How to Clear and Reset Your iPhone

What happens when you clear and reset your iPhone

Clearing and resetting your iPhone removes all data, settings, and apps from the device and returns it to factory condition. This is different from backing up — backing up saves your data to iCloud or a computer, while resetting erases it from the phone itself. You would reset an iPhone before selling it, giving it away, troubleshooting a serious problem, or starting fresh with a new setup.

There are two main ways to reset: erasing the iPhone through Settings (the most common method), or using a computer with Finder or iTunes if the phone won't turn on or respond. Both methods permanently remove everything on the device, so you should back up first if you want to keep any photos, contacts, messages, or app data.

Key Takeaways

Back up your iPhone to iCloud or a computer before resetting, because the reset process permanently deletes all data on the device.
The fastest reset method is Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, which takes 5 to 15 minutes.
If your iPhone is frozen or won't start, you can reset it through Finder on a Mac or iTunes on a Windows computer instead.
After reset, your iPhone will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID and set up as new or restore from your backup.
A reset does not remove your Apple ID lock, so you will need your Apple ID password to use the phone after it restarts.

Back up your data before you reset

Before you erase your iPhone, decide what you want to keep. If you have photos, contacts, messages, or app data you want to save, back up to iCloud or a computer. If you are giving the phone away or selling it and do not need anything on it, you can skip this step.

To back up to iCloud, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and turn on iCloud Backup. Then go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. This uploads your photos, contacts, messages, app data, and settings to your iCloud account. The backup takes anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

To back up to a computer, connect your iPhone with a USB cable. On a Mac with macOS Monterey or newer, open Finder, click your iPhone in the sidebar, and click Back Up Now. On a Windows computer or older Mac, open iTunes, select your iPhone, and click Back Up. A computer backup stores everything on your hard drive instead of in the cloud.

Reset your iPhone through Settings

This is the standard method and works when your iPhone turns on and responds normally. Open Settings, tap General, then scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Your iPhone will ask you to enter your Apple ID password. This is a security step — it prevents someone else from erasing your phone and using it without your permission. Type your password and tap Next. The phone will also ask whether you want to keep or remove your iCloud data. Choose Keep if you want your iCloud photos and files to stay in your account; choose Remove if you want to erase them too.

Once you confirm, the reset begins. Your screen will show a progress bar. Do not turn off the phone or disconnect it from power. The process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, your iPhone will restart and show the setup screen, as if it just came out of the box.

Reset a frozen or unresponsive iPhone

If your iPhone won't turn on, is stuck on the Apple logo, or does not respond to taps, you can reset it through a computer instead. You will need a Mac or Windows computer and a USB cable.

On a Mac with macOS Monterey or newer, connect your iPhone with the USB cable. Open Finder and click your iPhone in the sidebar. Click General, then click Restore. Finder will read the latest iPhone software and erase the phone. On a Windows computer or older Mac, open iTunes, connect your iPhone, and click Restore iPhone in the Summary tab. iTunes will handle the read and reset.

If your iPhone does not show up in Finder or iTunes, you may need to force restart it first. The method depends on your iPhone model — for iPhone 8 and newer, quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery screen. For iPhone 7, hold Volume Down and the Top (or Side) button together. For iPhone 6s and earlier, hold the Top (or Side) button and the Home button together. Once you see the recovery screen, Finder or iTunes will recognize the phone and you can restore it.

Set up your iPhone after the reset

After the reset completes and your iPhone restarts, it will show the setup screen. You will be asked to choose your language, country, and Wi-Fi network. Then you will see the option to Set Up as New iPhone or Restore from Backup.

If you backed up to iCloud, choose Restore from iCloud Backup, sign in with your Apple ID, and select which backup to restore. Your photos, contacts, messages, and app data will read to your phone. This usually takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have.

If you backed up to a computer, choose Set Up as New iPhone first, then connect the computer and restore from the backup through Finder or iTunes. If you do not want to restore anything, choose Set Up as New iPhone and continue through the setup without restoring.

Either way, you will need your Apple ID password to finish setup. This is the same password you use to sign into iCloud and the App Store. If you forget it, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com before you reset the phone, or you can reset it during setup by tapping Forgot Password.

What to do if you cannot remember your Apple ID password

Your Apple ID password is required to use your iPhone after a reset. If you do not remember it, go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device before you reset. Enter your Apple ID email address and follow the steps to reset your password through email or security questions.

If you reset your iPhone without resetting your password first, the setup screen will ask for your Apple ID password. You can tap Forgot Password and reset it right there, but you will need access to the email address or phone number associated with your account. If you do not have access to either, you may need to contact Apple Support to regain access to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my iPhone remove my Apple ID lock?

No. The reset erases your data and apps, but your Apple ID lock stays in place. After the reset, you will need your Apple ID password to set up the phone again. This protects your device if it is lost or stolen.

Can I stop a reset once it starts?

If you reset through Settings, you can cancel before you confirm the final step. Once you tap Erase All Content and Settings and enter your password, the process cannot be stopped. If you reset through Finder or iTunes, you can disconnect the cable before the restore finishes, but this may leave your phone in an unusable state.

How long does a reset take?

A reset through Settings usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. A reset through Finder or iTunes takes longer because it also downloads the latest iPhone software — this can take 20 to 45 minutes depending on your internet speed and how much data was on the phone.

What if I reset my iPhone by mistake?

If you have a backup, you can restore from it during setup. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup or restore from your computer backup. If you do not have a backup, your data is gone and cannot be recovered.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before resetting?

No. The reset does not affect your SIM card or your phone number. Your SIM will stay in the phone and work normally after the reset completes.

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.