How to Factory Reset an iPhone?

A factory reset is the most effective way to wipe your iPhone's data and return it to its original "out-of-the-box" state. This is a critical step whether you are troubleshooting a persistent software glitch or preparing to sell your device.

Method 1: Directly via iPhone Settings (Recommended)

Go to Settings > General.
Scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
Review the data to be removed and tap Continue.
Enter your device passcode.
Enter your Apple ID password to turn off Find My and Activation Lock.
Confirm the erase; the process may take a few minutes.

Method 2: Using a Computer (If the phone is frozen or unresponsive)

Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC using a USB cable.
Open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows).
Select your device and go to the General or Summary tab.
Click Restore iPhone... and follow the on-screen confirmation prompts.

Option	Erase All Content & Settings	Reset All Settings
Data Loss	High (Deletes everything)	None (Keeps photos/apps)
System Apps	Returns to factory defaults	Returns settings to defaults
Use Case	Selling phone / Major system errors	Fixing Wi-Fi or Bluetooth bugs
Time	5–15 minutes	1–2 minutes

💡Dr.Fone Tip:

If you are selling your phone, a standard factory reset might still leave data vulnerable to recovery tools. Use Dr.Fone - Data Eraser (iOS) for a military-grade wipe that ensures your deleted data stays unrecoverable.