Have you ever stared at a frozen iPhone screen, frantically tapping and swiping with no response? Or perhaps you’re preparing to sell your device and need to wipe it clean? According to Apple support data, thousands of users search for how to reset iPhone every single day, making it one of the most common troubleshooting needs.
Whether your screen is frozen, your apps keep crashing, or you simply want to start fresh, knowing how to reset an iPhone is an essential skill. But here’s the catch: there are three different types of resets, and choosing the wrong one could mean losing all your precious photos, messages, and data.
Understanding the Three Types of iPhone Resets
Before touching any buttons, it’s critical to understand what each iPhone reset method actually does. This table breaks down the differences:
| Reset Type | What It Does | Data Loss? | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Reset (Restart) | Powers off and restarts your device normally | No | Minor glitches, slow performance, app freezes |
| Hard Reset (Force Restart) | Forcibly restarts the device when unresponsive | No | Frozen screen, black screen, won’t respond to touch |
| Factory Reset | Erases all data and returns the device to its original state | Yes | Selling device, major software issues, forgot passcode |
Understanding this distinction is crucial. Many users accidentally perform a factory reset iPhone when they only needed a simple restart, resulting in permanent data loss.
Before You Reset: Critical Safety Steps
⚠️ Safety Warning: A factory reset permanently erases everything on your device. This process cannot be undone. Always back up your data first.
Step 1: Back Up Your iPhone
Your photos, contacts, messages, and app data are irreplaceable. Create a backup before any iphone factory reset.
Option A: iCloud Backup (Wireless)
- Open Settings and tap your name at the top
- Select iCloud > iCloud Backup
- Ensure it’s turned on, then tap Back Up Now
- Stay connected to Wi-Fi until the process completes
Option B: Computer Backup (Wired)
- Connect your iPhone to a Mac using a USB cable
- Open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (older systems)
- Select your iPhone and click Back Up Now
- Wait for the backup to finish before disconnecting[5]
Step 2: Sign Out of iCloud and Disable Find My
This step is mandatory if you’re selling, trading, or giving away your iPhone. It removes Activation Lock, which prevents unauthorized use.
- Go to Settings > [Your Name]
- Scroll down and tap Sign Out
- Enter your Apple ID password when prompted
- This automatically disables “Find My iPhone”
If you’re planning to pass your device to someone else, you might also want to verify whether the phone is carrier-locked by checking How to See if iPhone is Unlocked before handing it over.
How to Soft Reset an iPhone (Simple Restart)
A soft reset is simply restarting your device the normal way. This method doesn’t delete any data and is perfect for resolving minor issues like sluggish performance or unresponsive apps.
For All iPhone Models:
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button simultaneously
- Wait for the power-off slider to appear on screen
- Drag the slider from left to right
- Wait 30 seconds for the device to power down completely
- Press and hold the Side button again until the Apple logo appears
Alternative Method:
- Open Settings > General
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Shut Down
- Drag the slider to power off
- Press the Side button to restart[8]
This is often called how to restart iPhone, and it’s the first troubleshooting step you should always try.
How to Hard Reset an iPhone (Force Restart)
When your iPhone screen is frozen, completely black, or stuck on the Apple logo, a hard reset is your solution. This how to hard reset iPhone method forces the device to restart without using the touchscreen, and it doesn’t erase your data.
Featured Snippet: How Can I Force Reset an iPhone?
For iPhone 8, X, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16:
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears (10-15 seconds)
- Release the button when you see the logo[2][8]
For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
- Press and hold Volume Down + Sleep/Wake buttons simultaneously
- Keep holding both until the Apple logo appears
- Release when the logo shows on screen[9]
For iPhone 6s, 6, SE (1st gen), and Earlier:
- Press and hold Home + Sleep/Wake buttons at the same time
- Continue holding until the Apple logo appears
- Release both buttons[10]
Pro Tip: During the force restart process, you may see a “slide to power off” slider. Ignore it and keep holding the button(s) until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears.
If your device has a completely unresponsive screen and you need alternative power options, learning How to Turn Off iPhone Without Screen can be helpful in certain situations.
How to Factory Reset an iPhone
A factory reset iPhone erases absolutely everything and returns the device to its original out-of-the-box state. Use this method when selling your device, experiencing persistent software problems, or when you need to reset iPhone to factory settings.
Method 1: Factory Reset Using Settings (Standard Method)
This is the easiest way how to factory reset an iPhone when your device is working normally.
- Open the Settings app
- Tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Select Erase All Content and Settings
- Enter your device passcode when prompted
- Enter your Apple ID password to confirm
- Tap Erase iPhone to begin the process
- Your device will restart and display the “Hello” setup screen
According to Apple’s official support documentation:
“Erase All Content and Settings removes all of your data, accounts, and settings from your iPhone. It also unlinks all payment cards from Apple Pay, disables iMessage and FaceTime, and unpairs your Apple Watch”.
