iPhone · Reset guide
How to reset iPhone
Sources checked · how we check
Choose the procedure for the problem: a frozen screen, an unlocked phone you want to erase, or a forgotten passcode. The force-restart steps below cover current iPhones with Face ID and iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd generation).
01 · Start here
Restart before erasing your setup
- For a frozen supported iPhone, tap Volume up, then tap Volume down, releasing each immediately.
- Keep the side button pressed until the Apple logo appears, then let go.
Source: Apple: force restart iPhone
02 · Factory reset
How to factory reset iPhone
Before you confirm
Erasing removes personal data. Make a backup first and have your Apple Account password ready. A forgotten screen passcode and a forgotten account password are different problems.
An iPhone you can unlock
Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Select Erase All Content and Settings, then Continue.
- Review the eSIM choice, supply the requested passcode and Apple Account password, and confirm the erase.
Deleting an eSIM requires carrier reactivation. Choose deliberately before confirming.
Source: Apple: erase an iPhone or iPad
Forgotten passcode: iOS 17 or later
iPhone Unavailable → Forgot Passcode?
- You need an active internet connection, Find My enabled beforehand, and your Apple Account password.
- Choose Start iPhone Reset, authenticate with your Apple Account password, then choose Erase iPhone and follow the prompts.
This erases the phone. iOS 15.2 and 16 use an Erase option instead. If you recently changed the passcode, check Apple's Passcode Reset option first; the source explains the alternatives.
Computer recovery: iPhone with Face ID
Recovery mode → Finder (Mac) or Apple Devices (Windows)
- Hold the side and Volume down buttons to display the shutdown slider; slide to turn off.
- Connect a cable to an internet-connected computer. Attach the phone and immediately hold its side button until the computer-and-cable image appears, continuing past the Apple logo.
- Select the iPhone in Finder or Apple Devices and choose Restore. Complete the prompts; this erases the phone.
If a long download makes the phone leave recovery mode, finish downloading and repeat the recovery steps. Older iPhones use different buttons; choose the exact model in Apple's source.
Source: Apple: reset a forgotten iPhone passcode with a computer
After the reset
At the Hello screen, complete setup and restore your available backup.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reset an iPhone without the password?
A forgotten screen passcode can be handled with the erase or computer-recovery options above. The on-device option still requires your Apple Account password.
Does forcing a restart factory reset the iPhone?
No. The button sequence in the first section restarts the phone; the erase and Restore procedures are separate.