How to set iPhone in DFU

Are you trying to restore or update your iPhone but can not complete the operation because of strange error messages that appear in iTunes? Do not despair. Before you contact Apple support or even think about replacing your "iPhone by", try to reset the device using the DFU mode.

The DFU (Device Firmware Update acronym) is a mode that allows you to restore or upgrade the firmware of the iPhone, bypassing any errors and all the obstacles that normally can block the work of iTunes.

Its use is also recommended after the jailbreak in order to restore a version of "smooth" of iOS on your phone without losing the space occupied by Cydia and all the tweak installed on the phone memory. I assure you that there is nothing complicated, indeed. Read this guide on how to set iPhone in DFU and it'll make you immediately realize.




If you want to discover how to set iPhone in DFU, the first step you need to do is connect your phone to the computer using the provided cable and turn off the device. If you do not know how to do, to turn off iPhone completely just hold down the power button for a few seconds and move the lever to the right to turn off Scroll that appears at the top of the screen.

If you did not know, the power button has what it takes to turn on and turn off the phone: the iPhone models to the 5S is located in the upper right corner, and after instead of iPhone 6 is positioned on the right side of the terminal.

Once off the iPhone, wait for the screen of the phone there are more signs of activity and turn on the device by pressing and holding the Power button and the Home button simultaneously for ten seconds. After that, let the pressure of the Power button and continue to hold your finger on the Home button until iTunes tells you that it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode.

Now that you've managed to set your iPhone in DFU, click OK and See to reset the phone by clicking the Restore button in iTunes iPhone. If everything went the right way, the firmware of your "the iPhone" will be restored without errors and you can decide whether to set up your smartphone as a new iPhone or if you restore a previous backup (recovering app and data that you had before, but having updated operating system).

If you need more information about how to back up your iPhone and how to reset iPhone, I invite you to read the guide I posted on these two topics in which you can find all the necessary instructions to reset the phone from Apple without losing any data or mischief.

To exit DFU iPhone without complete restoration of iOS (operating system for mobile devices Apple), hold down the Home and Power buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears at the center of the display.

Original post: Salvatore Aranzulla

How to reset iPhone

Do your iPhone has begun to make the tantrums? The performance of the phone will appear degraded in a serious and / or applications are crash for no apparent reason? Maybe it's time to bring your smartphone to the factory settings using iTunes.

Yes, you read that right. In addition to playing music and sync your iPhone with your computer, iTunes can also reset iOS (the operating system of "the iPhone") and solve all the problems that I have just mentioned.

Believe it or not, just a couple of clicks to do it all: iTunes will download the latest version of iOS, install it on your phone and restore app and data previously on the latter (as long as you do before a backup). So, are you ready to find out how to reset iPhone in detail? Are explained everything below.


The procedure to reset the iPhone is the same on Windows than on Mac PCs, but OS X while on the multimedia software comes "standard" (that is already on your computer from the first time you turn it on) Windows must procure separately.

If you use a computer equipped with the Microsoft operating system and you have not yet done so to install iTunes, then connected to the Apple website and click the Download button to download the application on your PC. Next, launch the installation package called iTunesSetup.exe and complete the setup before clicking Next and then click on Install, Yes for two consecutive times and Finish.

Now you can take action. Then connect your iPhone to your computer using the cable Lightning / Dock provided and expects iTunes from opening automatically. If this is the first time you put into communication the two devices, you must authorize the transaction by pressing the Authorize button that appears on the phone screen and on the other hand continues to appear on the Windows desktop or Mac.

At this point, select the iPhone icon that appears at the top left in iTunes, make sure that there is selected in the Summary in the left sidebar and See to make backup iPhone by clicking Back up now that is down to the right.

The backup process could go on several minutes: all depends on the amount of data and applications on the iPhone. At its end, went to the File menu> Devices in iTunes and select the Transfer Purchases from iPhone to save even those in iTunes purchased content on the iPhone (eg. Songs, books) and not yet stored on your computer.

Finally take the iPhone, went in iOS settings (by pressing the appropriate icon on the home screen of the phone) and deactivates the anti-theft Find My iPhone that prevents recovery of the system by unauthorized users. If you do not know how to do it, just go to the iCloud menu, press on Find My iPhone, turn OFF the lever the Find my iPhone and enter the password for your Apple ID.

