A factory reset wipes your iPhone back to its out-of-the-box state, which is exactly what you want before selling, trading in, or troubleshooting a device that keeps misbehaving. But it also permanently erases everything on the phone, so the order of operations matters. Here’s exactly how to factory reset an iPhone on iOS 18, step by step, plus what gets erased versus what you keep, and the mistakes to avoid.
- Back up first. A factory reset erases all content on the phone — make an iCloud or computer (Finder) backup before you start, or that data is gone for good.
- The path on iOS 18 is Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- You’ll need your passcode and your Apple Account password to turn off Find My and Activation Lock.
- Erased: photos, apps, messages, accounts, and all settings. Kept: nothing on the device itself — but a backup restores it to this or a new iPhone.
- Want to fix glitches without losing data? Use Reset All Settings instead — it leaves your personal content intact.
Back up first — this cannot be undone. Erase All Content and Settings permanently deletes everything on the iPhone. Before you do anything else, make a backup: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now, or connect the phone to a computer and back up through Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app (Windows). Confirm the backup finished before continuing.
The short answer: Back up your iPhone, then go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings, enter your passcode and Apple Account password, and confirm. The phone erases itself and restarts to the setup screen.
How to factory reset an iPhone: step by step
These steps apply to iPhones running iOS 18. Older versions use the same wording under a slightly different menu, but the destination is identical.
- Back up your data. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now, or connect to a computer and back up through Finder. Wait until it completes.
- Open the Reset menu. Go to Settings > General, then scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings. This is the full factory reset. (The “Reset” sub-menu below it holds the partial options.)
- Review what will be erased. iOS shows a summary of the Apple Account and data that will be removed. Tap Continue.
- Enter your passcode. Type your device passcode, and your Screen Time passcode if you have one.
- Turn off Find My and Activation Lock. Enter your Apple Account password when prompted so the phone can sign out and remove Activation Lock. This step is essential if you’re selling the device.
- Confirm the erase. Tap Erase iPhone. The screen goes black, an Apple logo and progress bar appear, and the phone restarts to the “Hello” setup screen a few minutes later.
| Option (under Transfer or Reset) | What it does |
|---|---|
| Erase All Content and Settings | Full factory reset. Wipes everything and returns the phone to setup. Use before selling or as a last-resort fix. |
| Reset > Reset All Settings | Restores system settings (Wi-Fi, display, layout) but keeps all your personal data. Good for glitches. |
| Reset > Reset Network Settings | Clears only Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, VPN, and cellular settings. Personal data untouched. |
What this reset does (and what you’ll lose)
A factory reset is total. Once it finishes, the iPhone holds no trace of your information — it behaves like a brand-new device waiting to be set up.
What is erased: all photos and videos, apps and their data, messages, contacts, email accounts, saved passwords, Apple Account sign-in, Face ID/Touch ID data, Wi-Fi networks, and every setting you’ve customized. What is kept: nothing stays on the phone — but anything in your iCloud or computer backup is safe and can be restored during setup, either to this iPhone or a replacement. Your iCloud data (photos, notes, contacts you sync) also remains in iCloud itself, untouched by the device wipe. If you did not back up and did not sync to iCloud, that data is unrecoverable.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the backup — the single most common regret. Confirm the backup actually completed (check the date under iCloud Backup) before you erase.
- Not signing out / leaving Activation Lock on — if you sell a phone with Activation Lock active, the buyer can’t use it. Entering your Apple Account password during the erase removes it.
- Erasing to fix a problem you could fix softly — for most glitches, a restart or Reset All Settings works without losing data. Save the full wipe for selling or genuine last resorts.
- Letting the battery die mid-erase — keep the phone charged or plugged in so the process can’t be interrupted.
- Forgetting your Apple Account password — you’ll be locked out at the Find My step. Recover it beforehand at account.apple.com if you’re unsure.
Does a factory reset delete everything on an iPhone?
Yes. “Erase All Content and Settings” removes all personal data, apps, accounts, and settings and returns the phone to factory condition. The only way to get that information back afterward is from a backup you made first, or from data that was synced to iCloud. There is no undo button once the erase begins.
How to factory reset an iPhone FAQ
How do I back up my iPhone before resetting?
Use iCloud (Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now) over Wi-Fi, or connect the phone to a computer and back up through Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app on Windows. Wait for it to finish before erasing.
Will a factory reset remove my Apple Account?
Yes, as long as you enter your Apple Account password during the erase to turn off Find My. That signs the device out and removes Activation Lock so a new owner can set it up.
What’s the difference between Reset All Settings and Erase All Content and Settings?
Reset All Settings only restores system preferences and keeps your photos, apps, and files. Erase All Content and Settings wipes everything — it’s the true factory reset.
Does resetting my iPhone delete photos stored in iCloud?
No. The reset wipes the device, but photos and other data synced to iCloud stay in your iCloud account and reappear once you sign back in.
How long does a factory reset take?
The erase itself usually takes a few minutes. A backup beforehand and restoring afterward can each take much longer depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.
Can I factory reset an iPhone without a passcode or Apple Account password?
Not from the Settings menu. If you’ve forgotten them, you’ll need to put the phone into recovery mode and restore it through a computer, and you may still hit Activation Lock without the Apple Account credentials.
What happens if I don’t back up first?
Anything not already synced to iCloud is permanently lost. There is no way to recover on-device data after Erase All Content and Settings runs without a prior backup.
Sources & last update: Based on Apple’s standard iOS 18 guidance and common practice; menu names can vary slightly by iOS version — check your device. Last reviewed and updated November 2026.