No affiliate links or sponsorship, and BravoTech isn’t affiliated with Apple. The steps follow Apple Support and the iPhone User Guide for iOS 27, checked October 14, 2026. We didn’t reset an iPhone for this guide. More how-to guides.
Quick answer
To factory reset an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings, tap Continue, then enter your passcode and Apple Account password. Back up first, and choose whether to keep or erase your eSIM when asked. The reset is done when the Hello screen appears. Only fixing a glitch? Reset settings instead and keep your data.
Key takeaways
- Factory reset = Erase All Content and Settings. Apple says Find My and Activation Lock turn off when you erase.
- iCloud data stays in iCloud. Erasing the phone doesn’t delete it, per Apple.
- Reset All Settings keeps your data: “No data or media are deleted.”
- Locked out? Try Passcode Reset, then Forgot Passcode? on the Lock Screen, then recovery mode.
How we wrote this guide
Built from Apple’s documentation, read on October 14, 2026 (PKT): Apple Support’s factory reset, computer restore and forgotten-passcode articles, and the iPhone User Guide for iOS 27. We didn’t erase or restore a device and use no screenshots of our own. Button names are quoted from Apple; older iOS versions may look different.
You don’t need third-party software. Desktop tools like the one in our 3uTools review can manage an iPhone, but every method here is Apple’s official one.
Reset vs factory reset vs restore: which one do you need?
Selling, giving away or trading in the phone? You need a factory reset (Erase All Content and Settings). Fixing a problem? Try a Reset option first, because those keep your apps, photos and messages. You only need a computer if the iPhone won’t work normally or you’re locked out.
| Option | Where | What it removes | Computer? | Activation Lock | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reset All Settings | Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset | Settings only. No data or media | No | Not an erase | Fixing a glitch |
| Erase All Content and Settings | Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone | Everything; back to factory settings | No | Turns off when you erase | Selling or a clean start |
| Restore with a computer | Finder (Mac) or Apple Devices (Windows) | Everything; installs the latest iOS. Keeps the eSIM | Yes | Turn off Find My first | The Settings erase fails |
| Forgot Passcode? reset | iPhone Unavailable screen | Everything | No | You sign out during the reset | Locked out, iOS 15.2 or later |
| Recovery mode | Computer plus a button sequence | Everything | Yes | May ask for your Apple Account at setup | Locked out, no on-device option |
A “hard reset” usually means a force restart. It restarts a frozen phone and erases nothing; see the FAQ.
Before you factory reset: a 6-item checklist
These come from Apple’s checklist for selling or trading in an iPhone. Do them before you erase.
1. Back up to iCloud or a computer
For iCloud, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. On a Mac, select the iPhone in the Finder sidebar, click General, choose to back up all of the data to this Mac, then click Back Up Now. Apple’s backup guide and backup overview also cover Windows.
2. Unpair your Apple Watch
In the Apple Watch app, go to My Watch > All Watches, tap the info button, then Unpair Apple Watch. Apple says unpairing from the iPhone resets the watch and removes its Activation Lock; erasing it without the iPhone leaves Activation Lock on (Apple 108372).
3. Sign out of your Apple Account and Find My
For a sale, go to Settings > [your name] > Sign Out. On iOS 26 or later you then choose Erase this iPhone or Sign Out But Don’t Erase. For a computer restore, Apple says to turn off Find My first: Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone, then switch it off (Apple 118107). The Settings erase handles this when you enter your password.
4. Decide what happens to your eSIM
The Settings erase asks whether to keep or delete your eSIM. Apple says to erase it if you’re selling. If you delete it, your carrier has to reactivate your plan (Apple 108931).
5. Deregister iMessage if you’re leaving iPhone
Moving to Android? With the SIM still in the iPhone, turn off iMessage (Settings > Apps > Messages) and FaceTime (Settings > Apps > FaceTime). No iPhone anymore? Use Apple’s online deregistration.
6. Sort out AppleCare and repairs
Cancel or transfer any AppleCare plan. For a trade-in, check Parts and Service History: Apple says any part marked Finish Repair must be completed first.
