Learn how to flash firmware on iPhone. Self-flashing iPhone

Unfortunately, any electronic device can be prone to malfunctions. The iPhone 4 is not immune to this either. The problems that arise are often not of a hardware, but of a software nature. Reflashing helps cure these problems.

What is it for?

Despite the many advantages of the iPhone 4, unpleasant incidents often occur (data loss, device blocking, various errors). The cost of solving problems at a service center is quite significant, so you can try updating the firmware yourself at home.

Preparation

To update the firmware you need:

Apple has thought through the firmware update process in detail and simplified it extremely.

Methods

It is almost impossible to break Apple devices when flashing them, but each case has its own mode, although it is quite difficult for a beginner to figure out which mode to use and when.

Recovery Mode

Recovery mode is a normal mode with the OS turned off.

You can update the firmware like this:

The firmware update process will begin. Once completed, you can use the device.

Video: flashing or rolling back iPhone

DFU mode

DFU mode is used for “deep” firmware recovery. This is a completely working method and can be used in the following situations: the impossibility of standard flashing, the impossibility of unlocking the device. This method is quite simple and hassle-free.

To restore the firmware in DFU mode, you need to do this:

How to reflash iPhone 4 via Redsn0w

RedSn0w is a utility with which you can do a full-fledged jailbreak of the firmware.

Let's consider the sequence of actions:

create a “PwnageTool” directory on your computer;
download the desired firmware and the latest version of the Redsn0w utility;
unzip redsn0w and the firmware into the created folder;
connect the device to the computer;
download the iTunes app;
select your iPhone on the left side. Be sure to make a backup;
go to the created “PwnageTool” directory and run the utility with administrator rights;
after launching RedSn0w, click “Extras”;
click "Custom IPSW";
After the firmware file selection dialog box appears, go to the created “PwnageTool” directory and select the required file. Click "Open";
The Redsn0w utility will begin creating new firmware. It can take some time;
After creating the firmware, click “OK” in the dialog box;
then click "Pwned DFU";
Connect your device to your computer and turn it off. Click "Next";
press and do not release the “Power” key for 3 seconds;
press and hold the “Power” and “Home” keys for about 10 seconds;
then release the “Power” key;
continue holding the “Home” key for about 15 seconds;
The utility will put the iPhone into a special mode. The completion of the process is indicated by the task completion message (Done!).

At this time, the mobile device screen will be black;
open the iTunes application;
after a dialog box appears informing you that the iPhone is in a special mode, click “OK”;
press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard and click on “Restore”;
click “Choose”, selecting the unofficial firmware version;
the application will update the firmware and restart the iPhone. At the same time, the program will clarify how to use the iPhone (data recovery or a new device).

Let us repeat once again, “killing” an iPhone is quite difficult, and it is not at all necessary to pay money to all kinds of services. After reading the instructions, you can reflash your iPhone yourself at home. The greatest possibilities for flashing are provided by the RedSn0w utility.

iPhone restoration is a standard operation to return an Apple smartphone to a working state after various failures. Unsuccessful firmware, incorrectly executed jailbreak, incorrect iOS update - if you know how to restore an iPhone, you can fix almost any problems that arise during the operation of this device.

Recovery procedure

To restore your iPhone, you need to enter Recovery Mode. It's easy to do:

When the iPhone is ready for the rollback and error correction procedure, click the “Restore” button.

iTunes will independently find the current firmware version and install it on the smartphone, returning it to the state in which it was immediately after purchase.

Working in DFU mode

If iPhone recovery does not work in Recovery Mode, then you need to enter the device into DFU mode. This mode is used when there are software errors - for example, when the iPhone does not turn on. DFU mode works at the hardware level, so it helps to reset all settings even in the most difficult cases. To enter DFU mode:

Connect your device to your computer.
Press and hold Power and Home for 10 seconds.
After counting to 10, release Power while continuing to hold the Home button.

