How to factory reset iPhone

Table of contents

• When to factory reset your iPhone
• What to know before resetting iPhone
• Method 1 – Reset iPhone from settings
• Method 2 – Restore iPhone in recovery mode
• Restore iPhone without data loss
• Resetting iPhone without Apple ID: is it possible?
• Differences between iOS versions and models
• What to do after recovery
• Alternatively: format devices to factory settings with external software

In this article, we will see step by step how to restore the iPhone to factory settings, both from the device on and from recovery mode, even in cases where the phone is not responding or you need to initialize the iPhone to resell it, give it away or solve serious software problems.

The procedure is also useful for locked iPhones, without a passcode or without an Apple ID (with the necessary clarifications).

We’ll explore your options, including the differences between older and newer versions of iOS, and provide tips on how to back up, particularly via iCloud, to avoid data loss.

When to factory reset your iPhone

Performing a factory reset on your iPhone can be necessary in many situations:

• when the device is slow or exhibits abnormal behavior
• in case of sale or transfer to another user
• to fix bugs or errors after updates
• if you forget your unlock credentials
• to remove a company profile or MDM configuration

It is important to clarify that restoring involves the complete deletion of content and settings, so you need to evaluate whether to make an iCloud backup or a local backup on a computer via Finder or iTunes, for subsequent recovery without data loss.

What to know before resetting iPhone

Before proceeding with the restore:

• Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection.
• Connect your iPhone to power or make sure it is at least 50% charged.
• Back up to iCloud or via Mac/PC.
• Apple ID credentials, which will be needed to turn off “Find My iPhone”.
• For corporate iPhones, make sure you do not have any restrictions active via MDM profiles.

Only by following these steps will you be able to restore your device without risking losing important data or iCloud lock (Activation Lock).

Method 1 – Reset iPhone from settings

The easiest way to restore iPhone is through the operating system menu:

• Open Settings.
• Tap General.
• Scroll down and select Transfer or erase iPhone.
• Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
• Apple ID unlock code and password.
• Confirm and wait for the process to finish, during which the Apple logo with a progress bar will appear.

This method works on all recent models, including iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15.

Method 2 – Restore iPhone in recovery mode

If your device is frozen, unresponsive or you want to format it completely even without a passcode , you can use recovery mode . Let’s see how to proceed:

• Connect your iPhone to your computer via USB cable.
• Open Finder (on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (on a PC or macOS Mojave and earlier).
• Put iPhone into recovery mode:
  • iPhone 8 or later
    Press and release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the cable logo appears.
  • iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
    Press and hold the volume down button and the side button at the same time.
  • iPhone 6s or earlier
    Press and hold the Home button and the Side button.

1. On your computer, a window will appear that allows you to update or restore your device.
2. Choose Restore to begin downloading and installing the latest version of iOS.

If the download takes more than 15 minutes, your device will exit recovery mode and you will need to repeat the steps.

Restore iPhone without data loss

In some cases, you can restore your iPhone without losing your photos, documents, apps, and settings. This is possible if:

• You have backed up to iCloud or iTunes/Finder before restoring.
• Transfer or Erase iPhone feature, which lets you load the backup on first boot after resetting.

During device setup, you can choose to restore from an iCloud backup, from a Mac or PC, or set up as a new iPhone.

Resetting iPhone without Apple ID: is it possible?

The answer is no, at least not legally. Your Apple ID and Find My iPhone protect your device from theft and unauthorized access. Even after you erase it, if Find My iPhone is turned on, your phone will remain locked until you enter your associated account credentials.

There are third-party tools that promise to bypass iCloud lock, but they are not legal and pose a cyber security risk. They also violate Apple’s copyright.

Differences between iOS versions and models

Available options may vary depending on your iOS version. For example:

• In versions prior to iOS 15, the menu was called “Reset” and was located within “General.”
• From the latest version, the path is General > Transfer or erase iPhone.

The model can also have an impact. For example:

• iPhone 7 Plus requires a different button combination than iPhone X or later.
• The now obsolete iPhone 6s can be restored but do not support the latest versions of iOS, which may limit some features.

What to do after recovery

Once the initialization is complete, your iPhone restarts and displays the setup screen. At this point you can:

• Follow the on-screen instructions to set your language, Wi-Fi network, and security options.
• Enter your Apple ID.
• Restore from an existing backup or set up as new.

You can also connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC and choose the backup to restore from using Finder or iTunes.

Alternatively: format devices to factory settings with external software

Some professional software (Dr.Fone, Tenorshare, iMyFone) offer features to factory reset devices, even if the iPhone is locked. They can be useful in complex cases, but you should always:

• Check compatibility with your model
• Make sure the program does not violate Apple’s intended use of software
• Be careful not to download unauthorized software from unverified websites

The risk, in these cases, is exposing personal data to malicious tools or peer-to-peer networks.

Questions and answers

1. How to backup before restore?
   You can do this via iCloud , by enabling the option from “Settings > [Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup” or via Mac/PC with Finder or iTunes.
2. What happens if I restore iPhone without backup?
   You will lose all your apps, photos, videos and personal data, with no way to recover them.
3. Is it possible to reset iPhone without Apple ID?
   No, unless you turn off Find My iPhone before restoring. Otherwise, your device will remain locked.
4. How do I put iPhone into recovery mode?
   It depends on the model: For iPhone 8 and later, press the volume up and volume down buttons, then press and hold the side button.
5. Can I restore iPhone from off?
   Yes, by using recovery mode and connecting your device to your computer.
6. What is the difference between initialize and restore?
   They are synonyms in this context: both mean erasing all data to return the device to its factory state.
7. What should I do after the reset?
   Follow the prompts to set up your device and choose whether to recover a backup or start from scratch.
8. How long does a restore take?
   It depends on the model and the amount of data: from a few minutes up to an hour, especially if you download the latest version of iOS.
9. Is it safe to use external software to recover?
   Only if they come from trusted sources. Avoid tools downloaded from suspicious websites or peer to peer networks.
10. How can I reduce costs and repair a locked iPhone?
    Before you rely on a technician, try the official Apple solutions. Unauthorized interventions can violate copyright and compromise the device.