The word reset can mean several different things on an iPhone. You can restart the phone, reset selected settings without deleting your personal files, or erase everything and return the device to factory settings. Choosing the right option matters because only one of those procedures deletes your personal content.
Start With a Normal Restart
If you are troubleshooting a temporary problem, restart the iPhone before using any reset command.
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button on an iPhone with Face ID.
- Drag the power-off slider.
- Wait for the iPhone to turn off completely.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
On older models with a Home button, hold the appropriate Side or Top button to display the power-off slider.
Reset iPhone Settings Without Erasing Your Data
If restarting does not solve a settings-related problem, iOS provides several reset options that do not erase your photos, messages, apps, or documents.
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset.
- Select the reset that matches the problem.
- Enter your passcode and confirm if requested.
Reset All Settings restores many system settings to their defaults without deleting your personal media. Other choices can reset network settings, the keyboard dictionary, Home Screen layout, or location and privacy settings.
Reset All Settings is more disruptive than a restart. It can remove items such as Wi-Fi configuration, Bluetooth pairings, privacy choices, Apple Pay cards, and other preferences, so it should not be the first troubleshooting step.
Erase the iPhone and Return It to Factory Settings
Use this only when you actually want the contents of the device removed.
- Back up anything you need.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Review the erase summary and tap Continue.
- Choose whether to keep or erase the eSIM if prompted.
- Enter your device passcode.
- Enter your Apple Account password if requested.
- Confirm and wait for the erase to finish.
Which Reset Should You Use?
Use a restart for ordinary glitches. Use a specific settings reset when a configuration problem persists and you want to keep your data. Use Erase All Content and Settings only when you intentionally want to wipe the phone.
If you forgot the iPhone passcode, do not follow random “unlock” or “reset” tricks from the web. Apple’s supported passcode-recovery process may require erasing the device before you can regain access.