With the right dongle to connect your Apple Watch to iTunes through its diagnostics port, you can easily enter Apple Watch DFU mode.
Your Apple Watch is, in its own right, a tiny computer.
Just like any computer you’ve used, your wrist computer is susceptible to various software hiccups, some of which may prevent it from starting up or functioning properly. Should that happen, you’ll need to perform a full restore of the watchOS operating system.
Unfortunately, Apple has made it difficult for users to restore the Apple Watch, so you’ll need to schedule an appointment at your nearest Apple Store in case something goes awry with the watchOS software that couldn’t be resolved by resetting to factory settings.
While the Apple Watch lacks a Lightning port, it does sport a hidden six-pin diagnostic port for service technicians inside the groove of the bottom strap connector slot. Thankfully, MFC’s unofficial iBus dongle lets you connect any Apple Watch via the standard Lightning cable to iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC, allowing you to perform a full restore.
The dongle is priced at $100 for first-generation watches and $120 for Series 2 models.
We should point out a major caveat: Apple does not make the full watchOS restore files available publicly, so you’ll need to obtain the related firmware files from other sources before attempting to restore or update your Apple Watch with iBus.
How to enter Apple Watch DFU mode
In order to restore the software on your Apple Watch from a firmware file on your computer or downgrade to an older firmware, you’ll need to put the device in DFU mode.
1)Â Remove the strap on the bottom side of your Apple Watch case.
2) Place the sewing needle in the port hole. Don’t press the needle to access that door like you would when opening the SIM card tray on your iPhone: instead, apply light downward pressure while pole-vaulting the needle to the side in order to pop the cover off the port.
3) Now, connect your iBUS dongle to the watch’s diagnostics port.
4) Connect a Lightning cable to the other end of the dongle and the other end of the cable to your computer’s USB port, then launch iTunes.
5) Turn on your Apple Watch and wait until it boots.
6) Press and hold both the Digital Crown and the Side button for ten seconds, then release the Side button while still holding the Digital Crown until iTunes greets you with a message confirming your Apple Watch is in DFU mode.
Not unlike putting your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in DFU mode, you will be asked to select a watchOS firmware file (.IPSW) for restore.
The following video shows the full Apple Watch restore process with the iBUS dongle.
It’s worth noting that performing any kind of software installation through the diagnostic port on your Apple Watch will void your warranty and potentially impact the water resistance of the device, so proceed at your own risk.
If you own a new Apple Watch
Starting with Series 7, Apple dropped this secret port. So, entering DFU mode on your own is not possible, but Apple Service Center can help.
Secondly, if your Apple Watch shows an iPhone and a watch icon or a red info icon “!”, you will have to update or restore your watch using your iPhone.