Method 2: Factory Reset Using Computer (Recovery Mode)
This method is essential when you need to reset iPhone without passcode, your screen is broken, or the device is completely unresponsive.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC using a USB cable
- Open Finder (Mac) or Apple Devices app/iTunes (Windows)
- Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode using the same button combination as a hard reset, but continue holding the final button even after the Apple logo appears
- Release only when you see the recovery mode screen (computer icon with cable)
- Your computer will display a pop-up with two options: Update or Restore
- Click Restore to perform a full factory reset
- Keep your device connected until the process completes
For detailed official guidance, visit support.apple.com/iphone/restore for Apple’s comprehensive restore documentation.
Method 3: Factory Reset Using iCloud (Remote Erase)
If your iPhone is lost, stolen, or you can’t physically access it, you can remotely factory reset iphone through iCloud.
- Visit iCloud.com from any web browser
- Sign in with your Apple ID
- Click Find My iPhone (or Find Devices)
- Select your iPhone from the device list
- Click Erase iPhone
- Confirm the action to begin remote wipe
How to Reset iPhone Without Passcode
Forgot your passcode? Don’t panic. There are multiple ways how to reset iPhone if you forgot passcode, though all methods will erase your data.
Option 1: Erase from Lock Screen (iOS 15.2+)
If your iPhone runs iOS 15.2 or later, this built-in feature appears after multiple failed passcode attempts.
- Enter the incorrect passcode several times until you see “iPhone Unavailable.”
- Wait for the timer to expire
- Tap Erase iPhone in the bottom corner
- Enter your Apple ID password to confirm
- Your device will erase and restart[14]
Option 2: Recovery Mode Method
Follow the Recovery Mode instructions detailed in the factory reset section above. This is the most reliable way how to reset iPhone when screen frozen or locked.
Option 3: Use Find My iPhone
If Find My was enabled before you got locked out, use the iCloud remote erase method described earlier.[13]
Sometimes, blocked contacts can confuse you when trying to access your device. If you’re troubleshooting communication issues after a reset, check out How to See Blocked Messages on iPhone to manage your contacts properly.
Model-Specific Reset Instructions
How to Reset iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 uses the same method as iPhone 8 and newer models: quickly press the Volume Up button, quickly press the Volume Down button, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
How to Reset iPhone 15
How to restart iPhone 15 follows the identical process as iPhone 16. The button combination remains consistent across all modern models.
How to Reset iPhone 14
For how to reset iPhone 14, use the standard three-button sequence. The iPhone 14 also supports the lock screen erase feature if you forgot your passcode.
How to Reset iPhone 13
How to reset iPhone 13 uses the same force restart method: Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold Side button.
How to Reset iPhone 12
The how to reset iPhone 12 is identical to newer models. The button locations and timing remain consistent.
How to Reset iPhone 11
How to reset iPhone 11 follows the same three-button sequence introduced with iPhone 8. This model also supports all factory reset methods described above.
Troubleshooting Common Reset Issues
iPhone won’t complete a Factory Reset
Possible Solutions:
- Ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection
- Verify your battery is charged above 50%
- Update to the latest iOS version before attempting a reset
- Disable Find My iPhone if it’s blocking the process
Stuck in Recovery Mode Loop
If your iPhone displays the support.apple.com/iphone/restore screen and won’t exit recovery mode:
- Try the force restart button combination
- If that fails, use iTunes/Finder to update (not restore) your iOS
- As a last resort, use the Restore option in iTunes/Finder
Reset Erased Everything but Device Still Locked
This indicates Activation Lock is still enabled. You’ll need the previous owner’s Apple ID and password to unlock the device. If you’re the owner, use Apple’s account recovery process.[16]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you soft reset an iPhone?
A: A soft reset is a normal restart. Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button, then slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds, then press the Side button to restart. This doesn’t delete any data.
Q: How do I reset my phone if the screen won’t respond?
A: Use the hard reset (force restart) method for your specific model. For iPhone 8 and newer, quickly press Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Q: How do I do a full factory reset on an iPhone?
A: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your passcode and Apple ID password when prompted. This permanently erases everything.
Q: Can I reset iPhone without password?
A: Yes, but you’ll need to use Recovery Mode or the lock screen erase feature (iOS 15.2+). Both methods require your Apple ID password and will erase all data. You cannot bypass this security feature.
Q: Does a hard reset delete everything on iPhone?
A: No. A hard reset (force restart) only reboots your device and doesn’t delete any data. Only a factory reset (Erase All Content and Settings) permanently deletes your data.
Q: How to reset iPhone with buttons only?
A: You can force restart using buttons, but a complete factory reset requires either screen access, computer connection, or remote iCloud access. Physical buttons alone cannot trigger a full data wipe—this is a security feature.
Conclusion: Master Your iPhone Reset Skills
Now you have complete knowledge of how to reset iPhone for any situation. Whether you need a quick soft reset to fix minor glitches, a hard reset to revive a frozen screen, or a full factory reset to start fresh or sell your device, you’re equipped with the right method.
Key Takeaways:
- Always try a soft reset (restart) first for minor issues
- Use hard reset (force restart) for frozen or unresponsive screens
- Only use factory reset when necessary
- Always back up your data before a factory reset
- Sign out of iCloud before selling or giving away your device
Remember, the button combinations vary by model, but the principles remain the same. Bookmark this guide for future reference, and you’ll never panic when your iPhone needs a reset.
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