How to Factory Reset Your iPhone

While Apple is known for high-quality technology, iPhones, iPads, and other devices aren’t perfect. Sometimes, your device software can glitch, you may experience an issue with your Apple Watch, or your device may freeze on the Apple logo before or after entering the device passcode.

Are you experiencing a major software issue? Or, are you ready to trade your phone in for the latest model? You may want a fresh start and don’t want to sift through all of your apps and files individually.

If so, you’ll want to understand how to factory reset your iPhone or iPad. If you’re getting ready to sell or trade in your old phone, or you’re simply looking to reset your device to its original state, it’s essential to understand why you’d want to factory reset, how to do so, and how it’s different than a soft reset.

Factory resetting is the only way to securely delete your information from an old device or iPhone. To do so, navigate to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. If your iPhone is running iOS 15.2 or later, you can even reset a forgotten passcode directly on the device without needing a computer.

It’s worth noting that if your iPhone uses an eSIM, erasing your device will also remove your eSIM configuration, meaning you’ll need to contact your carrier to reactivate your cellular plan afterward. Additionally, if you perform a factory restore via computer, it will install the latest version of iOS on your device automatically.

Keep in mind that a factory reset is different from “Reset All Settings,” which only resets network settings, keyboard dictionary, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards — no data or media are deleted with that option.

If you’d like to know how to reset your iPhone, read on to discover the most common methods.

How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

The factory reset process is fairly straightforward, and you won’t have to wait long for it to complete. To begin, tap Settings, then General, then Transfer or Reset iPhone (or iPad, depending on your device).

After this, tap Erase All Content and Settings. At this point, your device may ask for your Apple ID and password. Enter both if necessary.

Then, confirm that you want to erase your device. If your iPhone has an eSIM, you’ll be asked whether or not to erase it as well. If you choose to erase your eSIM, you’ll likely need to contact your carrier to reactivate your cellular plan afterward.

A couple of things worth knowing before you reset:

• If your iPhone is running iOS 15.2 or later and you’ve forgotten your passcode, you can reset the device directly on-screen without needing a computer.
• If you’re looking for a less drastic option, Reset All Settings will clear network settings, keyboard dictionary, location and privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards – but none of your data or media will be deleted.
• If you prefer to restore your iPhone via a computer, doing so will also install the latest available version of iOS on your device.

Ready to upgrade your iPhone? Protect your personal data first.

If you’re selling your old Apple device, like an iPad or iPhone, to a site like Gazelle, we request that you factory reset any trade-ins beforehand. If you sell your current device without removing data, its new owner may have access to your passwords, saved login information, credit card details, and more. Naturally, you wouldn’t want certain content and settings falling into the wrong hands.

Before you reset, make sure you’ve backed up anything you want to keep – whether through iCloud or your computer. Then, to fully wipe your device, go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. This removes your personal data, apps, and account information before the device leaves your hands.

A few important things to keep in mind:

• eSIM users: If your iPhone uses an eSIM, erasing your device will also erase your cellular plan. You’ll need to contact your carrier to reactivate it on your new device.
• “Reset All Settings” is not a factory reset. This option only resets network settings, keyboard dictionary, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards – your personal data and media remain on the device. Make sure you’re choosing Erase All Content and Settings instead.
• Forgot your passcode? If you’re running iOS 15.2 or later, you can reset a forgotten passcode directly on the device without needing a computer.
• Older iPhone models: If you’re selling an older device – specifically iPhone models 5s through 6s – take extra care during the reset process, as these first-generation Touch ID devices may require additional steps to ensure biometric data is fully purged.

Taking a few minutes to properly wipe your device protects you long after the sale is complete. If you’re not sure which iPhone model to upgrade to next, or want to learn more about buying refurbished to save money, we’ve got you covered.

Confirm that you want to erase your device.

When you’re sure you want to restore your device to factory settings, remove all private information, and give your old phone a complete overhaul before selling it, you’ll need to confirm the action through the settings menu.

To do this, navigate to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. Once confirmed, the process will wipe your device and cannot be undone, so make sure you’ve backed up anything you want to keep beforehand.

A few important things to keep in mind before you confirm:

• If your iPhone has an eSIM, erasing your device may also erase your eSIM configuration. You’ll need to contact your carrier to reactivate your cellular plan. If you’re planning to prepare your device for international travel, make sure to sort out your eSIM settings beforehand.
• If you’re running iOS 15.2 or later and have forgotten your passcode, you can reset your device directly on the iPhone without needing a computer.
• If you only want to reset settings without losing data, choose Reset All Settings instead. This resets network settings, keyboard dictionary, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards — but no personal data or media will be deleted.

Once you confirm the full erase, your iPhone will restart and be restored to factory settings, ready for a new user to set up.

Back up your iPhone to iCloud.

Whether you’re getting a new iPhone to keep up with digital trends or simply performing a soft reset ahead of the latest version of iOS, it’s helpful to back up your device before making any changes.

