How to Factory Reset or Hard Reset an iPhone

Last verified: iOS 26.5
Applies to: iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and all later models for iOS 26; old models (iPhone 6s–iPhone X) still receive security-only updates on earlier iOS branches.

To sell, trade, or fix deep software issues, you will occasionally need to reset your iPhone. If bad luck falls and your Apple device freezes, becomes unresponsive, or gets stuck on a black screen, a hard reset should be your first course of action before you decide to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.

A hard reset is a force restart done by pressing the volume up button, then the volume down, followed by the side button. That’s separate from a factory reset, which erases all information, including iCloud sessions, backups, and activation lock, performed in the Settings app via Erase All Content and Settings.

In this guide, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions to perform a hard restore or factory reset on an iPhone, including solutions for locked or stuck devices in recovery mode.

Hard Reset vs. Factory Reset

These two terms are frequently confused, potentially leading to the unnecessary loss of data.

	Hard Reset (Force Restart)	Factory Reset (Erase All Content)
What it does	Forcibly reboots the device	Wipes all data and settings
Data lost?	None	Everything, unless backed up
When to use	Frozen screen, app lockup, glitch	Selling, giving away, persistent issues
How it’s done	Hardware buttons	Settings app, iTunes/Finder, or iCloud
Passcode required?	No	Yes (or Recovery Mode)

Things to Do Before Factory Reset

Just so you know, a factory reset is irreversible. Once started, you can’t recover any removed unsaved data. So, take this step seriously; it only takes a few minutes and will protect all personal and important stuff.

Skip this section only if you are intentionally wiping a device you no longer use and have no data to save.

1. iCloud Backup

Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi.
Open Settings > tap your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
Tap Back Up Now.
Wait for the process to complete. Once done, the screen will show the date and time of the last successful backup beneath the button.

2. Backup to Mac (macOS Catalina or later)

Connect your iPhone to Mac with a USB or USB-C cable.
Unlock it and tap Trust if prompted.
Open Finder and select your iPhone from the sidebar under Locations.
In the General tab, check Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.
To include passwords and Health data, check Encrypt local backup and set a password you will remember.
Click Back Up Now and wait for the timestamp to update before disconnecting.

3. Backup to Windows PC

Download and install the latest version of iTunes or the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store.
Connect your iPhone with a USB cable, unlock it, and tap Trust.
Open iTunes or Apple Devices, then click the small iPhone icon in the top-left corner.
Under Backups, select This Computer.
Click Back Up Now.
Wait until the backup is complete, then disconnect.

Note

If you have a paired Apple Watch, it will back up automatically through your iPhone backup.

Review these checks in order before proceeding with the reset:

Back up via iCloud or your computer (above).

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My and turn off Find My iPhone (requires Apple ID password).

Go to Settings > [Your Name] and scroll down to Sign Out to remove your Apple ID.

If selling or giving away the device, check our guide to unpair the Apple Watch from your iPhone.

If you use iMessage and plan to switch to a non-Apple device, deregister your number on Apple’s website.

Skipping the Apple ID sign-out step will leave Activation Lock active, which prevents anyone else from setting up the device, including you, when trying to restore it later.

How to Hard Reset Your iPhone

A hard reset, or force restart, is the first recommended step if your iPhone is frozen, unresponsive, or stuck on a black or white screen. This process doesn’t erase any data, and it doesn’t require your passcode.

iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd gen), and all later models with Face ID:

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release.

The phone will normally reboot. If the screen stays black for more than 30 seconds, confirm the battery is not completely drained; plug in the charger and try again after a few minutes.

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:

Press and hold both the Volume Down button and the Side button simultaneously.
Hold until the Apple logo appears, then release them.

iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st gen), and earlier:

Press and hold both Home and Top (or Side) buttons at once.
Hold until the classic Apple logo shows, then release both buttons.

If the force restart does not fix the problem and the device remains unusable, move to a factory reset using one of the methods below.

How to Factory Reset iPhone via Settings

This is the simplest method to erase your device directly from your iPhone’s settings and works on all models running iOS 15 or later.

Open the Settings app.
Tap General.
Scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
If a prompt appears, select whether you want to back up your data or erase it immediately.
Enter your passcode and Apple ID password if requested.
If you have an active cellular plan, you will see a prompt with these options: Keep eSIM and Erase Data, and Delete eSIM and Erase Data.
- Erase your eSIM if changing carriers, or keep it to use the same carrier on this device. Perform the steps carefully, and confirm there’s no unsaved data left.
Tap Continue.

The device will restart and display the Hello setup screen within a few minutes. All data, apps, accounts, and settings will be gone.

How to Reset iPhone Without a Passcode via Recovery Mode

Use Recovery Mode if any of the following apply:

You have forgotten your passcode.
The iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo or a setup screen.
The device is not recognized by your computer.
You purchased a second-hand iPhone that’s still locked to a previous Apple ID, and the seller has removed the account remotely.

Step 1: Power Off Your iPhone

iPhone 8 and later: Press and hold the Side + Volume Down buttons together until the power-off slider appears. Drag it to the right to power off.
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag it to the right.
iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the Side (or Top) button until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to the right to shut down.