It's difficult to enter DFU mode the first time because nothing changes on the screen. If the recovery mode detects itself as an iTunes icon, then the phone does not seem to turn on in DFU. Therefore, you need to look at the computer screen where iTunes is running. As soon as the iPhone enters DFU mode, a notification will appear in iTunes informing you that the program has detected the device in recovery mode, and you need to reset all settings and content to continue working with your smartphone.

If you need to install another firmware, hold down Shift and click “Restore”. An explorer will appear through which you need to specify the path to the previously downloaded firmware.

Recovery without a computer

If the computer is not at hand, it does not turn on, or you cannot connect your iPhone to it, then try resetting all settings through the device settings. As a result of this operation, you will get a clean smartphone without settings and user information, so be sure to make a backup before resetting. If the smartphone turns on normally:

It is not necessary to delete user files. If the iPhone turns on, then you can eliminate problems with its operation by simply resetting the settings. In this case, the user’s personal data will remain intact.

Recovery after reset

If you need to restore your iPhone after resetting all settings and deleting content, you won’t be able to do this without a backup copy. The presence of a backup file with information stored in the device’s memory is the main point that needs to be checked before performing a reset. After restoring the iPhone to its factory state, all personal data of the user is erased from it.

Creating a backup before resetting:

After the reset, the iPhone will be like new: no content or settings will remain on it. To get all the information back, you need to connect the device to your computer and restore from the backup via iTunes. Choose the most recent backup, as it stores the most current information.

You can also restore all settings after a reset via iCloud, provided that you stored backups on the cloud. In this case, when setting up your iPhone, you need to select the “Restore a copy from iCloud” option and specify a suitable backup.

Problems during recovery

If after a normal recovery the phone does not turn on, then it makes sense to put it in DFU mode and try restoring it through iTunes again. This time you should not trust iTunes: download the official firmware and select it in the Explorer window by holding Shift and clicking on the “Restore” button .

Sometimes the TinyUmbrella utility helps solve the problem that the smartphone does not turn on after resetting the settings via iTunes. This program has an “Exit Recovery” button. If the iPhone does not turn on after recovery, you need to select it in the TinyUmbrella window and click “Exit Recovery”.

IPhone is a reliable device that can please its owners for a long time. The build quality and software make the phones from this company the undisputed leaders on the market.

After some time of operation, some users think about the possible firmware of this device. The term “firmware” refers to the installation of software on a gadget. Sometimes this is required to resolve any system errors. Repair work in specialized service centers is quite expensive, and not every owner is willing to pay for it. The second reason for the possible flashing of the device is the installation of software not provided by the manufacturer.
Don't forget that firmware can also help if your phone is locked and you can't remember the password.
When reselling a device, it is also recommended to carry out this procedure to completely delete your data and phone.

Do you need special programs to flash an iPhone?

There are several types of iPhone firmware, depending on the goals and the desired end result:

Recovery. It is important to remember that flashing a device’s firmware always involves complete deletion of data. Therefore, when starting the process, you need to make sure that all important data is saved.
Update. In this case, the latest version of the software is installed on the device. In this case, all user information is stored in full

Important. IPhone does not allow you to install an older version of software than the one installed. The transition from beta to general version is also blocked.

For standard iPhone firmware, the company has developed a special program called iTunes. It allows you to update, restore and change software. This is the main method recommended by the manufacturer. However, if you just need to update the software, you can use the tools integrated into the phone itself. This requires a stable high-speed Internet connection and a little time.

Flashing iPhone via iTunes

The standard program for flashing iPhone firmware is iTunes. To do this, you first need to install the program on your personal computer. It is important that it is the latest release version. This method is officially recommended by the manufacturer.
To carry out the firmware, you should perform the following steps:

Using a special cable, you need to connect your phone to your PC.
After launching the program, select the device management page. To do this, you need to activate the button in the form of a phone
Hold down the “Shift” key and click on the “restore iPhone” button. If you are using a MAC computer, you should hold down "Alt"
In the window that opens, you should find the file responsible for the firmware. In order to distinguish it from the rest, you should remember that its extension is “IPSW”. In case of an incorrectly selected file, the program will display an error
If everything is selected correctly, iTunes will ask you to confirm your actions. You need to activate the "refresh" button
All further processes are carried out automatically and are regulated by a program that will remove software that has become unnecessary and install the required