A backup can help you in the event you need to restore your device content and settings. It’s also essential if you’re planning to transfer data to a new device or perform a factory reset.

One of the easiest ways to back up your iPhone is through iCloud. To perform an iCloud backup, navigate to Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup, then tap Back Up Now. From this screen, you can also manage which apps and data are included in your backup. That way, in the event of a factory reset, you can restore everything by simply signing into your Apple ID.

You can also back up your iPhone to a Mac using Finder, or to a PC using the Apple Devices app (previously handled through iTunes). Simply connect your iPhone via USB cable – or USB-C cable on newer models – and follow the on-screen prompts to create a local backup.

A few things worth keeping in mind before you reset:

• If your iPhone has an eSIM, erasing your device may also erase your cellular plan. Contact your carrier to reactivate it after the reset.
• If you’re running iOS 15.2 or later, you can reset a forgotten passcode directly on the device without needing a computer.
• The official factory reset path is: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
• Choosing Reset All Settings instead will clear network settings, keyboard dictionary, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards – but none of your photos, apps, and personal data will be deleted.

Having a current backup ensures that whichever reset option you choose, your photos, apps, and personal data are safe and easy to restore.

What if you can’t erase your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch?

If you don’t remember your device password, you may be unable to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod. How you recover access depends on which version of iOS your device is running.

If your device is running iOS 15.2 or later, you’re in luck – you can reset a forgotten passcode directly on the device without needing a computer. After several failed passcode attempts, you’ll see an option to erase your iPhone from the lock screen itself. Follow the on-screen prompts to erase all content and settings and regain access.

If your device is running an older version of iOS, you’ll need to use recovery mode instead. Here’s how:

First, get access to a computer. If it’s a PC, make sure it’s running Windows 10 or later. Then, power down your device.

Next, locate the correct button for your device model – this will be the Side Button, Volume Down button, or Home button, depending on your specific iPhone, iPad, or iPod. Press and hold this button while simultaneously plugging your device into the computer.

Keep holding the button until your device enters recovery mode. Once in recovery mode, open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on PC) and locate your device. Click Restore iPhone and allow your computer to download the restoration software. Note that this process will install the latest version of iOS on your device.

Once the restore finishes, you can set up and use your device again as normal.

The Soft Reset vs. Hard Reset

If you want to refresh your device but don’t want to factory reset or erase iPhone storage completely, you may want to consider a soft reset instead. A soft reset is more appropriate for occasional glitches or if a process on your phone forces you to wait too long.

To perform a soft reset on your iPhone, first determine your model. On models newer than the iPhone X, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side (Sleep/Wake) button. Once the screen displaying the “Slide to Power Off” prompt appears, follow the on-screen instructions to turn off your iPhone.

Once the screen goes black, press and hold the Side button again until the Apple logo appears, and your iPhone will restart.

In comparison, a hard reset – or factory reset – will completely erase all data and settings on your device. The official path to do this is: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. While this process is more drastic, you can restore your data afterward using an iCloud backup or a previously saved iTunes/Finder backup if needed.

A few important things to keep in mind before performing a hard reset:

• If your iPhone uses an eSIM, erasing your device may also erase your eSIM configuration, requiring you to contact your carrier to reactivate your cellular plan.
• If you only want to resolve settings-related issues without deleting personal data, choosing “Reset All Settings” is a less drastic option. This resets network settings, keyboard dictionary, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards, but leaves your media and data intact.
• iPhones running iOS 15.2 or later allow you to reset a forgotten passcode directly on the device without needing a computer.

Transfer data to a new iPhone.

Before you factory reset an iPhone or iPad, you may want to transfer your data to a new iPhone. With Quick Start, you can speedily send data to your newer device.

To get started, ensure both devices are connected to Wi-Fi and have Bluetooth turned on. When you power on a new iPhone, the Quick Start prompt should appear automatically, allowing you to begin the transfer process right away.

Once in Quick Start, you have a couple of options for how to move your data. You can restore from an iCloud backup or transfer directly from your previous iPhone or iPad. The direct device-to-device transfer is often the faster option if both devices are nearby and have sufficient battery life.

It’s worth noting that if your old or new device uses an eSIM, erasing it during a factory reset will remove your cellular plan. In that case, you’ll need to contact your carrier to reactivate it after the reset.

This process can take several minutes depending on how much data you have, so keep both devices powered on and plugged in throughout to avoid any unnecessary interruptions.

Trade in your old phone at Gazelle.

Once you erase your storage, remove your Apple ID, and reset your device to factory settings using Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings, trade it in toward the latest version of your favorite devices. Gazelle offers certified renewed smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other electronics at a fraction of the retail price.

Each of our devices passes a rigorous performance inspection to ensure that you receive a device that performs to the highest of standards. To learn more about our trade-in program or start shopping for a new device, check out Gazelle’s inventory today. Not sure which phone to get? Check out our iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro comparison, or explore the iPhone 12 Pro vs 13 Pro to find the right fit for your needs.

Comments

comments