What is a factory reset?
A factory reset, also known as a hard reset or master reset, is the process of restoring an electronic device back to its original manufacturer settings[1]. This resets the device back to the state it was in when it left the factory
A factory reset erases all data, settings, and installed apps from the device storage, restoring it back to its original blank state. This is done by wiping the data partitions on the storage drive[2]. The end result is that the device is restored to its original default settings with no user data, accounts, or customization present.
Performing a factory reset can be useful when selling or disposing of an old device, or if troubleshooting inexplicable issues that may have arisen from bugs or corrupted data. However, it comes at the cost of permanently erasing all user accounts and personal content on the device.
Does a factory reset erase everything on an iPhone?
A factory reset completely erases all data and settings from an iPhone, including photos, videos, music, contacts, call logs, messages, apps, accounts, passwords and more. Essentially it wipes the iPhone’s internal storage back to its original factory state.
However, a factory reset does not physically erase the iPhone’s internal hard drive or NAND flash storage. It simply removes the indexing and access to the data. The underlying data remains on the physical chips until it is overwritten by new data over time. So while a factory reset erases all user data from a logical perspective, the physical storage is not wiped clean.
In summary, a factory reset erases all personal data and returns the iPhone’s software to its original default state, but does not completely erase the physical storage chips themselves.
What data gets erased during a factory reset?
A factory reset erases most of the user data stored on an iPhone, including:
- Photos, videos and music
- Messages, call history, contacts
- Downloaded apps and app data
- Settings and preferences
- Account info like Apple ID, email accounts and passwords
Essentially a factory reset returns the iPhone to its original out-of-the-box state, wiping all personal content and resetting all settings. According to Apple (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201274), this includes:
- iOS version
- Default apps
- Settings and preferences
- Data and accounts
- Downloaded apps
So the factory reset erases almost everything that makes the iPhone personalized to the user. This data is no longer accessible after the reset unless the user has a backup.
What stays on the iPhone after a factory reset?
While a factory reset erases most data and settings from an iPhone, some key components remain even after the reset is completed:
The operating system – The core iOS operating system stays on the device, but is restored to the latest version compatible with that iPhone model. This allows the iPhone to function after the reset.
Default apps – The default apps bundled with iOS, like Messages, Phone, Safari, and Photos will stay on the device. However, any data stored within those apps will be erased.
Baseband firmware – The baseband firmware that allows the iPhone to make calls and connect to cellular networks is not touched during a factory reset. Cellular connectivity remains intact.
Low level settings – Certain settings like WiFi passwords, wallpaper preferences, and some accessibility options may persist after a factory reset, though most settings will be cleared.
So in summary, while a factory reset erases most user data, apps, accounts, and settings, it leaves the core functions and firmware in place so the iPhone remains usable after the reset process.
How to factory reset an iPhone
There are a few different methods to factory reset an iPhone depending on if you can access the device or not.
Via Settings app
If you can unlock your iPhone and access the Settings app, you can factory reset it by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone and tapping “Erase All Content and Settings” (source: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/erase-iphone-iph7a2a9399b/ios). This will erase all data and settings from the device and reset it to factory default settings.
Using iTunes
You can also factory reset an iPhone by connecting it to a computer with iTunes installed. Open iTunes on your computer, connect your iPhone, then either click “Restore iPhone” to erase data and install the latest iOS version or Shift-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac) “Restore iPhone” to install the same iOS version without erasing data first (source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201274).
With recovery mode
If your iPhone is unresponsive, you may need to force restart it into recovery mode and reset it from there. To do this, press and hold the Home button and Power button together until you see the recovery mode screen. Then connect to iTunes on your computer and choose “Restore” to factory reset the iPhone.
Using Find My iPhone
If you’ve enabled Find My iPhone, you can remotely factory reset your iPhone if lost or stolen. Log into iCloud.com/find or the Find My app, select your device, click “Erase iPhone” and confirm. This will reset it to factory settings and sign out of your Apple ID.
