How to Flash iPhone | Step-to-step Guide

Flashing your iPhone simply means reinstalling or updating its firmware. It’s a powerful way to revive a sluggish or buggy device, boost performance, or even unlock additional features. This is like giving your phone a fresh start — clearing out the clutter, crushing hidden glitches, and setting things up just the way you like.

Apple’s iOS is built from the ground up for iPhones and iPads. It’s known for its smooth user experience and tight software-hardware teamwork. That’s why iPhones feel fast and polished straight out of the box. However, even the best systems can malfunction over time. Slowdowns, app crashes, or random bugs can creep in after months of use.

That’s where flashing comes in. If your iPhone feels off or you’re ready for a clean slate, you can flash it to reset everything and make your device feel brand new again. In the guide below, I’ll walk you through how to flash your iPhone — using a computer and without one — so you can take full control and get the most out of your device.

Can iPhone be Flashed?

Yes, it is possible to flash your iPhone. Flashing an iPhone is all about reinstalling the iOS firmware from the ground up. It’s a go-to move when your device starts acting up — stuck on the Apple logo, caught in endless restarts, or just not running the way it should. In fact, your phone may frequently be getting hot and you may want to flash it. However, here is how to prevent your iPhone from getting hot.

This method is clean, efficient, and fully within Apple’s system — no jailbreaking, no risky tweaks. It’s basically like giving your iPhone a factory-fresh reboot, minus the hardware. You’re wiping out whatever’s messing things up and replacing it with a clean version of iOS — straight from the source.

Before you flash your iPhone, there are two critical steps you must not skip:

• First, back up everything. Flashing will erase the entire system, so if your photos, files, or app data matter, make sure they’re saved to iCloud or a computer.
• Second, plug your phone into a charger or keep it powered throughout the process. And for those who have charger issues, here is how to choose the best fast charger for your iPhone. One power drop mid-flash can turn a minor issue into a major one.

How to Flash iPhone Using Buttons

Flashing your iPhone with buttons means putting it into DFU Mode — short for Device Firmware Update. This is the deepest restore mode an iPhone offers. It allows you to completely erase and reinstall the iOS system from scratch. If your iPhone is acting up, or stuck on a screen, or you want to move to a specific iOS version, this method gets the job done cleanly and powerfully.

Here’s the step-by-step play:

Step 1: Plug In Your iPhone

Connect your iPhone to a computer using a USB cable. Open iTunes (on Windows or older macOS) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later).

Step 2: Put Your iPhone Into DFU Mode

This part takes precise timing — here’s how to do it right:

• Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
• Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
• Press and hold the Side button until the screen turns black.
• As soon as it turns black, press and hold both the Side button and Volume Down together for 5 seconds.
• After 5 seconds, release only the Side button, but keep holding the Volume Down for another 5 seconds.

If the screen stays black and your computer detects the iPhone in recovery mode, congrats — you nailed it. That’s DFU mode.

Step 3: Restore or Update

Once your device enters DFU mode, your computer will give you the option to Restore (clean flash) or Update (reinstall without data loss). Choose what works best for your case.

See also: How to Import Contact from SIM to iPhone

How to Flash iPhone with Hand

If your iPhone is still working and can open settings, you can perform a full flash directly from the device — no computer needed. This method resets your iPhone to factory settings and reinstalls iOS fresh. It’s perfect for clearing out clutter, fixing light bugs, or prepping your phone for resale.

Here’s how to do it:

• Step 1: Open Settings → tap General → scroll to Transfer or Reset iPhone
• Step 2: Tap Erase All Content and Settings

• Step 3: Tap Continue, enter your passcode and Apple ID when prompted, and confirm the reset.

This method only works if your device is responsive and you remember your passcodes. If the iPhone is frozen, stuck in a boot loop, or you can’t access the screen, use the DFU method instead.

See also: Which Older iPhone has the Best Camera | Price and Specification

How to Flash an iPhone with iTunes

If you’re sticking with Apple’s official tools, iTunes is still a solid way to flash your iPhone — especially when you want to fully reinstall or restore iOS. It might not be as flexible as some third-party tools out there, but it gets the job done when used right.

Here’s how to pull it off step by step:

Step 1: Get the Right IPSW File

Go to ipsw.me and download the IPSW firmware that matches your exact iPhone model. Make sure the file is still signed by Apple, or iTunes won’t accept it.

Step 2: Update and Launch iTunes

Make sure you’re running the latest version of iTunes. Open it up and plug in your iPhone with a USB cable.

Step 3: Trust the Connection

When your iPhone asks for permission, tap Trust so your device and computer can talk to each other.

Step 4: Put Your iPhone Into Recovery Mode

To flash using iTunes, your iPhone needs to be in Recovery Mode. Use the right button combo for your iPhone model to trigger this.

iPhone Model	How to Put iPhone into Recovery Mode
iPhone 8 and later	Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button, don’t release it until you see the Recovery Mode screen, which appears after the Apple logo.
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus	Press and hold the Volume Down + Sleep/Wake buttons together for a few seconds. When you see the Recovery Mode, release the buttons.
iPhone 6 and earlier	Press and hold both the Home + Sleep/Wake buttons at the same time. When the Recovery Mode appears, release both buttons.

