Erasing an iPhone to factory settings via the Settings app or a computer securely deletes all personal data and restores the device to its original Hello setup state.
A single tap in the wrong menu won’t do it. The factory reset path on an iPhone runs deeper than a quick settings wipe — it deactivates Find My, handles your eSIM, and uses encryption key destruction to make every byte unrecoverable. Whether you are selling the phone, trading it in, or troubleshooting a stubborn glitch, the right sequence matters. Miss one password prompt and the process stalls. Here is exactly how to erase an iPhone to factory settings, what to do before you start, and what happens after the screen goes dark.
What Happens When You Erase An iPhone To Factory Settings?
A factory reset wipes all content, settings, apps, media, accounts, and personal data from the device. iOS destroys the encryption keys that protected your data, making the information unreachable by any recovery tool. The iPhone restarts to the out-of-box Hello screen, exactly as it shipped from Apple. The process also removes your Apple ID from the device and turns off Find My if you enter the correct Apple Account password during the erase.
What does not change: the iOS version stays unless you erase via a computer, which installs the latest firmware. Carrier settings and any eSIM you choose to keep remain intact. Apple Care and warranty coverage are unaffected by the erase itself.
Erasing An iPhone To Factory Settings: What You Need First
Starting the erase without preparation is the most common reason the process stalls. Gather these three things before you tap Erase All Content and Settings: your device passcode, your Apple Account password (the one tied to iCloud and Find My), and a current backup if you want to keep any data.
Skip the backup step only if you are certain you will never need anything on the phone again. Everything else — contacts, photos, messages, app data — is gone once the encryption keys are destroyed. A backup takes ten minutes and costs nothing.
Table #1: Pre-Erasure Checklist — What To Confirm Before You Start
| Step | What To Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Back up your data | iCloud backup or computer backup via Finder/iTunes | Erasing is permanent — backup is your only recovery path |
| 2. Know your Apple Account password | Open Settings > [your name] > Password & Security | Required to deactivate Find My during erasure |
| 3. Know your device passcode | The 4- or 6-digit code you unlock the phone with | Needed to authorize the erase process |
| 4. Decide about your eSIM | Keep or delete the cellular plan during erase | Deleting it requires carrier contact to reactivate |
| 5. Unpair your Apple Watch | Open Watch app > All Watches > Unpair | Prevents activation lock on the watch |
| 6. Charge the iPhone | Ensure 50% battery or keep it plugged in | Interruption mid-erase can cause a failed restore |
| 7. Screen Time passcode | Know or reset it before the erase | Restoring from backup does not remove it |
| 8. Sign out of services manually (optional) | iMessage, FaceTime, iCloud, App Store | The erase handles this, but signing out first prevents activation issues on the next device |
How To Erase Your iPhone Using The Settings App
This is the fastest method and works on any iPhone running iOS 15 or later. You do not need a computer or a cable. The entire process runs on the device itself, and Apple’s official guide to factory resetting an iPhone confirms the exact menu path below.
The sequence:
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings. If iOS asks about a backup, tap Erase Now if you already backed up — or back up first and then continue.
- Tap Continue to confirm.
- If your iPhone has an eSIM, choose Keep eSIM or Delete eSIM. Keep it if you plan to reactivate the same line later; delete it only if you are transferring the number to a new device immediately.
- Enter the device passcode.
- Enter the Apple Account password to deactivate Find My and remove the device from your account.
- Tap Erase one final time.
The screen goes black, shows the Apple logo for a few minutes, and then the Hello screen appears. That is your the iPhone is now at factory settings, ready for a new owner or a fresh setup.
Can You Erase An iPhone Using A Computer?
Yes, and the computer method is the better option when the iPhone screen is unusable, the device is stuck in a boot loop, or you want a clean install of the latest iOS version. The computer erases the device and installs new firmware in one operation.
The requirements depend on your system. Macs running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later use Finder. Macs on Mojave (10.14) or earlier use iTunes. Windows machines need the Apple Devices app (Windows 10 and 11) or iTunes for older Windows versions.
The steps:
- Connect the iPhone to the computer with a USB or USB-C cable.
- Open Finder, the Apple Devices app, or iTunes.
- Select the iPhone icon in the sidebar (Finder) or near the upper-left corner (iTunes).
