Whether your iPhone is frozen, unresponsive, or you simply can’t access the screen due to a forgotten passcode, knowing how to factory reset your iPhone using only buttons can be a game-changer. This method is especially useful when traditional on-screen settings are unavailable or when troubleshooting serious system issues.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through how to factory reset any iPhone model using button combinations, when to use this method, what happens to your data, and how to prepare your device beforehand. The information is explained step-by-step in simple language, with everything you need to reset your iPhone even when the screen is locked or non-functional.
📱 Table of Contents
- What Is a Factory Reset?
- When Should You Factory Reset Using Buttons?
- Important Warnings Before You Reset
- Understanding Button Combinations by iPhone Model
- How to Put iPhone into Recovery Mode (Core Step)
- How to Use iTunes or Finder to Complete the Reset
- Factory Reset with Buttons on iPhone 8 and Newer
- Factory Reset with Buttons on iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
- Factory Reset with Buttons on iPhone 6s, SE (1st Gen), and Earlier
- What to Do After Resetting
- Common Issues and Fixes
- Final Thoughts
1. What Is a Factory Reset?
A factory reset erases everything on your iPhone—your apps, photos, settings, and all personal data—restoring the device to its original state when you first took it out of the box.
This is different from a soft reset or force restart, which only reboots the phone. A factory reset wipes your entire system and is often used when:
- You’re selling or giving away your phone
- Your phone is unresponsive
- You’ve forgotten your passcode
- The device has a serious software issue
2. When Should You Factory Reset Using Buttons?
Using buttons to reset your iPhone becomes necessary in the following situations:
- The screen is frozen or broken
- The device is disabled or locked out
- You forgot your screen passcode
- You’re unable to access Settings
- The iPhone is stuck in a boot loop or won’t turn on properly
This method doesn’t just involve button presses—it puts the phone into Recovery Mode, allowing a computer to reset it through iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
3. Important Warnings Before You Reset
Before performing a factory reset using buttons, be aware:
- 🔒 All data will be erased (unless you have a backup)
- You will need the Apple ID and password used on the device (Activation Lock)
- A factory reset cannot remove iCloud lock without the original Apple ID
- Always try to back up data if your device is still responsive
If you’re ready to proceed, make sure your computer is updated with the latest version of iTunes (for Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or use Finder (macOS Catalina and newer).
4. Understanding Button Combinations by iPhone Model
Each iPhone model uses different button combinations to enter Recovery Mode—the necessary step to begin a factory reset using only buttons.
Let’s break it down by model group.
5. How to Put iPhone into Recovery Mode (Core Step)
Here’s the general procedure to enter Recovery Mode, which is required before resetting through a computer:
What You Need:
- A computer with iTunes or Finder
- A Lightning cable or USB-C cable
- The iPhone model
6. How to Use iTunes or Finder to Complete the Reset
Once your iPhone is in Recovery Mode, the rest of the process happens on your computer.
Steps:
- Launch iTunes (on Windows or macOS Mojave) or Finder (macOS Catalina and newer).
- You’ll see a prompt:
“There is a problem with the iPhone that requires it to be updated or restored.” - Choose Restore.
- Your computer will download software and begin restoring your iPhone.
- Wait for the process to complete (can take 15–30 minutes).
- Once done, your iPhone will reboot to the Hello screen as a fresh device.
✅ If the download takes too long and the iPhone exits recovery mode, repeat the steps.
7. Factory Reset with Buttons on iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd/3rd Gen), iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Steps to Enter Recovery Mode:
- Connect your iPhone to the computer using a cable.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side (Power) button until you see the Recovery Mode screen (not the Apple logo).
This works on all Face ID models and iPhone SE (2nd/3rd generation).
8. Factory Reset with Buttons on iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
Steps to Enter Recovery Mode:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Press and hold the Volume Down + Side (Power) button at the same time.
- Keep holding until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
This button combo is unique to iPhone 7 series.
9. Factory Reset with Buttons on iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, SE (1st Gen)
Steps to Enter Recovery Mode:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Press and hold the Home button + Side (or Top) button simultaneously.
- Continue holding until the Recovery Mode screen shows up.
Older models rely on the physical Home button for this operation.
10. What to Do After Resetting
Once the factory reset is complete:
- Your iPhone will display the Hello setup screen.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the device.
- Sign in with your Apple ID and password to unlock Activation Lock.
- If you have a backup, choose to Restore from iCloud or iTunes.
- If not, set it up as a new iPhone.
You now have a clean, fresh device—like it’s brand new from the box.
11. Common Issues and Fixes
❌ iPhone Exits Recovery Mode Before Completion
- Solution: Repeat the steps and ensure you select Restore promptly.
❌ iTunes/Finder Can’t Detect iPhone
- Solution: Update iTunes or macOS, try a different cable or port.
🔒 Forgot Apple ID or Password?
- You’ll need to recover your Apple ID via the Apple website.
- Activation Lock cannot be bypassed without your credentials.
⚠️ Stuck on Apple Logo?
- Try using Recovery Mode again. If that fails, attempt DFU Mode (a deeper reset).
12. Final Thoughts
Knowing how to factory reset an iPhone with just the buttons is a powerful skill for any iPhone user. Whether your device is frozen, locked, or unresponsive, you now have the knowledge to take control, start fresh, or troubleshoot serious issues without relying on a working screen or settings menu.
✅ Quick Recap:
- Factory reset via buttons requires putting your iPhone into Recovery Mode.
- Use the correct button combination for your model.
- Connect to a computer with iTunes or Finder and select Restore.
- All data will be erased—back up first if possible.
- Activation Lock requires your Apple ID to complete the setup.
Performing a factory reset using buttons may seem technical, but with this guide by your side, it’s a straightforward process—giving you a clean slate in minutes.
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