Step 5: Load the IPSW File into iTunes

Once your phone is in recovery mode, go to the Summary section in iTunes. Now, hold the Shift key (on Windows) or the Option key (on Mac) and click Restore iPhone.

Step 6: Choose the IPSW File

Select the IPSW file you downloaded earlier. Confirm the action, and let iTunes handle the flashing process.

Sit tight — iTunes will reinstall the firmware and reboot your iPhone once it’s done. You’ll be back to a clean iOS setup in no time.

See also: How to Know the Location of your WhatsApp Photos Stored on iPhone & Android

How To Flash iPhone with Computer/Laptop

Using a computer to flash your iPhone gives you a more advanced and flexible way to reset, repair, or upgrade your device. This is just like using a laptop to flash your Android phone. It’s the go-to method when your phone is acting up — maybe it’s frozen, stuck on the Apple logo, or constantly crashing. With the help of powerful iOS repair tools, you can reinstall the firmware, fix system glitches, and bring your iPhone back to life — often without losing any data.

Here are three reliable tools you can use to flash your iPhone from a computer:

• iMyFone Fixppo
• UltFone iOS System Repair
• 3uTools

Let’s walk through how each one works and how to get the best results.

How to Flash iPhone with iMyFone Fixppo

If you want a reliable and beginner-friendly solution to flash your iPhone, iMyFone Fixppo is a strong contender. It’s a professional-grade iOS repair tool that handles a wide range of system issues — from update failures to boot loops — without requiring deep technical skills.

One major reason people love Fixppo is that it can flash your iPhone firmware without wiping your data, which is a big deal when you’re trying to fix problems without losing photos, chats, or settings. In just a few steps, you can refresh your iOS and have your iPhone running smoothly again.

Here’s how to flash iPhone 6/7/8/X/11/12/13/14/15/16 using iMyFone Fixppo:

• Visit the iMyFone website, download the software for your preferred operating system (Windows or Mac), and then install it. Once installed, launch the tool and select the Start Repair option.

• Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable. Once connected, choose Standard Mode from the interface — this is the safest option because it preserves your personal data while fixing the iOS.

• Fixppo will automatically detect your device model and display all available iOS firmware options. Choose the most suitable one for your iPhone, then click Download to begin fetching the firmware.

• Once the firmware is downloaded, Fixppo will verify and extract it. Click Start Standard Repair to launch the flashing process. Fixppo will begin reinstalling the iOS firmware on your iPhone.

Once complete, your iPhone will automatically restart with the newly installed iOS — good as new, with no data lost. It’s an easy, efficient way to flash your iPhone like a pro, without the drama.

See also: How to Flash an Android Phone with the Power Button | Full Guide

How to Flash iPhone Using UltFone iOS System Repair

UltFone iOS System Repair is another powerful tool that makes flashing simple — especially for fixing iPhones stuck in recovery mode, frozen screens, Apple logo loops, or black/blue screen issues. The big win here? It doesn’t touch your data.

Follow these steps:

• Download and install UltFone iOS System Repair, then connect your iPhone via USB. Hit Start.

• Select Standard Repair from the options.

• UltFone will fetch the right iOS firmware for your device — confirm and begin the download.

• Once ready, click Start Standard Repair.

• Sit back. Once it’s done, your iPhone will reboot and run like new.

UltFone is especially useful when your phone is frozen or stuck, and you want a one-click solution that protects your data while solving the problem.

See also: How to Fake Location on iPhone Without Your Computer

How to Flash iPhone Using 3uTools

If you want more advanced options — like upgrading/downgrading iOS, jailbreaking, or managing your device deeply — 3uTools is the ultimate toolkit. It’s not just for flashing; it’s a full iOS management suite.

Before you begin, back up your data using iTunes, and be sure to check the “Don’t erase user’s data” box inside 3uTools if you want to keep your files.

Here’s how to flash with 3uTools:

• Install 3uTools on your PC and click Smart Flash at the top.
• Connect your iPhone, unlock it, and tap Trust This Computer.
• Pick your firmware version from the list, then choose your flash mode — options include Easy Flash, Pro Flash, and more.

• 4: Hit Flash, then wait as 3uTools does the job.

Your iPhone will restart automatically when flashing is complete. If you’re comfortable digging a little deeper into the technical side, 3uTools gives you plenty of power and precision.

See also: How to Import Contacts from Gmail to Phone | Step-to-Step Guide

FAQs

Conclusion

If your iPhone is acting up or you’re planning to upgrade the firmware, you may need to flash it doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right tools in your hands, the process becomes smooth and stress-free.

At this point, you’ve seen how each method works — from using buttons to smart tools like iMyFone, UltFone, or 3uTools. Now, pick the approach that fits your situation best and take control of your iPhone. 

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References

• Imyfone.com – How to Flash iPhone in 3 Effective Methods
• Ultfone.com – The Most Comprehensive Guide: How to Flash iPhone
• Legit.ng – How to flash an iPhone with and without a computer (guide)

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