426 426 people found this article helpful Updated on September 18, 2022 What to Know
This article explains how to restore any iPhone model using iOS 12 and later to its original settings, as well as how to disable iCloud and Find My iPhone, which is important to do in some situations (explained below). How to Completely Reset an iPhoneA factory reset returns your iPhone to the condition it was in when it first left the manufacturer—completely clear, with all your data gone. After you've backed up your data and turned off iCloud and Find My, you're ready to get started. Follow these steps to get your iPhone back to its original state:
How to Back Up Your DataWhen you factory reset an iPhone, you remove all data from it. That means you will lose all your music, apps, contacts, photos, and any other other data on the device. All that will be left is the iOS and the pre-installed apps. That's why it's crucial to back up your data before you get started on the process. Keeping a copy of your data lets you restore the data from a back up later so you don't lose anything important. There are three options to back up data: using iTunes, Finder, or iCloud. Back up to iTunesTo back up to iTunes, sync the phone to your computer, then click the Back up button on the main iPhone page. Back up Using FinderTo back up on a Mac running macOS Catalina (10.15) or newer, plug the iPhone into the computer, open a Finder window, select the iPhone in the left-hand Devices menu, and back Back Up. Back up to iCloudTo back up to iCloud, go to Settings > [your name](skip this step on earlier versions of the iOS) > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then start a backup. How to Disable iCloud & Find My iPhoneWhen permanently resetting your iPhone, it's also critical that you disable iCloud and Find My iPhone. A security feature called Activation Lock requires you to enter the Apple ID used to set up the phone if you want to reset it. The feature is disabled when you turn off iCloud/Find My iPhone. Activation Lock has reduced iPhone thefts since it makes a stolen iPhone harder to use. If you do not disable Activation Lock, the next person who gets your iPhone—either a buyer or repair person—will not be able to use it.
FAQ
Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe How do I reset my iPhone to factory settings without passcode?Just follow these steps:. Log into the Find My iPhone site via iCloud.. Enter your Apple ID and password – you do not need your iPhone passcode, but you will need access to your Apple account.. Select your iPhone from the drop-down list of devices.. Click “Erase iPhone” and then confirm your decision.. How do I wipe my iPhone clean and start over?Tap Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device]
Then tap Erase All Content and Settings.
Does a factory reset delete everything?A factory data reset erases your data from the phone. While data stored in your Google Account can be restored, all apps and their data will be uninstalled. To be ready to restore your data, make sure that it's in your Google Account.
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