A reset erases everything on your iPhone and reinstalls the operating system

When you reset an iPhone, the device wipes all your data — photos, messages, apps, settings, contacts — and reinstalls a fresh copy of iOS from Apple's servers. The phone returns to the state it was in the day it left the factory. Nothing is recoverable after a reset unless you restore from a backup you made beforehand.

There are two types of reset. A soft reset (or force restart) shuts down and restarts the phone without erasing anything — useful when an app freezes or the phone becomes unresponsive. A factory reset (or erase all content and settings) deletes everything and reinstalls iOS. Most people mean factory reset when they say "reset," and that is what this article covers.

You might reset an iPhone before selling it, after a serious software problem, or when you want to start completely fresh. The process takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on your internet speed and how much data was on the phone.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases all data, photos, messages, and apps, then reinstalls iOS — nothing is recoverable unless you backed up first.
  • You can reset through Settings on the phone itself, or through a computer using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows).
  • The phone must have internet access during the reset, and the battery should be above 50 percent to avoid interruption.
  • After reset, you can restore from an iCloud or computer backup to get your data back, or set up as a new phone.
  • A reset fixes serious software problems like constant crashes or freezing, but does not repair hardware damage.

How to reset through Settings on the phone

Open Settings and go to General. Scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings. The phone will ask for your Apple ID password and may ask you to disable Find My iPhone — do this if prompted. Then confirm the erase.

The phone will restart, show an Apple logo, and begin reinstalling iOS. You will see a progress bar. Do not unplug the phone or turn it off during this time. When the setup screen appears, you can choose to restore from a backup or set up as new.

This method works on any iPhone with iOS 16 or later. On older versions, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

How to reset using a computer

Connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer with a USB cable. On a Mac with macOS Monterey or later, open Finder and click your iPhone in the sidebar. Click General, then Restore. On Windows or older Mac, open iTunes, select your iPhone, and click Restore.

The computer will read the correct iOS version and reinstall it on the phone. This method is useful if your phone will not turn on, is stuck in a loop, or the Settings method does not work. It also tends to be faster than resetting through Settings because the computer handles the read.

You will need the Apple ID password for the phone after the reset completes, so have that ready. If you do not know it, you can reset it through iforgot.apple.com before you begin.

What data is permanently deleted

A factory reset removes everything stored on the phone: text messages, email, photos, videos, notes, calendar events, contacts, app data, and any files in the Files app. It also clears your saved Wi-Fi passwords, payment methods in Apple Pay, and any custom settings you configured.

Data stored in iCloud — such as photos in iCloud Photos, notes in iCloud Notes, or contacts synced to iCloud — is not deleted by a phone reset. Those remain in your iCloud account and can be restored to the phone afterward. The same is true for data in third-party cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox.

If you have a backup saved to your computer or iCloud, you can restore it after the reset to recover your photos, messages, and apps. Without a backup, the data is gone permanently.

When to reset instead of just restarting

A soft reset (force restart) fixes most temporary problems — an app that will not close, the phone running slowly, or the screen frozen. Hold the volume up button, then the volume down button, then hold the side button until you see the power-off slider. Drag it to turn off the phone, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on.

A factory reset is necessary when soft restart does not work, or when the phone has a persistent problem: constant crashes, severe slowdown that does not improve, iOS installation errors, or the phone stuck in recovery mode. A reset also removes malware or spyware if you suspect the phone has been compromised.

Do not reset just because the phone feels slow. Clearing cache, closing background apps, and restarting usually solve slowness. Reset only when those steps have not worked or when you are preparing to sell or give away the phone.

Backing up before you reset

Before you reset, back up your phone to iCloud or a computer. To back up to iCloud, go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. Wait for the backup to finish — it may take several minutes depending on how much data you have.

To back up to a computer, connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC, open Finder or iTunes, select your phone, and click Back Up Now. The backup saves to your computer's hard drive and includes everything on the phone except apps (which can be reinstalled from the App Store).

Check that the backup completed successfully before you reset. On iCloud, you will see the date and time of the last backup in Settings > Your Name > iCloud > iCloud Backup. On a computer, Finder or iTunes will show a recent backup in the device summary.

Restoring your data after the reset

When the reset finishes and the setup screen appears, you will see the option to restore from a backup. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup if you backed up to iCloud, or Restore from Mac/PC if you backed up to a computer. Sign in with your Apple ID and select which backup to restore.

The restoration process downloads your photos, messages, contacts, and app data back to the phone. Apps themselves are reinstalled from the App Store, so you need internet access. Restoration can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on the size of your backup and your internet speed.

If you do not restore from a backup, the phone will set up as new. You can still sign into iCloud, and your photos, notes, and contacts synced to iCloud will reappear. Apps will not be reinstalled unless you read them manually from the App Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a reset after I have already done it?

No. Once a factory reset completes, the data is gone unless you restore from a backup. If you reset without backing up first, the only way to recover data is through a professional data recovery service, which is expensive and not always successful. Always back up before resetting.

Will a reset remove a virus or malware from my iPhone?

Yes. A factory reset removes any malware because it erases the entire operating system and reinstalls a clean copy. However, if malware was installed through a compromised iCloud account, it may reinstall when you restore from a backup. Change your Apple ID password after the reset and before restoring.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before resetting?

No. The SIM card is not affected by a factory reset. Your phone number and cellular service will work normally after the reset. You do not need to contact your carrier unless you are switching phones.

What if my iPhone is stuck and I cannot access Settings to reset it?

Use a computer to reset it instead. Connect the phone to a Mac or Windows PC with a USB cable, open Finder or iTunes, and click Restore. This works even if the phone is frozen, stuck in a loop, or will not turn on normally.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset itself takes 5 to 15 minutes. Reinstalling iOS takes another 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed. Restoring from a backup afterward can add 30 minutes to several hours. Plan for the entire process to take 1 to 2 hours if you are also restoring data.