How to Completely Reset Your iPhone and Start Fresh

What a complete iPhone reset does and when you need it

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 regular restart. You use a complete reset when you're selling or giving away the device, when you suspect malware or serious software problems, or when you want to remove all traces of your data before handing it to someone else.

Apple calls this process "erasing all content and settings." It removes your data from the device itself, but it does not remove your account from Apple's servers. If you have Find My iPhone turned on, the reset will ask for your Apple ID password before it completes — this is a security feature to prevent theft. If you forget your password, you'll need to recover it before you can finish the reset.

The reset takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on your phone and which iPhone model you have. During this time, do not turn off the phone or disconnect it from power. When it finishes, your iPhone will restart and show the setup screen, as if it's brand new.

Key Takeaways

A complete reset erases all data on your iPhone and returns it to factory settings, which is necessary before selling, giving away, or troubleshooting serious problems.
You can reset your iPhone through Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, or through a computer using Finder or iTunes if your phone won't turn on.
Apple will ask for your Apple ID password during the reset if Find My iPhone is enabled, so have that password ready before you start.
Back up your data to iCloud or a computer before resetting if you want to keep photos, contacts, or other information.
After the reset completes, your iPhone will restart and show the setup screen, and you can set it up as new or restore from a backup.

How to reset through Settings on a working iPhone

Open Settings and tap General. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings. Your iPhone will warn you that this action cannot be undone and will ask if you want to proceed. Tap Erase again to confirm.

If you have a passcode or Face ID set up, your iPhone will ask you to unlock it before erasing. This is a security measure. After you unlock it, the phone will ask for your Apple ID password. Enter it. If you don't remember your Apple ID password, stop here and recover it through iforgot.apple.com before trying again — you cannot complete the reset without it.

Once you enter your password, the erasing process begins. Your screen will show a progress bar. The phone may restart once or twice during this process. Do not turn it off or unplug it. When the progress bar reaches 100%, your iPhone will restart and display the setup screen with "Hello" at the top.

How to reset using a computer if your iPhone won't start

If your iPhone won't turn on, won't respond to touches, or is stuck in a loop, you can reset it using a Mac or Windows computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. On a Mac running MacOS Monterey or newer, open Finder and click your iPhone in the sidebar. On an older Mac or any Windows computer, open iTunes.

In Finder or iTunes, look for a button labeled Restore or Restore iPhone. Click it. Your computer will read the current iPhone software and install it on your phone, erasing everything in the process. This takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on your internet speed and which iPhone model you have. Do not disconnect the cable during this time.

When the restore finishes, your iPhone will restart and show the setup screen. If your iPhone had Find My iPhone enabled, you will still need your Apple ID password to complete the setup — the computer reset does not bypass this. If you don't have the password, you'll be stuck at the set up lock screen.

Backing up your data before you reset

If you want to keep your photos, messages, contacts, or app data, back up your iPhone before you reset it. The easiest way is through iCloud. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, tap iCloud, and make sure iCloud Backup is turned on. Tap Back Up Now. Your iPhone will upload your data to Apple's servers. This takes a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

You can also back up to a computer. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer, open Finder or iTunes, click your iPhone, and click Back Up Now. The backup saves to your computer's hard drive instead of the cloud. This is faster if you have a lot of data, and it keeps your backup under your control instead of on Apple's servers.

After you reset your iPhone and it shows the setup screen, you can restore from your backup. The setup process will ask if you want to restore from iCloud or from a computer backup. Choose the one you created. Your apps, photos, messages, and settings will return to your phone, though some app data may not restore if the app has changed since you backed up.

What happens if you forget your Apple ID password

If your iPhone asks for your Apple ID password during the reset and you don't remember it, you cannot complete the reset. Stop and recover your password first. Go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device. Enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will send you a recovery link to your email or ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created your account.

After you reset your password, wait 15 minutes before trying the iPhone reset again. Apple's servers need time to sync the new password across all their systems. Then go back to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings and try again.

What to do after the reset is complete

When your iPhone restarts after the reset, it will show the setup screen with "Hello" and ask you to choose a language. You can set it up as a new iPhone, or you can restore from a backup you created before the reset. If you're selling or giving away the phone, set it up as new and then turn it off — the new owner will complete the setup with their own Apple ID.

If you're keeping the phone, you can restore from your iCloud or computer backup during setup. This brings back your apps, photos, messages, and settings. Some apps may need to read updates from the App Store before they work. This is normal and takes a few minutes.

If you're giving the phone to someone else and you want them to start completely fresh, set it up as new and leave it at the setup screen. Do not sign in with your Apple ID. The new owner can then create their own account or sign in with theirs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my iPhone remove it from Find My iPhone?

No. The reset removes your data from the device, but it does not remove the phone from your Apple ID account. If you want to remove it from Find My, sign in to iCloud.com, go to Find My iPhone, select your device, and click Remove. Do this before you give the phone to someone else, or they won't be able to set it up.

Can I reset my iPhone if I don't have the password?

If you mean your iPhone passcode, yes — you can reset through a computer using Finder or iTunes. If you mean your Apple ID password, no. You'll need to recover it at iforgot.apple.com first. Apple requires this to prevent theft.

How long does a complete reset take?

The erasing process itself takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on your phone and which model you have. Do not turn off the phone or unplug it during this time. The initial setup after the reset takes another 5 to 10 minutes.

What if my iPhone gets stuck during the reset?

If the progress bar stops moving for more than an hour, try force restarting the phone. The method depends on your iPhone model — for iPhone 8 and newer, quickly press and release the volume up button, then the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo. Then try the reset again through Settings.

Can I undo a reset after it starts?

No. Once you confirm the reset in Settings, it cannot be stopped or reversed. This is why backing up your data first is important. If you realize you made a mistake after the reset completes, you can restore from your backup during setup.

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.