What resetting to default actually does

Resetting your iPhone to default — also called a factory reset — erases everything on the phone and restores it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This means all your photos, messages, apps, contacts, and settings disappear. The phone itself still works; you are just removing your data and returning the software to a blank slate.

People reset iPhones for different reasons. You might do it before selling or giving away the phone so the next owner gets a clean device. You might do it because the phone is running slowly or crashing constantly and you want to rule out software problems. You might do it because you forgot your passcode and cannot get into the phone any other way. Whatever the reason, the process is the same.

A factory reset is different from restarting your phone. Restarting turns the phone off and back on but keeps all your data. A factory reset removes the data entirely. Once you start a factory reset, you cannot stop it partway through — the process runs to completion.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases all data on your iPhone and returns it to blank factory settings, and you cannot undo it once started.
  • You should back up your photos, messages, and other data to iCloud or a computer before resetting if you want to keep them.
  • You can reset through Settings on the phone itself, or through a computer using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) if the phone will not turn on.
  • After reset, the phone asks for your Apple ID and password to reactivate, so you must know this information or have access to the email address tied to your account.
  • A factory reset takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your iPhone model and internet speed.

Back up your data before you reset

Before you erase everything, decide what you want to keep. If you have photos, videos, messages, or contacts you care about, back them up first. The most common way is through iCloud, which is Apple's cloud storage service built into every iPhone.

To back up through iCloud, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Make sure the toggle next to iCloud Backup is turned on (it should be blue). Then tap Back Up Now. The backup runs in the background and can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. You can check progress by going back to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and looking at the timestamp next to "Last Backup".

If you have a Mac, you can also plug the iPhone into the computer and back up through Finder. If you have a Windows computer, use iTunes instead. These backups store everything on your computer rather than in the cloud. Either method works — the point is to have a copy somewhere before you erase the phone.

Reset through Settings if the phone turns on

If your iPhone powers on and you can unlock it, the fastest way to reset is through the Settings app. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap General. Scroll to the very bottom and tap Transfer or Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

The phone will ask you to confirm. It will also ask for your Apple ID password — this is a security feature to prevent someone else from erasing your phone without permission. Type in the password associated with the Apple ID you use on this phone. If you do not remember the password, you can reset it through Apple's website before you start the factory reset, or you can use a different method described below.

Once you enter the password, the phone begins erasing. You will see a progress bar. Do not turn off the phone or unplug it during this time. The process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. When it finishes, the phone restarts and shows the setup screen you saw when the phone was brand new.

Reset through a computer if the phone will not turn on

If your iPhone is frozen, will not power on, or is stuck in a loop, you can reset it using a Mac or Windows computer. Plug the iPhone into the computer with a USB cable. On a Mac running Monterey or newer, open Finder and look for the iPhone in the sidebar. On a Mac running an older version, or on any Windows computer, open iTunes instead.

Click the iPhone icon when it appears. You should see a summary screen with information about the phone. Look for a button that says Restore or Restore iPhone. Click it. A dialog box will ask if you want to restore — this is the factory reset. Click Restore again to confirm.

The computer will read the latest iPhone software and install it on the phone. This process can take 20 to 30 minutes. Do not unplug the phone during this time. When it finishes, the phone restarts and shows the setup screen.

What happens after the reset is complete

After the factory reset finishes, your iPhone looks and works exactly like a brand new phone. The first screen asks you to choose a language and region. Then it asks whether you want to set up as a new iPhone or restore from a backup.

If you backed up to iCloud before the reset, you can choose Restore from iCloud Backup. The phone asks for your Apple ID and password, then downloads your backup and reinstalls your photos, messages, apps, and settings. This takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data was in the backup.

If you do not restore from a backup, you continue through the setup screens and end up with a completely blank phone. You can then read apps from the App Store, add contacts manually, and set everything up from scratch.

You will need your Apple ID password to reactivate

After a factory reset, the iPhone requires your Apple ID and password before you can use it. This is called set up Lock and it is a security feature that prevents someone from stealing your phone and erasing it to use as their own.

If you are resetting your own phone, you should know your Apple ID password. If you do not, you can reset it through Apple's website before you start the factory reset. Go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your Apple ID email address, and follow the steps to reset the password. You will need access to the email address or phone number tied to your account.

If you are resetting someone else's phone with their permission, they need to provide the Apple ID password. If they do not know it and cannot reset it, the phone cannot be reactivated after the reset — it will be stuck on the set up screen. This is intentional and is why you should never reset someone else's iPhone without their password.

When a factory reset does not fix the problem

Sometimes people reset their iPhone hoping it will fix a problem like slow performance or constant crashes. A factory reset does help in some cases — if an app was broken or a setting was wrong, erasing everything and starting fresh can solve it. But if the problem persists after a clean reset and restore, the issue is likely hardware-related, not software-related.

Hardware problems include a failing battery, a broken screen, water damage, or a problem with the phone's processor. A factory reset cannot fix these. If your phone is still having problems after reset, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. Bring your phone and be ready to describe what is happening. If the phone is under warranty or you have AppleCare, repairs may be covered.

If the phone is very old or the repair cost is high, you might decide it is time to replace it instead. But before you do, a factory reset is worth trying — it is free and takes less than an hour, and it does solve software problems in many cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a factory reset after I start it?

No. Once you confirm the reset, the phone begins erasing and you cannot stop it. This is why backing up first is important. If you realize you made a mistake after the reset completes, you can restore from your backup if you created one before the reset.

Will a factory reset remove my Apple ID from the phone?

The reset erases your data and settings, but it does not remove your Apple ID from the phone's security system. After reset, the phone requires your Apple ID password to reactivate. If you want to remove your Apple ID entirely, you need to sign out of it in Settings before you reset, or you need to know the password after reset.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset itself usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. If you restore from a backup afterward, add another 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data is in the backup. The total time is usually between 30 minutes and an hour.

What if I forget my Apple ID password during the reset?

You can reset your Apple ID password through iforgot.apple.com before you start the factory reset. If you forget it after the reset is already running, you will need to complete the reset first, then sign in with the correct password when the phone asks for it. If you do not know the password and cannot reset it, the phone will be stuck on the set up screen.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before resetting?

No. A factory reset does not affect your SIM card or your phone number. Your carrier information stays on the SIM card. After reset, the phone still has cellular service as long as the SIM card is in the phone.