Wait until the screen turns completely black before moving to the next step.

Step 2: Put Your Device in Recovery Mode

To trigger the recovery interface, you will need your computer cable handy.

Connect the cable to your Mac or PC, but do not plug it into the iPhone yet.
On iPhone 8 and all new models with Face ID, press and hold the Side button on your phone.
While still holding the Side button, plug the cable into the iPhone.
Do not release the Side button. Continue holding it even when the Apple logo appears.
Release only when you see the Recovery Mode screen, an illustration of a cable pointing toward a computer.

For old models:

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down button. While holding, connect the cable to the iPhone. Keep holding until the Recovery Mode screen appears, then release.
iPhone 6s and older: Press and hold the Home button. While holding, connect the USB cable; keep holding until the Recovery Mode screen appears, then release.

🛠️ Troubleshooting Note

If you see the Apple logo instead of the cable illustration, you released the button too early. Power the phone off again and repeat the process. If you cannot get the computer-and-cable graphic to appear after several attempts, the hardware buttons might require inspection by an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

Step 3: Restore via Your Computer

Once the iPhone enters Recovery Mode, your computer will detect it automatically, and a dialog box will appear on its screen.

On Mac:

Open the Finder app.
Select your iPhone in the left sidebar under the Locations section.
Select Trust [Your Device] if prompted.
A pop-up box will appear with two options: Update or Restore. Click Restore.

On Windows PC:

Open the Apple Devices app (or iTunes).
Select your iPhone from the sidebar menu.
Select Trust [Your Device] if prompted, then open the General tab.
Click Restore (or Restore iPhone) and follow the instructions on the screen.

Your computer will download a new iOS package. Depending on your Internet speed, this can take 15 minutes or longer.

Important

If the download drags on, your iPhone will exit Recovery Mode. Let the process finish on your computer, and once it’s done, power off the phone, repeat Step 2 to re-enter Recovery Mode, and the restore will continue without another download.

Step 4: Set Up Your iPhone

Once the restore finishes:

The progress bar on your iPhone will complete, and it will restart.
The Hello screen will appear on its display.
Disconnect your handset from the PC, and follow the on-screen setup wizard.

How to Erase Your iPhone Remotely via iCloud

When you need to erase information from your iPhone but don’t have physical access to it because it’s lost, stolen, or the screen is too damaged to operate, you can erase it remotely from any browser as long as Find My iPhone was enabled before the incident occurred.

On any browser, go to icloud.com/find.
Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
Click All Devices at the top of the map view.
Select your iPhone from the list.
Click Erase This Device and follow the instructions.

The erase command is sent to the device, which will execute right away if the iPhone is currently connected to the Internet or the next time the offline device goes online. Learn how to fix the issue if your iPhone won’t connect Wi-Fi.

Activation Lock is automatically cleared when you erase via iCloud Find Devices under your own Apple ID. If the device is locked to a different account and you are the legitimate owner, you’ll need to contact Apple Support with proof of purchase to proceed. Apple cannot remove Activation Lock without identity verification.

Note

During this process, you’ll be prompted to either delete or keep your eSIM data. If you want to transfer the number, check with your carrier first. But when you’re selling your iPhone, choose to delete the eSIM.

Restore Your iPhone After a Factory Reset

Once the reset completes, your iPhone displays the Hello setup screen. At the Apps & Data step, you have two options:

1. Restore from a Previous Backup

From iCloud:

Select Restore from iCloud Backup.
Sign in with your Apple ID.
Select the most recent backup from the list.
Keep the device connected to Wi-Fi and the charger until the restore completes.

From Mac or PC:

Connect your iPhone to the computer with a cable.
Open Finder on Mac or Apple Devices app/iTunes on PC.
Select your iPhone and click Restore Backup.
Choose the correct backup file from the list and click Restore.

2. Set Up as New iPhone

Select Set Up as New iPhone at the Apps & Data screen if you are giving the device to someone else, want a fresh start without old settings or data, or are troubleshooting a software issue and want to rule out backup-related culprits.

After choosing this option, sign in with an Apple ID, set up Face ID or Touch ID, configure your passcode, and follow the remaining setup prompts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a factory reset change the iOS version?

No, a factory reset through Settings leaves the current iOS version installed. Only restore via iTunes or Finder downloads the newest compatible build and installs it.

Will a factory reset fix software problems that restarts and updates haven’t fixed?

In most cases, yes. A factory reset removes all user data, app caches, corrupt configuration files, and problematic settings. If the same issue appears after a clean reset with no backup restored, the cause is most likely hardware-related and should be examined by Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

Can I factory reset my iPhone without entering a passcode?

Yes, recovery mode and iCloud remote erase bypass the passcode requirement and don’t need it to reset the device.

Do I need to contact Apple Support if my device is locked to someone else’s Apple ID?

Yes. If recovery mode and iCloud erase both fail because the device remains linked to a different account, you’ll need to contact Apple Support. You’ll be asked for proof of purchase and identity verification before they can remove the Activation Lock.