I have put a very old phone into dfu mode, my mac recognises this and tells me it's in dfu mode, I clock restore and update and it says it has left dfu mode.
I can't seem to find a way around this.
[Edited by Moderator]
Original Title: trying to restore old iphone 3gs - dfu issue
I'm a bit puzzled why you're putting effort into restoring an old iPhone 3GS. Even if you manage to power it on, it'll likely be painfully slow, with many features either broken or completely incompatible with today’s apps, networks, and services. Compared to current technology, the 3GS is essentially a digital fossil—great for nostalgia, but not exactly practical.
That said, if you're determined (or just feeling adventurous), here’s what you can try:
First, press and hold both the Top (or Side) button and the Home button simultaneously. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears. This might kick it back to life.
If it powers on but gets stuck or behaves erratically, connect it to a Mac or PC with iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later), then attempt a restore from there. If iTunes doesn't recognize the device, you may need to put it in Recovery Mode or even DFU Mode to proceed.
“This iPhone was previously in DFU mode, but restarted and is no longer in DFU mode,”
it usually means the phone briefly entered DFU, but something caused it to exit prematurely—either a timing issue, bad cable, bad port, or the phone refusing to stay in DFU due to firmware corruption or hardware issues.
If DFU mode isn’t working on your iPhone 3GS, you’re rapidly approaching “technological flatline” territory—but don’t give up just yet. Here’s what you can try next, depending on what’s happening:
🛠️ Check the Basics
🔌 Try Recovery Mode Instead (if DFU fails)
🧱 Signs It Might Be Bricked
If nothing shows up—no screen, no logo, no detection by the computer—then the phone might:
⚰️ Last Resort
If none of this works, your iPhone 3GS might officially be retired. You could:
I'm a bit puzzled why you're putting effort into restoring an old iPhone 3GS. Even if you manage to power it on, it'll likely be painfully slow, with many features either broken or completely incompatible with today’s apps, networks, and services. Compared to current technology, the 3GS is essentially a digital fossil—great for nostalgia, but not exactly practical.
That said, if you're determined (or just feeling adventurous), here’s what you can try:
First, press and hold both the Top (or Side) button and the Home button simultaneously. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears. This might kick it back to life.
If it powers on but gets stuck or behaves erratically, connect it to a Mac or PC with iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later), then attempt a restore from there. If iTunes doesn't recognize the device, you may need to put it in Recovery Mode or even DFU Mode to proceed.
“This iPhone was previously in DFU mode, but restarted and is no longer in DFU mode,”
it usually means the phone briefly entered DFU, but something caused it to exit prematurely—either a timing issue, bad cable, bad port, or the phone refusing to stay in DFU due to firmware corruption or hardware issues.
If DFU mode isn’t working on your iPhone 3GS, you’re rapidly approaching “technological flatline” territory—but don’t give up just yet. Here’s what you can try next, depending on what’s happening:
🛠️ Check the Basics
🔌 Try Recovery Mode Instead (if DFU fails)
🧱 Signs It Might Be Bricked
If nothing shows up—no screen, no logo, no detection by the computer—then the phone might:
⚰️ Last Resort
If none of this works, your iPhone 3GS might officially be retired. You could:
Hi,
Thanks for commenting and the feedback.
Why am I doing this? Because I am crazy! :-) Actually, I was having a clear out and found a stack of old devices. I am trying to factory reset them all before turning them in. Maybe make some money but really just to recycle and not just junk them.
I have tried both recovery and dfu mode and they both give the same result.
It does power on and work, I just can't remember my pin is the problem. I have no intention of trying to use it.
I have tried a few cables, the only thing is that I have a M2 mac and only usb c and so using an adapter, which could be the problem, but don't have many other choices. I haven't yet tried a mac mini that is in the house though, which might have usb-b on it. I can't remember
Macbook is fully up to date though.
I might be hoping for too much though to erase this device.
Any data that was on it is encrypted. It's unreadable. Don't worry about resetting it.
That device has exactly $0 value. Apple will recycle it for you. You don't need to worry about your data.
How can I restore my old iPhone 3GS from DFU mode?
