A manual reset clears everything on your iPhone and returns it to factory settings

A manual reset — technically called an Erase All Content and Settings — removes every app, photo, message, password, and setting from your phone and restores it to the state it left the factory. This is different from a forced restart, which just turns the phone off and back on without erasing anything. A manual reset is permanent and cannot be undone, so you should back up anything you want to keep before you start.

You might reset your iPhone before selling it, giving it away, or if you suspect malware or unauthorized access. You might also reset it if the phone is so slow or buggy that normal troubleshooting has not worked. Once you erase it, you will need your Apple ID password to set it up again — this is a security feature that prevents someone else from using a stolen phone.

Key Takeaways

  • A manual reset erases everything on your iPhone and cannot be reversed, so back up your photos, messages, and other data before you begin.
  • You can reset your iPhone through Settings, or through a computer using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) if your phone will not turn on or respond.
  • After a reset, you will need your Apple ID password to set up the phone again, even if you do not plan to use Apple services.
  • If you are selling or giving away the phone, remove it from your Apple ID account before handing it over, or the new owner will be locked out during setup.
  • A reset does not remove set up lock, which ties the phone to your Apple ID for security — you must sign out of iCloud first.

Back up your data before you reset

Before you erase your iPhone, decide what you want to keep. Photos, messages, contacts, and app data can all be backed up to iCloud or to a computer. If you have an iCloud account, the easiest method is to turn on iCloud backup, which will save most of your data to Apple's servers. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, select iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup and turn it on. Let the backup finish — this can take several minutes or longer depending on how much data you have.

If you prefer to back up to a computer instead, connect your iPhone to a Mac with a USB cable, open Finder, select your phone, and click Back Up Now. On Windows, use iTunes instead. A computer backup is more complete than iCloud backup and includes app data that iCloud might not save. You can also use both methods — iCloud for convenience and a computer backup as a second copy.

Reset through Settings if your phone is working normally

If your iPhone turns on and responds to touch, the fastest way to reset is through the Settings app. Open Settings, scroll down and tap General, then scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings. The phone will ask you to confirm and will warn you that this action cannot be undone. Tap Erase again.

The phone will ask for your Apple ID password. This is a security measure called set up Lock, and you must enter the correct password or the reset will not complete. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it on the Apple ID website before you start the reset process. Once you enter the password, the phone will begin erasing. This takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on the phone. Do not turn off the phone or disconnect it during this time.

Reset through a computer if the phone will not respond

If your iPhone will not turn on, is frozen, or will not respond to touch, you can reset it using a computer. On a Mac with macOS Monterey or newer, connect the phone with a USB cable, open Finder, select your phone in the sidebar, and click Restore. On older Macs or on Windows, use iTunes instead. The computer will read the latest iPhone software and erase the phone while installing it.

If the phone is completely unresponsive, you may need to force it into recovery mode first. The steps vary by iPhone model. For iPhone 8 and newer, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen. For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, hold the Volume Down button and the Top (or Side) button together. For iPhone 6s and earlier, hold the Top (or Side) button and the Home button together. Once the recovery mode screen appears, the computer will recognize the phone and let you restore it.

Remove the phone from your Apple ID account before giving it away

If you are selling or giving away your iPhone, you must remove it from your Apple ID account before the new owner can use it. This prevents them from being locked out during setup and prevents you from being able to track or control the phone remotely. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down and tap Find My, then tap Find My iPhone and turn it off. You will need to enter your Apple ID password.

Next, go back to Settings, tap your name, scroll down and tap Sign Out. The phone will ask for your Apple ID password again. Tap Sign Out to confirm. Now the phone is no longer tied to your account. You can then reset the phone using the steps above. When the new owner turns it on, they will be able to set it up with their own Apple ID instead of being stuck on the set up lock screen.

What happens after the reset is complete

Once the reset finishes, your iPhone will show the setup screen, just as if it came from the factory. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with an Apple ID. If you want to restore your backed-up data, sign in with the same Apple ID you used before and choose to restore from backup. The phone will read your photos, messages, contacts, and app data from iCloud or from the computer backup you created earlier.

If you are setting up the phone for someone else, they should create their own Apple ID during setup or sign in with theirs. Do not give them your Apple ID password. If you are selling the phone, leave it at the setup screen so the buyer can complete the setup themselves. Never leave a phone signed into your Apple ID after you have sold or given it away — the new owner will not be able to use it fully, and you will remain responsible for any charges made through that account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a reset remove viruses or malware from my iPhone?

A reset will remove most malware because it erases everything on the phone and reinstalls the operating system fresh. However, if malware is in your iCloud account itself, restoring from an iCloud backup could reinfect the phone. If you suspect your account is compromised, change your Apple ID password before you restore from backup, or restore from a computer backup instead.

Can I reset my iPhone if I forgot my Apple ID password?

You will need your Apple ID password to complete the reset because of set up Lock. If you do not have it, go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer, enter your Apple ID email, and follow the steps to reset your password. You can also call Apple Support for help if you cannot access the email address associated with your account.

What if I reset my iPhone but still want to use it?

After the reset, the phone will ask you to sign in with an Apple ID during setup. You can use the same Apple ID you had before, or create a new one. If you restored from a backup, your apps and data will return. If you did not restore from backup, you will have a blank phone and will need to reinstall your apps from the App Store.

Does a reset remove the SIM card information?

No. A reset only erases the data stored on the phone itself — the SIM card is separate. Your phone number, carrier information, and any data on the SIM card will remain. If you want to remove the SIM card, you can eject it with a SIM ejector tool before you give the phone to someone else.

How long does a reset take?

A reset through Settings usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on the phone. A reset through a computer using Finder or iTunes can take 20 to 45 minutes because the computer also downloads and installs the latest iOS software. Do not interrupt the process or turn off the phone during a reset.