Step-by-step instructions on how to erase all data and settings from iPhone

Let's find out how to reset an iPhone to factory settings. This procedure is vital if:

• You are about to sell a gadget;
• Do you want to format the memory and “set up the device as new”?
• iOS works crookedly, there are a lot of glitches or you have caught a virus;
• The smartphone was stolen or lost;
• You bought an iPhone from someone else.

At the same time, everything is deleted: photos, videos, correspondence in instant messengers, any access and passwords, contacts, games, programs, etc.

The instructions are universal and suitable for all models: 4, 4s, 5, 5c, 5s,6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, SE, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X, XS, XS Max, XR, 11 , 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max.

How to reboot iPhone 4S?

For this:

1. On iPhone 4 (4s), 5 (5s,c) and 6 (6s, 6s Plus) devices, you must simultaneously hold down the “Power” and “Home” buttons. ...
2. When the device screen goes dark, release the buttons and wait until the Apple logo appears on a black background. ...
3. If your smartphone still does not restart, try again.

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To start

Before starting the reset procedure, you need to prepare your smartphone:

1. Fully charge the battery. If this is not possible, the battery charge should be at least 30%. Disabling the device during the reset or reboot procedure will most likely lead to a software failure, which creates the possibility of getting a “brick” at the output.
2. Roll back jailbreak iOS. Resetting the jailbreak configuration results in a complete lockout.
3. Go through the checklist located just below.

Be sure to check IMEI

Now you need to check the IMEI identifier of the gadget. The number can be found:

• on the iPhone case;
• on the original packaging and documentation;
• in iOS settings: sub-item “About device”.

Verification is carried out using an online service.

1. Enter IMEI number,
2. Pass the “robot” check – ReCaptcha,
3. Click "Check".

Once you have verified the “Unlocked” status, you can begin the data reset procedure.

Make a Backup

Before resetting system settings, you need to back up your personal data using the following methods:

iCloud cloud storage

The owner of Apple is allocated 5 GB of memory in the cloud space for free. To successfully carry out the procedure, you need to provide stable mobile Internet or Wi-Fi.

• Open “Settings” and go to “iCloud”;
• activate the “Backup” option;
• select “iCloud Backup”;
• Confirm the process by selecting “Create a backup copy.”

Connect via iTunes

The device must be connected to a PC. All that remains is to launch iTunes, in which you need to find the “This PC” item, select the iPhone and click on “Back up now.”

Learn more about how to transfer information from one iPhone to another.

Log out of all services

Before a global restart of the gadget, you must log out (unlink) from all user accounts in:

• iCloud, iTunes, App Store - to limit access to the user’s encrypted personal data, saved settings and documents;
• iMessage and Face Time - to avoid problems with SMS and video communication;
• Messaging applications (VK, FB, Instagram, Viber, WhatsApp and others) - their notifications may interfere with the data reset process.

How to format an iPhone if the touchscreen doesn't work

If the touch screen does not respond to commands, you can erase data through iTunes or iCloud, or use a special program such as Tenorshare ReiBoot. Below are instructions on how to use this utility.

1. Download Tenorshare ReiBoot and install it on your computer.
2. Launch the program and connect your iPhone to your computer.
3. Select the "Reset device" option from the main menu of the interface.
4. You will be given 2 cleaning options to choose from. Select the one that suits you best and click OK.
5. In the pop-up window, you need to manually enter “Erase” in the required field to confirm your action.

FAQ

If you don't know the password

Recovering the master password from iOS takes time. Ideally, write to Apple technical support, engineers will help. First, remember the answers to the security questions that you entered when registering your Apple ID.

We strongly recommend that you not contact us if you want to reset someone else’s password left over from the previous owner; this could have dire consequences for you.

When the “wipe data” option is activated, the device software is formatted with all personal data.
This happens after the tenth unsuccessful attempt to enter the password. The process takes time: after six incorrect passwords are entered, the iPhone will be locked for one minute, this number doubles with each subsequent entry. When selecting your password code, you can periodically reset the counter of incorrect attempts. Connect to your PC and sync with iTunes. After completing the procedure, the number of incorrect passwords typed is reset to zero. Doesn't want to go through activation after reset

With the introduction of iOS 11, new system activation rules were introduced - after flashing, the device goes through the registration procedure again, during which the serial numbers of the installed components are checked in accordance with the Apple database. If a mismatch is detected, the phone is automatically blocked. Thus, the company is struggling with the repair of devices using non-original spare parts in private services.

Reflashing iOS and resetting the device will not solve the problem - installing original components will be the only solution.

In such a situation, there are only two independent actions:

• receiving a gsx report, which indicates the characteristics of the device components, indicating changes have been made;
• Check the smartphone warranty on the official Apple page here.

Having found out that this is not the reason, the only thing you can do is contact the official service center.
Buttons alone won't work

Resetting parameters to factory values ​​is possible without using a PC or third-party software.

However, resetting using a key combination does not exist (unlike Android smartphones).

All possible methods are described a little higher.
How to format a Chinese iPhone

Fake Chinese iPhones have Android installed, but not iOS. Therefore, this instruction will not work.

