425 425 people found this article helpful Updated on September 18, 2022 What to Know
This article explains how to restore any iPhone model using iOS 12 and later to its original settings, as well as how to disable iCloud and Find My iPhone, which is important to do in some situations (explained below). How to Completely Reset an iPhoneA factory reset returns your iPhone to the condition it was in when it first left the manufacturer—completely clear, with all your data gone. After you've backed up your data and turned off iCloud and Find My, you're ready to get started. Follow these steps to get your iPhone back to its original state:
How to Back Up Your DataWhen you factory reset an iPhone, you remove all data from it. That means you will lose all your music, apps, contacts, photos, and any other other data on the device. All that will be left is the iOS and the pre-installed apps. That's why it's crucial to back up your data before you get started on the process. Keeping a copy of your data lets you restore the data from a back up later so you don't lose anything important. There are three options to back up data: using iTunes, Finder, or iCloud. Back up to iTunesTo back up to iTunes, sync the phone to your computer, then click the Back up button on the main iPhone page. Back up Using FinderTo back up on a Mac running macOS Catalina (10.15) or newer, plug the iPhone into the computer, open a Finder window, select the iPhone in the left-hand Devices menu, and back Back Up. Back up to iCloudTo back up to iCloud, go to Settings > [your name](skip this step on earlier versions of the iOS) > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then start a backup. How to Disable iCloud & Find My iPhoneWhen permanently resetting your iPhone, it's also critical that you disable iCloud and Find My iPhone. A security feature called Activation Lock requires you to enter the Apple ID used to set up the phone if you want to reset it. The feature is disabled when you turn off iCloud/Find My iPhone. Activation Lock has reduced iPhone thefts since it makes a stolen iPhone harder to use. If you do not disable Activation Lock, the next person who gets your iPhone—either a buyer or repair person—will not be able to use it.
FAQ
Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe How do I force my iPhone to factory reset?Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. Do one of the following: Prepare your content and settings to transfer to a new iPhone: Tap Get Started, then follow the onscreen instructions. When you finish, return to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone, then tap Erase All Content and Settings.
Does resetting iPhone delete everything?When you tap Erase All Content and Settings, it completely erases your device, including any credit or debit cards you added for Apple Pay and any photos, contacts, music, or apps. It will also turn off iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, Game Center, and other services.
How do I wipe my iPhone before selling it?Go back to Settings and tap General > Transfer or Reset [device] > Erase All Content and Settings. If you've turned on Find My [device], you may need to enter your Apple ID and password. If your device uses eSIM, choose the option to erase your device and the eSIM profile when asked.
How do I hard reset and restore my iPhone?Go into Settings.. Tap on your Apple ID.. Click on iCloud Backup make sure its turned on.. Press Back Up Now.. Go back into Settings.. Tap General.. Click Transfer or Reset iPhone.. Click Erase All Content and Settings.. |