Before you can switch your old iPhone out for a newer model, you’ll need to protect your privacy by wiping your data. This guide covers how to erase iPhone data back to factory settings.
Modern iPhones use full-disk AES-256 encryption, with encryption keys stored in a dedicated chip called the Secure Enclave. When you choose “Erase All Content and Settings,” Apple doesn’t overwrite your data file by file – it destroys the encryption keys. This process, known as a cryptographic erase, renders your stored data basically unrecoverable even with hardware tools. It’s supported by NIST SP 800-88 guidelines, which define recognized sanitization standards for modern storage media.
It’s worth knowing that under Apple’s Standard Data Protection, 15 data categories – like Health data and iCloud Keychain passwords – are end-to-end encrypted. If you’ve enabled Advanced Data Protection (available since iOS 16.2), that number rises to 25 categories, adding iCloud Backup, Photos, and more to the list of end-to-end encrypted data. Enabling Advanced Data Protection before erasing your device offers the strongest privacy guarantees before passing it on.
One lesser-known detail: even if you’ve disabled Analytics sharing, your iPhone still collects analytics data locally for up to 12 months before automatically purging old files. This data is wiped along with everything else during a factory reset, so there’s nothing extra you need to do – but it’s a reminder of why doing an erase matters before selling or trading in your device.
How to Back Up Your iPhone on iOS
You can save a backup of your data to the cloud directly from your iPhone. While you can set iCloud to perform a daily automatic backup, running a manual backup will ensure you’re up-to-date.
Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi before you start this process. Plug your phone in if the battery seems low, then follow these easy steps:
- Open the Settings app from the home screen.
- Tap your name, then select iCloud.
- Scroll until you find iCloud Backup.
- Select Back Up Now to back your phone up manually.
Once your phone has finished the backup, you can confirm its success by opening the iCloud menu in the Settings app, picking Manage Storage and then Backups. You can also delete out-of-date backups from this menu.
For stronger privacy protection, consider enabling Advanced Data Protection in your iCloud settings. Introduced in iOS 16.2, this feature expands end-to-end encryption to 25 data categories – like iCloud Backup and Photos – meaning even Apple can’t access your backed-up data. If you don’t have it, the standard iCloud Backup is still encrypted. But Apple holds the keys.
How to Back Up Your iPhone on a Computer
If you’d like to use an external system to back up your data, you can use your computer. The process will depend on the computer and operating system you use.
Backing Up iPhone Using macOS
First, connect your iPhone to your Mac. You can connect either physically via your charging cable or wirelessly with the Wi-Fi Syncing feature. Next, follow these steps:
- Open Finder.
- Locate your phone on the left sidebar.
- Click General at the top of the window.
- Select the option to back up all your data to this Mac.
- If you’d like to encrypt this backup, select the option to encrypt a local backup and enter a password.
- Click Back Up Now.
Note: iTunes is no longer used on Mac. If you’re running macOS Catalina or later, Finder is the only option for local iPhone backups on a Mac. If you’re still on macOS Mojave or earlier, you’ll follow this process through iTunes instead.
Backing Up iPhone Using Windows PC
Make sure your iPhone is connected to your computer, then follow this process:
- Open the Apple Devices app or iTunes, depending on what you have installed. Apple now offers the Apple Devices app through the Microsoft Store as the preferred option on Windows.
- Find your iPhone near the top left of the window and click on it.
- Click Summary.
- Below Backups, select Back Up Now.
- You can encrypt your backup by selecting Encrypt Local Backup and setting a password.
Last Steps Before Resetting Your iPhone
There are some last-minute security steps you’ll want to take before you wipe your iPhone.
First, you should unpair any Bluetooth devices like headphones, smartwatches, or home systems. You can do this through the Bluetooth menu in your Settings app. Select each device and tap Forget This Device.
Next, you’ll have to sign out of iCloud on your device. On any modern iPhone running iOS 10.3 or later – which covers virtually all iPhones still in use – follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap your name at the top.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Sign Out.
- Enter your Apple ID password.
- Tap Turn Off.
In most cases, you won’t need to manually sign out of the iTunes & App Store separately, as signing out of your Apple ID through the steps above covers this. However, if you’re running a very old version of iOS, you might need to sign out of the App Store independently through Settings.
If you’re planning on switching to a phone from another manufacturer, you should also be sure to deregister your iMessage account – this prevents text messages intended for your new phone number from continuing to route through iMessage after you’ve left the Apple ecosystem.
How to Erase Your Data Using Your iPhone
Once you’re ready to erase your data, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app and tap General.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Tap Continue and enter your iPhone passcode when prompted.
- Enter your Apple ID password to sign out of your account, disable Find My, and turn off Activation Lock.
- Tap Erase iPhone to confirm and begin the process.
Allow the phone to complete the process before doing anything else — this could take a few minutes depending on your device.
