Whether to fix a persisting issue or prepare your iPhone for sale, resetting it to its factory settings can be a great option. But only some know how to reset an iPhone. In this blog, we will guide you through how to reset iPhone to its default settings. We will also answer a common question, “How to reset an iPhone without the password?”
While resetting your phone will result in losing all your data, we’ve got you covered with a step-by-step guide that will help you back up your data before resetting the phone. So, if you’re looking to start fresh with your iPhone, read on to learn how to factory reset your iPhone and reset it without a password.
How to Factory Reset iPhone?
Factory resetting an original iPhone is a process that deletes all settings and data, returning it to its default state. It is a useful process when transferring ownership or when the phone faces critical issues, such as getting stuck in a loop or loading slowly. It’s important to back up all important data before proceeding with this process to avoid losing any significant information.
Contacting Apple support is recommended if you need help resetting, such as having an Apple ID or passcode. Alternatively, you can use AnyUnlock software to factory reset your iPhone without an Apple ID password. This swift process can be done by following simple steps that ensure all data is wiped off the iPhone, returning it to default settings.
Restore iPhone to Default Settings
For iOS 15 and 16, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and for iOS 14 to 12, go to Settings > General > Reset. Other steps are common for all devices, so make sure to follow all the steps. When you navigate to ‘Reset,’ you will find the following options, and you can choose your desired one,
Reset All Settings: Everything is deleted or set to default, including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, the layout of the Home Screen, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards. Media and data will not be removed when you choose this option.
Reset Network Settings: All network settings will be set as default. Moreover, “iPhone” is added to the device name listed in Settings > General > About, and manually trusted website certificates are changed to untrusted.
Formerly used networks and VPN settings that weren’t installed via a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are erased when you reset network settings. You are disconnected from whatever networks you are currently on when Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on. The settings for Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks are still enabled.
Go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, choose the configuration profile, then touch Delete Profile to remove the VPN settings installed by the configuration profile. Moreover, this eliminates additional profile-provided settings and accounts.
Go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, choose Management, then touch Remove Management to eliminate the network settings that MDM implemented. Moreover, this eliminates additional MDM-provided settings and certificates. Next, go to the iOS Deployment Reference and look up “Mobile device management (MDM)”.
Reset Keyboard Dictionary: By ignoring terms that the iPhone suggests as you type, you can contribute new words to the keyboard vocabulary. Only the words you’ve added are removed when the keyboard dictionary is reset.
Reset Home Screen Layout: Restores the Home Screen’s built-in apps to their original configuration.
Reset Location & Privacy: Restore iPhone’s privacy and location services settings to their default values.
Erasing iPhone
When you delete data, it is no longer viewable in the iPhone interface but is not completely removed from the storage of the iPhone. Erase your iPhone to remove all of your material and settings from storage. For instance, wipe your iPhone before you sell or gift it. Before wiping your iPhone clean, back up your files and settings. To erase all contents and settings,
- Navigate to Settings > General > Reset
- Now click, Erase All Content and Settings
You can set up iPhone as new or restore it from a backup when the Iphone restarts with all content and settings deleted. You can delete your iPhone using a computer if you can’t access Settings.
Using a computer to erase all content and settings
You may install the most recent version of iOS, delete all data and settings from your iPhone, and restore it to its factory settings using a Mac or Windows PC. For instance, you can use this method to return your iPhone to factory settings if you cannot use the Settings app.
You have the choice to back up your iPhone before wiping it clean. If you create one, you can use a backup to restore your data and settings on your iPhone or a different device. To erase all the contents using a computer,
- First, use a cable to link your computer and iPhone
- If you use Mac, select your iPhone on the Finder Sidebar and click ‘General’. Now you can erase all the contents and settings by selecting ‘Restore iPhone’
Note: MacOS 10.15 or later is needed to restore an iPhone to factory settings using the Finder. iTunes can be used to repair iPhones running older versions of macOS.
- If you are using Windows PC, click the iPhone button o the top left of your iTunes window and select ‘Summary’. Now click ‘Reset iPhone’ to erase all the data
How to Reset iPhone Without Password?
Did you forget your iPhone password? An alert will inform you that your iPhone is deactivated if you repeatedly input the incorrect passcode on the iPhone Lock Screen. When you try again, use a computer to put your iPhone in recovery mode if you can’t recall your passcode. You can delete the iPhone using recovery mode and allowing you access to reset it.
