A factory reset erases everything on your phone and returns it to the state it came in

When you reset your iPhone, Apple removes every photo, message, app, setting, and file you have stored on the device. The phone then restarts with the same software version it had when you bought it — no personal data remains. This is different from restarting your phone, which straightforward turns it off and back on while keeping everything intact.

There are two types of reset available to you. An erase all content and settings reset (done through your phone's settings) wipes the device and removes your Apple ID. A DFU restore (done through a computer with iTunes or Finder) erases the phone and reinstalls the operating system from scratch. Both result in a blank phone, but DFU restore is more thorough and is what Apple support may ask you to try if your phone has serious problems.

Most people reset their iPhone when they are selling it, giving it away, or trying to fix a phone that is frozen, crashing repeatedly, or running out of storage. It is also the nuclear option if your phone has been compromised or you suspect malware, though this is rare on iPhones.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset deletes all your photos, messages, apps, contacts, and settings — nothing is recoverable unless you have a backup.
  • You can restore your data from an iCloud or computer backup after the reset, which is why backing up before you reset is critical.
  • If you do not remove your Apple ID before resetting, the phone will ask for your Apple ID password when it starts up again, and you will not be able to use it without that password.
  • Resetting takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your phone model and whether you are doing it wirelessly or through a computer.
  • A reset does not remove set up lock or fix hardware problems like a broken screen or battery — it only wipes software and data.

What data gets deleted and what does not

Everything stored on your phone's internal storage is erased: photos and videos in your camera roll, messages and call history, notes, reminders, calendar events, passwords saved in your keychain, payment information in Apple Pay, and every app you installed. Your phone's settings return to factory defaults — your Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, custom wallpapers, and accessibility settings all disappear.

What does not get deleted is your Apple ID account itself, your iCloud data if you have not turned off iCloud sync, or anything stored in the cloud. If you have been backing up to iCloud, your photos, messages, and app data live on Apple's servers and can be restored after the reset. The same is true for anything backed up to a computer using Finder or iTunes.

Your phone number and carrier account are not affected by a reset — those live on your carrier's system, not on the phone itself. If you reset an iPhone that is locked to a specific carrier, it will still be locked to that carrier afterward.

How to back up before you reset

Before you reset, create a backup so you can restore your data afterward. You have two options: iCloud or a computer backup.

For an iCloud backup, open Settings, tap your name at the top, select iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup. Turn on iCloud Backup if it is not already on, then tap Back Up Now. This uploads your photos, messages, app data, and settings to Apple's servers. The backup takes as long as your internet connection allows — anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. You need enough free iCloud storage; Apple gives you 5 GB free, and you can buy more if you need it.

For a computer backup, connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC with a USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder, click your phone in the sidebar, and click Back Up Now. On Windows, open iTunes, select your phone, and click Back Up. This creates a local copy of your data on your computer's hard drive. A computer backup is faster than iCloud for large amounts of data and does not count against your iCloud storage limit.

Steps to reset your iPhone through settings

Open Settings and scroll down to General. Tap General, then scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset. Select Erase All Content and Settings. Your phone will ask you to confirm and may ask for your Apple ID password — this is a security measure to prevent someone else from erasing your phone remotely.

The phone will then show a countdown and begin erasing. Do not unplug it or turn it off during this process. When the erase is complete, your iPhone will restart and show the setup screen, the same one you saw when you first bought it. From here you can set it up as a new phone or restore from your backup.

The entire process takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data was on your phone. Older iPhones may take longer.

How to restore your data after the reset

When your iPhone finishes resetting and restarts, it will ask you to set up the phone. You will see options to set up as new or restore from a backup. If you have an iCloud backup, select Restore from iCloud Backup, sign in with your Apple ID, and choose which backup to restore. Your phone will read your photos, messages, apps, and settings from iCloud.

If you have a computer backup, connect your phone to the same computer you backed up to, open Finder or iTunes, select your phone, and click Restore Backup. Choose the backup you want to restore and wait for the process to finish.

Restoring from a backup can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on the size of your backup and your internet speed. Your phone will restart multiple times during the process. Do not disconnect it until the restore is complete and you see your home screen.

What happens if you reset without removing your Apple ID first

If you reset your iPhone without signing out of your Apple ID, the phone will ask for your Apple ID password when it starts up again. This is set up lock, a security feature that prevents someone from using a stolen iPhone. You will not be able to set up the phone or use it at all without entering the correct Apple ID password.

If you are the owner and remember your password, sign in and you can proceed. If you do not remember your password, you will need to reset it through Apple's website or use your recovery key if you saved one. If you are selling or giving away the phone, you must remove your Apple ID before handing it over, or the new owner will be stuck at the set up lock screen.

To remove your Apple ID before resetting, open Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. You will be asked whether to keep or delete your iCloud data on the phone — choose based on whether you want that data to stay in iCloud or be removed. Then you can safely reset the phone.

When a reset does not fix the problem

A reset solves most software problems: apps that crash, the phone that freezes, or storage that is full. It does not fix hardware problems. If your screen is cracked, your battery drains in an hour, your speaker does not work, or your phone does not charge, a reset will not help. Those are physical problems that require repair or replacement.

A reset also does not remove set up lock if you are locked out of your Apple ID. If you cannot sign into your Apple ID and do not have your password or recovery key, you will be stuck at the set up lock screen after the reset. You will need to contact Apple Support or use your recovery email to regain access to your account.

If your phone is severely corrupted — for example, if it will not turn on or gets stuck in a boot loop — a standard reset through settings may not work. In that case, you can try a DFU restore through a computer, which reinstalls the operating system. This requires a computer with Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) and a USB cable. Apple Support can walk you through the steps if you need to try this.

Resetting a phone you are selling or giving away

Before you hand over your iPhone to someone else, sign out of your Apple ID, back up your data if you want to keep it, and then erase all content and settings. This removes set up lock and ensures the new owner can set up the phone with their own account.

After you erase, the phone will restart and show the setup screen. At this point, the phone is ready for the new owner. They can connect to Wi-Fi, sign in with their own Apple ID, and restore from their own backup or set it up as new.

If you are selling the phone, do this before you hand it over or ship it. If you are trading it in to Apple or a carrier, they will erase it themselves, but erasing it first ensures your data is not on the device when it leaves your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a reset after I have already done it?

No, a reset cannot be undone. Once the erase is complete, the data is gone from the phone. Your only option is to restore from a backup if you have one. This is why backing up before you reset is so important.

Will a reset remove viruses or malware from my iPhone?

A reset will remove any malicious software that is stored on your phone's storage. However, malware on iPhones is extremely rare because of how iOS is designed. If you think your phone has been compromised, a reset is a good step, but contact Apple Support to be sure.

How much free space do I need to reset my iPhone?

You do not need extra free space to reset. The erase process works even if your phone is completely full. However, if you are trying to restore from a backup afterward, you need enough space for the restored data.

What if I forget my Apple ID password and need to reset my phone?

Go to iforgot.apple.com and reset your password using your recovery email or recovery key. If you do not have access to either, you will need to contact Apple Support with proof of purchase to regain access to your account before you can complete the reset.

Does resetting my iPhone remove it from Find My iPhone?

A reset removes the phone from Find My, but only if you sign out of your Apple ID before resetting. If you reset without signing out, the phone will still be linked to your account through set up lock, and you can still find it or erase it remotely.