A factory reset erases everything on your iPhone and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory

When you reset your iPhone, the device deletes all your photos, messages, contacts, apps, settings, and any other data stored on it. The operating system itself stays the same version, but all your personal information is removed. After the reset completes, your iPhone will look and feel like a brand-new device — you'll see the setup screen you saw the first time you turned it on.

There are two ways this can happen. You can intentionally reset your iPhone yourself through the Settings app, or it can happen automatically if someone enters your passcode wrong too many times. You might reset your iPhone before selling it, giving it away, or troubleshooting a serious software problem. Understanding what gets erased and what stays behind helps you decide whether a reset is the right step.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset removes all photos, messages, apps, contacts, and personal settings, but does not remove your Apple ID from the device unless you sign out first.
  • You can reset your iPhone through Settings > General > Transfer or Reset, or by using a computer with Finder or iTunes if your iPhone won't turn on.
  • If you have a backup in iCloud or on a computer, you can restore your photos, messages, and apps after the reset is complete.
  • Leaving your Apple ID on the device after a reset means you or anyone with your password can sign back in and restore everything — which is a security feature but also a barrier if you forget your password.
  • A reset does not remove Activation Lock, the security system that ties your iPhone to your Apple ID, so the device cannot be used without your password even after it is wiped.

What gets deleted and what stays

A factory reset deletes your photos, videos, messages, email, contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders, and any third-party apps you installed. It also erases your Wi-Fi passwords, paired Bluetooth devices, and custom settings like your home screen layout and notification preferences. Anything you created or added to the phone after you first set it up will be gone.

What does not get deleted is your Apple ID account itself. Even after a factory reset, your Apple ID remains linked to the device through Activation Lock. This means someone cannot simply reset your iPhone and use it as their own — they would need your Apple ID password to set it up again. If you are selling or giving away your iPhone, you need to sign out of your Apple ID before resetting, or the new owner will be locked out.

The iOS operating system and the built-in Apple apps like Mail, Messages, and Calendar stay on the device. These apps are empty after the reset, but they are not removed. Your iPhone's storage space will be much larger after a reset because all your personal files are gone.

How to reset your iPhone yourself

If your iPhone is working normally, you can reset it through the Settings app. Open Settings, tap General, scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset, then tap Erase All Content and Settings. Your iPhone will ask you to enter your passcode and your Apple ID password to confirm. This is a safety measure to prevent someone from erasing your phone without permission.

The reset process takes a few minutes. Your iPhone will restart several times and eventually show the setup screen. Do not turn off your iPhone or disconnect it from power during this time, or the reset may not complete properly.

If your iPhone will not turn on or is frozen, you can reset it using a computer. Connect your iPhone to a Mac with a USB cable, open Finder, select your iPhone, and click Restore. On a Windows computer, use iTunes instead of Finder. The computer will download the iOS software and install it on your iPhone, which erases everything in the process. This method works even if your iPhone's screen is completely black.

Backing up before you reset

Before you reset your iPhone, back up your data to iCloud or to a computer. A backup saves your photos, messages, contacts, app data, and settings so you can restore them after the reset. If you do not back up first, you will lose this information permanently.

To back up to iCloud, open Settings, tap your name at the top, tap iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup. Turn on iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. Your iPhone will upload your data to iCloud over Wi-Fi. This can take several minutes depending on how much data you have and how fast your internet is.

To back up to a computer, connect your iPhone with a USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder and select your iPhone. On a Windows computer, open iTunes. Click Back Up Now. The backup saves to your computer's hard drive instead of the cloud. This backup is encrypted and stored locally, so only you can access it.

Restoring your data after a reset

After your iPhone finishes resetting and shows the setup screen, you can restore your backup. During setup, you will see an option to restore from iCloud or from a computer backup. Choose the backup you created before the reset. Your iPhone will download your photos, messages, contacts, and apps from the backup and put them back on the device.

Restoring from iCloud takes longer than restoring from a computer backup, especially if you have a lot of data. Your iPhone needs to download everything over Wi-Fi, which can take an hour or more. Restoring from a computer is faster because the data is already on the computer and transfers over the USB cable.

Some apps may need to be downloaded again from the App Store even after a restore, because the backup contains your app data but not always the app itself. Your iPhone will handle this automatically if you are signed into the App Store with your Apple ID.

When your iPhone resets automatically

Your iPhone will automatically reset itself if someone enters your passcode wrong ten times in a row. After the sixth wrong attempt, there is a delay before you can try again. After the tenth wrong attempt, your iPhone erases itself completely. This is a security feature designed to prevent someone from guessing your passcode by trying many combinations.

If you have Find My enabled on your iPhone, you can erase it remotely from another device or from iCloud.com. This is useful if your iPhone is lost or stolen. Open iCloud.com, click Find My, select your iPhone, and click Erase This Device. Your iPhone will be wiped the next time it connects to the internet.

Removing your Apple ID before giving away your iPhone

If you are selling or giving your iPhone to someone else, you must sign out of your Apple ID before resetting. If you reset without signing out, the new owner will see the setup screen but will not be able to proceed without your Apple ID password. This is Activation Lock, and it is permanent until you remove it.

To remove your Apple ID, open Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down and tap Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted. Then go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset and tap Erase All Content and Settings. Now the new owner can set up the iPhone with their own Apple ID.

If you forgot your Apple ID password and cannot sign out, you can still reset the iPhone, but Activation Lock will remain active. The new owner will need to contact Apple with proof of purchase to remove it, which takes several days. This is why it is important to sign out before you hand over the device.

Troubleshooting problems after a reset

If your iPhone is slow or buggy after a reset and restore, try resetting again without restoring from a backup. Set up your iPhone as new, without restoring any data. Then manually download your apps from the App Store and sign back into your accounts. This takes longer but can fix problems caused by corrupted data in your backup.

If your iPhone still has problems after a fresh reset and setup, the issue may be with the hardware rather than the software. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to have the device checked.

If you cannot remember your Apple ID password after a reset, you can recover it at iforgot.apple.com. You will need access to the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID. Apple will send you a recovery link or code to reset your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a factory reset?

No, a factory reset cannot be undone. Once the reset is complete, all your data is gone permanently unless you restore from a backup. This is why backing up before you reset is so important. If you did not back up and you need to recover deleted photos or messages, you may be able to recover some data with specialized software, but this is not may provide.

Will a reset fix my iPhone if it is running slowly?

A reset can help if the slowness is caused by corrupted data or too many background apps. However, if your iPhone is old or the storage is almost full, a reset may not make much difference. Try clearing your cache and closing unused apps first before you reset.

Does a reset remove viruses or malware?

A factory reset removes most malware because it deletes all your apps and data. However, if the malware is in your iCloud account or email account, it may come back when you restore from a backup. If you suspect malware, reset without restoring, then change your Apple ID password and email passwords before signing back in.

What happens if I reset my iPhone while it is updating?

Do not reset your iPhone while it is installing an iOS update. If you do, the update may fail and your iPhone may not turn on. If this happens, connect your iPhone to a computer and use Finder or iTunes to restore the iOS software.

Can someone reset my iPhone without my permission?

No, not easily. A factory reset requires your passcode and Apple ID password. If someone has both, they can reset your iPhone, but they cannot use it afterward without your Apple ID password because of Activation Lock. If you think someone has accessed your Apple ID, change your password immediately.