Proven Way How to Reset iPhone: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Is your iPhone acting a bit wonky? Maybe it’s slow, buggy, or you’re preparing to sell it. Whatever the reason, knowing how to reset iPhone to factory settings is a super useful skill! Don’t worry if this sounds complicated; I’m Mishu Shohan, and I’ll guide you through it step-by-step. We’ll make sure your iPhone is fresh and ready for whatever you need it to do next. Let’s get your iPhone back to its best!

Quick Summary: Resetting Your iPhone

Resetting your iPhone to factory settings is like giving it a fresh start. It erases all your data and settings, returning the device to its original, out-of-the-box state. This is often the best solution for persistent software glitches, slow performance, or when preparing to sell or give away your iPhone. The process is straightforward and can be done directly from your iPhone’s settings or via a computer using iTunes or Finder.

Why Would You Want to Reset Your iPhone?

Sometimes, technology gets a little… tangled. When your iPhone starts misbehaving, a factory reset can be the digital equivalent of a fresh coat of paint and a good declutter. Here are some common reasons why you might need to reset your iPhone:

• Performance Issues: If your iPhone is suddenly slow, apps are crashing frequently, or you’re experiencing freezes, a reset can often clear out corrupted data or software conflicts causing these problems.
• Troubleshooting Persistent Glitches: Some software bugs are stubborn and don’t go away with simple restarts. A factory reset wipes the slate clean, removing any underlying software issues.
• Preparing to Sell or Give Away: This is crucial! Before you pass your iPhone on, you must erase all your personal data to protect your privacy. A factory reset ensures no one else can access your photos, messages, accounts, or other sensitive information. Apple has detailed privacy guidelines you should be aware of.
• Removing Malware or Viruses: While iPhones are generally secure, in rare cases, malicious software could cause issues. A reset is the most effective way to remove such threats.
• Starting Fresh: Sometimes, you just want a clean slate to set up your iPhone again, perhaps with a new Apple ID or a different configuration.

Before You Hit Reset: Essential Preparations

A factory reset erases everything on your iPhone. This means all your apps, photos, videos, messages, contacts, settings, and account information will be gone. So, before you proceed, it’s super important to do a few things:

1. Back Up Your iPhone

This is the most critical step. You don’t want to lose precious memories or important information! You have two main options for backing up:

Option A: iCloud Backup

This is the easiest way if you have enough iCloud storage. Here’s how:

1. Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Tap your Apple ID name at the top.
4. Tap iCloud.
5. Tap iCloud Backup.
6. Tap Back Up Now. Make sure the Wi-Fi connection is stable until the backup is complete.

Tip: To ensure your backup is always up-to-date, make sure “iCloud Backup” is toggled on. Your iPhone will automatically back up when it’s connected to Wi-Fi, locked, and charging.

Option B: Computer Backup (Mac or PC)

You can also back up your iPhone using your computer. This is a good option if you have a lot of data or limited iCloud storage.

On a Mac (macOS Catalina 10.15 or later):

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable.
2. Open the Finder window.
3. Select your iPhone from the sidebar under “Locations.”
4. If prompted, trust your computer on your iPhone.
5. In the Finder window, click General.
6. Select Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.
7. To encrypt your local backup (recommended for saving passwords and Wi-Fi settings), select Encrypt local backup and create a password.
8. Click Back Up Now.

On a PC or Mac (macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier):

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes. If you don’t have it, you can download it from Apple’s website.
3. Click the iPhone icon near the top-left corner of the iTunes window.
4. If prompted, trust your computer on your iPhone.
5. In the Summary tab, under “Backups,” select This computer.
6. To encrypt your local backup, select Encrypt local backup and create a password.
7. Click Back up Now.

2. Sign Out of iCloud and Other Services

This is crucial, especially if you’re selling your iPhone. Signing out of iCloud will disable Activation Lock, which prevents someone else from using your iPhone even after a factory reset.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap your Apple ID name at the top.
3. Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
4. You’ll be asked to enter your Apple ID password to turn off “Find My iPhone.” Enter it and tap Turn Off.
5. You might also be asked if you want to keep a copy of your iCloud data (like contacts or calendars) on this device. Since you’re resetting, you can choose not to.

