Whether you’re selling your iPhone, giving it away, troubleshooting persistent issues, or just want a clean slate, there’s one reliable solution that brings your device back to square one—a factory reset.
A factory reset wipes your iPhone clean, removing all personal data, settings, apps, and files, returning it to the way it was when it first came out of the box. It’s like hitting a big digital reset button—but it must be done carefully and correctly to avoid data loss or device lockouts.
In this detailed, beginner-friendly guide, we’ll show you how to factory reset any iPhone, step-by-step. Whether you’re using an iPhone 8, iPhone 13, or the latest iPhone 16, the process is more or less the same—and we’ll walk you through every scenario, including how to reset your iPhone with or without a passcode or Apple ID.
Let’s get started.
🔄 What Is a Factory Reset?
A factory reset (also known as “erase all content and settings”) erases everything from your iPhone:
- Photos and videos
- Apps and games
- Messages and call logs
- Wi-Fi networks and passwords
- Apple ID and iCloud data (if not signed out)
It completely restores your iPhone to its original factory state, just like it was when you turned it on for the first time.
This is often done when:
- You’re selling or trading in your iPhone
- You’re giving the phone to someone else
- You’re troubleshooting major performance issues
- You want to start over with a fresh setup
- You’ve forgotten your passcode (different process; we’ll cover that too)
⚠️ Important Warning: Back Up First!
Before you do anything, back up your iPhone. A factory reset is permanent. If you don’t back up, you’ll lose everything—photos, contacts, notes, app data, and more.
Ways to Back Up:
- iCloud Backup: Go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now
- Mac or PC Backup: Connect your iPhone and use Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows)
Once backed up, you can easily restore everything to your iPhone later or transfer it to a new device.
✅ How to Factory Reset an iPhone (Using Settings)
This is the simplest and safest way to factory reset your iPhone—when you still have access to it and know the passcode.
🔹 Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap General
- Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings
- Enter your passcode, if prompted
- Tap Continue
- Enter your Apple ID password to disable Find My iPhone and iCloud
- Confirm again, and your iPhone will begin erasing
After a few minutes, your iPhone will restart and display the “Hello” setup screen.
✅ What Happens Next?
Once reset, your phone is completely clean. You can either:
- Set it up as new
- Restore it from an iCloud or iTunes backup
- Hand it over or sell it without worrying about personal data
🔐 What If I Forgot My Passcode?
If you forgot your iPhone’s passcode and are locked out, you’ll need to use recovery mode to erase it. This also performs a factory reset, but requires a computer.
💻 Factory Reset via Recovery Mode (If Locked Out)
🔹 Step 1: Get a Computer
You’ll need:
- A Mac with Finder (macOS Catalina or later)
- Or a PC with iTunes
🔹 Step 2: Connect Your iPhone
Use a Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to the computer.
🔹 Step 3: Put iPhone into Recovery Mode
The process varies by model:
- iPhone 8, X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 series
- Press and quickly release Volume Up
- Press and quickly release Volume Down
- Press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears
🔹 Step 4: Restore iPhone
- On your computer, you’ll see a message: “There is a problem with the iPhone that requires it to be updated or restored.”
- Click Restore
- The latest iOS will download and install, erasing everything in the process
Note: This will completely reset the phone, removing the passcode—but Activation Lock will remain unless you enter the Apple ID credentials later.
🧠 What Is Activation Lock?
Activation Lock is Apple’s way of preventing unauthorized access after a reset. Even if someone erases the device, they won’t be able to set it up without your Apple ID and password.
So, if you’re selling or giving away your iPhone, always:
- Sign out of iCloud first
- Go to Settings > Your Name > Sign Out
- Enter your Apple ID password
- Then reset the device
If you don’t do this, the new user won’t be able to activate the phone.
🛠️ How to Factory Reset iPhone Using a Computer
If for any reason the Settings app isn’t working—or you prefer using a desktop—you can factory reset your iPhone via a Mac or PC.
🔹 Steps for Mac (macOS Catalina or later):
- Connect iPhone to Mac
- Open Finder
- Select your iPhone from the sidebar
- Click General > Restore iPhone
- Confirm when prompted
- Finder will erase your iPhone and install the latest iOS
🔹 Steps for Windows (or older macOS):
- Connect iPhone to PC
- Open iTunes
- Click the iPhone icon in the top left
- Go to the Summary tab
- Click Restore iPhone
- Confirm and let it complete
This method ensures a complete and clean reset—and is helpful if the iPhone isn’t responding properly.
🌐 Factory Reset Without Apple ID (Only If You Own the Device)
If you’re unable to sign out of iCloud because you’ve forgotten your Apple ID, you’ll need to recover your Apple ID first. Apple does not allow bypassing Activation Lock without verification.
Be wary of third-party software claiming to remove Apple ID without credentials. Most are scams and may violate Apple policies.
To recover your Apple ID, go to Settings > Your Name, or visit Apple ID account recovery from a trusted device or computer.
🧼 After the Factory Reset: What’s Next?
Once your iPhone restarts and displays the Hello screen, you have a few choices:
- Set Up as New iPhone
Ideal if you want a fresh start with no old data or apps. - Restore from iCloud Backup
Select your iCloud backup during setup to bring back everything. - Restore from Mac/PC Backup
Plug in your iPhone and select “Restore from this computer” in Finder or iTunes.
🧯 When Should You Factory Reset?
Here are situations when a factory reset is highly recommended:
| Scenario | Reset Needed? |
|---|---|
| Selling your iPhone | ✅ Yes |
| Giving it to someone else | ✅ Yes |
| Phone is frozen or stuck in boot loop | ✅ Yes (after troubleshooting) |
| Want a fresh start | ✅ Yes |
| Minor performance issues | ❌ Not necessary—try a restart or clear cache |
| Updating iOS | ❌ Not needed |
🧠 Common Myths About Factory Reset
Let’s bust a few myths:
- ❌ “It deletes your Apple ID.”
→ Nope. Activation Lock stays until you sign out. - ❌ “It removes viruses.”
→ iPhones rarely get viruses. Most issues are app- or system-related. - ❌ “It makes your iPhone faster forever.”
→ It can help initially, but performance depends on usage and storage. - ❌ “You can reset iPhones without password if you plug it into a computer.”
→ Not entirely true—if iCloud is enabled, you’ll still need Apple ID.
✅ Pros and Cons of Factory Resetting Your iPhone
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Frees up storage | Deletes all data |
| Fixes major bugs or app issues | Must restore or reinstall everything |
| Removes personal data before selling | Time-consuming |
| Offers a fresh start | Apple ID lock remains if not signed out properly |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will a factory reset delete everything?
A: Yes, it erases all user data and settings. Always back up beforehand.
Q: Is a factory reset the same as a hard reset?
A: No. A hard reset (or force restart) just reboots the phone. A factory reset erases it.
Q: Can I factory reset from another device?
A: Yes. If you use Find My iPhone, you can erase the iPhone remotely from another device signed into the same Apple ID.
Q: Does resetting remove iOS updates?
A: No. Your iPhone will keep the latest iOS version installed.
🎯 Final Thoughts: Reset With Confidence
Doing a factory reset on your iPhone sounds intimidating—but now you know exactly how to do it, step by step, with confidence.
Whether you’re wiping your phone before selling, troubleshooting stubborn issues, or just want a clean start, factory resetting is a powerful tool. Just remember to back up, sign out of iCloud, and follow the right method for your situation.
Take a deep breath, follow the guide, and start fresh—the right way.
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