Backing up your iPhone before reset
It’s crucial to back up your iPhone before doing a factory reset. A backup saves all your data, settings, photos, messages, and more so you can restore them after the reset. There are two main ways to back up an iPhone:
- Using iCloud backup
- Using iTunes backup
With an iCloud backup, all your data is saved securely to Apple’s servers. To enable iCloud backup, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and turn on the switch. Your iPhone will now automatically back up daily when connected to WiFi and power [1].
You can also back up locally to your computer using iTunes. Connect your iPhone to your computer, open iTunes, and select your device. Under Backups, choose “This computer” and then click Back Up Now. iTunes will save a backup of your iPhone to your computer [2].
Finally, you can encrypt your backups for added security. An encrypted backup protects sensitive data like passwords and health data. Enable encryption in iTunes under the Backups section. With iCloud, turn on encryption by going to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
Restoring from a Backup after Reset
After completing a factory reset on an iPhone, you have the option to restore from a previous iCloud or iTunes backup. This will redownload all of your apps, photos, messages, settings and other data that were saved in the backup.
To restore from an iCloud backup after resetting your iPhone, you will need to follow the onscreen setup steps until you reach the Apps & Data screen. Here, tap on “Restore from iCloud Backup” and sign in with your Apple ID. Your iPhone will reconnect to your iCloud account and restore your most recent backup (Source).
To restore from an iTunes backup, you will need to connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes. Under the iPhone summary page, click “Restore Backup” and select your desired backup. This will download apps, data and settings from that backup to your iPhone (Source).
In both cases, you will need to still have access and be signed into the iCloud or iTunes account that contains your device backup to successfully restore it after the factory reset. The iPhone will re-download all of your data and settings from the backup once connected.
When to Factory Reset an iPhone
There are a few common situations when you may want to factory reset your iPhone:
Fixing Software Issues
A factory reset can help resolve persistent software issues like freezing, crashing, excessive battery drain, or bugs from a software update. Resetting the iPhone erases any corrupted data that may be causing the issues and gives you a fresh start (Apple Support, 2023).
Preparing to Sell or Gift the iPhone
Before selling or gifting your used iPhone, you’ll want to wipe it back to factory settings. This removes all your personal data, accounts, and settings from the device. Factory resetting prepares the iPhone for the new owner by making it like new again (Help Cloud, 2022).
Removing Account Information and Data
If you simply want to remove all data, accounts, and settings from your iPhone, doing a factory reset accomplishes this. It erases all information on the device and returns it to out-of-the-box conditions (Apple Support, 2023).
Overall, a factory reset is recommended when you need to wipe your iPhone and address software issues, change ownership, or erase personal information.
Potential downsides of factory reset
While a factory reset can help resolve issues with an iPhone, there are some potential downsides to be aware of:
The main downside is the loss of data if you don’t have a recent backup. A factory reset will erase all data, settings, apps, photos, messages, and other files stored on the iPhone, and there is no way to recover anything after the reset unless you restore from a backup. This is why it’s critical to back up your iPhone before resetting it.
Resetting your iPhone can also be a time-consuming process. It takes time to back up your device, perform the reset, restore from the backup, and reconfigure your settings and apps. This can potentially leave you without a functioning phone for a while if you rely on it for everyday tasks.
Finally, you’ll need to reconfigure your device after the reset. Even if you restore from a backup, you may still need to redo some custom settings, re-login to apps, and reorganize your home screens. While not hugely inconvenient, it does require some time and effort.
Summary
To recap, a factory reset on an iPhone erases most of the data and settings on the device, but does not actually wipe the hard drive. Personal content like photos, messages, and downloaded apps will be removed, however the iPhone’s operating system and pre-installed apps remain intact. After a reset, the device is restored to its out-of-the-box state. While no data is physically erased from the hard drive, it is marked as free space to be overwritten in the future so the previous data is inaccessible.
It’s important to back up your iPhone before doing a factory reset so you can later restore your personal content and settings. Resetting your device can fix software issues, free up storage space, and prepare it for resale. Just remember that a reset should not be treated as a way to securely erase all data from the device.