A factory reset erases everything on your phone and returns it to the state it came in
When you reset an iPhone, Apple wipes the device completely — all your photos, messages, apps, contacts, passwords, and settings disappear. The phone then restarts as if it just came out of the box, with only the operating system and Apple's built-in apps remaining. This is different from restarting your phone (which just turns it off and back on) or backing up your data (which saves a copy somewhere else).
There are two ways to reset: through Settings on the phone itself, or through a computer using Apple's Finder or iTunes. Both methods do the same thing, but the computer route works if your phone won't turn on or respond to touch. A factory reset is permanent — once you confirm it, the data is gone unless you restore from a backup you made beforehand.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset erases all data on your iPhone permanently, including photos, messages, apps, contacts, and saved passwords.
- You can reset through Settings (General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings) or through a computer if your phone is unresponsive.
- Before resetting, back up your phone to iCloud or a computer so you can restore your data afterward if you want it.
- If you have Find My iPhone turned on, you will need your Apple ID password to complete the reset and reactivate the phone.
- A reset does not remove your phone from your carrier's account or cancel your service plan — you must contact your carrier separately.
Why people reset iPhones and when it actually helps
Most people reset an iPhone for one of three reasons: they are selling or giving it away, they want to start fresh because the phone is slow or buggy, or they are troubleshooting a serious problem like malware or a broken app that won't uninstall.
A reset genuinely fixes some problems — if your phone is running slowly because storage is full or because corrupted files are taking up space, a clean slate can help. It also removes any malicious software that may have installed itself, since malware gets erased along with everything else. But a reset is not a cure-all. If your phone is slow because the battery is failing or the processor is overheating, a reset will not fix that. If you have a hardware problem like a broken screen or water damage, erasing the phone will not repair it.
Before you reset, try the smaller steps first: restart the phone, close apps you are not using, delete photos and videos you no longer need, and uninstall apps you do not open. These steps solve most slowness without erasing your data. If the phone still has problems after that, a reset is worth trying.
How to back up your iPhone before you reset
The safest approach is to back up your phone before you reset, so you can restore your data if you change your mind or if you want to move to a new phone. Apple offers two backup methods: iCloud (wireless, stored on Apple's servers) and a computer backup (stored on your Mac or Windows PC).
iCloud backup is the easiest route. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, and turn it on. Your phone will back up automatically when it is plugged in, connected to Wi-Fi, and locked. You can also tap "Back Up Now" to start when ready. The backup includes photos, messages, app data, contacts, calendar, notes, and settings — but not apps themselves (those read fresh from the App Store when you restore). iCloud gives you 5 GB free; if you have more data than that, you pay for more storage.
Computer backup is more thorough and does not count against your iCloud storage. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder, plug in your iPhone, click the device name in the sidebar, and click "Back Up Now." On a Windows PC or older Mac, use iTunes instead. A computer backup includes everything — apps, settings, messages, photos, and more — so restoring from it puts your phone back exactly as it was.
You can use both methods at once. Many people keep an iCloud backup for convenience and a computer backup for safety.
The step-by-step process to reset your iPhone
If your phone is working and you can access Settings, this is the fastest way:
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset (the name varies by iOS version).
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your Apple ID password if prompted. This is the password for the account you use to sign into iCloud, not your phone's passcode.
- Confirm that you want to erase. The phone will restart and begin wiping itself. This takes a few minutes.
- When it finishes, you will see the setup screen, as if the phone is brand new.
If your phone is frozen, unresponsive, or will not turn on, you need a computer. Plug the phone into a Mac or Windows PC with a USB cable. On Mac, open Finder and click the device name; on Windows or older Mac, open iTunes. Click "Restore" when prompted. The computer will read the latest iOS and install it while erasing the phone. This can take 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed.
What happens after the reset — and what you need to do next
After the reset completes, your iPhone shows the setup screen. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with your Apple ID. At this point, you have two choices: set up as a new phone, or restore from a backup.
If you choose to restore, the phone will read your backup from iCloud or restore from a computer backup. This puts your photos, messages, apps, and settings back on the phone. Restoring from iCloud takes longer because it downloads everything over the internet, but it works on any Wi-Fi network. Restoring from a computer backup is faster because the data transfers directly through the USB cable.
If you set up as a new phone, you start completely fresh. You will need to sign back into your email, messaging apps, and social media accounts manually. This takes longer but gives you a truly clean slate.
One important note: if you have Find My iPhone turned on (which you should, for security), you will need your Apple ID password to reactivate the phone after the reset. This is a security feature to prevent theft. If you forget your password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com, but you will need access to the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID.
What a reset does not do — and what you still need to handle
A factory reset erases the phone itself, but it does not touch your carrier account or your service plan. If you are selling the phone, you must contact your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) separately to remove the phone from your account. Otherwise, the new owner cannot set up service on it, and you may still be charged for the line.
A reset also does not remove your phone number from any accounts that use it for two-factor authentication or recovery. If you are giving the phone to someone else, change your passwords and remove the phone number from your bank, email, and social media accounts before you hand it over. Otherwise, the new owner could use that phone number to reset your passwords and access your accounts.
Finally, a reset does not delete data that is stored in the cloud rather than on the phone itself. If you use iCloud Photos, Google Photos, OneDrive, or Dropbox, those photos and files are still in those services even after you reset. If you want them gone, you must delete them from the cloud service separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo a reset after I have already done it?
No — once a reset is complete, the data on the phone is gone for good. Your only option is to restore from a backup you made before the reset. If you did not back up, the data cannot be recovered. This is why backing up before you reset is so important.
Will a reset remove viruses or malware from my iPhone?
Yes. A factory reset erases everything on the phone, including any malicious software. However, malware on iPhones is rare because Apple's App Store has strict security rules. If you think your phone has malware, a reset will remove it, but you should also change your passwords on a different device and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
Do I need to reset my iPhone if I am just selling it?
Yes. Before you sell or give away your phone, you must reset it to remove your personal data. After the reset, also contact your carrier to remove the phone from your account so the new owner can set up it.
What if I forget my Apple ID password during the reset?
You can reset your Apple ID password at iforgot.apple.com using the email address or phone number associated with your account. You will need to answer security questions or receive a verification code. Once you reset the password, you can use it to complete the phone setup.
Does resetting my iPhone delete my iCloud data like photos and email?
No. iCloud Photos, email, contacts, and other data stored in iCloud remain in your iCloud account even after you reset the phone. They are stored on Apple's servers, not on the phone itself. If you want to delete them, you must do so through iCloud.com or the iCloud settings on another device.