The Complete Guide on How to Reset an iPhone

Jason

By Jason

Update on

How to Reset iPhone X

Resetting your iPhone can be a useful troubleshooting step if you are experiencing problems with your device. A reset can help resolve software glitches, speed up a slow device, and even prepare your iPhone for sale.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about resetting your iPhone.

Overview of Resetting an iPhone

Resetting an iPhone essentially restores it back to factory default settings, erasing all data and settings. This is an effective way to fix many common iPhone issues.

There are a few different types of resets available:

  • Soft reset – Also known as a force restart, this quickly reboots your iPhone.
  • Settings reset – Resets all settings but does not erase data.
  • Factory reset – Completely erases all content and data from your iPhone.

Below we will go through the various methods to reset your iPhone, from the soft reset to the nuclear option of factory resetting your device.

When to Reset Your iPhone

Before we get into the step-by-step instructions, here are some common reasons you may want to reset your iPhone:

  • Experiencing bugs, glitches or general sluggishness
  • Preparing to sell your iPhone or give it to someone else
  • Correcting issues after a failed iOS update
  • Resolving persistent software issues like freezing or crashing
  • Fixing touchscreen responsiveness problems
  • Removing a forgotten passcode
  • Eliminating possible malware or viruses

Resetting your iPhone should typically be one of the first troubleshooting steps you try if you notice problems. It often helps resolve basic software issues quickly.

How to Backup Your iPhone Before Resetting

It’s crucial to backup your iPhone before resetting it, especially if you choose the factory reset option. Resetting will erase all contents and settings, so you want to make sure your data is backed up first.

Here are two ways to backup an iPhone:

Backup to iCloud

  1. Connect your iPhone to WiFi and launch Settings.
  2. Tap on your name at the top of the menu.
  3. Select “iCloud“.
  4. Tap “iCloud Backup”.
  5. Toggle on “iCloud Backup”.
  6. Tap “Back Up Now” to manually initiate a backup.

Backup to iTunes on a Computer

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
  2. Open iTunes on your computer.
  3. Select your iPhone icon in iTunes.
  4. Click “Summary” in the sidebar menu.
  5. Check that automatic backups are turned on. Toggle on if not.
  6. Click “Back Up Now” to manually backup your iPhone.

Tip: You should also sign out of iCloud before resetting your device.

Now let’s look at your reset options…

How to Soft Reset an iPhone

A soft reset, also known as a force restart, is the simplest type of reset you can do. It quickly reboots your iPhone which can solve minor software glitches.

Here are the steps to force restart different iPhone models:

For iPhone 8 or later:

  1. Press and release the Volume Up button.
  2. Press and release the Volume Down button.
  3. Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 7:

  1. Press and hold the Volume Down and Side buttons at the same time.
  2. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 6s and earlier:

  1. Press and hold the Home and Top (or Side) buttons simultaneously.
  2. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo.

Give your iPhone a few minutes to fully restart. The soft reset is quick and preserves all your data, so it’s worth trying before a more intensive reset.

How to Reset iPhone Settings

Resetting your iPhone settings erases all settings data but does not delete your apps, music, photos, notes, messages, etc.

It essentially restores your device preferences back to their defaults. This can resolve odd software behaviors that may have been caused by customized settings.

Here’s how to reset your iPhone settings:

How to Reset iPhone X from Settings App
  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Select General > Reset.
  3. Tap “Reset All Settings“.
  4. Enter your passcode if prompted.
  5. Confirm again that you want to reset all settings.

Your iPhone will reboot and you’ll have to reconfigure any custom settings you had changed previously.

Resetting settings takes little time and has no risk of losing data. It’s a smart early step if your iPhone is misbehaving in some way.

How to Factory Reset an iPhone Using Settings

A factory reset will completely erase all contents on your iPhone and restore it to original factory settings. This removes:

  • Apps
  • Contacts
  • Messages
  • Photos
  • Music
  • Videos
  • Settings and preferences

Essentially it’s like you just purchased a brand new iPhone with nothing on it.

