What resetting your iPhone actually does
A reset wipes your iPhone clean and returns it to factory settings. All your photos, messages, apps, passwords, and personal data are removed. The phone itself stays the same — you are not replacing hardware or changing the device model. After the reset completes, you see the setup screen you saw when the phone was brand new, and you can choose whether to restore your data from a backup or start completely fresh.
Most people reset an iPhone for one of three reasons: they are selling or giving away the phone and want to erase their data first, they are troubleshooting a software problem that won't go away, or they want to remove a compromised account or unwanted restrictions. Understanding which situation you are in matters, because the steps and what happens next are different.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset erases everything on your phone and returns it to the state it came in, but you can restore your data from a backup afterward if you choose.
- Before you reset, back up your data through iCloud or a computer, unless you are intentionally erasing everything because the phone is compromised or you are giving it away.
- You need your Apple ID password to complete a reset — if you don't have it, you will be locked out of your own phone after the reset finishes.
- A reset does not remove your phone from your Apple ID account; you must do that separately in Settings before you hand the phone to someone else.
- If you are resetting because of malware or an account you can't control, change your Apple ID password on a different device before you reset the iPhone.
Back up your data before you reset
If you want to keep your photos, messages, contacts, and app data, you must back them up before you reset. The two main ways are iCloud and a computer running macOS or Windows with iTunes or Finder.
iCloud backup is the simpler option. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, select iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup. Make sure the toggle is on, then tap Back Up Now. The backup runs in the background and can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. You can check the progress by going back to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and looking at the timestamp.
Computer backup gives you a copy stored locally instead of in the cloud. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or newer, plug in your iPhone, open Finder, click your phone in the sidebar, and click Back Up Now. On older Macs or Windows, use iTunes instead. The backup is encrypted and stored on your computer's hard drive.
If you are resetting because you suspect the phone is compromised, or because you are giving it away and don't want the new owner to have access to your data, skip the backup step entirely.
The steps to reset your iPhone
Go to Settings on your iPhone. Tap General, then scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. You will see a warning that this action cannot be undone — this is accurate. Tap Continue.
Your phone will ask for your Apple ID password. This is a security feature called set up Lock, and it prevents someone else from resetting your phone and using it without your permission. Type in your password and tap Erase. The phone will restart and begin the reset process. This can take 10 to 30 minutes. Do not turn off the phone or unplug it during this time.
When the reset finishes, you will see the Hello screen — the same screen you saw when you first turned on the phone. At this point, the reset is complete.
What to do after the reset finishes
You now have three choices. You can set up the phone as new and not restore anything. You can restore from your iCloud backup by signing in with your Apple ID and selecting the backup you want. Or you can restore from a computer backup by plugging the phone into the computer and choosing Restore in Finder or iTunes.
If you are keeping the phone for yourself, restoring from a backup is usually the fastest way to get back to where you were. If you are giving the phone away, set it up as new and let the new owner go through the setup process themselves. This way they create their own Apple ID and accounts, and your data stays off their phone.
After setup is complete, check that you are signed out of any accounts you don't want on the phone. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. You will be asked whether to keep or delete your iCloud data on the phone — choose based on whether you want that data on this device.
Removing your phone from your Apple ID account
If you are giving away or selling your iPhone, you must remove it from your Apple ID account so the new owner can use their own Apple ID. This is separate from the reset itself.
On another device (a computer, tablet, or different phone), go to iCloud.com or appleid.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Look for a section called Devices or Find My. Find your iPhone in the list and click it. Choose Remove or Delete, then confirm. This tells Apple that you no longer own this phone.
After you remove the phone from your account, the new owner can set it up with their own Apple ID. If you don't do this step, the phone will ask for your Apple ID password during their setup, and they won't be able to proceed.
When you forget your Apple ID password
If you try to reset your iPhone but don't remember your Apple ID password, the phone will not let you complete the reset. You will be stuck at the password screen.
Go to iforgot.apple.com on a different device and follow the steps to reset your Apple ID password. You will need access to the email address or phone number associated with your account. Once you have reset the password, go back to your iPhone and enter the new password to finish the reset.
If you don't have access to the email or phone number on the account, or if you don't remember which Apple ID is on the phone, you will need to contact Apple Support. They can verify your identity and help you regain access. This process can take several days.
Resetting when you suspect a security problem
If you are resetting because you think your phone has malware, an unwanted account, or has been compromised in some way, take these steps before you reset.
First, change your Apple ID password on a different device — a computer, tablet, or another phone. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and change your password. This logs out all your devices and prevents someone else from using your account to restore data to the phone after you reset it.
Second, if you know of any other accounts on the phone that you don't recognize or can't control, try to remove them before you reset. Go to Settings, tap Mail, then Accounts, and look for anything unfamiliar. If you can't remove an account, or if you are not sure what is on the phone, just proceed with the reset — it will erase everything anyway.
After the reset finishes and you set up the phone again, sign in with your new Apple ID password. Do not restore from a backup, because the backup might contain whatever caused the problem in the first place. Instead, reinstall your apps fresh from the App Store and re-enter your data manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting my iPhone remove it from Find My?
Yes. Once the reset is complete, the phone no longer appears in Find My until someone sets it up with an Apple ID and turns on Find My again. If you are giving the phone away, this is fine — the new owner will set up their own Find My. If you are selling it, make sure you have removed it from your account first.
Can I undo a reset after it starts?
No. Once you tap Erase on the confirmation screen, the process cannot be stopped. The phone will reset completely. This is why backing up first is important if you want to keep your data.
What if my iPhone is stuck on the setup screen after a reset?
If the phone is frozen or not responding during setup, try a force restart. The method depends on your model — for most newer iPhones, quickly press and release the volume up button, quickly press and release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo. If that doesn't work, plug the phone into a computer and use Finder or iTunes to restore it.
Do I lose my phone number when I reset?
No. Your phone number is tied to your carrier account, not to the phone itself. After the reset, your phone number stays the same. If you are giving the phone to someone else, contact your carrier to transfer the number to a different phone or cancel the line.
Can someone use my phone after a reset if they don't have my Apple ID password?
No. set up Lock requires your Apple ID password to complete setup. Without it, the phone is locked to your account and cannot be used. This is a security feature designed to prevent theft. If you forget your password, you will need to reset it through iforgot.apple.com or contact Apple Support.