How to Factory Reset your iPhone

Factory Reset iPhone
Wipe your iPhone and start over new.
Ash Ash (310)
Total time: 10 minutes 
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If you're selling your iPhone or just want to start over fresh, you may want to factory reset it. Factory resetting your phone will completely wipe the device. All of your personal data, settings, and more will be removed when the reset is complete. If you to preserve have something critical on your iPhone, be sure to back it up before you begin.

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1

Open Finder or iTunes

iTunes

Apple recommends using a computer to reset the iPhone. You can use a Mac or a PC for this process. However, the software you use depends on what computer you have.

If you have a Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15, open the Finder application. If you're using macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier, open iTunes. Windows users can use iTunes as well.

2

Connect the iPhone to the computer

Using an iPhone to USB cable, connect the iPhone to the computer. If the iPhone is locked with a passcode, you may be prompted to confirm it in a popup. If you see this prompt, go ahead and enter the passcode.

3

Identify your device

iTunes select iPhone

iTunes will show a list of connected Apple devices—this includes both iPhones and iPads. Look for the iPhone you connected on the list and select it by clicking the phone icon in the top left corner.

4

Reset to factory defaults

iTunes restore iPhone
  1. On the right-hand side of the screen, look for a blue button that says Restore iPhone... and click it.
  2. Click Restore on the popup to initiate the factory reset. This not only resets your iPhone but also applies the latest version of iOS.
  3. The phone will restart when the reset is complete. If the reset worked, all of the original data will be gone when you unlock the phone.

Congratulations! You've factory reset the iPhone.