Performed all the operations of practice recommended before resetting an iPhone, you can finally start formatting the device by clicking on the button Restore iPhone (located on the right at the center of the screen). In the window that opens, then presses the buttons Restore and Update, Next, accept and wait while the iPhone is brought to life.

Now you'll just let iTunes work that will first download the latest version of the iOS operating system (it may take quite a while ', considers that weighs about 1.5GB) and then install it on your phone. You can follow the progress of the process that runs iTunes to reset iPhone the virtual display of the program located at the top center.

After the restore, you can choose whether to activate the iPhone as a new terminal (function that could come in handy if I were to sell the device) or whether to restore data and app you were previously on the device.

In the first case you do not have to do anything. Or rather, if you plan on first iPhone you have to deal with the procedure set up the phone to set language, country, free Wi-Fi, location services, Apple ID and more. If you have to sell it leaves the smartphone and so let it be the new owner to configure it with his preferences.

To restore data from the backup app and you've done before, and then go back to using your iPhone as if nothing had ever happened, put a check mark next to the Restore from this backup to iTunes and select from the menu drop down the backup to restore. The procedure may take several minutes.

Do you want to restore an iPhone that had previously been unlocked via jailbreak? Then you should put it in DFU mode.

The Device Firmware Update mode is a recovery mode that allows you to install iOS bypassing restrictions recovery mode standard. It is highly recommended for jailbroken devices as can erase data on Cydia and jailbreak that would otherwise remain in taking up space on the memory device.

To put your iPhone in DFU, connect your phone to your computer and turn it off completely by holding down the power button for a few seconds and moving the lever to the right to turn off Scroll that appears at the top of the screen.

Subsequently, rekindle smartphone holding down the Power button and the Home button simultaneously for about 10 seconds, leaving the pressure of the Power button and continue to hold Home until iTunes tells you that it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode.

For the rest, follow the procedure that we have just seen together to reinstall on your iOS "the iPhone." More details you can find them even in my guide on how to put iPhone in DFU.

Original post: Salvatore Aranzulla

How to backup your iPhone

Photos, videos, songs, phone numbers, email addresses, working papers ... think about all the information that is stored on the memory of your iPhone and now imagine losing them all of a sudden: it is a nightmare, is not it?

So be careful and to Provide you regularly back up your smartphone, in this way, even in the unlikely event that the device should break or get lost you will not lose your precious data.

If you need a hand, below are explained everything: both how to backup iPhone to computer is how to activate the online backup services provided by Apple for photos, contacts, data, Web browsing and so on.



IPhone backup on your computer

To create a backup copy of all data, settings and app on iPhone and keep everything stored on your computer you have to resort to iTunes, Apple's multimedia software, which comes on the Mac "series" and is available on Windows in the form of separate program.

If you're using a Windows PC and have not yet done so to install it, then linked to the Web site of iTunes and click the Download button. Then start the installation package of iTunes (iTunesSetup.exe) and click Next and then before Install, Yes twice consecutively and Finish to complete the setup.

Now you just have to connect your iPhone to your computer using the cable Lightning / Dock supplied and wait for iTunes from opening automatically. Then click on the icon located in the upper left corner of the iPhone and begins with backup operations.

First you should select Transfer Purchases from iPhone menu File > Devices to copy to your computer all the applications and multimedia content purchased from the iPhone.

When the operation is complete (it might take several minutes), proceed with the actual backup of your "iPhone by" pressing the button Backup now from iTunes and patiently letting the software to his work. If you got a message to the effect that some of the app on the device are not yet saved in your iTunes library, click on Backup app up for their inclusion in the backup.



iPhone backup to iCloud

Apple makes available to all its users an online storage service called iCloud, which allows you to store any type of file online and synchronize data: contacts, Web history, documents, applications and anything else with all connected devices the same Apple ID.

To make backups with iCloud iPhone you have to go in the settings of iOS (by pressing on the appropriate icon on the home screen) and select the service icon: the blue cloud. Then go Backup option, the lever on the active voice iCloud Backup and presses the button Back up now.

