There are times when factory resetting an iPhone is necessary, no matter how drastic it may seem at first.
Whether you're planning to sell it, give it away, or it's just acting strangely, resetting your device to default settings can be an effective solution. And as simple as it may seem, it's true that this process is not something you should take lightly.
Before you jump in, it's important to understand what resetting an iPhone entails and what steps you need to take beforehand. Also, knowing the situations in which this procedure is useful will help you decide if you really need it.
And for all this, throughout this post we are going to review everything you need to know about resetting an iPhone in a simple and practical way. Let's go there!
What does it mean to factory reset an iPhone?
Factory resetting your iPhone involves deleting everything on your device: apps, photos, settings, accounts, and any personal data. Basically, The phone feels like you just took it out of the box for the first time., with the only difference that it will be updated to the latest compatible iOS version.
This may seem like an extreme measure, but in some cases it is the only way to fix certain problems or prepare the device for a new owner.
Of course, you have to be clear that it is an irreversible process, so before doing it, it is essential to take some precautions that we will explain later.
When should you reset your iPhone?
While resetting an iPhone can fix many issues, it's not always the first option you should consider. However, there are specific situations where this measure makes a lot of sense.
For instance, If you notice that your iPhone is running slower than usual, applications take a long time to open or the operating system seems stuck, it could be that some corrupted file or setting is affecting its performance.
Another common case is when You plan to sell or give away your iPhone, since no one wants to hand over a device with personal data or accounts linked (or you shouldn't even consider it), and even less so that the new user will have problems setting it up. And to do so, resetting it to factory settings ensures that it is completely clean and ready for its next owner.
It is also useful If you have forgotten the device access code And while you may need to restore it from a computer in this case, restoring it to its original state is one way to regain control of your phone, as long as you remember your iCloud account to reactivate it.
Steps to take before resetting your iPhone
Factory resetting the iPhone involves erase everything on your device, so it is essential to take some precautions before doing so, as this will prevent us from losing important information and will ensure that the process is successful.
Make a backup
The first thing you need to do is back up all your data, which you can do using iCloud or a computer, as we've seen in other posts dedicated to this topic. This step is crucial whenever you want to keep what you have on your iPhone to later reload it onto this or another new phone, as it will allow you to restore your data once the device is clean.
Of course, if you choose iCloud, make sure you are connected to a Wi-Fi network and then you just have to go to Settings, select your name, go to iCloud and then to iCloud Backup. Activate the option and make a manual backup.
If you prefer to use a computer, connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac, open iTunes or Finder, and select Back Up Now. Other than that, you're good to go.
Turn off "Find My iPhone"
Apple has a security measure that prevents an iPhone from being reset if the “Search my Iphone" it's activated.
To turn it off, go to Configuration, select your name, access Search, and disable the option. It will ask you to enter your iCloud password to complete this step and you will be ready in no time.
How to factory reset iPhone?
Once you have everything ready, the process to reset your iPhone is very simple and you can do it directly from the device or using a computer. We will summarize each step separately:
Reset from the iPhone itself
- Open the app Configuration and go to General.
- Scroll down to the option Download iPhone reset.
- Choose Delete content and settings.
- Confirm your decision, enter your access code and follow the on-screen instructions.
- The device will take a few minutes to complete the process, and when finished, It will reboot showing the welcome screen.
Reset from a computer
If your iPhone is unresponsive or you can't access the menus, you can reset it from a computer. This method is also useful if you've forgotten the device's passcode, but you'll need your iCloud credentials to reactivate it, as it will bypass the Activation Lock default.
- Connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes or Finder open.
- Select the device when it appears in the sidebar.
- Click on Restore iPhone.
- Confirm your choice and wait for the process to finish.
What to do after reset?
As we told you before, once the iPhone is clean, You can set it up as a new device or restore from backup that you did previously.
If you have set it up as new, you will have to log in with your iCloud account, download the applications you need and customize it to your liking, almost similar to how we have seen in the post of switch from Android to iPhone.
Resetting an iPhone: As you've seen, it's not difficult
In the end, although factory resetting an iPhone may seem like a somewhat “hardcore” step, It is an effective solution to solve software problems, improve performance or if you are going to sell/donate/give away the mobile phone, prepare the device for a new owner without risking your data floating around
Just remember that before you do it, make sure Back up and turn off Find My iPhone to avoid problems.
Once completed, you will have a completely clean and functional device that, except for the expected hardware wear and tear over time, will work like new. (or almost)