How to factory reset your iPhone and iPad

People factory reset their iPhones or iPads when a few situations happen. For example, you can factory reset your iPhone and iPad if a lot of apps are constantly crashing, if your device is getting slower, if your iPhone or iPad is working weirdly, and if you can’t figure out the problem. The factory reset allows you to delete all the data in your iPhone and iPad and helps you fix the problems by returning the device to the factory settings. Additionally, you can factory reset your device for nearly all devices. Here are the details about how to factory reset your iPhone and iPad.

What happens when you factory reset your device

The factory reset should be the last step to fix the issues, but you can also reset your iPhone and iPad to clear all the data. Since this method may not fix the problems exactly. When you want to give your iPhone or iPad to someone else, or you want to sell your device, you can use this method. In fact, this method restores the software on your iPhone and iPad to the options that the company arranged.

How to factory reset your iPhone and iPad data

Returning your device to the factory settings means that your software will return to default all your data including, downloaded apps, photos, music, documents, and all other files are deleted. When you factory reset your device, you may feel like you have a new device. There are six different options available to reset phone settings. You can factory reset all the devices from iPhone 14 to any of its predecessors.

You can see the six different reset options when you go to Settings > General > Reset.

Reset all settings: This option will reset your Home screen design, location settings, network settings, privacy settings, the keyboard dictionary, and your Apple Pay cards to the default. However, this option will not delete your other data like Files and Media.
Reset Network Settings: This reset option will delete all your network settings like Wi-Fi login credentials and networks that your device automatically connects to. Also, this option will return manually website certificates to the untrusted and your device’s name will reset to “iPhone.”
Reset Keyboard Dictionary
Reset Home Screen Layout
Reset Location & Privacy
Erase All Content & Settings: This option is the certain way to factory reset your iPhone and iPad. It removes all your data and settings, restoring your device to the version when you first bought it.

How to factory reset iPhone and iPad

There are four ways to factory reset your device if you want to do it. The easiest one is to reset it from settings.

Go to Settings → General → Reset.
Select Erase All Content & Settings.
If you have not backed up your device, you’ll be prompted to do so
Tap on Erase Now.
You’ll then be asked to Enter your Screen Time Passcode if you have set one
You’ll see a warning. Tap on the Erase iPhone (or iPad) option
To confirm, enter your Apple ID password. And tap on Erase from the top right corner.
Your device will take a few minutes to remove all your settings and data. Then, it will show the setup screen that you saw when you opened the device for the first time.

Using iCloud

This method is mostly used when your iPhone gets lost or stolen. Thanks to iCloud, you can factory reset your device remotely. However, you can use this option if you had set up the Find My iPhone feature.

Visit iCloud.com and go to Find iPhone.
Click on the option All Devices and choose the iPhone or iPad that you want to factory reset.
Tap Erase iPhone/iPad.
After you confirm, the remote erase will begin as soon as your selected device is connected to the internet. When the process is complete, you will receive a confirmation email on your registered Apple ID email.

How to reset your iPhone or iPad using Mac or PC

Finder

Launch Finder.
Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac with a lightning/USB cable
Tap on the Trust button on your device, if asked
From the left panel, select your device.
Select Restore iPhone/iPad.
Tap Restore from the pop-up box to confirm.
Your device will be wiped and restored to factory settings. Once the process is over, it will restart, and you can then set it up from scratch once again

iTunes

Launch iTunes.
Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer with a lightning/USB cable
Tap the small device button on the top left.
In the left panel, click on Summary.
Now, click Restore.
Accept to Restore the device
Your device will be erased and restored to factory settings. When the process is over, it will restart, and you can then set it up from scratch once again