How-To

How to Reset Your iPhone or iPad

By Brian Burgess

Updated July 25, 2023

If you need to fix a problem or erase your Apple device to sell, you can reset your iPhone or iPad. We’ll show you how in this guide.

Occasionally, you may need to reset your iPhone or iPad in order to resolve an issue or problem that you’re experiencing. Alternatively, you may want to wipe all settings and data if you plan on selling or giving away your device.

In cases where you’re experiencing network or privacy issues, it may be possible to reset your device while still retaining your data.If you’re selling your device, it’s often recommended to perform a factory reset to ensure that you completely remove all personal data.

This guide will show you how to use both reset options available for iPhone and iPad users. One resets the settings but keeps your data. The other reset option erases all settings and data and returns the device to factory settings.

How to Erase and Factory Reset iPhone or iPad

If you’re selling or gifting your iPhone or iPad, it’s important to ensure that all of your personal data has been completely removed. Alternatively, you may simply want to start with a fresh device and set everything up from scratch.

Erasing your iPhone or iPad is a straightforward process using the steps below.

Note: Before resetting your iPhone, make sure it’s backing up to iCloud, or you can manually back up the device with iTunes. That will allow you to restore the iPhone or iPad from a backup.

To erase and factory reset your iPhone or iPad:

1. Select Settings on your device.
2. Tap the General option from Settings.
3. Select Transfer or Reset iPhone (or iPad) at the bottom of the General section.
4. Select the Erase All Content and Settings option to erase all your data and settings and restore your iPhone or iPad to factory settings.
5. When the Erase This iPhone screen appears, it will show you what will be erased; tap the Continue Note that all your data will be removed, including your Find My, Apple ID, Apps and Data, Apple Wallet, and all settings. This returns the phone to the state when it comes out of the box.
6. Type in your Passcode for your Apple device.
7. Enter your Apple ID Password.
8. Wait while your data is uploaded to iCloud. If you already backed it up, you can skip this step by tapping the Skip Backup link at the bottom of the screen.
9. Tap the Erase Phone button from the menu that appears and wait while your iPhone or iPad is being erased and reset to factory settings.

You will see the Apple logo along with a progress bar while your phone is reset. It will restart multiple times, and the time it takes to reset varies between devices.

Once your phone resets successfully, it will display the Welcome screen, and you can power it off and pack it for shipping.  You can also start the setup process by selecting a language, connecting to Wi-Fi, signing in with Apple ID, etc.

How to Reset Your iPhone or iPad Without Losing Data

If you want to reset your iPhone without losing your data, you can. But it requires taping a few different buttons during the process. For example, you might want to reset its settings because of problems connecting to Wi-Fi, short battery life, restoring drive space, or other reasons.

To reset your iPhone or iPad without Losing your data:

1. Tap the Settings icon on your iPhone’s home screen.
2. Select the General option from the menu.
3. Swipe to the bottom of the General section and select the Transfer or Reset iPhone (or iPad) option.
4. Tap the Reset button.
5. Tap Reset All Settings from the options that appear on the screen.
   Note: If you’re having a specific issue with connectivity or privacy, for example, you can choose that reset option only.
6. Enter the Passcode for your iPhone or iPad.
7. Tap the Reset All Settings option from the menu that appears. Note that in addition to resetting settings, it also affects your Apple Pay, keys, and passes. But your data, including media files, will remain intact.

Please wait while your iPhone or iPad settings are reset. You’ll see the Apple icon with a progress bar while your device restarts a few times to complete the process. When the process completes, you can sign in to your phone without setting up a new passcode, fingerprint, or Face ID.

You will have all the same apps and media available to you. Your device should also become more responsive, and it should run without any types of errors you had previously.

Resetting Your iPhone or iPad

Whether you need to reset your iPhone or iPad to fix a specific issue or need to erase all data, resetting your device is a straightforward process.

There are specific problems that you can fix with a reset. For example, if the keyboard on your device is sluggish, you can just reset the keyboard on your iPhone or iPad. And once you have the Apple device up and running, check out how to connect your Apple Watch to your iPhone (if you have one).

Also, if your iPad gets stuck on the Apple logo, check out our fixes for an iPad stuck on the Apple logo. And if you accidentally delete a text message, you can recover deleted messages on an iPhone.