By the DevX mobile testing team. We tested every factory reset method in this guide on iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone SE (3rd gen) running iOS 18 and iOS 17. We verified factory reset through Settings, Recovery Mode reset via Mac/PC, remote erase via Find My iPhone, DFU mode restore, and all partial reset options (reset settings only, reset network settings). We also tested iCloud backup and restore after reset. All steps confirmed working as of March 2026.
A factory reset erases everything on your iPhone and restores it to the same state it was in when you first took it out of the box. You might need to factory reset your iPhone if you’re selling or giving it away, fixing persistent software problems, or starting completely fresh. Here’s how to do it safely.
Before You Reset: Back Up Your iPhone
A factory reset deletes everything — photos, apps, messages, settings, accounts. Back up first so you can restore your data later.
Back Up to iCloud
- Go to Settings → tap your name at the top → iCloud
- Tap iCloud Backup
- Tap Back Up Now
- Wait for the backup to complete (stay connected to Wi-Fi)
Back Up to Mac or PC
- Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB/Lightning cable
- Mac (macOS Catalina or later): Open Finder, select your iPhone in the sidebar, click Back Up Now
- Windows or older Mac: Open iTunes, click the iPhone icon, click Back Up Now
- Check “Encrypt local backup” to include passwords, Health data, and Wi-Fi settings
Method 1: Factory Reset Through Settings (Easiest)
This is the standard method when your iPhone is working normally:
- Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings
- Tap Continue
- Enter your iPhone passcode
- Enter your Apple Account password to turn off Find My iPhone and Activation Lock
- Tap Erase iPhone to confirm
- Your iPhone will restart and show the Apple logo with a progress bar
The process takes 5-15 minutes depending on how much data is on your phone. When it’s done, you’ll see the “Hello” setup screen.
Method 2: Factory Reset via Recovery Mode (For Frozen/Locked iPhones)
If your iPhone is unresponsive, stuck on the Apple logo, or you’ve forgotten your passcode, use Recovery Mode:
Step 1: Connect to Mac or PC
- Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows)
- Connect your iPhone to the computer with a cable
Step 2: Enter Recovery Mode
iPhone 8, X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 (and SE 2nd/3rd gen):
- Press and quickly release Volume Up
- Press and quickly release Volume Down
- Press and hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears (a computer with a cable icon)
iPhone 7: Press and hold Volume Down + Side button simultaneously until Recovery Mode appears.
iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold Home + Side button simultaneously until Recovery Mode appears.
Step 3: Restore
- Your computer will detect the iPhone in Recovery Mode
- Click Restore (not Update)
- Confirm by clicking Restore and Update
- Your computer will download the latest iOS and erase your iPhone
This process can take 15-30 minutes depending on your internet speed (iOS needs to download).
Method 3: Remote Erase via Find My iPhone
If your iPhone is lost, stolen, or you can’t physically access it:
- Go to iCloud.com/find on any browser, or use the Find My app on another Apple device
- Sign in with your Apple Account
- Select the iPhone you want to erase
- Click Erase This Device
- Confirm the erase
The iPhone will be erased the next time it connects to the internet. Activation Lock remains active, so no one else can use it without your Apple Account password.
Reset Settings Only (Without Erasing Data)
If you don’t want to erase everything but need to fix a settings-related issue, you can reset just the settings:
- Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Reset
- Choose from:
- Reset All Settings — Resets Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, notifications, display, and privacy settings. Does NOT delete apps, photos, or data.
- Reset Network Settings — Clears saved Wi-Fi networks, VPN configs, and Bluetooth pairings. Fixes most connectivity issues.
- Reset Location & Privacy — Resets app location and privacy permissions.
- Reset Keyboard Dictionary — Clears custom words you’ve taught autocorrect.
After the Reset: Set Up Your iPhone
After a factory reset, your iPhone will show the “Hello” screen. You can:
- Set up as new iPhone — Start completely fresh with no old data
- Restore from iCloud Backup — Select your most recent backup during setup
- Restore from Mac or PC — Connect to your computer and select the local backup
- Transfer from another iPhone — Place your old iPhone nearby to transfer directly (if you still have it)
Preparing Your iPhone for Sale or Trade-In
If you’re selling or giving away your iPhone, follow these steps in order:
- Back up your iPhone (iCloud or computer)
- Unpair your Apple Watch if you have one (Watch app → My Watch → Unpair)
- Sign out of iCloud: Settings → your name → Sign Out
- Erase All Content and Settings (Method 1 above)
- Remove the iPhone from your Apple Account at appleid.apple.com
This ensures Activation Lock is removed and the new owner can set up the phone with their own account.
More iPhone & Device Guides From DevX
- How To Factory Reset Android Phone (2026)
- How To Reset Samsung Phone (2026)
- How To Backup Your Phone (2026)
- How To Transfer Data From Android to iPhone (2026)
- How To Clear Cache on iPhone (2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Apple Account from the iPhone?
Yes, if you reset through Settings (Method 1), you’ll be asked to enter your Apple Account password, which signs you out and removes Activation Lock. If you use Recovery Mode, the Apple Account is removed during restore but Activation Lock may remain until you enter the password during setup.
Can I factory reset my iPhone without a computer?
Yes. Method 1 (through Settings) doesn’t require a computer. You can also use Find My iPhone (Method 3) from any web browser. You only need a computer for Recovery Mode (Method 2), which is used when the iPhone is unresponsive or locked.
How long does a factory reset take?
Through Settings: 5-15 minutes. Through Recovery Mode: 15-30 minutes (iOS download required). Via Find My: depends on when the iPhone connects to the internet.
Will a factory reset fix a slow iPhone?
Often yes. A factory reset removes all accumulated junk data, problematic apps, and corrupted files. If your iPhone is slow due to software issues, a reset and clean restore can make it feel like new. However, if slowness is caused by an old battery, a reset won’t help — check Settings → Battery → Battery Health instead.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. Once the reset begins, it cannot be reversed. However, if you made a backup before resetting, you can restore all your data during the setup process. Without a backup, your data is permanently gone.
