When your iPhone won’t hold a Wi-Fi connection, keeps dropping cellular data, or refuses to pair over Bluetooth, resetting the network settings is one of the most reliable fixes. It clears out the network configuration without touching your photos, apps, or messages. Here’s exactly how to reset network settings on an iPhone running iOS 18, step by step, plus precisely what it clears versus what it keeps, and the mistakes to avoid.
- This is NOT a factory reset. It clears only network settings — your photos, apps, messages, and personal data are completely untouched.
- Know your Wi-Fi passwords first. The reset forgets all saved Wi-Fi networks and their passwords, so you’ll re-enter them afterward.
- The path on iOS 18 is Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- What it clears: saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, VPN and APN configs, and paired Bluetooth devices.
- Try simpler fixes first — toggle Wi-Fi, flip Airplane Mode, or restart — before resetting.
Before you reset: this only clears network settings — not your data. Resetting network settings does not erase photos, apps, messages, or any personal content. It does forget every saved Wi-Fi network and password, your cellular, VPN and APN settings, and paired Bluetooth devices. Make sure you know your Wi-Fi passwords — home, work, and any hotspots — because you’ll need to type them in again afterward.
The short answer: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings, enter your passcode, and confirm. The iPhone restarts and your network settings return to default. Your photos, apps, and files are not affected.
How to reset network settings on iPhone: step by step
These steps apply to iPhones on iOS 18. The option sits inside the same menu as the full factory reset, so take care to pick the network-only choice.
- Note your Wi-Fi passwords. Jot down or confirm the passwords for your home, work, and hotspot networks, since they’ll be forgotten.
- Open Settings > General. Scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset. This opens the list of partial resets — do not tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Tap Reset Network Settings. This is the network-only option that leaves personal data alone.
- Enter your passcode. Type your device passcode to authorize the reset.
- Confirm. Tap Reset Network Settings in the confirmation prompt. The iPhone reboots once, which is normal.
- Reconnect. After it restarts, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, choose your network, and re-enter the password. Re-pair any Bluetooth devices as needed.
| Cleared (reset to default) | Kept (untouched) |
|---|---|
| Saved Wi-Fi networks & passwords | Photos and videos |
| Cellular/mobile data settings | Apps and their data |
| VPN and APN configurations | Messages, contacts, email |
| Paired Bluetooth devices | Apple Account & app logins |
What this reset does (and what you’ll lose)
Reset Network Settings rolls every network-related setting back to how it was out of the box, which is why it so often cures stubborn connectivity problems — it clears the corrupted configuration that was causing them.
What you’ll lose: all saved Wi-Fi networks and their passwords (you re-enter them), your cellular data configuration, any VPN and APN settings you set up, and your list of paired Bluetooth devices. What stays safe: everything personal — photos, videos, apps, messages, contacts, email, notes, and your Apple Account sign-in. Account passwords for email or apps are not affected; the only credentials you’ll re-enter are Wi-Fi passwords. Because no personal data is touched, you don’t need a full backup for this reset, though it never hurts to have one.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Tapping Erase All Content and Settings by mistake — that’s the full factory wipe. You want Reset > Reset Network Settings instead.
- Not knowing your Wi-Fi passwords — you’ll be locked out of your own networks until you find them. Check them before resetting.
- Jumping straight to a reset — toggle Wi-Fi off and on, flip Airplane Mode, or restart the phone first; these fix many issues without forgetting your networks.
- Forgetting to re-pair Bluetooth — car kits, headphones, and watches will need to be paired again afterward.
- Expecting it to fix non-network problems — this reset only affects connectivity. It won’t help with app crashes or storage issues.
Does resetting network settings delete photos or personal data?
No. Resetting network settings only clears network-related configuration — saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, VPN and APN profiles, and paired Bluetooth devices. Your photos, videos, apps, messages, contacts, and accounts are completely untouched. It’s a targeted fix, not a factory reset, so the only thing you’ll need to redo is reconnecting to Wi-Fi and re-pairing Bluetooth devices.
How to reset network settings on iPhone FAQ
Will I lose my photos or apps when I reset network settings?
No. This reset only affects network configuration. Photos, apps, messages, and all personal data stay exactly as they are.
Does resetting network settings delete my Wi-Fi passwords?
Yes. All saved Wi-Fi networks and their passwords are forgotten, so you’ll re-enter them the next time you connect. Have them handy before you reset.
When should I reset network settings?
When Wi-Fi keeps dropping, cellular data won’t work, Bluetooth won’t pair, or your iPhone can’t connect after a carrier or router change — and simpler fixes like restarting haven’t helped.
Where is Reset Network Settings on iOS 18?
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. It lives in the same menu as the factory reset, so choose the network option carefully.
Will resetting network settings fix slow internet?
It can, if the slowness comes from a corrupted network profile. If the problem is your router or carrier signal, the reset won’t help — test on another network first.
Do I need a backup before resetting network settings?
Not really, since no personal data is removed. A backup is only essential before a full factory reset, though keeping one is always good practice.
What should I try before resetting network settings?
Toggle Wi-Fi off and back on, switch Airplane Mode on for a few seconds, restart the iPhone, or forget and rejoin the single problem network. These often solve the issue without clearing everything.
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.