Only perform a factory reset after backing up your iPhone.

Here are the steps to factory reset an iPhone from the Settings menu:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap General > Reset.
  3. Select “Erase All Content and Settings“.
  4. Enter your passcode if prompted.
  5. Tap “Erase Now” to confirm and initiate the reset process.

Your iPhone will reboot into recovery mode to erase itself. This process can take 15-30 minutes depending on your iPhone storage size.

Note: If you used Find My iPhone, you’ll need to enter your Apple ID password during device setup after the reset completes.

Factory resetting your iPhone using the Settings menu is the ideal method if possible. Next we’ll look at alternatives if you can’t access Settings…

How to Reset iPhone Using iTunes

If your iPhone is having major software issues, you may not be able to open Settings. In that case, you can reset your iPhone by connecting it to a computer with iTunes.

Here are the steps:

  1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your computer.
  2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
  3. Open iTunes. Select your iPhone.
  4. Click “Summary” in the sidebar menu.
  5. Under “Options“, click “Restore iPhone“.
  6. Read the warning prompt carefully, then click “Restore“.

iTunes will download the required firmware and initiate the factory reset process. Your iPhone will reboot into recovery mode where it will be erased and restored.

Using iTunes to reset your iPhone works even if your device is having major software issues. Just be sure to backup your data first!

How to Factory Reset iPhone Without Password

If you forgot your iPhone passcode, you cannot access Settings to reset your device. Don’t worry – you can still factory reset your iPhone without needing the passcode.

Here are 3 options to reset an iPhone without password:

  1. Force restart – We covered this earlier. Attempt a force restart several times which might disable the passcode.
  2. Recovery mode – Put your iPhone into recovery mode then connect to iTunes to reset.
  3. iCloud – Use the Find My iPhone web interface to remotely wipe your device.

As long as you previously had Find My iPhone enabled, you can use iCloud to reset a locked iPhone.

Factory Reset iPhone Without Apple ID

What if you want to sell your iPhone or give it to someone else, but it’s still associated with your Apple ID? You’ll want to fully erase it and detach it from your Apple account.

Follow these steps:

  1. Backup your iPhone data to iTunes or iCloud.
  2. Sign out of iCloud and the App Store on your device.
  3. Perform a factory reset via Settings or iTunes.
  4. On a computer, go to iforgot.apple.com and remove your iPhone from your account.

Now your iPhone can be used by someone else with their own Apple ID.

Fix Common iPhone Reset Issues

Resetting your iPhone is generally a straightforward process. But occasionally you may encounter problems. Here are some potential issues and solutions:

iPhone stuck on Apple logo after reset – Force restart your device. If that doesn’t work, you may need to connect to iTunes and restore.

Find My iPhone activation lock – Enter your Apple ID and password to deactivate Find My iPhone. If you forgot, you’ll need to recover access to that Apple account.

Backup failed – Check your internet connection. Try restarting your computer and iPhone. Verify there is enough iCloud storage space for the backup.

iPhone disabled, connect to iTunes – If you enter the passcode wrong 10 times, your iPhone will lock with this message. You’ll need to connect to iTunes and reset.

iTunes could not restore iPhone – Make sure you have the latest iTunes version. Use a different USB cable if needed. Try a different computer. Reboot all devices.

How to Reset iPhone Effortlessly via Third-Party Tools

Using Tenorshare ReiBoot

A sure-fire way of making sure that you know how to reset the iPhone is to use Tenorshare ReiBoot. Instead of risking your personal data and potentially losing it forever, this program can repair your iPhone without any risks. Furthermore, no jailbreak is required.

  • Repair almost all iOS problems, including iMessage don’t say delivered, black screens, screen flickering or stuck loading screens.
  • Forcibly exit recovery mode to prevent unwanted iOS bugs.
  • Try out the free version before you purchase the full program.
  • Standard Mode allows you to fix iOS problems without data loss.
  • Advanced Mode is guaranteed to fix any iOS issues that you encounter.