Is your iPhone locked? How to flash in this case

The iPhone has fairly strong protection for its owner's data. A set password can turn a device into a useless piece of metal in the wrong hands. But what to do if the owner has forgotten his password and cannot get into the device?
The most incorrect way is to repeatedly enter the password, since after the fifth attempt the device is blocked. The attempt can be repeated only after 1 minute. After the 7th attempt you will have to wait 5 minutes. In the end, the device will simply turn off and it will no longer be possible to enter the password.
There are three ways to solve the problem:

Using iTunes
Using iCloud. To do this, you need to go to iCloud.com. There you will need to enter your Apple ID in a special field. By following a simple algorithm of actions you can return your phone to a working state
Through recovery mode. To do this, you need to connect your device to iTunes and simultaneously hold down the “lock” and “home” buttons. After a while, the iTunes icon will appear, and a window will appear on the screen allowing you to launch the recovery program

How to flash a Chinese iPhone if it is on Android

A real iPhone is a very expensive device that not everyone can buy. Chinese companies have released an analog phone that runs on Android. Naturally, the owners of such devices are also interested in its firmware.
To do this, first of all, you need to download the firmware version that matches the copy on which the process will be performed. To start the installation process, the FlashTool program is used.

Are there ways to flash an iPhone without iTunes?

In some cases, installing iTunes is not convenient, and sometimes even impossible. What to do in such cases? Jailbroken gadgets also have particular difficulties.
There are several ways to flash the device with alternative firmware:

Via wifi
Using RecoveryMode
Via DFU Mode

Via wifi

If the phone is connected to high-speed Internet, then you can use the tools implemented in the gadget itself. They allow you to flash the firmware directly, without the use of any additional devices.
This feature exists from iOS 5 and higher.
To do this, you need to connect the gadget to wifi by clicking the corresponding icon. Next, in the “settings” menu, go to the “basic” section.
There is a “software update” tab. The program itself will tell you what actions need to be performed to successfully complete the process.

Using RecoveryMode

RecoveryMode is an emergency system recovery method. It is usually used if the phone for some reason is unable to turn on or work in standard mode.

Via DFU Mode

This method allows you to bypass standard phone tools. Its operating system is not involved in the firmware process. In this case, all actions are performed using Firmware. Most often, this method is recommended for those who have a jailbreak installed on their phone.

How to flash an iPhone 4s yourself: video

A happy owner of an iPhone may sooner or later be faced with a situation where the device refuses to work as before. The reasons for this “behavior” can be very different. However, in this situation, it is more important for the owner not just to understand what caused the failure of normal functioning, but to figure out what to do, how to bring his iPhone back to “life”.

Of course, one of the most effective ways is to visit a service center. To do this, you will need to spend time and a certain amount of money that the master will require for the service provided.

However, there is an alternative method that is equally effective. To do this, you just take the instructions on how to reflash an iPhone 5S yourself, study it, find answers to your questions and that’s it.

By the way, it’s not difficult to find answers if you have access to the Internet. There are many specialized sites on the network where detailed recommendations on how to reflash an iPhone have already been posted, and there are also forums where each iPhone owner can directly formulate his question and instantly receive an answer.

After such preparation, you yourself will be able to carry out actions no worse than the service center technicians; you can easily flash your iPhone and return it to excellent performance.

It is important to consider that there are two ways to flash an iPhone:

by updating the software;

These two methods have distinctive features, so before making the final choice of a specific method on how to flash a Chinese iPhone, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the process of performing each method in order to understand which option will be the most acceptable.

If your iPhone stops functioning correctly due to a software glitch, you can use the software update option.

Before doing this, do not forget to make a backup copy and also transfer important content from iPhone to computer. This will prevent you from losing important data after the update process is completed.

