How to Reset Your iPhone to Factory Settings

What resetting your iPhone actually does

Resetting your iPhone to default settings erases everything on the device — all photos, messages, apps, contacts, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is different from a soft reset (turning it off and on), which just closes stuck apps and clears temporary memory. A factory reset is permanent and cannot be undone, so you need to back up anything you want to keep before you start.

People reset iPhones for three main reasons: selling or giving away the device, fixing serious software problems that won't respond to other fixes, or starting completely fresh. If you are selling the phone, a reset removes your personal data so the new owner gets a clean device. If you are troubleshooting, a reset removes any app or setting that might be causing crashes or slowdowns.

Before you reset, make sure you know your Apple ID password. Apple requires you to sign in after the reset to reactivate the phone, and if you forget the password you will be locked out of your own device.

Key Takeaways

A factory reset erases everything on your iPhone and cannot be undone, so back up your photos, messages, and other data first through iCloud or your computer.
You must know your Apple ID password before you reset, because Apple will ask you to sign in again after the process finishes.
The reset process takes 10 to 20 minutes and happens through Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings on most iPhones.
If your iPhone is frozen or won't turn on, you may need to force restart it first or use a computer with Finder or iTunes to reset it instead.

Back up your data before you reset

The fastest way to back up is through iCloud, which stores your photos, messages, contacts, and app data in the cloud. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Make sure the toggle next to iCloud Backup is turned on (it should be blue). Then scroll down and tap Back Up Now. The backup will run in the background and may take several minutes depending on how much data you have.

If you do not have enough iCloud storage (Apple gives you 5 GB free), you can back up to a Mac or Windows computer instead. On a Mac with macOS Monterey or newer, plug in your iPhone, open Finder, click your phone in the sidebar, and click Back Up Now. On a Windows computer or older Mac, download iTunes, plug in your phone, click the device icon, and click Back Up. Either way, the computer stores a complete copy of your phone's data locally.

Do not skip this step. Once you reset, the data is gone from the phone. You can restore it afterward if you backed it up, but if you did not back it up, it is lost permanently.

Reset through Settings on a working iPhone

If your iPhone turns on and responds normally, the easiest reset path is through the Settings app. Open Settings and tap General (it is usually near the top of the list). Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset — the exact name depends on your iOS version, but it is always in the General section. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Your phone will ask you to confirm and may ask for your Apple ID password. Enter it. The phone will also ask whether you want to keep or remove your Apple ID account — if you are selling the phone, choose Remove. The reset will then start, and you will see a progress bar. Do not turn off the phone or unplug it during this time. The process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.

When the reset finishes, your iPhone will restart and show the setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned it on. If you backed up your data, you can restore it now by signing in with your Apple ID and choosing Restore from Backup. If you are giving the phone to someone else, leave it at the setup screen for them to complete.

Reset a frozen or unresponsive iPhone

If your iPhone is frozen, stuck on the Apple logo, or will not turn on, you cannot reach the Settings app. In this case, you need to force restart the phone first. The method depends on your model. On iPhone 8 and newer, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the power-off slider. Drag the slider to turn off the phone, wait 10 seconds, then press and hold the Side button again until the Apple logo appears.

On iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side button together until the power-off slider appears, then drag it. On iPhone 6s and earlier, press and hold the Top (or Side) button and the Home button together until the power-off slider appears. Once the phone restarts, try opening Settings and following the reset steps above.

If the phone still will not respond after a force restart, you will need to reset it using a computer. Plug the iPhone into a Mac with Finder or a Windows computer with iTunes installed. On Mac, open Finder, click your phone in the sidebar, and click Restore. On Windows, open iTunes, click the device icon, and click Restore iPhone. The computer will download the latest iOS software and install it on your phone, which erases everything and returns it to factory settings. This process takes 15 to 30 minutes and requires a stable internet connection.

What to do after the reset is complete

When your iPhone restarts after the reset, it will show the setup screen. If you are keeping the phone, sign in with your Apple ID and choose Restore from Backup to put your photos, messages, and apps back on the phone. Choose the most recent backup from iCloud or from the computer you backed up to. The restore process can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have, so plug in the phone and stay on Wi-Fi.

If you are selling or giving away the phone, do not sign in. Leave it at the setup screen so the new owner can set it up with their own Apple ID. Before you hand it over, make sure Find My iPhone is turned off. To check, open Settings, tap your name, tap Find My, tap Find My iPhone, and make sure the toggle is off. If Find My is still on, the new owner will not be able to use the phone.

If you reset the phone but forgot to back up first, you can sometimes recover data using a third-party recovery tool, but success is not may provide. The sooner you try, the better your chances. Do not add new photos, messages, or apps to the phone after the reset, because they can overwrite the old data you are trying to recover.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is resetting without backing up first. Once the reset is done, your data is gone. The second mistake is forgetting your Apple ID password. If you reset the phone and then cannot remember the password, you will be locked out. If this happens, go to iforgot.apple.com on another device and reset your password, then sign in on the iPhone.

A third mistake is turning off the phone during the reset. The reset process writes new software to your phone, and interrupting it can leave the phone in an unusable state. Let the reset run all the way through, even if it seems to be taking a long time. A fourth mistake is not turning off Find My iPhone before giving the phone to someone else. If Find My is still on, the new owner cannot use the phone without your Apple ID password.

Finally, do not assume a reset will fix a hardware problem. If your iPhone has a cracked screen, a broken charging port, or a failing battery, a reset will not repair those issues. A reset only fixes software problems like crashes, freezes, or slow performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a reset after I have already done it?

No, a reset cannot be undone. Once the data is erased, it is gone from the phone. However, if you backed up before the reset, you can restore that backup to get your data back. If you did not back up, the data is lost permanently.

What if I reset my iPhone and now it is asking for my Apple ID password and I do not remember it?

Go to iforgot.apple.com on another device and follow the steps to reset your password. Once you have a new password, sign in on your iPhone. If you cannot access your Apple ID account, you may need to contact Apple Support to verify your identity and regain access.

Do I need Wi-Fi to reset my iPhone?

You need Wi-Fi to download iOS software if you are resetting through a computer, and you need it to restore a backup from iCloud after the reset. The reset itself through Settings does not require Wi-Fi, but having a connection makes the process faster and more reliable.

Will resetting my iPhone remove the SIM card or affect my phone number?

No, a reset does not touch your SIM card or phone number. Your carrier information stays the same. When the phone restarts, it will reconnect to your carrier automatically.

Can I reset my iPhone if it is locked with a passcode?

Yes, you can reset a phone with a passcode. You will need to enter the passcode when you open Settings, and you will need your Apple ID password when the reset asks for it. If you have forgotten both the passcode and the Apple ID password, you will need to contact Apple Support.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.