After wiping your iPhone, you can use a backup to recover your data and settings. You can set up your iPhone as a fresh device and download whatever iCloud data you have if you don’t back it up. Follow the steps below to reset your iPhone without a password,
Step 1 – Ensure you Have a Computer
A Mac or PC are required for this operation. Ensure your PC has Windows 10 or a later version and that iTunes is installed if you’re using one. To connect your iPhone to the computer, you’ll also need the cable that came with it or another suitable cable. You must seek assistance from an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider if you need a computer and can’t borrow one.
Step 2 – Turn your iPhone Off
- If your iPhone is plugged into the PC, then unplug it
- For iPhones 8, 8 Plus, X and later, including iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), press and hold the side and the Volume down button
- For iPhones 7, 7 plus, 6s, and 6, press and hold the side button
- For iPhones SE (1st Generation), 5S, and earlier press and hold the top button
- Ensure to hold the buttons until the power off slider appears
- Drag the slider to turn off your phone and wait until the device is completely switched off
Step 3 – Put your iPhone in recovery mode
For iPhones 8, 8 Plus, X and later, including iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), use the side button; for iPhones 7 and 7 Plus, use the Volume down button; and for iPhones SE (First Generation), 6s, and earlier use Home button.
Press and hold the appropriate button in your iPhone model and connect the device to a computer concurrently.
Ensure you are not releasing the button. Hold the button until the recovery mode appears, and if you see a passcode, you need to turn off your device and start again.
Step 4 – Reset iPhone
- Select your device in the Finder or in the iTunes
- When the Restore or the Update option is shown, select Restore. Your computer starts the recovery procedure by downloading software for your iPhone
- Let the download complete, then turn off your iPhone and try again if it takes more than 15 minutes and your device leaves the recovery mode screen
- Wait until the process is finished
- After completing the process, disconnect your iPhone from the computer
Conclusion
Resetting your iPhone can fix issues like slow performance, app crashes, and other software-related problems. If you want to erase all data and restore your device to factory settings, you can do so by following a few simple steps.
However, if you have forgotten your passcode, don’t worry; that can be fixed too. We have provided a detailed guide to resetting your iPhone without a password. Just remember to take a backup of your important data before resetting.
FAQ – How to Reset iPhone?
How do I do a hard reset for iPhone?
To perform a hard reset on an iPhone, quickly press and release the Volume up button, followed by the Volume down button. Then, hold down the power button until the Apple logo appears. This will help restart the iPhone, clear its RAM, and shut down any running apps.
A hard reset is particularly useful when your iPhone is unresponsive, and you cannot restart it using normal methods. Unlike a soft reset, a hard reset erases all data.
If your phone doesn’t turn back on after a hard reset, try charging it to see if that helps resolve the issue.
How do you do a soft reset on iPhone?
Start by pressing and holding the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons to do a soft reset on an iPhone or a force restart. Next, press and hold the Side Button until the Apple logo appears, indicating the reset is complete.
It’s important to note that a soft reset doesn’t erase any data and is typically used when the iPhone is frozen or experiencing minor issues. In contrast, a hard reset involves erasing all data by quickly pressing the Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power buttons.
Does a hard reset clear iPhone?
Yes, a hard reset on an iPhone will erase all data and restore it to its default state. Therefore, it’s important to backup any important data before doing a factory reset, which removes all settings and data.
A hard reset can also be a useful way to restart a frozen device, clear the RAM, and shut down running apps. This can be especially helpful for transferring ownership or returning the phone to its initial condition.
Press and release the Volume up and down buttons to hard reset an iPhone, then hold the power button until the Apple logo appears.
Does erasing iPhone delete everything?
Yes, erasing an iPhone does delete contacts and everything on the device, including media, data, and settings, to restore it to its default state. Unfortunately, this means personal files like emails, contacts, apps, and messages will also be deleted.
To erase an iPhone, go to the settings app and select “Erase This Device.” Then, follow the prompts to complete the process. You can also do a hard factory reset by entering your Apple ID password or using iCloud.
Selecting “Erase all content & settings” on your iPhone may take a few minutes.
Does reset all settings delete photos?
Resetting all settings on an iPhone will delete all settings and data, returning it to its default state. Thus, it is necessary to back up important data before performing a factory reset; otherwise, all data will be permanently deleted.
However, resetting network settings on an iPhone will not delete photos, and personal files such as emails, contacts, calendar events, and bookmarks can be individually deleted without affecting photos.
If resetting an iPhone through iTunes, photos will not be deleted unless the user selects the option to erase all content and settings.
Will erasing my iPhone erase iCloud?
Erasing your iPhone through iCloud will remove all data and settings, but iCloud itself will not be erased. However, signing out of iCloud before erasing your iPhone is important to remove your iCloud account and disable the activation lock.