How to Completely Restart Your iPhone and Erase Everything

A complete restart erases all your data and returns your iPhone to factory settings

A complete restart — called a factory reset or erase — removes every photo, message, app, and setting from your iPhone and returns it to the state it left the factory. This is different from a regular restart, which just turns the phone off and back on. A factory reset is what you do before selling or giving away a phone, when you suspect malware or corruption, or when you want a completely clean slate.

The process takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on your phone. You will need your Apple ID password, because Apple requires it to confirm you own the device. If you do not have that password, you can still erase the phone, but you will not be able to set it up again without it.

Key Takeaways

Back up your iPhone to iCloud or a computer before erasing, because the reset deletes everything and cannot be undone.
You need your Apple ID password to complete the erase and to set up the phone afterward, so locate it before you start.
The erase happens in Settings under General, then Transfer or Reset, then Erase All Content and Settings — the exact path depends on your iOS version.
After the erase completes, the phone will restart and show the setup screen, and you can restore from your backup or set it up as new.
If you are locked out of your Apple ID, you can erase the phone using a computer and Finder or iTunes, but you will still need the password to reactivate it.

Back up your data before you erase

Once you erase your iPhone, the data is gone. There is no undo and no recovery. Before you start, back up everything you want to keep — photos, messages, contacts, app data, settings — to either iCloud or a computer.

The fastest method is iCloud. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then iCloud, then iCloud Backup. Tap Back Up Now and wait for the backup to finish. This uploads your entire phone to Apple's servers. When you set up the phone again, you can restore from this backup and everything will be exactly as it was.

If you do not trust iCloud or want a local copy, connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or newer, open Finder, select your iPhone in the sidebar, and click Back Up Now. On Windows or older Mac, use iTunes. A computer backup is encrypted and stored on your hard drive, not in the cloud.

Erase your iPhone from Settings

The standard way to erase is through your phone's Settings app. Open Settings and tap your name at the very top. Scroll down and look for either "Transfer or Reset" or "Reset" — the exact wording varies by iOS version. Tap it.

You will see "Erase All Content and Settings" near the bottom. Tap it. The phone will ask you to enter your Apple ID password. Type it in. The phone will warn you one more time that this will erase everything. Confirm, and the erase will begin. The screen will show a progress bar. Do not turn off the phone or disconnect it during this time.

When the erase finishes, the phone will restart and show the setup screen — the same screen you saw when the phone was brand new. At this point, you can restore from your iCloud backup by signing in with your Apple ID, or you can set it up as a new phone.

Erase using a computer if you cannot access Settings

If your phone is frozen, will not turn on, or you cannot get into Settings, you can erase it using a computer. This method also works if you forgot your Apple ID password but still have access to a computer where you have already signed into your Apple ID.

On a Mac with macOS Catalina or newer, connect your iPhone with a USB cable, open Finder, and select your iPhone in the sidebar. Click Restore. The Mac will read the latest iOS and erase the phone, then restore it to factory settings. On Windows or older Mac, use iTunes instead of Finder — the steps are the same.

When the restore finishes, the phone will show the setup screen. If you use a computer where you are already signed into your Apple ID, the phone may automatically sign in with that same ID. If not, you will need to enter your Apple ID password to complete setup.

What happens if you do not have your Apple ID password

If you have forgotten your Apple ID password, you can still erase the phone using a computer. But you will not be able to set it up again without the password — the phone will be stuck on the setup screen asking for it.

Before you erase, go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer and reset your Apple ID password. Write it down or save it somewhere safe. Then erase the phone. When setup asks for your Apple ID, you will have the password ready.

If you do not have access to the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID, you will need to contact Apple Support. They can help you recover your account, but it may take several days. Do not erase the phone until your account is recovered and you have a working password.

Restore from backup after the erase

After the erase completes and the phone restarts, you will see the setup screen. If you backed up to iCloud, sign in with your Apple ID and choose "Restore from iCloud Backup." The phone will read your backup and restore all your data, apps, photos, and settings. This takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

If you backed up to a computer, connect the phone to that same computer after setup. In Finder or iTunes, select your iPhone and click Restore Backup. Choose the backup you want to restore from, and the phone will pull all your data from the computer.

If you want a completely fresh start with no old data, choose "Set Up as New iPhone" instead. You will have to read your apps again from the App Store and re-enter your passwords, but the phone will have no trace of its previous state.

Erase a phone you are giving away or selling

If you are handing the phone to someone else, erase it, then sign out of your Apple ID before you give it to them. After the erase completes and the phone restarts, go through setup, but stop before you sign in with your Apple ID. Instead, skip that step and hand the phone to the new owner. They can then set it up with their own Apple ID.

If you have already signed in during setup, go to Settings, tap your name, scroll to the bottom, and tap Sign Out. The phone will ask for your Apple ID password to confirm. Enter it, then choose "Keep on iPhone" or "Remove from iPhone" depending on whether you want to keep a local copy of your data. After you sign out, the new owner can sign in with their own ID.

Do not leave the phone signed into your Apple ID. If you do, the new owner will not be able to use it, and you will be able to remotely erase it or lock it at any time, which is a security risk for both of you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a factory reset after I have started it?

No. Once the erase begins, it cannot be stopped or reversed. The only way to recover your data is if you backed up to iCloud or a computer before you erased. If you did not back up, the data is permanently gone. This is why backing up before you erase is critical.

How long does a complete erase take?

The erase itself usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. The phone then restarts and shows the setup screen, which is when ready. If you restore from a backup afterward, that can take 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. Plan for 30 to 60 minutes total from start to finish.

Do I need WiFi to erase my iPhone?

You need WiFi or a cellular connection to sign in with your Apple ID password during the erase. After the erase finishes, you need WiFi to restore from an iCloud backup or to read apps. If you are erasing and setting up as new without a backup, you can do it without internet, but you will need it eventually to read apps and sign into services.

What if my iPhone is disabled or locked with a passcode I forgot?

If you know your Apple ID password, you can erase the phone using a computer with Finder or iTunes. If you do not know your Apple ID password, you will need to reset it at iforgot.apple.com before you erase. If you do not have access to the email or phone number on your Apple ID, contact Apple Support — they can help you regain access to your account.

Will erasing my iPhone remove it from Find My iPhone?

The erase removes the phone's data, but it stays registered to your Apple ID until you sign out or remove it from your account. If you are giving the phone away, sign out of your Apple ID after the erase so the new owner can use it. If you do not sign out, you will still be able to see the phone in Find My and erase it remotely, which prevents the new owner from using it.

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.