In doing so, start saving all your phone data online (on your space iCloud) and activate the automatic backup feature that will then store all the data on the Internet as soon as the iPhone is connected to a power source (so it will be in office) and connected to a Wi-Fi (not to consume data in 3G / LTE).

However, remember that iCloud is only free up to 5GB. To get more space for your backups have to subscribe to one of the plans pay the service by going to Settings> iCloud> File> Change storage plan and choosing the one that seems most suitable for you. Prices are 0.99 $ / month for 20GB of space, 3.99 $ / month for 200GB, 9.99 $ / month for 500GB or 19.99 $ / month for 1TB.

I also point out the excellent service Photo Library of iCloud that allows you to have a copy online, permanent, of all the photos and videos made with the iPhone. You can activate it by going to Settings> iCloud> Photo and moving the lever to ON for the option of iCloud Photo Library. More information about it you can find them in my guide on how to archive photos to iCloud.

Do not forget, finally, to ensure that the menu Settings> iCloud are set to ON all the options for online backup and synchronization of contacts, notes, memos, e-mail etc.

Restore iPhone backup

Once backed up an iPhone, you can use the latter to restore data, apps and settings on the same device (in case of reset) or on another "iPhone by" connected to the same Apple ID.

PC restore is done simply by connecting iPhone to your computer, selecting the icon of the device in iTunes and clicking Restore backup located at the bottom right of the program window.

If you decide to reset it back to factory settings iPhone or will acquire a new one, you can restore the backup during the activation of the device, by choosing the appropriate option when you are asked if you want to set the phone as a new iPhone, or restore a previous backup.

Even backups iCloud can be restored easily. Just go to Settings> General> Reset iOS, select Erase All Content and Settings and press the button Initializes iPhone. In this way the iPhone will reset and during the initial setup process you can choose to restore the last backup made from iCloud.

Original post: Salvatore Aranzulla

How to run a program automatically when Windows starts

If you always use the same programs after starting the computer, such as a Web browser or an e-mail program, you can make sure that these programs start automatically when Windows starts. Programs or shortcuts placed in the Startup folder will run each time you start Windows.

Keep read to know how to run a program automatically when Windows starts.


Click Start, choose All Programs, click with the right mouse button on the Startup folder, and then click Open.

Open the location that contains the item for which you want to create a shortcut.

Click with the right mouse button on the item and then click Create Shortcut.

The new connection will appear in the same location as the original entry.

Drag the shortcut in the Startup folder.

Next time you start Windows, the program will run automatically.

How to create a Microsoft account

From Skype to SkyDrive via the cloud functions of Windows and Office, now the world of Microsoft products is so vast that it is virtually impossible to do without a Microsoft account. You already have one? No? Then we rimediamo immediately.

Follow the guide I am going to propose and discover how to create a Microsoft account easily. It is a totally free procedure that will allow you to create a unique access key for all services of the Redmond company. Here are all the details.

If you want to discover how to create a Microsoft account, the first step you need to do is connect to this Web page and click on the sign up link located at the bottom right. So you will be automatically redirected to the registration form to the online services of the Redmond company.


Compile fields related to your personal information (name, surname, date of birth, etc.) And use the How do you want to access? the form to choose the email address to be created to access your Microsoft account. You can choose - through the appropriate drop-down menu - whether to create an address @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com.

If you do not want to create a new email address but you want to use an existing associating the latter with your Microsoft account, click on the item Or use an existing e-mail.

Then type the rest of the required information (password, phone number, etc.), Reports the security code which is located in the bottom of the page and click the Accept button to complete the registration procedure.

If you do not want to receive promotional emails from Microsoft before you click the Accept button remove the check mark from the wish to receive e-mails with promotional offers from Microsoft. Registration can be canceled at any time.

If everything went the right way, after you complete the steps to create a Microsoft account will open the control panel of your profile, in which you can change all the settings and the information associated with it.

For example, selecting Alias ​​account from the left sidebar you can create e-mail addresses secondary (up to a maximum of ten) that refer to the principal maintaining the same folder as the Inbox and the same contacts. You can use them to differentiate your mail without actually create another email address.

Instead selecting items Edit name, personal info and password, you can change your personal information or password of Microsoft, and so on.