Also, consider signing out of other apps that use your Apple ID or have stored sensitive information, like messaging apps or payment apps.

3. Gather Necessary Information

Make sure you know your Apple ID password. You’ll need it to sign out of iCloud and potentially to re-activate your iPhone later if you decide to keep it. Also, have your Wi-Fi password handy, as you’ll need it to set up your iPhone again.

How to Reset iPhone to Factory Settings: The Main Event!

Now that you’ve backed up your data and signed out of essential services, you’re ready to perform the factory reset. There are two primary methods:

Method 1: Resetting from iPhone Settings (Easiest)

This is the most common and straightforward way to reset your iPhone.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Your iPhone will ask for your passcode and potentially your Apple ID password to confirm that you want to erase all data. Once confirmed, the process will begin. Your iPhone will restart and show the Apple logo with a progress bar. This can take a few minutes.

Method 2: Resetting Using a Computer (Mac or PC)

This method is useful if your iPhone is unresponsive or if you prefer using a computer.

Using Finder on Mac (macOS Catalina 10.15 or later)

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac.
2. Open Finder and select your iPhone from the sidebar.
3. Click General.
4. Click Restore iPhone….
5. Click Restore to confirm.

Finder will download the latest iOS software for your iPhone and then restore your iPhone to factory settings. Your iPhone will restart after the process is complete.

Using iTunes on PC or Mac (macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier)

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Open iTunes.
3. Click the iPhone icon near the top-left corner.
4. In the Summary tab, click Restore iPhone….
5. Click Restore to confirm.

iTunes will download the necessary software and then restore your iPhone. Your iPhone will restart once the restoration is finished.

What Happens After the Reset?

Once the reset is complete, your iPhone will look brand new, just like when you first took it out of the box. You’ll see the “Hello” screen, and you can then set it up as a new iPhone or restore it from your iCloud or computer backup.

Restoring from a Backup

If you want your data back, this is where your backup comes in handy:

1. When you see the “Hello” screen after the reset, follow the on-screen setup prompts.
2. When you reach the “Apps & Data” screen, choose either Restore from iCloud Backup or Restore from Mac or PC.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to select your backup and complete the restore process.

If you don’t restore from a backup, your iPhone will remain completely empty, ready for a fresh start.

Understanding Different Types of Resets

It’s important to know that “resetting” can mean different things on an iPhone. Apple provides several options within the “Transfer or Reset iPhone” menu. Here’s a quick look at them:

For the purpose of this guide on how to reset iPhone to factory settings, we are focusing on the “Erase All Content and Settings” option, which performs a full factory reset.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are a few common hiccups and how to deal with them:

• iPhone is frozen during reset: If your iPhone freezes with the Apple logo and progress bar, try a force restart. The exact method varies by iPhone model, but it usually involves pressing and quickly releasing the volume buttons and then pressing and holding the side button. Check Apple’s official support page for your specific model.
• Forgot Apple ID password: If you forgot your Apple ID password, you’ll need to reset it before you can sign out of iCloud and perform a factory reset. Visit iforgot.apple.com for assistance.
• Activation Lock still enabled: If you reset your iPhone without signing out of iCloud, you might be stuck at the Activation Lock screen. This requires your Apple ID and password to proceed. If you can’t remember them, you’ll need to go through Apple’s account recovery process.
• Backup not found: Ensure you’re signed into the correct Apple ID and are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network when trying to restore from an iCloud backup. If using a computer backup, make sure you’re using the correct computer and that the backup wasn’t corrupted.

Watch How to Reset Your iPhone

Visual learners often find seeing the process helpful. This video provides a clear demonstration of how to reset your iPhone:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

There you have it! Knowing how to reset iPhone to factory settings is a powerful tool in your tech arsenal. Whether you’re troubleshooting a stubborn glitch, clearing out old data, or preparing your iPhone for a new life with someone else, the process is manageable when you follow these steps carefully. Remember to always back up your data first – it’s the most important step to ensure you don’t lose anything precious. With a little preparation, you can confidently give your iPhone a fresh start whenever you need it.