A factory reset on iPhone erases all data, settings, and apps, returning the device to its original out-of-box state. To factory reset your iPhone with a password, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Without a password, connect to a Mac or PC, enter Recovery Mode, and restore through Finder or iTunes. This guide covers every method for iPhone 8 through iPhone 16 Pro Max running iOS 18 and earlier.
You need to factory reset your iPhone when selling or trading it in, when persistent software bugs survive a normal restart, when your device runs abnormally slow after years of use, or when you are locked out and forgot your passcode. Apple changed the reset process significantly with iOS 15 and later, making the Settings method faster (no full iTunes restore needed), but the Recovery Mode and DFU Mode methods remain essential for situations where you cannot access the home screen. Over 1.2 billion active iPhones exist worldwide as of 2026, and Apple Support documents confirm that factory resetting is the single most effective troubleshooting step for software-related issues that a restart cannot resolve.
How to Factory Reset iPhone from Settings
Factory resetting your iPhone from the Settings app is the simplest method when you know your passcode and the device is responsive. This approach works on every iPhone model from the iPhone 6s to the iPhone 16 Pro Max running iOS 18 or later. The entire process takes between 5 and 15 minutes depending on how much data your device stores.
Step 1: Back Up Your iPhone First
Before erasing anything, create a fresh backup. Open Settings > tap your name at the top > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now. Wait for the backup to complete. You can verify the timestamp under “Last successful backup.” If your iPhone storage is full, you may need to free up iCloud space or create a local backup on your computer first. Apple gives you 5GB of free iCloud storage, but most users need the 50GB ($0.99/month) or 200GB ($2.99/month) plan to back up everything.
Step 2: Open Reset Settings
Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. On iOS 17 and iOS 18, Apple places this option at the very bottom of the General menu. Tap “Erase All Content and Settings.” Your iPhone will ask you to enter your passcode, then your Apple ID password to turn off Find My iPhone and Activation Lock. Activation Lock is Apple’s theft-deterrent feature that ties your device to your Apple ID. Without entering your Apple ID password here, the next owner cannot set up the phone.
Step 3: Confirm and Wait
After entering your credentials, your iPhone shows a final confirmation screen listing everything that will be removed: apps, data, Apple Pay cards, Apple ID account, and personal settings. Tap “Erase iPhone” to confirm. The device displays the Apple logo with a progress bar. Do not interrupt this process. Once complete, your iPhone restarts to the “Hello” setup screen, ready for a new owner or a fresh start. If you plan to transfer data to a new iPhone, you can restore from your iCloud backup during the setup wizard.
How to Factory Reset iPhone Without Password
Factory resetting an iPhone without a password requires putting the device into Recovery Mode and using a computer to restore it. This method erases the passcode along with all data on the device. You cannot bypass the passcode and keep your data intact. Apple designed this restriction intentionally so that stolen phones cannot be unlocked by thieves. Recovery Mode is a diagnostic state where your iPhone communicates with Finder or iTunes but does not boot into iOS.
Entering Recovery Mode by iPhone Model
The button combination to enter Recovery Mode varies by iPhone model. For iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), iPhone X, and all newer models through iPhone 16 Pro Max: press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears (a computer icon with a cable). For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side button simultaneously until the Recovery Mode screen appears. For iPhone 6s and earlier: press and hold the Home button and the Side (or Top) button simultaneously until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
Restoring Through Recovery Mode
Connect your iPhone to a Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later and open Finder. On a Windows PC or older Mac, open iTunes. Your computer detects the iPhone in Recovery Mode and displays a dialog with two options: Update or Restore. Click “Restore.” The computer downloads the latest iOS firmware (typically 4-6 GB depending on the version) and installs it, erasing all content and settings in the process. This download can take 15 minutes to over an hour depending on your internet speed. Do not disconnect the iPhone during this process. Once the restore completes, your iPhone boots to the setup screen. If Activation Lock was enabled, you still need the original Apple ID and password to proceed past the activation screen.
When Recovery Mode Fails: DFU Mode
DFU Mode (Device Firmware Update) is a deeper restore state that bypasses the iOS bootloader entirely. DFU Mode is the most thorough factory reset method Apple provides, used when Recovery Mode fails, when the iPhone is stuck in a boot loop, or when downgrading firmware. To enter DFU Mode on iPhone 8 and later: connect to a computer, press Volume Up then Volume Down quickly, hold the Side button for 10 seconds, then while still holding the Side button also hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds, then release the Side button while keeping Volume Down held for another 10 seconds. The screen stays completely black (no Apple logo, no Recovery Mode icon). If you see anything on screen, you are not in DFU Mode. Finder or iTunes will detect the device and prompt you to restore.
