To factory reset your iPhone and erase all content and settings, follow these steps:
- Back up your iPhone to iCloud or your computer to save your data.
- On your iPhone, open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Tap Continue and enter your passcode or Apple ID password if prompted.
- Confirm that you want to erase your device.
- Wait a few minutes for the iPhone to erase and restart as a new device.
If you have an eSIM, you will be asked whether to erase or keep it; erasing it requires contacting your carrier to reactivate cellular service
. If you forgot your passcode or Apple ID password:
- You cannot reset the iPhone directly from settings without the passcode.
- You can use a computer to put your iPhone into recovery mode and restore it via Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows). This will erase the device and remove the passcode, but you need to have previously synced or trusted the computer or use recovery mode specific to your iPhone model
- If Find My iPhone is enabled, you may need your Apple ID and password to disable it before resetting.
This process will erase all personal data, apps, and settings, returning the iPhone to factory defaults. Make sure to back up your data beforehand if you want to restore it later
