How to Completely Erase Your iPhone and Start Fresh

What happens when you erase an iPhone

Erasing an iPhone removes all your photos, messages, contacts, apps, and settings from the device itself. The phone returns to the state it was in when it left the factory — blank, with only Apple's built-in apps. This is different from signing out of your Apple ID, which keeps your data on the phone but disconnects it from your account.

When you erase, the data is overwritten so it cannot be recovered from the device. However, if you have backups stored in iCloud or on a computer, those backups still exist separately and can be used to restore the phone later. The erase process takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on the phone.

You should erase your iPhone if you are selling it, giving it away, recycling it, or starting completely fresh because you have forgotten your passcode. You do not need to erase if you only want to remove a few apps or clear your browsing history.

Key Takeaways

Erasing removes everything from the phone itself, but does not affect backups stored in iCloud or on your computer.
You must know your Apple ID password or have your device passcode to erase — Apple prevents strangers from wiping stolen phones.
The phone will ask you to sign out of your Apple ID before the erase begins, which requires your password.
After erasing, you can set up the phone as new or restore it from a backup you made before the erase.

Erase through Settings on the phone itself

This is the most straightforward method if you still have access to the phone and remember your passcode. Open Settings, then tap General. Scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

The phone will warn you that this action cannot be undone and will ask you to confirm. It will then ask for your Apple ID password. Type it in — this is Apple's way of making sure you own the phone and are not erasing someone else's device. After you enter the password, the erase begins. Do not turn off the phone or disconnect it from power during this time.

When the erase finishes, the phone will show the setup screen you see when a new iPhone first turns on. At this point, you can set it up as a new phone, or you can restore from a backup if you have one saved.

Erase a phone you cannot access

If you have forgotten your passcode or the phone is not responding, you can erase it using Find My iPhone, which is Apple's remote management tool. Go to iCloud.com on any computer or another device, sign in with your Apple ID, and click Find My. Select Find My iPhone from the menu on the left.

A map will appear showing all devices linked to your Apple ID. Click the device you want to erase. A panel will open on the right side. Click Erase This Device. You will be asked to confirm your Apple ID password. After you enter it, the erase begins remotely — the phone does not need to be in front of you, but it does need to be connected to the internet (either WiFi or cellular data).

If the phone is offline, the erase will happen the next time it connects to the internet. You will receive a notification when the erase is complete. This method works even if you do not know the passcode, as long as you remember your Apple ID password.

What to do before you erase

Back up your data if you think you might want it later. The easiest way is to use iCloud: go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then iCloud, then iCloud Backup. Turn on iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. This creates a copy of your photos, messages, contacts, and app data in your iCloud account. The backup stays there even after you erase the phone.

You can also back up to a computer. Plug the iPhone into a Mac or Windows PC, open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows), select your phone, and click Back Up Now. This stores a copy on your computer's hard drive.

If you are selling or giving away the phone, sign out of your Apple ID before you erase. Go to Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. You will be asked for your Apple ID password. This disconnects the phone from your account so the new owner can set it up with their own Apple ID. If you do not sign out first, the phone will ask for your Apple ID password during setup, and the new owner will not be able to use it.

After the erase is complete

The phone will display the setup screen. You have two choices: set it up as a new iPhone, or restore from a backup. If you choose to restore, the phone will ask you to sign in with an Apple ID. You can use your own ID or create a new one. Then it will ask which backup you want to restore from — iCloud backups appear in a list, and you can choose the one you want.

Restoring from a backup takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data is in the backup and how fast your internet is. During this time, keep the phone plugged in and connected to WiFi. Do not interrupt the process.

If you are giving the phone to someone else, let them set it up as a new device with their own Apple ID. Do not restore from your backup, because that will put all your old data back on the phone.

Troubleshooting when erase does not work

If you see a message saying "Unable to Erase iPhone" or the erase process stops, the most common cause is that the phone ran out of battery or lost its internet connection. Plug it in, make sure it is connected to WiFi, and try again from Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

If you see a message asking for an Apple ID password and you do not remember it, go to iforgot.apple.com on another device. Enter your Apple ID email address and follow the steps to reset your password. You will need access to the email address or phone number linked to your account. Once you have reset your password, return to the iPhone and enter the new password.

If the phone is completely frozen and will not respond to any taps, try a force restart. The method depends on your iPhone model — for most recent models, 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 the Apple logo appears. After the restart, try erasing again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will erasing my iPhone remove photos I stored in iCloud?

No. Erasing the phone removes only the copy stored on the device. Photos in iCloud remain in your account. If you restore the phone from a backup later, those photos will come back to the device. If you want to delete photos permanently, you must delete them from iCloud separately through the Photos app or iCloud.com.

Can I erase my iPhone if I do not know my Apple ID password?

You will need to reset it. Go to iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple ID email. Follow the prompts to verify your identity using a trusted phone number or recovery email. Once you reset your password, you can use it to erase the phone through Settings or Find My iPhone.

What if I erase my iPhone and then want my data back?

If you have an iCloud or computer backup made before the erase, you can restore from it. During setup after the erase, choose Restore from iCloud Backup or Restore from Mac/PC and select the backup you want. Your photos, messages, contacts, and apps will return to the phone.

How long does it take to erase an iPhone?

The erase itself usually takes 10 to 30 minutes. If you then restore from a backup, that adds another 15 to 45 minutes depending on the size of the backup and your internet speed. Keep the phone plugged in and on WiFi during both processes.

Do I need to erase my iPhone before selling it?

Yes. Before you hand it over, erase it completely and sign out of your Apple ID. This removes all your personal data and lets the new owner set it up with their own account. If you do not erase it, the new owner will not be able to use the phone without your Apple ID password.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.