side/Power button but keep holding down the Volume Down button until your iPhone shows up in iTunes.
6. Release the Volume Down button as soon as it appears in iTunes. Your iPhone should now be running in a DFU mode state. At this point, follow the onscreen instructions to restore your iPhone XR in iTunes.

If you see an Apple logo on the screen, then it means you’ve held the Volume Down button for too long and so you need to start all over.

Performing a DFU mode restore is discourage if physical or liquid damage is present on the device. Any sort of damage could result to incomplete or failed DFU mode restore, which will likely cause the iPhone XR to brick or to become totally dysfunctional.

To exit DFU mode, just refer to the above steps to force restart your iPhone XR. After it power cycles, your device should already be running on its normal state.

For more helpful walkthroughs on the use of iPhone XR, visit the Tutorials section found under each Troubleshooting pages of this site.

Connect with us

If you need more help with the use of certain functions and features of the Apple iPhone XR smartphone, feel free to visit our Tutorial Page. There you can find a list of how-to contents, step-by-step tutorials, as well as answers to FAQs regarding iPhone XR. If you have other concerns or encountered some troubles while using the phone, you can reach us through this form. Just be sure to tell us more details of the problem or device issue(s) you may have and we will be more than happy to assist you further.