It’s worth knowing that modern iPhones use full-disk AES-256 encryption, with encryption keys stored in the Secure Enclave. When you erase all content and settings, the device performs a cryptographic erase — basically destroying those encryption keys — which renders all previously stored data unrecoverable. It’s supported by NIST SP 800-88 guidelines for media sanitization, so you can feel confident your personal information is legitimately gone.
For added security before erasing, consider performing a full factory reset and enabling Advanced Data Protection (available since iOS 16.2), which expands end-to-end encryption to 25 data categories — like iCloud Backup and Photos — up from 15 under the standard setting. You can enable this under Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Advanced Data Protection.
How to Erase Your Data Using a Computer
You can also run the restoration process through your computer. Just like with the backup process, the steps you’ll take depend on your computer and the operating system you use.
Erasing Data on macOS
Once you’ve connected your iPhone to your Mac, follow this process:
- Open Finder. Your iPhone should appear in the left sidebar.
- Click on your iPhone.
- Click General at the top of the window.
- Click Restore iPhone.
Once you’ve selected the option to restore your iPhone, you’ll receive a series of prompts. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
Erasing Data on a Windows PC
Just like the backup process, you’ll use iTunes to wipe your phone. Open the program and click the iPhone button near the top left of the window. Click Summary and then Restore iPhone. You’ll receive a series of prompts – just follow the instructions to complete the process.
How to Erase iPhone Data Without a Password
Did you forget your passcode? You can still reset your iPhone, though the process will look a little different.
You’ll need a computer to get started. If you’re using a Windows PC, make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed and that your computer is running Windows 10 or later. You’ll also need a compatible cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
Make sure your iPhone is unplugged and turned off. You’ll put your device in recovery mode using a different button depending on your iPhone model:
- Side button: iPhone X or later, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
- Volume down button: iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
- Home button: iPhone 6s and earlier, iPhone SE (1st generation)
Press and hold the appropriate button while connecting your iPhone to the computer. Continue holding the button until the recovery mode screen appears, then release it and follow the restoration process for your computer.
What Actually Happens When You Erase Your iPhone
It’s worth understanding what happens to your data when you perform a factory reset. Modern iPhones use full-disk AES-256 encryption, with the encryption keys stored securely in the device’s Secure Enclave. When you erase your iPhone, the system doesn’t slowly overwrite every file – it destroys those encryption keys in what’s known as a cryptographic erase. Without the keys, the encrypted data is basically unrecoverable – it’s recognized by NIST SP 800-88 as an approved sanitization strategy for modern storage media.
If you’re running iOS 16.2 or later, you can also enable Advanced Data Protection in your iCloud settings, which expands the number of end-to-end encrypted data categories from 15 to 25 – including iCloud Backup and Photos. Erasing your device while this feature is enabled means that even Apple can’t access your backed-up data.
Last Steps Before Turning in Your Device
Before handing over your iPhone, you’ll want to remove it from your Trusted Devices list. You can do this by visiting your Apple ID account page on any connected device. Under the Devices section, choose your old iPhone and click Remove From Account.
This prevents the device from accessing any of your Apple services, like iCloud. If you ever need to regain access to your account on a new device, you’ll be prompted to verify your identity through two-factor authentication.
It’s also worth learning about what actually happens to your data when you erase your iPhone. Modern Apple devices use full-disk AES-256 encryption, with keys stored in the Secure Enclave. When you choose Erase All Content and Settings, your iPhone doesn’t slowly overwrite every file – it destroys the encryption keys instantly, a process known as cryptographic erase. Without those keys, the remaining data is basically unrecoverable – it’s supported by NIST SP 800-88 guidelines, a recognized standard for media sanitization.
For added security, consider enabling Advanced Data Protection before you erase. Introduced in iOS 16.2, this setting expands end-to-end encryption from 15 data categories under Standard Data Protection to 25 – adding coverage for iCloud Backup, Photos, and more. Even if someone were to attempt to access your iCloud data after the fact, end-to-end encryption means only you hold the keys.
One final note: if you had Analytics sharing disabled, your iPhone may have been storing analytics data locally for as long as 12 months. A full erase will wipe this data along with everything else, so no action is needed beyond the standard reset process. If you’re thinking about what comes next, check out how refurbished devices can save you money on your next upgrade.
Trade In Your Used iPhone With Gazelle
Trading in your old iPhone gives you a great financial boost you can put toward an upgrade. At Gazelle, you’ll get an offer in minutes, and our Trade-In Price Promise means that the amount we quote is the amount you’ll get.
We resell used technology in functional working condition like cell phones, tablets and laptops to keep them out of landfills. And when we receive a device that’s no longer usable, we take care to recycle it.
Trading in your used phone with Gazelle is easy, direct and safe. Before you send it in, just remember to erase your device – Apple’s “Erase All Content and Settings” uses a cryptographic erase backed up by AES-256 encryption, which means your data is rendered unrecoverable before your iPhone ever leaves your hands. Check out our secure and reliable platform or browse our blog for more tips and info.