Once created, the Microsoft account can be used to access all the online services and applications of the software giant. Among them look this service Outlook.com Web-mail, Skype and even Windows 8, which when connected to the Microsoft online app allows you to sync and settings on multiple PCs via cloud technology.

Original post: Salvatore Aranzulla

How to enable navigation only on one website

Is your computer used by children and issues that they may happen on sites ill-suited to their sensibilities? No problem. There are solutions of parental controls that let you restrict access to the Internet at some specific sites.

Just think, you can also access the one Internet website site only by blocking access to any other address. And contrary to what you think it is an extremely easy and fast, just use the software right.

To learn more read on. In a jiffy you discover how to lock down access to the Internet on your computer by checking - even remotely - accounts used by minors.

If you want to allow surfing on a single website, and you're running Windows 7 you can rely on Family Safety, a free service from Microsoft that allows you to control the activities of children on computer and filter the list of Web sites accessible to the latter on all browsers . It works via a small program to install on your PC and its settings can also be adjusted remotely via the Internet.

Family Safety is part of Windows Essentials, a suite of free applications that also includes Movie Maker, Live Writer, and other solutions for multimedia and entertainment. Therefore connected to the Microsoft website and click the Download Now button to download the installation package of Windows Essentials on your PC.

When the operation is complete, run the file wlsetup-web.exe just downloaded and click the Yes button first and then the item Select the programs to install. Apponi then tick only next to Family Safety, and press the Install button to start before the download and then install the software. You may be prompted to restart the PC: In this case, click Restart Now and expects it to be completed the procedure.

Family Safety does its work by acting directly on the account of the user, this means that if you have not already done so you have to create an account for the child (or the person) who wish to allow navigation on a single website. Then went into the Control Panel in Windows, click on Add or remove user accounts (next to the icon of the two men at the top right) and select the Create new account.

In the screen that opens, make sure there is a check mark next to Standard User, type the name you wish to give the account (eg. John) and presses on the Create Account button located in the bottom right to complete the task.

At this point, go to the Start menu and launch Windows Live Family Safety by clicking on the icon of the software available in the Windows Live. Therefore accept the conditions of use of the service by clicking on the button accept and sign using the credentials of your account Outlook, Hotmail or Live. If you do not have one yet, learn how to open it reading my guide on how to create a Microsoft account.

Next, select the account of the person who restrict Internet browsing and click Next, select the Add [account name] from the pull-down menu in the screen that opens and press Save and Close to activate the control of Family Safety .

As highlighted above, the Family Safety settings can be adjusted remotely using any computer connected to the Internet. To make sure that the software that blocks all websites except one, connected to the control panel of the Family Safety online, log in with your account Outlook / Hotmail and select the name of the person you want to refine Web browsing.

On the page that opens, select the item from the Web Filter the left sidebar, then go on Restriction level and move the control rod of only allow list. At this point, click on the link list allowed, type the address of the only Web site that you want to make accessible account controlled, you're done.

If you want, you can also prevent downloading files from the Internet back in the Filter Web menu and putting the check mark next to Block downloading files from the Web. As easy as that?

If you're using Windows 8.1 and you want to find out how to enable navigation on a single Internet site, move the mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen and select the items Settings> Control Panel from the black bar that appears.

In the window that opens, click on the User Accounts and Family Safety, and went to the Family Safety section (which included "standard" in the operating system). Then select the name of the account limit browsing online and sets the filter Web by clicking on the item.

At this point, put a check mark next to [name] can only use allowed websites, click on Allow or block specific web sites, add the address of the only Web site to make it accessible and awards Allow. Finally, select the item from the Web Restrictions on the left sidebar, select the option only allowed lists and you're done. You can then adjust the settings Family Safety also by online panel, as seen on Windows 7.

If you have not taken steps to create a user account on which limit Web browsing, go to Control Panel> User Accounts and Family Safety> User Accounts and click on the first item Manage another account, and then click Add a new user in the settings PC.

OS X also offers a practical system to limit Web browsing users. If you have a Mac, go to System Preferences, then, click on the icon and unlock parental controls settings changes by clicking on the padlock located at the bottom left and typing the password for your user account.

At this point, select the account on which to apply restrictions, went to the Web tab, affix the check mark next to Allow access to only these websites and type in the box below the address of the only site to make accessible (if necessary eliminating those present by default).


