Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support (2024)

A factory restore erases the information and settings on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod and installs the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or iPod software.

Get your device ready

Make sure that your Mac or PC is updated. If you're using iTunes, make sure that you have the latest version.
If you want to save the information on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, make a backup.
Go to Settings > [your name] > Find My, tap Find My iPhone, then turn it off. Learn what to do for an unresponsive device or one that won't turn on. Get help if you forgot your passcode.
See Also
If you see a iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support Force restart iPad How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support iPad is Disabled Connect to iTunes Fix Without Computer: 3 Fixes

Restore your device to factory settings

Open the Finder on your Mac, or open the Apple Devices app on your PC. If your PC doesn't have the Apple Devices app, or your Mac is using macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes instead. Find out which macOS your Mac is using.
Connect your device to your computer.
If a message asks for your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the onscreen steps. Get help if you forgot your passcode.
Select your device when it appears on your computer. Learn what to do if your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is unresponsive or won't turn on. Or get help if your device doesn't appear on your computer.
Click Restore [device]*. If you're signed into Find My, you need to sign out before you can click Restore.
See Also
Locked Out of iPad? Learn How to Factory Reset a Locked iPad Here!
Click Restore again to confirm. Your computer erases your device and installs the latest iOS, iPadOS, or iPod software.

After your device restores to factory settings, it restarts.

* Restoring an iPhone does not delete your eSIM. Learn how to erase your eSIM, if you need to.

If you can't access a computer

If you can't access a computer and your device still works, you can erase and restore your device without a computer.

Get help

Learn what to do if you see an error message.
Learn how to restore your device from a backup.
Contact Apple Support if you need more help.

Published Date:March 14, 2024

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support (2024)

FAQs

How do I force my iPhone to factory reset? ›

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. Do one of the following: Prepare your content and settings to transfer to a new iPhone: Tap Get Started, then follow the onscreen instructions. When you finish, return to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone, then tap Erase All Content and Settings.

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How to factory reset a locked iPhone? ›

Locate your iPhone in the Finder, or in iTunes or the Apple Devices app if you connect to a PC. (Learn how to find your connected iPhone.) Choose Restore when you see the option to Restore or Update. Your computer downloads software for your iPhone and begins the restore process.

How do I force my iPod to factory settings? ›

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPod touch > Reset. Choose an option: WARNING: If you choose the Erase All Content and Settings option, all of your content is removed.

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How to reset your iPhone iPad or iPod touch when you forgot your passcode? ›

From your device's Lock Screen, try to enter your passcode until the "[Device] Unavailable" screen appears and your device asks you to try again later. When you're able to, tap the Forgot Passcode? option in the bottom corner of the screen. On the Security Lockout screen, tap Start [Device] Reset to confirm.

How do I factory reset my iPad with just the buttons? ›

Press and hold the Top button until the recovery mode screen appears. For iPads with a Home button: Press and hold the Home and the Volume buttons at the same time until the recovery mode screen appears. Select your iPad on the left side of your iTunes or Finder window. Click Restore.

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How to unlock an iPad forgotten passcode? ›

If you can't remember your passcode when you try again, you need to use a computer to put your iPad in recovery mode. This process deletes your data and settings, including your passcode, allowing you to set up your iPad again. After you erase your iPad, you can restore your data and settings from a backup.

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How do I reset my iPad to factory settings without Apple ID and password free? ›

Another way how to factory reset iPad without Apple ID password or passcode is via iTunes. Simply connect your device to a computer with iTunes installed. Put the iPad into recovery mode, then select the "Restore" option in iTunes to reset the device to factory settings.

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How do I hard reset my iPhone manually? ›

Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Press and hold the side button. When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.

Can you unlock an iPhone without a passcode or Face ID? ›

Yes, it is possible to unlock an iPhone without needing the passcode or Face ID in several different ways: Using iTunes on a computer – You can connect the iPhone to a computer, put it in recovery mode, and restore it via iTunes. This will remove the passcode lock.

How do I factory reset my iPhone or iPad? ›

Erase your iPhone or iPad and restore it to factory settings

Go to Settings > General > Reset, then tap Erase all Contents and Settings. Enter your passcode or Apple ID password.

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Can you use an iPad to restore an iPhone? ›

I'm afraid not. The solution to restore an iPhone or any iOS device is that you must have a computer (Windows PC or Mac) capable of running the latest version of iTunes.

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