How to Reset Your iPhone: With or Without Password Guide

What are iPhone Reset Options?

There are a few methods to reset your iPhone, depending on whether or not you have your password. Resetting your iPhone helps to troubleshoot issues, erase personal information, or prepare your device for resale. Below are some iPhone reset options you can consider:

Option 1: Reset with Passcode
Knowing your device passcode, you can easily reset your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. This option will erase all data and settings on your iPhone, returning it to its factory state.

Option 2: Reset without Passcode
If you’ve forgotten your passcode, reset your iPhone by putting it into Recovery Mode. Follow the steps below to reset your iPhone without a passcode:

1. Turn off your iPhone first.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
3. While pressing and holding the correct button combination (depending on your iPhone model), plug the USB cable into your iPhone. The Apple logo will appear on the screen and eventually change to the recovery screen.
4. A notification will appear on your computer, letting you know your device has been detected in recovery mode. Choose “Restore” to reset your iPhone.

Option 3: Reset through iTunes
If you have an older computer or use iTunes, you can reset your iPhone using this software. Connect your iPhone to your computer, open iTunes, and follow these steps:

1. Select your iPhone when it appears on iTunes.
2. Choose “Restore iPhone” in the Summary tab.
3. Confirm the action when prompted to restore your device to factory settings.

Option 4: Erase via Find My iPhone
This option works best if your device is lost or stolen and you want to protect your personal information. Sign in to Find My iPhone on another device or through iCloud.com, then follow these steps:

1. Select your iPhone from the list of devices.
2. Click “Erase iPhone” to wipe all data and settings.
3. Confirm the action when prompted.

Remember to make a backup of your important data before resetting your iPhone. These methods will ensure your device is clean and ready for future use.

How to Back up Your iPhone Before Reset

Before resetting your iPhone, it’s essential to back up your data to ensure you don’t lose any important information. You have two options for backing up your device: via iCloud or your computer.

To back up your iPhone using iCloud, follow these steps:

1. Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to Settings on your iPhone, then tap on your name at the top, followed by iCloud.
3. Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup.
4. Make sure the iCloud Backup toggle is turned on.
5. Tap Back Up Now and wait for the process to complete.

To back up your iPhone using a computer, follow these steps:

For Mac users (macOS Catalina or later):

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable.
2. Open Finder and select your iPhone from the sidebar.
3. Click Trust if prompted.
4. In the General tab, click Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.
5. Click Back Up Now and wait for the process to complete.

For Mac users (macOS Mojave or earlier) and Windows users:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes.
3. Select your iPhone from the device list in the top-left corner of the iTunes window.
4. Click Trust if prompted.
5. In the Summary tab, click Back Up Now under the Manually Back Up and Restore section and wait for the process to complete.

After successfully backing up your iPhone, you can proceed with the reset process without worrying about losing your valuable data.

How to Reset an iPhone with the Password

Finding the Reset Option

To reset your iPhone with the password, begin by opening the Settings app. Scroll down and tap on General. Once you’re in the General settings, scroll to the bottom and select Transfer or Reset [Device] (the specific device name will be displayed, like “iPhone” or “iPad”).

Entering Your Password

Upon selecting the reset option, tap Erase All Content and Settings. You will be prompted to enter your passcode or Apple ID password. Carefully input the correct password to proceed with the reset process.

Completing the Reset Process

After entering your password, confirm that you want to erase your device. If you have an eSIM, you can erase your eSIM or keep it. Once you confirm your decision, your iPhone will begin the reset process. This may take several minutes, so be patient and ensure your device has sufficient battery life or is connected to a charger. When the process is complete, your iPhone will restart and display the initial setup screen, where you can restore your data from a backup or set up your device as new.

How to Factory Reset iPhone without Password

Using iCloud

If you’ve enabled Find My iPhone on your device, you can use iCloud to factory reset your iPhone without a password. Follow these steps:

1. Open a web browser on a computer or another device and go to icloud.com.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID (the one associated with your iPhone).
3. Click “Find iPhone” and select your iPhone from the list of devices.
4. Click on “Erase iPhone” and confirm the action. Your iPhone will be erased and reset to factory settings.

Using iTunes

You can also use iTunes on your computer to factory reset your iPhone without a password. Here’s how:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a compatible cable.
3. Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode:
   • For iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
   • For iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down and Sleep/Wake buttons together until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
   • For iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons together until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
4. In iTunes, you’ll see a prompt to “Restore” or “Update” your iPhone. Click on “Restore” and wait for the process to finish. Your iPhone will be reset to factory settings.

Using Recovery Mode

If you don’t have access to iCloud or iTunes, you can still factory reset your iPhone using Recovery Mode. Follow these steps:

1. Make sure your iPhone is off.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a compatible cable.
3. Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode (see steps in the previous section).
4. A pop-up will appear in iTunes (or Finder in macOS Catalina and later) on your computer, asking if you want to Restore or Update your iPhone. Click “Restore” and wait for the process to finish. Once complete, your iPhone will be factory reset without needing the password.

Remember, when using any of these methods to factory reset your iPhone without a password, all data and settings will be erased. Consider backing up your data before performing a factory reset, if possible.

Important Points to Consider After Reset

After successfully resetting your iPhone, it’s crucial to take a few important steps to ensure its smooth functioning and protect your personal data. In this section, we will discuss some key points to consider after resetting your iPhone.

1. Set up your iPhone: Once reset, you must set it up as a new device or restore it from a previous backup. While setting up your iPhone, you can choose your language and region, connect to a Wi-Fi network, sign in with your Apple ID, enable location services, set up a passcode, and customize other settings.
2. Restore your personal data: If you had a backup of your personal data, you may want to restore it to your iPhone after resetting. You can use iTunes, Finder, or iCloud to restore your previous backup, depending on your preference and available resources. Remember that restoring a backup may take some time, depending on the size of your data and the speed of your internet connection.
3. Update your iPhone software: After resetting your iPhone, update it to the latest iOS version. Installing the latest software updates ensures your iPhone has the latest features, security enhancements, and bug fixes. You can check for software updates in the Settings app under General > Software Update.
4. Re-install your apps: After resetting your iPhone, you will need to re-install the apps you were previously using. You can download and install them from the App Store. This is a good opportunity to evaluate which apps you need, as installing only the necessary apps can help improve the performance and storage space on your iPhone.
5. Set up security features: Take a moment to set up security features on your reset iPhone, such as Touch ID, Face ID, and a strong passcode. These features can help protect your device and personal data from unauthorized access. You may also want to enable Find My iPhone to help you locate your device if it’s lost or stolen.

By following these important points after resetting your iPhone, you can ensure that your device is working optimally and your personal data is secure.

Last Updated : 13 February, 2024