Original post: Salvatore Aranzulla

How to use iCloud

Have you ever heard about iCloud? It is a service offered by Apple that allows users of iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac and even Windows to create copies of all of your data on a hard disk online (called iCloud Drive), and synchronize between all devices.

Thanks to it, you can have all of your data, contacts, calendars and the latest photos taken with iPhone and iPad always on hand for free ... or almost. The basic version of iCloud only offers 5GB of online storage but there is the possibility of raising this limit by signing subscription pay rather cheap.

The plans available are as follows: 20GB of online storage to 0.99 euro / month; 200GB to 3.99 euro / month; 500GB at 9.99 € / month and 1TB to 19.99 euro / month. For more details about the operation of the service and know how to use iCloud on smartphone, tablet and computer, keep reading.


To use iCloud you need two basic requirements: an Apple ID and selection of iCloud as the default system for backing up data on the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. To create an Apple ID, you just follow the guide I have prepared on this subject. It is, simply put, to connect to the Apple website, fill out a short registration form and confirm their identity by clicking on the link received by email.

Alternatively, you can sign up to online services through the free Apple iTunes (Mac is pre-installed), by clicking on the icon dell'omino located at the top right and then click Create a new account in the iTunes Store. Are shown throughout the procedure to follow, step by step, in my article on how to register on iTunes.

To select iCloud as the default system for backing up data on the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, instead just select the appropriate option during the activation process of these devices. If you do not know how to do, see also my guide on how to activate iPhone.

In case you have already activated iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch without activating iCloud, you can fix at any time by going in the settings of the device, accessing the menu iCloud and activating all the options on the screen that opens: mail, contacts, calendars , photos, documents, etc... It's very easy.

If you want to expand your storage plan and subscribe to one of the paid plans of iCloud, select the item File, button presses on Edit the storage plan and select one of the offers available in the screen that opens.

Once activated iCloud on your iPhone / iPad, all system data and application files will be stored online and synchronized between all devices, but there are also additional services on which you can rely and that you should strongly consider.

• Photo library to iCloud - a service that is added to the Photo Stream, which is enabled by default on all iPhone and iPad, and through which you can permanently store all your photos and video clips captured on your device to iCloud (then also access online directly from the site iCloud.com). Unlike the Streaming Photo goes to affect the space on iCloud Drive, then to use it must necessarily subscribe to one of the paid plans of the service. You can learn more by reading my guide on how to archive photos to iCloud.

• Backup iPhone / iPad - you can use the storage space available on iCloud Drive also to create full backups of your iPhone / iPad, such as those that are made locally on your computer with iTunes. I told you about in detail in my tutorial on how to backup iPhone.

If you want to know how to use iCloud on Windows PC, you must connect to this page of the website of Apple and click the Download button to download the client iCloud on your computer. Download is complete open, double clicking on it, the file you just downloaded (iCloudSetup.exe) accepts the conditions of use of the service by placing a check mark next to accept the terms of the license agreement.

Next click on Install, Yes and Finish to complete the setup and agree to restart the computer. The new access to Windows, open the panel and iCloud login using the login information for your Apple ID.

Then put a check mark next to the items of the PC that you want to synchronize with the cloud service (Mail, contacts, calendars and tasks, Favorites, Photo Stream, etc.) And click OK to save the changes.

Favorites are synchronized with Internet Explorer or Chrome, the photos are saved in the folder can be selected by clicking the Options button while contacts and email can be viewed directly online at iCloud.com. Files stored on iCloud can be viewed (and modified) by selecting directly from the Windows File icon iCloud Drive from the left sidebar.

If you're using a Mac, iCloud is already built into the OS. To configure it, go to System Preferences, click on the icon of iCloud and put the check mark next to the items you want to sync with the cloud service (Contacts, Calendars, Bookmarks, photos, etc.). Contacts are synchronized with the OS X Address Book, photos with iPhoto, calendars with iCal, Safari bookmarks, etc ..

You can view the status of your iCloud with the details of the data saved in it by clicking the Manage button and purchase additional online space for backup for a fee by clicking the buy button more space. To view the data already stored on iCloud Drive, edit and save others do not have to do anything but open the Finder and select the service icon from the sidebar to the left.

Original post: Salvatore Aranzulla