How to Factory Reset iPhone Using a Computer
Using a computer to factory reset your iPhone gives you more control over the process and works even when the iPhone screen is unresponsive or cracked. Apple replaced iTunes with Finder for iPhone management on macOS Catalina (10.15) and later. Windows users and those on macOS Mojave or earlier still use iTunes. Both applications perform identical restore functions.
Factory Reset with Finder on Mac
Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a Lightning or USB-C cable (iPhone 15 and 16 series use USB-C). Open Finder and select your iPhone from the left sidebar under “Locations.” You see a summary page showing your iPhone model, storage capacity, and iOS version. Click “Restore iPhone” in the General tab. Finder asks you to confirm, then downloads the latest iOS firmware and installs it. The process erases all data and settings. If you want to create a backup before restoring, click “Back Up Now” before clicking Restore. Finder stores local backups in ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/ on your Mac.
Factory Reset with iTunes on Windows
Download iTunes from the Microsoft Store or apple.com/itunes if you have not already. Connect your iPhone via USB and click the phone icon in the upper-left corner of iTunes. Select the “Summary” tab and click “Restore iPhone.” iTunes downloads the current iOS firmware and restores your device. Windows users should ensure they have the latest version of iTunes (12.13 or later as of 2026) and that Apple Mobile Device USB Driver is installed. If iTunes does not detect your iPhone, try a different USB port, restart the Apple Mobile Device Service in Windows Services, or use a different cable.
Troubleshooting Computer Connection Issues
The most common issue during a computer-based factory reset is the iPhone not being recognized. On Mac, reset the USB bus by restarting your computer. On Windows, open Device Manager, expand “Universal Serial Bus controllers,” and uninstall then reinstall “Apple Mobile Device USB Driver.” Also verify that the cable you are using supports data transfer (some cheap cables are charge-only). If you see Error 4013 or Error 4005 during the restore, these indicate a connection interruption. Try a different USB port, a different cable, or a different computer entirely.
How to Factory Reset iPhone Remotely
Remote factory reset through Find My iPhone lets you erase your device from anywhere with an internet connection, even if the iPhone is lost or stolen. This method requires that Find My iPhone was enabled on the device before it went missing (enabled by default since iOS 13). The erase command executes the next time the iPhone connects to Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Using iCloud.com to Erase Remotely
Open a web browser on any device and go to icloud.com/find. Sign in with your Apple ID. Click “All Devices” and select the iPhone you want to erase. Click “Erase iPhone.” You can optionally enter a phone number and message that display on the lock screen before the erase begins (useful if you hope someone returns the phone). Once confirmed, iCloud sends the erase command to your iPhone. If the device is offline, the command queues and executes when the iPhone next connects to the internet.
Using Find My App on Another Apple Device
If you have another iPhone, iPad, or Mac, open the Find My app. Tap the “Devices” tab, select the target iPhone, scroll down, and tap “Erase This Device.” The process is identical to the iCloud.com method. After the erase completes, the iPhone still shows as linked to your Apple ID. You need to remove the device from your account (tap “Remove This Device” after erasing) if you are selling or giving it away. Leaving it linked means the new owner hits the Activation Lock screen and cannot set up the phone without your Apple ID credentials.
What to Do Before Factory Resetting Your iPhone
Skipping the pre-reset checklist is the number one reason people lose data permanently during a factory reset. Apple makes iCloud backup easy, but several data types require separate action because they are not included in standard iCloud backups or because they use independent encryption.
Complete Pre-Reset Backup Checklist
Start with a full iCloud backup (Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now). Then handle these items individually. Your photos: verify that iCloud Photos is syncing by checking Settings > Photos > iCloud Photos. If you turned it off at some point, your recent photos may only exist on the device. Download them to a computer or upload to Google Photos as a secondary backup. If you accidentally lose photos during a reset, you may be able to recover deleted photos from the Recently Deleted album within 30 days.
WhatsApp chats require a separate backup within the WhatsApp app (Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up Now). WhatsApp uses its own iCloud backup system independent from your iPhone’s system backup. Authenticator apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator need special attention: export your accounts or transfer them to a new device before resetting, because the codes are generated locally and are not part of iCloud backup. If you lose your authenticator data, you lose access to every account protected by those codes.
