What a complete reset does and when you need one

A complete reset erases everything on your iPhone — all apps, photos, messages, settings, and accounts — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is different from a restart, which straightforward turns the phone off and back on. You need a complete reset when you are selling or giving away the phone, when it has become so slow or buggy that nothing else fixes it, or when you want to remove all traces of your personal data before disposal.

The reset process itself takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on the phone and your internet speed. After the reset completes, you will see the setup screen you saw the first time you turned on the phone. You can then set it up as new, restore from a backup, or leave it blank for someone else to set up.

Before you reset, understand that this action cannot be undone. Any data not backed up to iCloud or your computer will be permanently gone. If you plan to use the phone again yourself, back up first. If you are giving it away or selling it, the reset is the security step that removes your data so the next owner cannot access it.

Key Takeaways

  • A complete reset erases all data and returns your iPhone to factory settings, and it cannot be reversed.
  • You must know your Apple ID password before you reset, because the phone will ask for it during setup to confirm you own the device.
  • Back up your iPhone to iCloud or your computer before resetting if you want to keep any of your data.
  • After the reset finishes, your iPhone will be blank and ready to set up as new or for someone else to use.

Back up your data before you reset

If you want to keep your photos, messages, contacts, or app data, back up to iCloud or your computer before you reset. This takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

To back up to iCloud, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, tap iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup. Tap Back Up Now. The phone will back up over Wi-Fi. You can check the progress by going back to Settings, your name, iCloud, and looking at the storage meter at the bottom.

To back up to a Mac or Windows computer, connect the iPhone with a USB cable, open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), select your iPhone, and click Back Up Now. This backup stores on your computer's hard drive instead of in the cloud.

Gather your Apple ID password before you start

During the reset process, your iPhone will ask for your Apple ID password. This is a security feature called set up Lock. If you do not enter the correct password, the phone will not finish setting up, and you will be locked out.

If you know your Apple ID password, you are ready. If 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 it. This usually takes a few minutes. Write down the new password or save it somewhere you can access during the reset.

If you are resetting a phone that belongs to someone else and you do not have their Apple ID password, you cannot complete the reset. The phone will be stuck on the set up Lock screen. The owner must either enter their password or remove the phone from their Apple ID account before the reset can finish.

Reset your iPhone using Settings

This is the standard method and works when your phone is working well enough to navigate the menus. Open Settings, scroll down and tap General, scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset, then tap Erase All Content and Settings.

The phone will warn you that this action cannot be undone and ask if you want to continue. Tap Erase. If you have a passcode, the phone will ask you to enter it. If you have an Apple ID account on the phone, it will ask for your Apple ID password. Enter both if prompted.

The phone will then begin erasing. You will see a progress bar. Do not turn off the phone or disconnect it from power during this time. The process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, the phone will restart and show the setup screen.

Reset your iPhone using a computer if the phone is frozen or unresponsive

If your iPhone is frozen, will not turn on, or is so slow you cannot navigate Settings, you can reset it using a Mac or Windows computer and a USB cable. This method is called a force reset or DFU restore.

Connect the iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder and select your iPhone from the sidebar. On Windows, open iTunes. Look for a message saying the phone is in recovery mode or needs to be restored. Click Restore. The computer will read the current iPhone software and install it, which erases the phone in the process.

This method takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on your internet speed and how much software needs to read. Do not disconnect the phone during the process. When it finishes, the phone will restart and show the setup screen. You can then enter your Apple ID password to complete setup.

Set up your iPhone after the reset

After the reset finishes and the phone restarts, you will see the Hello screen and a series of setup steps. You can choose to set up as new, restore from a backup, or skip setup entirely.

If you backed up to iCloud before the reset, you can tap Restore from iCloud Backup during setup, sign in with your Apple ID, and choose which backup to restore. This will put all your photos, messages, contacts, and app data back on the phone. This process takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is in the backup.

If you want a completely clean phone with no old data, tap Set Up as New iPhone and skip the backup step. If you are giving the phone to someone else, you can leave it at the setup screen for them to complete, or you can skip all setup steps and hand them the blank phone.

Verify the reset is complete and your data is gone

After setup finishes or if you skip setup, check that the reset worked by looking for your old apps and data. Open the App Store and look at your Purchased tab — it should show apps you have bought, but they should not be installed on the phone unless you reinstall them.

Check Settings to confirm your old accounts are gone. Go to Settings, your name, and look at the account information. If you set up as new, you should see only the new Apple ID you just created, not your old one. If you are giving the phone away, make sure no old email accounts, social media accounts, or other logins are still on the phone.

If you restored from a backup, your old data will be on the phone. This is correct — the reset erased the phone, and the restore put your data back. If you did not want your data restored, you would need to reset again and skip the restore step.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my photos and messages after I reset?

They are permanently deleted from the phone unless you backed them up first. If you backed up to iCloud or your computer, you can restore them after the reset. If you did not back up, they are gone and cannot be recovered.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before I reset?

No. The reset erases the phone's storage but does not affect the SIM card. Your phone number and carrier information stay on the SIM. You can leave the SIM in the phone during the reset.

Can someone else use my iPhone after I reset it?

Yes, but only if you remove it from your Apple ID account first or if you enter your Apple ID password during their setup. If you reset the phone but do not remove your Apple ID, the new owner will be stuck on the set up Lock screen and cannot use the phone without your password. Before giving the phone away, go to Settings, your name, Find My, and tap Remove This Device.

How long does a complete reset take?

The reset itself usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. If you back up first, add another 15 to 45 minutes. If you restore from a backup after the reset, add another 10 to 30 minutes. Plan for up to two hours if you are backing up, resetting, and restoring.

What if I forget my Apple ID password during the reset?

The reset will pause at the set up Lock screen and ask for your password. You can use another device to go to iforgot.apple.com, reset your password, and then enter the new password on your iPhone. If you do not have access to another device, you will need to contact Apple Support.