Via iCloud

This method works on any device: computer, tablet or smartphone.

1. We go to the website icloud.com.
2. Log in to your Apple ID account.

3. Launch the Find iPhone application.
4. Go to the “All devices” menu and select the one you need.

5. A window will appear on the right in which we click “Erase iPhone”.

6. We reconfirm our decision.

7. The program will require you to enter your Apple ID login information.
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8. In the next step, you can enter a phone number, or you can simply click “Next” and then “Finish”.

9. The process of resetting the gadget’s settings will begin immediately if it is connected to the Internet, or later, as soon as it appears online.

Do you need a backup?

Before erasing all iPhone settings, it is recommended that you back up your device if you have not set it up automatically. It stores the following information:

• all device settings;
• data about installed applications;
• SMS, MMS and iMessage;
• display settings and location of programs on it;
• media files;
• Health app statistics;
• purchase history in iTunes, AppStore, etc.
• contacts.

When resetting to factory settings, there is no guarantee that you will never need this information, so it is better to create a backup copy just in case.

Methods

Standard means

The easiest way to reset settings to factory settings is to use the device menu.

Select “Basic” and go to “Reset”. The menu that opens will display 6 sub-items, of which only two are needed for the procedure:

• “reset all settings” - this item returns the smartphone to its initial settings, preserving all personal information. This method is suitable if problems arise with the software or for cleaning your smartphone from system debris;
• “erase content and settings” - activation of this command starts a complete formatting of the internal memory: deleting accounts, phone book, confirmed wireless connections, photo and video recordings, music and other personal information, and settings will also be reset. This method is designed for transferring the device to third parties, for example, upon sale.

If you encounter problems with the software, the device freezes and refuses to turn on, you can resort to Hard reset. The procedure can disrupt the operation of the software, adding new problems to existing ones. Therefore, you should use a hard reset only when absolutely necessary:

• Model range from iPhone 4 to SE - occurs by simultaneously pressing the combination of the Home key and the power button;
• When carrying out the procedure on models 7 and later, where there is no physical button (XR, XS and XS Max), hold down the power key and volume down at the same time.

Erase remotely

In case you lose your device, it is possible to remotely delete confidential data using the Find My iPhone function.

The function is present in any iPhone model, starting from the fourth. It works without restrictions only with original software. Direct interaction with the device itself is not required.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Log in to iCloud.com - enter your Apple ID and access code;
2. Go to the “Find iPhone” section and confirm the actions by re-entering the password;
3. Select the device from which data will be deleted;
4. Click on the “Erase” button;
5. Confirm your intentions by filling in the access code in the appropriate field.

During the operation, the encrypted information is deleted even on a non-direction-finding device (turned off or discharged, with GPS disabled or in Airplane mode). As soon as the smartphone connects to the Internet, the Apple server will send the appropriate commands to format the data.

iTunes

You can clean your iPhone through iTunes, we’ll tell you how to do it correctly:

1. Initially, you need to connect your smartphone to your computer using a USB cable;
2. Now you need to turn on and unlock your smartphone for the system to determine the iOS version;
3. After recognizing the device, the program will require you to disable the “Find iPhone” function;
4. By default, the program will offer to restore data from a previously saved copy - refuse, because you need to completely clean the iPhone.
5. Start the procedure by clicking the “Restore iPhone” button.

DFU mode

DFU (device firmware update) - this mode is used to update and/or install new firmware when the device is turned on, but the operating system is not running.

The initial step when switching to DFU is to connect the device to the PC via USB, after which you need to:

On iPhone 4 to SE series:

1. Press the power and home buttons at the same time.
2. Release the power key.
3. Hold the Home button until iTunes detects your smartphone.

On smartphones without a mechanical Home button (from 7 and above):

1. Press the power key.
2. After 3 seconds, press and hold the Volume Down button.
3. Release the power button after 10 seconds.

How to understand if you managed to enable DFU mode

During the procedure, the device screen should remain black; this is the only sign of successful activation of the mode. If startup sounds and a welcome window appear, you must repeat the process.

After all the manipulations, you need to confirm the notification “iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode” and click “Restore iPhone”.

Third Party Applications

If, in addition to deleting all system data, there is a need to delete the login password, means of identification (fingerprint), or unlink accounts from applications, then you can resort to a third-party developer’s tool that will allow you to do this.

Tenorshare 4uKe

The utility is suitable for restoring iOS that has been blocked by bypassing system security measures. This will help reset the system if you lose your access code.

After installing the program on your computer:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer.
2. Open the utility.
3. Download the latest version of iOS firmware.
4. Launch “Start unlocking”.

Do not disconnect the device during the data reset process.

The process takes about three minutes. The program completely formats the data, deleting statistics, ID and Face ID, all passwords and unlock code. It is impossible to recover data after this.

ReiBooPro

This program will help you restore an iOS smartphone that crashed during the process of making changes to the software, froze during operation, or gave a startup error.

As in the previous case, you first need to connect the iPhone to the PC:

1. Select “iOS Fix” in the utility menu.
2. Confirm changes on your smartphone.
3. Select “Recovery” and click “OK”.