- If Find My is active, sign out of the Apple Account on the iPhone first — the computer restore will not run otherwise. Go to Settings > [your name] > Find My and toggle it off.
- Click Restore iPhone (Finder) or Restore (iTunes).
- Click Restore again to confirm and accept the software terms.
- Wait for the computer to download and install the latest iOS version. The iPhone restarts and lands on the Hello screen.
The computer method takes longer because it downloads the full firmware, but the result is identical — a clean, erased device ready for setup or sale.
What To Know About Your eSIM
iPhone models from the iPhone 12 onward (all 5G-capable models) support eSIM. During the on-device erase, iOS asks whether to keep or delete the eSIM profile. Keeping it means the cellular plan stays on the phone after the reset, which is useful if you are keeping the device or reactivating the same line later. Deleting it removes the profile permanently, and reactivation requires contacting your carrier for a new eSIM QR code or activation.
On the computer method, the eSIM behavior depends on whether you sign out of Find My first. If you do, the eSIM profile may stay intact. If you skip the sign-out step, the computer may prompt you to confirm eSIM handling during the restore. The safest route: decide what you want before connecting the cable.
Common Mistakes That Complicate The Process
Three errors cause most of the failed erase attempts, and all three are avoidable.
Forgetting the Apple Account password. The erase process requires it to deactivate Find My. If you do not enter it, the process cancels, and the iPhone stays locked to your account. Reset the password at Apple’s official guide to factory resetting an iPhone before starting if you are unsure.
Choosing Delete eSIM by accident. The prompt asks during the on-device erase, and the choice is permanent in that session. Once deleted, the profile cannot be recovered without carrier help. Read the prompt carefully.
Starting without a backup. There is no undo button. The encryption key destruction is designed to be irreversible from the moment you tap Erase. A backup is the only safety net.
A fourth mistake happens after the erase: restoring from a backup that contains a Screen Time passcode. That passcode comes back with the restore, so clear it before backing up if you want a clean start.
Why The Official Method Is The One To Use
Some forums suggest entering the wrong passcode multiple times or using third-party tools to force a reset. Those routes can trigger security lockouts or leave residual data. The official Erase All Content and Settings path and the computer-based restore use iOS-level encryption key destruction, which makes the data forensically unrecoverable. That security is the standard for trade-in programs and resale.
The DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode and recovery mode are legitimate fallbacks when the iPhone will not boot or the screen is unresponsive. But for a standard factory reset before a sale or trade, the Settings method or the computer restore is the correct choice — faster, safer, and officially supported by every carrier and Apple itself.
Table #2: Settings App vs Computer Erase — Which Method Fits Your Situation
| Factor | Settings App Method | Computer Method |
|---|---|---|
| Device needed | iPhone only | iPhone + computer with USB cable |
| iOS version required | iOS 15 or later | Any version (computer installs fresh firmware) |
| Internet connection | Wi-Fi or cellular needed for activation steps | Not needed after firmware download |
| Apple ID password needed | Yes, during the process | Yes, sign out of Find My before starting |
| Fresh iOS install | No — keeps current iOS version | Yes — installs the latest available version |
| Best for | Quick trade-in prep, selling to another person | Stuck devices, selling to a trade-in program, clean OS start |
| Time required | 5–10 minutes | 20–40 minutes (includes firmware download) |
What To Do After The Erase Finishes
The Hello screen in multiple languages means the factory reset is complete. What you do next depends on why you erased it.
If you are selling or trading the iPhone: leave it at the Hello screen. The buyer or trade-in program will pair it with a new Apple Account. Wipe the screen with a soft cloth, remove any case, and pack it safely. The device is ready to transfer.
If you are keeping the iPhone: swipe up from the Hello screen and follow the setup assistant. You can restore from an iCloud or computer backup, which brings back your data, settings, and apps exactly as they were before the erase. Or set it up as a new iPhone for a completely clean slate.
If the erase was for troubleshooting: restoring from a backup is the first test — if the problem returns, set the phone up as new and reinstall apps one by one to isolate the cause.
One last check: open the Find My app on another device or visit iCloud.com and confirm the iPhone no longer appears in your device list. If it does, the deactivation did not complete, and the phone is still linked to your account. That step is what makes the device truly ready for its next owner.
References & Sources
- Apple. “How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.” Official step-by-step guide for erasing iOS devices.