How To Return iPhone To Factory Settings

Returning an iPhone to factory settings erases your data and reinstalls iOS so you can troubleshoot, sell, or start fresh.

A factory reset is the cleanest way to hand off an iPhone, fix stubborn glitches, or wipe personal data before repair. It’s also the step that can cause the most panic if you skip prep. This guide walks you through the reset paths that Apple provides, what each one does, and the small checks that prevent lockouts later.

What Factory Settings Means On iPhone

“Factory settings” can mean two different things on iPhone. One option resets settings only. The other option erases everything and returns the phone to a blank setup screen.

Reset Settings — Returns system settings like Wi-Fi, privacy prompts, keyboard dictionary, and Apple Pay cards to defaults, while keeping photos, apps, and messages.
Erase All Content And Settings — Removes your personal data, signs you out of many services, and leaves the phone ready for setup. Apple’s “factory reset” steps are listed on its page for erasing a device.

If your goal is selling, trading in, gifting, or recycling, you want the full erase. If your goal is fixing a weird Wi-Fi issue or a stuck setting, the settings-only reset can be enough and is far less disruptive.

What Gets Removed In A Full Erase

A full erase wipes user data on the device, including photos, messages, downloaded files, and app data stored locally. It also removes Face ID or Touch ID, saved cards in Wallet, and many system preferences. After the reset, you’ll see the “Hello” setup screen.

Some items live outside the phone. Your iCloud photos, iCloud Drive files, and synced contacts can remain in iCloud, then reappear when you sign back in. That’s great when you’re keeping the phone. It’s a problem if you’re handing it to someone else, so sign out and remove the device from your Apple Account where needed.

Before You Return iPhone To Factory Settings Without Headaches

Most factory reset trouble comes from one of three things: no backup, lost credentials, or Activation Lock surprises. A five-minute prep run avoids all three.

Confirm Your Apple Account Access — Make sure you can sign in and you know the passcode. If you’re using two-factor authentication, check that your trusted number or device is reachable.
Back Up Your iPhone — Use iCloud Backup or a computer backup so you can restore apps, settings, and photos later. If you’re moving to a new iPhone, Apple also offers a transfer flow that keeps your data intact while you wipe the old phone.
Check Your eSIM Or SIM Plan — If your iPhone uses eSIM, you may see an option to keep or remove eSIM during erase. Choose based on whether the phone stays with you or leaves your hands.
Turn Off Find My For A Hand-Off — Find My enables Activation Lock, which protects a lost phone from being reused. That protection is great until you forget to remove your device before a sale or trade-in.

Use This Method Picker First

Reset Method	Best For	What You Need
Erase In Settings	You have the passcode and the phone works	Passcode, Apple Account password if prompted
Restore With Mac Or Windows	Forgot passcode, disabled device, boot issues	Computer, cable, Finder or Apple Devices / iTunes
Erase With Find My	Phone is lost, stolen, or not in your hands	Apple Account access, Find My enabled

Erase All Content And Settings In iPhone Settings

This is the smoothest reset when your iPhone is responsive and you know your passcode. It erases locally on the device, then restarts to setup.

Open Settings — Tap Settings, then tap General.
Go To Transfer Or Reset iPhone — Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap Erase All Content And Settings — Read the summary screen so you know what will be removed.
Enter Your Passcode — Type the device passcode when asked.
Enter Your Apple Account Password — If prompted, enter the password to turn off Activation Lock for a hand-off.
Choose What To Do With eSIM — If you see eSIM options, keep the plan only if you’re keeping the phone.
Confirm The Erase — Tap Continue or Erase to start. The iPhone will restart when done.

If you want Apple’s exact UI wording for your iOS version, use Apple’s step-by-step page for how to factory reset an iPhone.

When A Settings Reset Is Enough

If you’re fixing a glitch and you don’t want to wipe your photos and apps, try a settings reset first. It can clear bad network profiles, permission prompts, and misbehaving system toggles.

Reset All Settings — Puts system settings back to defaults, keeps your content.
Reset Network Settings — Clears Wi-Fi networks, VPN profiles, and cellular settings so you can reconnect cleanly.
Reset Location & Privacy — Resets privacy prompts and location permissions for apps.

These options sit in the same menu and are documented in Apple’s iPhone User Guide for resetting settings.

Restore iPhone To Factory Settings With A Mac Or Windows PC

Use a computer restore when you can’t erase from Settings. Common cases include a forgotten passcode, an iPhone that’s disabled, or a phone stuck on a boot loop. A restore erases the device and installs the latest iOS version your device supports.

Restore With A Mac Using Finder

Connect The iPhone — Plug the iPhone into your Mac with a cable.
Open Finder — In Finder, select your iPhone under Locations.
Trust The Device — If prompted, tap Trust on iPhone and enter the passcode.
Choose Restore iPhone — Click Restore iPhone, then confirm.
Wait For iOS To Install — Keep the iPhone connected until the process finishes and the phone restarts.