You can also update the software on your iPhone in two ways using:

iTunes;
Wi-Fi.

Only you, the owner, can decide how to flash an iPhone and which method to use.

Update using iTunes

The iTunes utility allows you to update the software and, if necessary, restore the operating system.

It is only important to take into account that the utility is focused on downloading and installing only the latest version of the operating system.

For this reason, if you want to install a specific version that is not the latest, it is better to download it to your computer in advance, and then during the installation process specify the path where it is saved.

In this case, you will be able to flash your Chinese iPhone with a specific version of iOS.

So, first connect your Chinese iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. After that, launch the iTunes utility.

In the window that opens, find the “Devices” option in the menu bar, go to it and select the model of your device.

Now go to the connection and synchronization settings, there you will find the “Update” button, click on it.

Immediately after this, your iPhone will prompt you for these steps. Click on “Ok”, agreeing with the proposed actions, thereby allowing the update process to start.

All you have to do is wait for it to complete, make sure it is working correctly, and then move all the content that was previously re-recorded to your computer.

Update via Wi-Fi

If it is possible to connect your iPhone to high-speed Internet via Wi-Fi, then you can download the operating system directly onto the gadget, and then safely update the software.

Turn on your Chinese iPhone, go to “Settings”, then go to the “General” option, and from there to “Software Update”.

Once you open this option, it is easy to find the “Download and Install” button, which is what you need to use now.

After such actions, you just have to confirm your intention to reflash your gadget, then the process will be carried out automatically.

You also just have to wait for the process to complete.

Unfortunately, such a simple and effective method cannot be used if you have a locked mobile device or one that uses jailbreak.

There is no other option but to use operating system recovery in DFU mode for these iPhones.

Restoring the operating system

The update and recovery processes are somewhat similar, but nevertheless have distinctive features. If updating means installing the latest version of the operating system, then restoring installs a “clean” iOS, but not necessarily a new one.

So, if you decide to reflash your Chinese iPhone, you will also have to choose between two options for performing the following actions:

via RecoveryMode;
via DFU Mode.

The first is rightfully considered an emergency option for restoring the operating system, while the second is a more suitable option for those who are fans of jailbreaks.

Recovery via RecoveryMode

So, wanting to figure out how to flash an iPhone via RecoveryMode, it is also useful for gadget owners to carefully study the instructions, although there are no difficulties in carrying out such actions.

Initially, turn off your device and wait until the display goes completely dark.

Now connect your gadget to your computer and hold down the “Home” button. In this case, the iTunes utility will offer to carry out the process of restoring your gadget. Of course, you must agree to this proposal by clicking the “Ok” button.

In some cases, the iTunes utility does not make such a suggestion, so you will have to find the “Restore iPhone” button and click on it, and you must simultaneously hold down the “Shift” key.

If your computer is not Windows, but Mac, then instead of the “Shift” key, you need to hold down the “Alt” key.

Each iPhone version has its own firmware version with the .ipsw extension. It is very important to carefully study the proposed firmware versions, choosing only when you are absolutely sure that it is suitable for your device. If the firmware selected is “foreign”, then the result of the recovery will be negative. The firmware simply won’t work on someone else’s model.

All subsequent actions are carried out automatically, without requiring your additional participation. You just have to wait for this process to complete.

When the process comes to completion, the utility will notify you about this, so you can safely disconnect your gadget from the computer, turn it on and check its functionality.

You also need to remember to move the content that was previously moved to the computer. One of the subsequent actions will be those aimed at downloading and installing the utilities and programs necessary to perform all your usual tasks.

Recovery via DFU Mode

If you decide to reflash your gadget yourself via DFU Mode, you are also recommended to study the instructions and then strictly follow its recommendations.

Initially, connect your iPhone to the computer and only then turn it off.

Now find two buttons on the device “Power”, “Home” and hold them both down at the same time. Pause for ten seconds, after which release the “Power” button, but continue to confidently hold your finger on the “Home” button.

