Whether you have lost your iPhone, are switching to a new smartphone, or perhaps passing on your existing iOS device to a friend or family member, it is important to learn how to factory reset your iPhone. While the process to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch is fairly straightforward, follow the steps in this guide to securely back up and erase the sensitive information stored on your device.
Note: if you’re looking to factory reset your Mac instead, we can help!
How to Back Up the Data on Your iPhone
If you need to migrate the data on your existing iPhone to a new iPhone, you will need to create a copy or backup of all of the information on your phone. You can do this using a wired connection to a Mac/PC or wirelessly via iCloud.
Back Up Your iPhone Using iCloud (Wireless Backup)
- Locate and open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on the Apple ID menu.
- Select “iCloud” from the list of menu options.
- Under the header that reads “DEVICE BACKUPS,” select “iCloud Backup.”
- Ensure that the switch to the right of “Back Up This iPhone” is enabled, then tap “Back Up Now” to initiate a backup.
Tip: learn how to use iCloud Keychain on Windows in this tutorial.
Back Up Your iPhone Using a Mac/PC (Wired Backup)
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC using a lighting to USB or lighting to USB-C cable.
Tip: having trouble identifying which cable to use? Check out our quick video guide to learn how to tell the difference between USB-C and USB 3 vs Thunderbolt.
- Open a Finder window if you are on a Mac or the iTunes app if your are on a PC. Click on your device listed in the sidebar.
- Click on the “Back Up Now” button to back up your iPhone.
How to Factory Reset Your iPhone
Trading in your iPhone or looking to start anew? Here is how to erase all of the content and settings on your iPhone before you hand it over to be reused or recycled:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap “General” from the menu.
- Scroll down and select “Transfer or Reset iPhone.”
- On the next screen, tap on “Erase All Content and Settings”.
- Your iPhone will display an at-a-glance breakdown of all the personal data that will be removed if you choose to proceed, including any eSIM service plans. Tap “Continue” to confirm. You will be asked to sign out of your Apple ID.
Good to know: this tutorial can help you secure your data and privacy on your IPhone.
How to Remotely Factory Reset Your iPhone
If your iPhone is stolen or you lose it, you may not have direct access to your iPhone, but you can remotely wipe it with a factory reset via the Find My app.
- Open the Find My app on another Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch.
- Locate your iPhone under the “Devices” tab and click on it.
- Tap on the red “Erase This Device” button.
When and How To Disable Find My
When you set up Find My on an Apple device, the Activation Lock security feature is automatically enabled, preventing bad actors from reactivating your device following a factory reset. Every time an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple Watch, or Mac that has an Apple T2 security chip or Apple silicon is activated or recovered, the device contacts Apple to check whether Activation Lock is turned on.
If you plan on trading in your iPhone or lending it to someone else, you will need to disable Find My iPhone to automatically disable Activation Lock. This ensures that the new owner will not need to enter the old owner’s Apple ID credentials to operate the device. Follow the steps below to disable Find My and Activation Lock on your iPhone:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on the Apple ID menu.
- Select “Find My” from the list of menu options.
- Tap on “Find My iPhone.”
- On the next screen, ensure that the toggle switch to the right of “Find My iPhone” is disabled. You will be asked to enter your Apple ID credentials before you can turn off Find My.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I need to erase my iPad?
The same workflow will work for users looking to erase all content and settings on an iPad. Many times, the same instructions will work for both iPhone and iPad, such as this tutorial on how to customize your iPhone or iPad Lock Screen.
Can I remotely erase and reset my iPhone if I do not have access to the Find My app on another Apple device?
Yes. You can visit iCloud.com using just about any internet browser to access the web version of the Find My app. Simply sign in, click on the Find My app icon from the homepage screen, locate your device, then select “Erase iPhone.”
What are my options if I forget the passcode for my iPhone?
If you forget your iPhone passcode, you will need to erase all of the information on your iPhone, in a process called “restoring,” to set up and use your iPhone again. Unfortunately, you will lose any data that you had on your iPhone that has not been backed up to iCloud, including contacts, calendar events, notes, etc. Before you restore your iPhone, you will need to put it into recovery mode. The workflow for activating recovery mode on every model of iPhone can be found in our guide on how to hard reset your iPhone and iPad.
If I factory reset my iPhone, does it delete my cell service plan with my provider?
No. Factory resetting your iPhone does not cancel your cellular plan with your current service provider. However, you may need to transfer the SIM card from your existing phone to a new one to transfer your cellular plan. Most modern smartphones, including the iPhone XS and newer, support eSIM, which allows you to set up and configure cell service without the need for a physical SIM card. You can take a look at our guide to discover how to transfer and activate an eSIM on iPhone 14.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Brahm Shank.
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