Restore With Windows Using Apple Devices Or iTunes

On Windows, the flow depends on what Apple software you have. Newer setups use the Apple Devices app, while some people still use iTunes. The screens differ, but the goal is the same: select the iPhone, then restore.

Install The Right App — Use Apple Devices from the Microsoft Store if you have it, or iTunes if that’s what your system uses.
Connect And Select The iPhone — Plug in the phone, then select it in the sidebar or device icon.
Pick Restore — Choose Restore and follow the prompts until the iPhone returns to setup.

Use Recovery Mode If The iPhone Won’t Show Up

If your computer can’t detect the iPhone, Recovery Mode can force a restore option. Apple lists device-specific button steps on its “forgot passcode or disabled” page, along with the Restore vs Update choice.

Connect The iPhone To The Computer — Use a known-good cable and a direct USB port.
Enter Recovery Mode — Use the correct button sequence for your iPhone model until the recovery screen appears.
Select Restore — Choose Restore when prompted on the computer to erase and reinstall iOS.

For the exact recovery steps for your model, use Apple’s official instructions for a forgotten iPhone passcode or disabled iPhone.

Erase iPhone Remotely With Find My

When your iPhone is lost or you can’t physically access it, Find My can erase it from your account. This protects your data, but it does not make the phone “free to use” for someone else. Activation Lock stays on by design.

Sign In To iCloud Or Find My — Use another Apple device or a browser signed in to your Apple Account.
Select Your iPhone — Choose the device you want to wipe from the list.
Choose Erase This Device — Confirm the erase request.
Leave Lost Mode On If Needed — If the phone is missing, Lost Mode can still help keep your data safe.

Apple spells out what happens during a remote erase, including the fact that Activation Lock remains enabled after the wipe.

How To Avoid Activation Lock Problems During A Sale Or Trade-In

If you’re handing off the phone, the goal is simple: the buyer or the carrier should see the setup screen without “iPhone Locked To Owner.” That means your Apple Account must be removed from the device before it leaves your hands.

Sign Out Of Your Apple Account — In Settings, tap your name, scroll down, then sign out. This removes iCloud ties on the device.
Turn Off Find My — Find My is the switch that keeps Activation Lock active.
Remove The Device From Your Account List — If the device is no longer with you, removing it from your trusted devices list can prevent surprises for the next owner.

If you already erased the phone and it still shows Activation Lock, use Apple’s Activation Lock removal steps from iCloud to remove the device from your account.

After The Reset Setup And Restore Checklist

Once the iPhone restarts to the “Hello” screen, you get to choose the next path. If you’re keeping the iPhone, you’ll sign back in and restore your data. If you’re passing it on, you’ll stop at the setup screen.

Keeping The iPhone

Connect To Wi-Fi — A stable connection speeds activation and restores.
Sign In To Your Apple Account — Use the same Apple Account if you want iCloud content and purchases to return.
Restore From A Backup — Pick iCloud Backup or a computer backup, then let apps and photos repopulate.
Re-Add Cards And Biometrics — Set up Face ID or Touch ID and add Wallet cards again.

Handing The iPhone To Someone Else

Stop At The Hello Screen — Don’t sign in for the next owner. Let them complete setup with their own account.
Confirm Cellular Plan Status — If you removed eSIM, the next owner will add their plan during setup.
Provide Accessories And Proof Of Purchase — A cable and receipt can make activation and warranty checks smoother.

Common Snags And Fixes That Don’t Waste Your Time

Most reset failures are predictable. If you hit one, the fix is usually a small step, not a full day of guesswork.

Erasing Takes A Long Time

Plug Into Power — Keep the iPhone charging so it doesn’t throttle or shut down mid-wipe.
Use Solid Wi-Fi — The erase itself is local, but activation and sign-in after the reset need a clean connection.
Try A Computer Restore — If the phone keeps hanging, a Finder/Apple Devices restore can finish the job.

You Can’t Remember The Passcode

Use A Computer Restore — If you can’t enter Settings, the restore route is the standard path.
Have Your Apple Account Ready — After the erase, Activation Lock still requires your Apple Account to set up the phone.

Setup Says “iPhone Locked To Owner”

Sign In With The Original Apple Account — If it’s your phone, sign in during setup to clear the lock.
Remove The Device From Find My — If you sold it, remove it from your account so the next owner can activate it.
Avoid Third-Party Bypass Sites — They often lead to scams or stolen-account issues, and they won’t help with legitimate transfers.

You Want A “Fresh” Phone But Not A Full Wipe

Reset All Settings First — This keeps your content while clearing many system glitches.
Delete Big Apps And Media — If storage is the issue, removing a few heavy apps can get you back to smooth performance.
Restart And Update iOS — A restart plus the latest iOS patch can clear bugs without a full erase.

Factory resetting an iPhone is simple when you pick the right path. If you’re wiping it for a hand-off, make sure Find My is turned off and the Apple Account is signed out so the next person can activate it without delays.