It is hard to make the decision for an iPhone factory reset because all contacts, files, images and etc. data on iPhone will be erased. You may ask that why we have to hard reset iPhone. In the following situations, you need to restore iPhone to factory settings without hesitation:
- iPhone freezes.
- iPhone couldn't work right.
- iPhone has been attacked by virus.
- You want to sell iPhone to another person.
- You want to erase iPhone personal data.
In this tutorial, you will learn three ways to hard reset iPhone with or without passcode.
Attention: Factory reset iPhone will wipe all data in iPhone. It is better for you to back up iPhone and take out iPhone SIM card before you take the following ways to hard reset iPhone.
Way 1: Hard Reset iPhone with Home and Power Button
When iPhone buttons are available, this way is one of the easiest methods to restore iPhone to factory settings without passcode.
Step 1: Press and hold the Home button (at the bottom of iPhone) and the Sleep/Wake button (on top of the iPhone) simultaneously.
Step 2: Hold both buttons until the iPhone shuts off and begins to restart.
Let it go when you see the Apple logo appear on screen. You've just performed a hard reset. For iPhone 7/7Plus users, you need to press Sleep/Wake and Volume Down buttons together until you see the Apple logo.
Way 2: Hard Reset iPhone from iPhone Settings
When passcode is still remembered, and you can successfully access iPhone, iPhone can be hard reset via menu.
Step 1: Go to SettingsGeneral Reset and select "Erase All Content and Settings".
Step 2: When a message prompts you whether you want to restore iPhone to factory settings, just click OK to confirm. Then you need to enter the Apple ID password to allow the action. Minutes later, iPhone will be reset.
Way 3: Hard Reset iPhone with Third-party Tool
When there is no passcode and iPhone buttons not working, you can take advantage of third party tool to restore iPhone into factory settings. Here we present two tools to help you factory reset iPhone: iOSBoot Genius and iPhone Passcode Genius.
Option 1: Hard Reset iPhone from Recovery Mode with iOSBoot Genius
iOSBoot Genius is the tool that can help you enter iPhone recovery mode with only one click and restore iPhone to factory default easily with one button.
Step 1: Make sure iTunes and iOSBoot Genius installed in Windows computer.
Step 2: Connect iPhone to computer with USB cable.
Step 3: Run iOSBoot Genius and check connected iPhone.
Step 4: Enter iPhone recovery mode with one click on "Enter Recovery Mode" of iOSBoot Genius.
Step 5: When iTunes prompts you that iPhone is in recovery mode and you must restore it before it can be used with iTunes. Click OK.
Step 6: Restore iPhone by clicking iTunes "Restore iPhone" button.
This way works when you couldn't use iTunes to enter iPhone recovery mode successfully and then restore it to factory default. If iTunes can do that, you can directly use iTunes to restore iPhone. After iPhone hard reset, restore iPhone from iTunes backup or iCloud backup is the best way to recover data ever on iPhone memory card.
Option 2: Factory Reset iPhone with iPhone Passcode Genius
Without using iTunes, iPhone Passcode Genius can be used to factory reset their iPhones. This software comes with good, clear and intuitive interface for easy unlocking and reset of their iPhone. You can follow the steps below to reset the iPhone quickly.
Step 1: Download and install iPhone Passcode Genius on your computer. Once done, start the program and choose Unlock Lock Screen.
Step 2: Click on the Start button and connect your iPhone to the computer.
Step 3: When the program detects your iPhone, click the Download button as the screenshot shows.
Step 4: Click the Unlock button and your iPhone will be reset. All your personal data in iPhone will be erased permanently. Of course, so does your passcode.
Related Links:
iPhones are notoriously difficult to break into. If you have a unique passcode set up, it's almost impossible for someone to get in without your permission. But this also works the other way around. If you need to open an iPhone but don't have the password, or it's disabled, your only option to unlock it is to do a factory reset. Luckily, there are two ways to reset an iPhone without the password so you can access it. You can use a computer to access recovery mode and reset your iPhone to get in without the password. If you have a Mac you'll be using Finder, and if it's a PC you'll be using iTunes — which you need to download first. Note: You'll be able to restore your data if you've backed up your iPhone. 1. Turn the iPhone off. The exact way to do this will depend on what kind of iPhone you have: 2. Once your iPhone is off, plug it into your computer and put it into recovery mode. To do this, you'll need to press a certain combination of buttons: 3. Keep holding the button and connect the phone to your laptop. Keep holding the button until the recovery mode screen appears. It'll have a picture of a laptop with a charging cable. 4. Once ready, open Finder or iTunes and open the iPhone menu. If you're using Finder, click your iPhone's name in the left sidebar. In iTunes, click the iPhone icon in the upper-left corner. 5. You'll be shown a message saying that the iPhone has a "problem" and needs to be updated or restored. Select Restore. 6. Keep your iPhone connected to the computer as it resets and restores the iPhone. Time can vary, so be patient. Once the process finishes, turn your iPhone on and set it up like a new device. When you're asked if you'd like to restore data from a backup, feel free to sign into iCloud and do so. If you have an Apple ID account, your iPhone is probably connected to Find My, Apple's global device tracking network. This service also lets you reset and erase your iPhone without having the password for it. 1. On a computer, go to iCloud's website and log into your account.How to reset an iPhone using Finder or iTunes
How to reset an iPhone using Find My
Quick tip: If you can't log into iCloud because you don't have a trusted device or working phone anymore, you'll need to contact Apple for help recovering your account.
2. In the main menu, click Find iPhone.
Open the Find My menu. Apple; William Antonelli/Insider
3. You'll be given a map of all your devices. Click All Devices at the top and then select your iPhone.
4. In the pop-up menu that appears, click Erase iPhone.
Select your iPhone, then erase it from the menu. Apple; William Antonelli/Insider
5. Enter your Apple ID password to erase your iPhone. You may be prompted to answer a security question if you aren't using a trusted browser.
As long as your iPhone is on and connected to the internet, it'll be reset immediately.
Quick tip: If your iPhone is lost, you should indicate that during the erasure process and give an alternative method of contact.
Tech Reporter for Insider Reviews
William Antonelli (he/she/they) is a writer, editor, and organizer based in New York City. As a founding member of the Reference team, he helped grow Tech Reference (now part of Insider Reviews) from humble beginnings into a juggernaut that attracts over 20 million visits a month. Outside of Insider, his writing has appeared in publications like Polygon, The Outline, Kotaku, and more. He's also a go-to source for tech analysis on channels like Newsy, Cheddar, and NewsNation. You can find him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher, or reach him by email at .
Read more Read less