As a result of such actions, the iTunes utility will be able to recognize your gadget in DFU Mode.

All subsequent actions will be identical to those performed when flashing the firmware in RecoveryMode.

The owner must indicate the path to the firmware, which he previously downloaded and saved on the hard drive. After this, he agrees with all subsequent actions, blessing the firmware process, which is carried out automatically.

You can also just wait patiently for the utility to report the successful completion of the process and allow you to verify the excellent performance of the iPhone, on which the new operating system will now be installed.

Those owners who are actively nostalgic for a certain version of iOS, unfortunately, will not be able to use such options, since it is better to use other options to roll back to an older version of the operating system.

So, the process of flashing modern gadgets is not complicated and confusing, so if desired, it can be easily carried out by any user, even without any experience.

You should not panic and quickly rush to the service center, being confident that only their specialists will be able to revive your favorite gadget and restore its functionality. We manage to cope with all the same actions on our own, while ensuring the preservation of the budget.

Apple smartphones and tablets are famous for the well-coordinated work of software and hardware. Due to this, uninterrupted functioning of the devices is achieved, and the American corporation eliminates any problems with the firmware as soon as possible through updates. In this case, the user may need to reflash the iPhone or iPad. You can do this yourself, without involving service center specialists.

The concept of flashing a device means restoring it. This process should not be confused with updating, since it has one fundamental difference: by performing a recovery, all data from the iPhone or iPad is completely erased. After flashing, the device returns to factory settings, and data recovery will only be possible if there is a backup copy.

Why do you need to reflash your iPhone or iPad?

Nothing is immune from software glitches, including Apple devices. Despite the fact that one corporation is responsible for the development of hardware and firmware, problems may arise with the operation of the iPhone or iPad. A software failure can lead to the failure of an iOS device, and it will be possible to return it to a working state only by flashing it.

Also, recovery may be necessary if the user has forgotten the unlock code for the iPhone or iPad. By resetting the device to its original state, the password will be removed from it.

Another reason for flashing the iPhone may be the planned sale of the device. In order for the buyer to receive a new smartphone with factory settings and without the data of the former owner, it can be restored.

Important rules for restoring Apple devices

The iPhone and iPad recovery process can only be performed using a computer using iTunes.

Apple does not allow you to install a version of iOS other than the one installed on your device. This rule has an exception, which is called “Time Window” among users. This concept defines a period of two weeks (in some situations it varies) after updating the firmware, during which the user can “roll back” the iOS version to the previous one.

Important: This rule does not apply to beta versions of iOS firmware. If a test version of the software is installed, at any time the owner of the device has the right through iTunes to restore it to the latest official firmware version.

Preparing to flash your iPhone

Before proceeding directly to the process of restoring the device, you need to download the correct firmware version for its subsequent installation. iOS software is distributed in .ipsw format. It varies depending on the model of smartphone or tablet, and you need to download the firmware for a specific device from the Internet for the installation to go smoothly.

To determine which firmware version is required for an iPhone or iPad, you will need to look at the back of the device. It always indicates a specific model, for example, Model A1332.

Please note: Each Apple device (iPhone 5, 6, 6s and others) comes in several variations, that is, they differ in models. It is important to choose the firmware specifically for a specific model, since they differ from each other quite significantly, primarily in the supported networks.

Also, before flashing your iPhone or iPad, you must disable it on the device. If this option is not disabled, the system will not allow you to restore your smartphone or tablet.

Installation of firmware on Apple devices is carried out only using iTunes. It can be downloaded from the official website of the American corporation.

Important: Before installing the firmware on your iPhone or iPad, update your iTunes version to the latest version to avoid failures during the recovery process.

How to reflash an iPhone or iPad

Apple has provided two recovery modes for its devices - standard and using DFU mode. The second option is useful if the first one does not work or errors occur when restoring a smartphone/tablet using it.

Flashing iPhone or iPad in normal mode

Restoring the device through normal mode proceeds as follows:

After this, the process of restoring the device will begin, which will be performed in a fully automatic mode.