This wikiHow teaches you how to erase all data on your iPhone and reset it to the same state it was in when it left the factory.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using iPhone
Step 1. Open the settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by the gray gear icon (⚙️) which is usually displayed on the home screen.
Step 2. Touch your Apple ID
This ID is the segment at the top of the menu containing the name and image (if already uploaded).
- If you are not logged in to ID, touch the link “ Sign in to your iPhone ”, enter the Apple ID and password, then touch “ Sign In ”.
- If you are running a device with an older version of iOS, you may not need to follow this step.
Step 3. Touch iCloud
This option is in the second menu segment.
Step 4. Swipe the screen and tap iCloud Backup
It's at the bottom of the "APPS USING ICLOUD" section.
Slide switch" iCloud Backup ” to the on position or " On " (green color) if the switch has not been shifted.
Step 5. Touch Back Up Now
It's at the bottom of the screen. Wait until the data backup process is complete.
You must be connected to a WiFi network in order to back up data from your iPhone
Step 6. Touch iCloud
It's in the top-left corner of the screen. After that, you will be taken back to the iCloud settings page.
Step 7. Touch Apple ID
It's in the top-left corner of the screen. Once touched, you'll be returned to the Apple ID settings page.
Step 8. Touch Settings
It's in the top-left corner of the screen. Now, you will return to the main page of the settings menu.
Step 9. Swipe the screen and touch General
It's at the top of the menu, next to the gear icon (⚙️).
Step 10. Swipe the screen and touch Reset
It's at the bottom of the menu.
Step 11. Tap Erase All Content and Settings
It's at the top of the menu.
Step 12. Enter the passcode
Type in the code used to unlock the iPhone.
If prompted, enter the restriction passcode or " Restrictions"
Step 13. Touch Erase iPhone
After that, all settings will be restored. Media and data on the iPhone will also be deleted.
Step 14. Wait for the iPhone to finish resetting
Step 15. Follow the instructions shown on the screen
The setup/reset assistant will guide you through this process.
Step 16. Touch Restore from iCloud Backup
Step 17. Sign in using your Apple ID
iPhone will download the backup data from iCloud. Once done, the settings and apps will be installed on the device again.
Method 2 of 2: Using iTunes
Step 1. Make sure you are using the latest version of iTunes
- Windows – Click the button “ Help " and select " Check for Updates ”.
- Mac OS – Click the menu “ iTunes " and select " Check for Updates ”.
Step 2. Connect iPhone to computer
Use the USB cable that came with the device purchase package.
Step 3. Open iTunes
Run the program if it doesn't open automatically.
Step 4. Click the iPhone icon
It's in the bar at the top of the iTunes window.
If your iPhone is not detected, you may need to put it in recovery mode. Disconnect iPhone from the computer, turn it off, on again, press and hold the “Home” button, then reconnect it to the computer. Keep holding down the “Home” button until the “Connect to iTunes” message is displayed. You will be asked to restore your iPhone afterwards
Step 5. Click Back Up Now
With this option, the backup data from iPhone will be saved to the computer.
Step 6. Click Restore iPhone
It's in the right pane.
Step 7. Click Restore
With this option, you confirm iPhone recovery.
Step 8. Wait for the recovery process to complete
This process may take several minutes.
Step 9. Click Restore from this backup
After that, the backup data that was previously stored on the computer will be restored to the device. Apps will be reinstalled and settings will be restored.
