How To Erase All Data From iPhone | Complete Factory Wipe Steps

Erasing all data from an iPhone requires one trip to Settings: Tap General, then Transfer or Reset iPhone, then Erase All Content and Settings.

A single wrong tap during an iPhone erase means losing photos, messages, and accounts permanently — but with the right sequence, the whole process takes under five minutes. Learning how to erase all data from iPhone properly means knowing the exact menu path, what happens to Activation Lock, and how to handle an eSIM before the wipe begins. Here’s the complete walkthrough for a safe, one-and-done factory reset.

The Official Way To Erase All Content And Settings

The fastest route is on the iPhone itself. Open Settings, tap General, then scroll to Transfer or Reset iPhone. Tap Erase All Content and Settings, enter your passcode or Apple Account password when prompted, then tap Continue. Confirm the erase and let the phone finish the job.

The entire sequence runs in about five minutes, depending on how much data is stored. Once it completes, the iPhone restarts and shows the Hello setup screen — ready for its next owner. Apple’s guidance confirms this method works on all iPhone models running current iOS versions.

What Actually Happens When You Erase Your iPhone

The erase removes everything — photos, messages, accounts, apps, settings — and returns the phone to factory condition. If Find My is enabled, Apple requires the Apple Account password during the process, which simultaneously disables Activation Lock. The next owner can set up the phone normally without any link to your account.

If your iPhone uses an eSIM, the reset flow asks whether you want to delete the mobile plan data or keep it. For a trade-in or sale, deleting the eSIM during the erase is the right move. For a transfer to another device, check with your carrier first — some need to reprovision the line after a reset.

How Do You Erase An iPhone From A Computer?

For a phone with a broken screen that won’t respond to touch, or when you want a full iOS reinstall alongside the wipe, the computer route works. Connect the iPhone with a USB or USB-C cable, then choose the correct app for your system.

• Mac running macOS 10.15 or later: Open Finder.
• Windows: Open the Apple Devices app.
• Mac running macOS 10.14 or earlier, or Windows without Apple Devices: Use iTunes.

Select the iPhone in the app’s sidebar, go to General, then click Restore iPhone. Confirm when prompted. The computer downloads and installs the latest version of iOS during the restore process.

Table 1: Step-By-Step On-Device Erase

Erasing All Data From An iPhone: The Step Order That Works

The computer-based restore follows a different order than the on-device method. Connect the iPhone first, then open the right app for your operating system version. Select the device, go to General, and click Restore iPhone. Confirm the action and wait — the process downloads the current iOS version, installs it, and returns the phone to the Hello screen. Apple’s official support documentation covers this workflow in full detail.

Back up the iPhone before starting if you want to keep any data — the restore wipes everything. If Find My is enabled, the computer-based restore may prompt you to turn it off first; the password step removes Activation Lock as part of the process.

Common Mistakes That Stop The Erase Cold

Three errors cause most failed erase attempts, and all of them are avoidable.

• Skipping the backup. Once the erase starts, locally stored data is gone permanently. An iCloud or computer backup takes a few minutes and saves everything.
• Not knowing the Apple Account password. Apple requires this to disable Activation Lock. Without it, the erase can’t finish on a Find My–enabled iPhone.
• Using the wrong computer app. The computer method fails silently if you open iTunes on a newer Mac or try Finder on an older one. Match the app to your OS version.

Table 2: On-Device Vs. Computer Erase

Final Erase Checklist

• ☐ Back up your iPhone (iCloud or computer) if you need the data
• ☐ Confirm your Apple Account password and device passcode
• ☐ Decide whether to delete the eSIM before the reset
• ☐ Run Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings
• ☐ Verify the Hello screen appears and Activation Lock is disabled

One clean pass through this sequence and the iPhone is factory fresh — no data, no account links, ready for the next owner.