The factory reset wipes out your device and can fix specific problems that may be impairing its performance. This stands true for all the iPhones right from the latest iPhone 14 series to the iPhone 6s. However, it should be thought of as a last resort and must only be done after more straightforward solutions such as restarting or force restarting your device have not fixed the issues you’re encountering.
What happens when you factory reset your iPhone?Does a factory reset delete everything?Get your device ready for factory resetHow to factory reset iPhone or iPad (including iPhone 14)How to factory reset iPhone or iPad using iCloudReset your iPhone or iPad using Mac or PCFactory reset iPhone or iPad using Recovery ModeWhat to do after resetting your iOS device?
What happens when you factory reset your iPhone?
As the term ‘factory reset’ suggests, this option restores the software on your device to the way it was when it left the factory. This means that all the settings return to the default, and all your data such as downloaded apps, photos, music, documents, and other files are deleted. After a factory reset of your iPhone or iPad, you can practically set up your device from scratch ‘like new’.
Does a factory reset delete everything?
This depends on what exactly you are resetting. Whether you’re looking to factory reset an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13 series or any of its predecessors, there are six different options available. Let’s have a brief look at each of them. When you go to Settings → General → Reset:
Reset All Settings: This will reset your Home screen layout, location settings, network settings, privacy settings, the keyboard dictionary, and your Apple Pay cards to the default. If you choose this option, you Will not delete Files and media.Reset Network Settings: This deletes all your network settings such as wifi login credentials and networks that your phone automatically connects to. Further, manually trusted website certificates are rolled back to untrusted, and your device’ name’ is reset to just “iPhone”Reset Keyboard Dictionary: Selecting this option will delete any words you might have added to the default keyboard dictionary on your iPhoneReset Home Screen Layout: This will eliminate your custom layout or app folders on the Home screen. All the stock iOS apps will return to their default positions, and the Home Screen will return to looking like it was when you first set up your iPhone. Your data will be safe.Reset Location & Privacy: As the name suggests, this option restores the location services and privacy settings of your iPhone to their defaults.Erase All Content & Settings: This option is what we usually refer to when talking about factory reset. It completely removes all of your content and settings, restoring your iPhone to the way it was when you first bought it
So, it is only the Erase All Content & Settings option that will delete all the data from your device except the default apps and settings.
Get your device ready for factory reset
Before attempting to factory reset your iPhone or iPad, please ensure that you do the following:
How to factory reset iPhone or iPad (including iPhone 14 series)
There are four ways to reset your iPhone or iPad. Let’s first look at the easiest and most convenient one.
How to factory reset iPhone or iPad using iCloud
If your iPhone gets lost or stolen, you can remotely wipe all its content using the iCloud website. This is only possible if you had set up Find My iPhone. This process will lock your iPhone. And if you following this process to reset your device, you can unlock it by entering your Apple ID and password.
Reset your iPhone or iPad using Mac or PC
Factory reset iPhone/iPad using Finder
Factory Reset iPhone/iPad Using iTunes
Factory reset iPhone or iPad using Recovery Mode
You can also use Recovery Mode to reset your device. This is usually necessary when:
iPhone or iPad is stuck on the Apple logo for several minutesComputer does not recognize your device when you connect itComputer says your device is in Recovery Mode when you connect it
To erase your iPhone or iPad using Recovery Mode, follow these steps:
What to do after resetting your iOS device?
Once you have factory-reset your iPhone or iPad, all your data will have been deleted, and your device will be ‘like new’. So here’s what you can do next: Factory resetting your iPhone or iPad is a pretty straightforward process. We hope this comprehensive guide has equipped you with everything you needed to know about it. If you have further questions, let us know in the comments below. Read more:
How to factory reset a MacBook or any MacHow to clear RAM on iPhone to run fasterBest iOS 16 hidden features for iPhoneiPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13: What’s the difference?
