How to Update the Firmware on an Apple iOS Device using DFU Mode

You need to put the iPad/iPhone into DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode in order to update the firmware.

To enter DFU Mode on an iPad, follow these steps:

  1. Launch iTunes.
  2. Plug the iPad into your computer.
  3. Hold down the Power button and the Home button at the same time, for 10 seconds.
  4. After 10 seconds, release the Power button but continue to hold the Home button for another 3 to 5 seconds.
  5. When in DFU mode, your iPad screen will stay completely black. If you see an Apple logo or anything other than a black screen, the iPad is not in DFU mode.
  6. iTunes will notify you that it has detected a device in recovery mode
  7. Once in DFU mode: in iTunes, shift-click (Windows) or option-click (OS X) on the “restore” button once iTunes tells you it has found an iPad in recovery mode.
  8. Select the firmware file you downloaded.