If you want to reset your iPhone and start fresh, you can do so by performing a factory reset. Here’s how to do that:
Before You Start
- Backup Your Data: Make sure to back up your iPhone if you want to keep any of your data. You can back up using iCloud or iTunes/Finder.
- Sign Out of Apple ID: This is optional but recommended. Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign Out.
Steps to Factory Reset Your iPhone
Method 1: Using Settings
- Open Settings: Tap on the Settings app.
- Go to General: Scroll down and tap on General.
- Transfer or Reset iPhone: Tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Erase All Content and Settings: Tap on Erase All Content and Settings.
- Confirm Erase: Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm that you want to erase your iPhone. You may need to enter your passcode or Apple ID password.
- Wait for the Reset: Your iPhone will then erase all data and settings, which may take a few minutes.
- Set Up iPhone: After the device restarts, you’ll see the welcome screen as you did when you first got your iPhone.
Method 2: Using a Computer
- Connect iPhone to Computer: Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Open Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (earlier versions): Launch the appropriate application based on your OS.
- Select Your Device: In Finder, select your iPhone from the sidebar. In iTunes, click on the iPhone icon in the upper left corner.
- Choose Restore iPhone: Click on the Restore iPhone option, then confirm the action.
- Wait for Process to Complete: Your computer will download software for your iPhone, and it will restore it to factory settings.
After the Reset
Once you’ve completed these steps, your iPhone will be reset to factory settings, removing all your personal data and settings. You can then set it up as new or restore from a backup if you created one previously.
Note
This process is irreversible, so ensure that you’ve backed up everything important before proceeding.