Sign Out of Apple ID and Deactivate Services
Before resetting, go to Settings > tap your name > Sign Out. This disables Activation Lock, removes your device from Find My, and deassociates iMessage and FaceTime from this device. If you skip this step and erase the phone, the new owner sees “This iPhone is linked to an Apple ID” and cannot proceed without your credentials. Also unpair your Apple Watch if you have one (Watch app > your watch > Unpair Apple Watch). Unpairing automatically creates a backup of your Apple Watch data. You should also check if you have any hidden apps on your iPhone that might contain data you want to save before erasing everything.
Reset vs Erase: Which iPhone Reset Option to Use
Apple offers multiple reset options under Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset. Each option erases different data. Choosing the wrong one either removes too little (your problem persists) or too much (you lose data unnecessarily). The table below breaks down every reset type, what it erases, and when to use it.
| Reset Method | What It Erases | Passcode Required | Apple ID Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erase All Content and Settings | Everything: apps, data, settings, accounts, media | Yes | Yes (if Find My is on) | Selling, trading in, or starting completely fresh |
| Reset All Settings | Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, privacy settings, keyboard dictionary. No apps or data removed. | Yes | No | Fixing persistent bugs without losing data |
| Reset Network Settings | Wi-Fi networks, VPN configs, Bluetooth pairings, cellular settings | Yes | No | Fixing Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity issues |
| Recovery Mode Restore | Everything: same as Erase All, performed via Finder/iTunes | No (bypasses passcode) | Yes (Activation Lock post-restore) | Locked out of iPhone, forgot passcode |
| DFU Mode Restore | Everything including firmware: deepest possible reset | No (bypasses passcode) | Yes (Activation Lock post-restore) | Boot loop, Recovery Mode failure, firmware corruption |
| Find My iPhone (Remote Erase) | Everything: same as Erase All, performed remotely | No | Yes (for Find My access) | Lost or stolen iPhone |
| Reset Location and Privacy | App-level location and privacy permissions only | Yes | No | Revoking permissions granted to apps by mistake |
If you are troubleshooting a specific issue like slow performance or a glitchy app, try “Reset All Settings” first. This preserves your photos, messages, and apps while clearing all preferences. If that does not solve the problem, “Erase All Content and Settings” is the next step. Reserve Recovery Mode and DFU Mode for situations where you cannot access the Settings app at all.
One important distinction: “Erase All Content and Settings” from the Settings menu and a “Restore” through Recovery Mode both produce the same end result (a wiped iPhone at the setup screen), but the method matters for Activation Lock. When you erase from Settings, you enter your Apple ID password during the process, which cleanly deactivates Activation Lock. When you restore through Recovery Mode, the Activation Lock persists after the restore, and you need the Apple ID credentials during the next setup. This distinction is critical when buying a used iPhone or receiving one that was not properly wiped.
For more technology guides covering smartphones, laptops, privacy tools, and streaming services, visit our complete tech guides hub.
Before resetting, try clearing your iPhone cache first. This resolves many performance issues without data loss. After resetting, protect your fresh installation with a reputable antivirus and password manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does factory resetting an iPhone remove the Apple ID?
Factory resetting from Settings requires your Apple ID password, which signs you out and removes Activation Lock in the process. Resetting through Recovery Mode or DFU Mode does not remove the Apple ID. The iPhone still requires the original Apple ID and password during setup because of Apple’s Activation Lock security feature, which persists through any type of firmware restore.
How long does it take to factory reset an iPhone?
A factory reset from Settings takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on storage used. Recovery Mode restore takes 15 minutes to over an hour because Finder or iTunes must download the full iOS firmware (4 to 6 GB for iOS 18) before installing it. DFU Mode restore takes roughly the same time as Recovery Mode. Remote erase through Find My depends on when the device connects to the internet.
Can you factory reset an iPhone without a computer?
Yes. If you know your passcode and Apple ID password, use Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. No computer needed. If you are locked out and do not have a computer, use iCloud.com/find from any web browser on another device to erase the iPhone remotely. The only methods requiring a computer are Recovery Mode and DFU Mode restores.
Will factory reset fix a slow iPhone?
A factory reset resolves most software-related slowness by clearing corrupted caches, removing resource-heavy apps running in the background, and eliminating years of accumulated temporary files. It does not fix hardware-related slowness caused by a degraded battery (check Battery Health in Settings) or physical damage. After resetting, set up as a new iPhone rather than restoring a backup to get maximum performance improvement.
Can you recover data after factory resetting an iPhone?
Only if you created a backup before resetting. Restore from an iCloud backup during the initial setup wizard, or connect to a computer and restore from a Finder or iTunes local backup. Without a backup, factory reset data recovery is nearly impossible on iPhones because Apple uses hardware-level encryption. When you erase the device, the encryption keys are destroyed, making the stored data permanently unreadable.
