Protocol // Mobile_Forensics_Manual

iOS DFU Mode: Forensic Access and Firmware Integrity

Verified: FEB 2026 • Editorial Staff • AI Ethics Oversight Active

DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is the lowest-level interface for iOS devices. Unlike standard recovery mode, DFU allows for direct interaction with the bootloader. We document the forensic utility of DFU mode for identifying firmware corruption and initiating bit-for-bit imaging.