Don’t wipe your data by hand
Apple warns that while you’re signed in to iCloud, manually deleting photos, contacts or notes removes them from iCloud and all your devices. Erase the phone instead: your content won’t be deleted from iCloud when you erase the device (Apple 109511).
How to factory reset your iPhone in Settings (no computer)
Use this when the phone works. Steps follow Apple 108931 and the Erase iPhone page of the iPhone User Guide.
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings, then Continue.
- Keep or delete your eSIM if asked. Delete it if you’re selling.
- Enter your iPhone passcode, and let any backup finish.
- Enter your Apple Account password, then tap the done button on the keyboard.
- Wait for the reset. It’s done when the Hello screen appears.
Upgrading to another iPhone you already have? The same screen’s Get Started option uses extra free iCloud storage to move your apps and data first, per Apple.
How to reset an iPhone with a Mac or Windows PC
Apple says this restore erases the iPhone and installs the latest iOS. First update your computer, back up, and turn off Find My. Steps from Apple 118107:
- Connect the iPhone with a USB or USB-C cable, and click Allow if asked.
- Open the Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app (Windows). Use iTunes on macOS 10.14 or earlier, or a PC without Apple Devices.
- Select the iPhone in the sidebar, click Trust, tap Trust on the phone, and enter your passcode.
- Click Restore iPhone (in the Finder, under General). If asked about a backup, choose Back Up or Don’t Back Up, then click Restore.
- Click Agree. The Hello screen appears when it’s finished.
Apple notes this doesn’t delete the eSIM. If you’re selling, erase the eSIM in Settings or use the Settings method.
How to reset an iPhone if you forgot the passcode
Apple’s order: Passcode Reset first, then a reset on the iPhone, then a computer (Apple 118430). Only Passcode Reset keeps your data.
Changed your passcode in the last 72 hours? Use Passcode Reset
On iOS 17 or later, after five wrong attempts the iPhone Unavailable screen appears. Tap Forgot Passcode?, then Enter Previous Passcode, enter the old passcode and set a new one (Apple 105039).
Reset from the Lock Screen (no computer)
This needs iOS 15.2 or later, Find My turned on, Wi-Fi or cellular, and your Apple Account password (Apple 105090). On iOS 17 or later:
- Enter a passcode until the iPhone Unavailable screen appears, then tap Forgot Passcode?
- Tap Start iPhone Reset on the Security Lockout screen.
- Enter your Apple Account password to sign out.
- Tap Erase iPhone. With an eSIM, you can keep it or delete it.
- Set the phone up again, restore a backup, and choose a new passcode.
On iOS 15.2 and 16 the button is Erase iPhone instead. With an eSIM on iOS 16 or earlier, Apple says to get a QR code from your carrier first.
Use recovery mode with a computer
You need a Mac or PC, a charging cable, internet, and up to 60 minutes, says Apple. No computer? Apple says to visit an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.
- Turn off the iPhone. Face ID models: hold the side and Volume down buttons until the slider appears. Home button models: hold the side or top button. Drag the slider.
- Connect the cable to the computer, then to the iPhone while holding your model’s button (table below). Keep holding until a computer and a cable appear on screen.
- Mac: select the iPhone under Locations in the Finder. Windows: select it in Apple Devices, then General.
- Choose Restore, not Update, and follow the prompts. If the download runs past 15 minutes and the phone leaves recovery mode, let it finish, then start recovery mode again.
| iPhone model | Button to hold |
|---|---|
| iPhone with Face ID | Side button |
| iPhone 8, 8 Plus, SE (2nd and 3rd generation) | Side button |
| iPhone 7 and 7 Plus | Volume down button |
| iPhone 6s and earlier, SE (1st generation) | Home button |
If you then see the Activation Lock screen, enter the Apple Account and password used on the phone, or its passcode (Apple 108934).
How to reset iPhone settings without deleting data
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and pick the narrowest fix (Apple guide). Back up first if you may want old settings back.
- Reset All Settings: network, keyboard dictionary, location, privacy and Apple Pay cards reset or removed. No data or media deleted.
