How To Erase Everything On Your Phone | Wipe Your Phone Clean

A factory data reset permanently deletes all personal data, apps, and settings, restoring your device to its original state.

Whether you’re selling, trading, or just wiping the slate clean, a factory reset is the only sure way to completely erase everything on your phone. The process works on every iPhone (iOS 16+) and Android device (5.0+) — no carrier or regional restrictions apply. But doing it right means more than tapping a button; you need to remove accounts first, back up what matters, and know the exact menu paths for your model. This guide covers both platforms step by step, plus the mistakes that can lock you out or leave your data recoverable.

How to Erase Everything on an iPhone (iOS 16+)

The safest way to wipe an iPhone is through Settings, which also removes your iCloud account and disables Activation Lock for the next owner.

1. Sign out of iCloud — Open Settings > tap your Name at the top > scroll down and tap Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password, then tap Turn Off for Health, Keychain, and Safari. Tap Sign Out twice to confirm.
2. Go to Reset — Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. Erase — Tap Erase All Content and Settings > Continue.
4. Authenticate — Enter your passcode and tap Erase iPhone.

The device will restart to the Welcome screen — that’s your success cue. The iPhone is now clean and ready for a new owner.

How to Erase Everything on an Android Phone

Android reset paths vary by manufacturer, but the core steps are the same. Before starting, make sure you know your Google Account password and have backed up anything you want to keep.

Google Pixel & Stock Android (Android 14+)

1. Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options.
2. Tap Erase all data (factory reset) > Erase all data.
3. Enter your PIN or password > confirm.

The phone restarts to the Welcome screen — data is gone.

Samsung Galaxy (One UI, Android 14+)

1. Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset.
2. Review the list of erased data, then tap Reset.
3. Enter your credentials and tap Delete All.

OnePlus (OxygenOS, Android 14+)

1. Settings > System Settings > Back up and Reset > Reset Phone.
2. Tap Erase All Data > confirm credentials > Erase.

If You Can’t Access Settings (Recovery Mode)

Use this method when the phone won’t boot or the Settings app is broken.

1. Power off the device.
2. Boot to Recovery — Press and hold Volume Up + Side Button until the recovery menu appears. (Samsung: Volume Up + Power + Bixby; Pixel: Hold Volume Down + Power, then select Recovery.)
3. Navigate using volume buttons to Wipe data / factory reset, then press the Power button to select.
4. Confirm with Factory data reset > Yes.
5. Select Reboot system now.

The device restarts fresh — no previous data remains.

Common Mistakes When Resetting Your Phone

Even a simple factory reset has tripwires. Here are the most frequent errors and how to avoid them.

What Happens After You Reset?

The device restarts to the Welcome screen — the same screen you saw when it was brand new. All your personal data, apps, photos, settings, and accounts are permanently erased. The phone will require a Wi‑Fi connection and a Google Account (or Apple ID) to set up again, but none of your old information will be present.

Quick Reference: Factory Reset Menu Paths

Use this table to jump straight to the correct path for your device.

The Most Important Step Before Handing Over Your Phone

One action prevents 90% of resale problems: remove your accounts before you reset. On iPhone, sign out of iCloud first. On Android, remove every Google Account from the device (Settings > Accounts). If you skip this, the next owner will hit Activation Lock or FRP and cannot set up the phone — and you’ll be the one they contact for help. Double-check that step, then run the factory reset. Your phone will be wiped clean, ready for its next life.