How do I factory reset an iPhone?

This topic has 4 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 1 month, 2 weeks ago by Luna.

Post

- September 15, 2025 at 6:37 am
Sophia
Participant

Hey everyone, I’m thinking of selling my old iPhone, but I want to make sure all of my personal data is wiped clean before handing it over. I’ve heard the term “factory reset,” but I’m not completely sure what steps I need to follow or if it’s different depending on the iPhone model. Also, does resetting actually delete everything permanently, like photos, contacts, and apps, or do I need to sign out of iCloud and Apple ID separately? I don’t want the new owner to accidentally get access to my iMessages or iCloud files. If any of you have gone through this before, could you explain how you did it? Maybe share your tips so I don’t miss a step. Thanks in advance!

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Replies

- September 15, 2025 at 6:38 am
Alex
Participant

Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. Make sure you sign out of iCloud first. This wipes everything and restores the iPhone to factory condition.
- September 15, 2025 at 6:40 am
Ethan
Participant

I sold my iPhone 11 last year and wanted to be extra cautious. First, I backed up everything to iCloud so I wouldn’t lose photos or messages. Then I signed out of my Apple ID in Settings → [your name] → Sign Out. After that, I followed the reset path: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. It took about 10 minutes and when it restarted, it looked exactly like a new phone, asking for language setup and Wi-Fi connection. The buyer could log in with their own Apple ID without any issues. One mistake I almost made was forgetting to sign out of “Find My iPhone.” If you don’t, the phone stays locked under your account and the new person can’t use it. My advice: back up
- September 15, 2025 at 6:41 am
Marcus
Participant

A factory reset restores an iPhone to its default system state by erasing all user data, applications, and settings. This process ensures the device is cleared of personal information, mitigating security risks before resale or reassignment. Users should first back up data and disable iCloud’s Find My iPhone feature. The reset is executed via Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- September 15, 2025 at 6:42 am
Luna
Participant

Super easy — just back up your stuff, log out of iCloud, hit erase, and boom. Brand-new iPhone vibes. Don’t skip the Apple ID sign-out though, that’s key.