As soon as you check out Tenorshare ReiBoot, you’ll realize its value. You can easily reset your iPhone, fix the issue, and get the most out of your smartphone once again.

Steps to Reset iPhone with Tenorshare ReiBoot

After you’ve got your hands on Tenorshare ReiBoot and installed it on your computer, it’s time to get to work. Using the steps below, you’ll discover how to reset your iPhone with ease.

Step #1 – Connect your iPhone using a lightning cable and open up Tenorshare ReiBoot.

Tenorshare ReiBoot

Step #2 – From the different modes that are presented to you, click on “Standard Repair.”

ReiBoot - Standard Repair

Note: if “Standard Repair” doesn’t help, try “Deep Repair” instead.

Step #3 – Next, you’ll be prompted to put your iPhone into DFU Mode. To do this, hold both the “Power” and “Home” buttons simultaneously for about 10 seconds, then release the “Power” button but continue holding the “Home” button for 5 seconds longer.

Enter DFU Mode

Note: if our instructions weren’t clear enough for you, then follow the illustrations that are shown on display.

Step #4 – Once DFU Mode has been detected, firmware information will be needed next. Enter the relevant information into Tenorshare ReiBoot and when you’re done, click “Download.”

Download Firmware with Tenorshare ReiBoot

Step #5 – The appropriate firmware will be downloaded (this could take a while, depending on your internet speeds).

Step #6 – After it has been downloaded and Clicking the “Start Standard Repair” button, Tenorshare ReiBoot will automatically install it onto your iPhone.

Tenorshare ReiBoot Firmware Downloaded
Tenorshare ReiBoot - Repairing
Reset iPhone X Using Tenorshare ReiBoot

This entire process requires just a few minutes of your time. Tenorshare ReiBoot takes care of everything else, and there isn’t anything too complicated to the manual sections.

As we mentioned before if Standard Repair doesn’t yield the results that you want then try using Advanced Repair. While it will lead to your data being wiped, you’ll have your device fully functional once again.

FAQs About Resetting an iPhone

How long does it take to reset an iPhone?

  • A soft reset takes just 1-2 minutes.
  • Resetting settings takes 2-3 minutes.
  • A factory reset can take 15-45 minutes depending on your iPhone storage capacity.

Will resetting delete everything?

  • A soft reset or settings reset will NOT delete your apps, data, media, messages, etc.
  • factory reset will erase everything permanently from your iPhone.

Can I reset an iPhone without a computer?

  • Yes, you can reset iPhone settings and factory reset directly on the device through the Settings menu (as long as you know the passcode).

Will resetting remove Apple ID from iPhone?

  • No, resetting alone will not remove your Apple ID from the device. You’ll need to sign out of iCloud and App Store before resetting.

Can I backup iPhone after reset?

  • No. You should always backup before resetting your iPhone. Resetting erases all contents and settings.

Key Takeaways on Resetting an iPhone

  • Reset your iPhone if you are experiencing any persistent software issues or glitches. It often helps resolve basic problems quickly.
  • There are a few different types of resets: soft reset, settings reset, and factory reset. Choose based on your specific needs.
  • Always backup your iPhone data first before doing a factory reset which erases everything.
  • You can reset an iPhone through the Settings menu or by connecting to iTunes on a computer.
  • Factory resetting your device is an important step if you plan to sell or give away your iPhone to someone else.
  • A reset usually fixes common issues, but contact Apple support if you encounter recurring problems post-reset.

Conclusion

Resetting your malfunctioning iPhone to factory default settings is one of the best ways to troubleshoot software issues and improve performance.

Just remember to backup your data first. Then choose the appropriate reset method based on your specific needs. In most cases a standard factory reset via Settings is the ideal option.

Resetting your iPhone may seem daunting, but armed with the steps in this guide you can feel confident tackling any problems your device encounters. Reset your iPhone properly and you’ll often be back up and running like normal in no time.

Jason
Jason

Skilled software testing specialist with expertise in comparisons and research, passionate about blogging, reviews, and creating video tutorials.

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