- Reset Network Settings: removes saved networks and VPN settings, renames the phone “iPhone”, and untrusts manually trusted certificates.
- Delete All eSIMs: removes every eSIM. You’ll need a new eSIM or SIM.
- Reset Keyboard Dictionary: erases only words you’ve added.
- Reset Handwriting Style: restores default handwriting preferences.
- Reset Home Screen Layout: restores the built-in apps’ original layout.
- Reset Location & Privacy: restores Location Services and privacy defaults.
What to do after the reset
- Keeping it: follow setup from the Hello screen and restore your backup, or set it up as new.
- Selling it: leave it on the Hello screen. On another device, go to Settings > [your name], tap the old iPhone and choose Remove from Account, or use account.apple.com (Apple 102649).
- Shipping an iPhone 18 Pro Max: Apple says you may need to turn on Prepare to Ship in Transfer or Reset iPhone first.
Resetting other Apple gear? See how to reset a MacBook Air and how to factory reset an Apple TV.
FAQ
Does a factory reset remove Activation Lock and my Apple Account?
Yes, when you erase in Settings: you enter your Apple Account password, and Apple says Find My and Activation Lock turn off. After a recovery-mode restore, you may see the Activation Lock screen and need the Apple Account used on the phone.
Will a factory reset delete my iCloud photos?
No. Apple says your content won’t be deleted from iCloud when you erase your device. Deleting photos by hand while signed in, though, removes them from iCloud and your other devices.
How long does a factory reset take?
Apple doesn’t give a time for the Settings erase. For a computer reset, it says to allow up to 60 minutes, and the software download can take more than 15 minutes.
Can I factory reset an iPhone without the passcode or a computer?
Yes, on iOS 15.2 or later if Find My was on and the phone is online: tap Forgot Passcode? (iOS 17 or later) or Erase iPhone on the lock screen and enter your Apple Account password. Otherwise you need recovery mode or an Apple Store.
What is the difference between Reset All Settings and Erase All Content and Settings?
Reset All Settings returns settings to their defaults and removes Apple Pay cards, but no data or media are deleted. Erase All Content and Settings wipes everything and restores factory settings.
Does resetting an iPhone remove the eSIM?
Only if you choose to. The Settings erase asks whether to keep or delete it, and a computer restore doesn’t delete it. Delete All eSIMs is a separate Reset option.
How do I hard reset (force restart) an iPhone?
Press and quickly release volume up, press and quickly release volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. It erases nothing (Apple: Force restart iPhone).
Sources
Every step in this guide is linked to Apple’s documentation. All pages were checked on October 14, 2026 (PKT).
Show all 16 sources
- Apple Support 108931: How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (published Oct 5, 2026)
- iPhone User Guide (iOS 27): Erase iPhone
- Apple Support 118107: Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings using a computer (Oct 5, 2026)
- Apple Support 118430: Use a computer to reset your iPhone and your passcode (Sep 1, 2026)
- Apple Support 105090: If you forgot your iPhone passcode, reset your device without a computer (Aug 11, 2026)
- Apple Support 105039: Use your old passcode within 72 hours (Passcode Reset) (Aug 11, 2026)
- Apple Support 109511: What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad (May 29, 2026)
- iPhone User Guide (iOS 27): Sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone
- iPhone User Guide (iOS 27): Reset iPhone settings to their defaults
- iPhone User Guide (iOS 27): Force restart iPhone
- Apple Support 108372: Unpair and erase your Apple Watch (Mar 16, 2026)
- Apple Support 108934: How to remove Activation Lock (May 27, 2026)
- Apple Support 102649: Review devices signed in to your Apple Account (Sep 14, 2026)
- Apple Support 102455: Deregister iMessage on your iPhone or online (May 12, 2026)
- iPhone User Guide (iOS 27): Back up iPhone
- Apple Support 118426: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (May 15, 2026)
Changelog
- October 14, 2026: First version, prepared from Apple Support articles and the iPhone User Guide for iOS 27. No hands-on testing and no screenshots of our own.
Related reads
