Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about resetting an iPhone to remove a virus:
What is the best way to reset an iPhone to factory settings?
The easiest way is to erase all content and settings from the Settings app. Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap “Erase All Content and Settings.”
Will resetting delete all my data?
Yes, resetting your iPhone will delete all data, settings, and content from the device and restore it to factory default settings.
Is there a way to reset without losing everything?
Unfortunately, there is no way to fully reset an iPhone without losing your data. Make sure to backup your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes before resetting to prevent permanent data loss.
How can I remove a virus without resetting my iPhone?
First, try updating your iPhone software and run antivirus software to detect and remove any infections. However, resetting is often the only sure way to fully remove a persistent virus.
Mobile devices like iPhones are just as susceptible to malware and viruses as computers. Viruses can infect your iPhone in various ways, from downloading suspicious apps and files to visiting infected websites. Once infected, your iPhone could exhibit strange behavior like crashing frequently, draining battery quickly, running slow, or displaying unwanted pop-up ads. Resetting your iPhone is the most thorough way to remove a virus and restore your device to normal.
Signs Your iPhone May be Infected
How can you tell if your iPhone has a virus in the first place? Here are some common signs of infection:
- iPhone is noticeably slower, constantly freezing or crashing
- Apps take longer to open and run
- Battery drains faster than usual
- Overheating even when not in heavy use
- Strange pop-up ads appear randomly
- Weird text messages are being sent from your phone
- Higher than normal data usage
- Unusual activity on any linked accounts
Any sudden, unexplained changes in your iPhone’s performance or behavior could indicate a virus. The only way to be 100% sure is to run an antivirus scan. But if your iPhone is becoming unusable due to crashes, constant freezing, or dramatic battery drain, resetting it is a wise precaution even before you confirm the virus.
Back Up Your iPhone Before Resetting
Before resetting your iPhone to factory settings, it’s critically important to back up your data first. A factory reset will permanently erase everything on your device. Here are your backup options:
iCloud Backup
If you have iCloud Backup enabled, your iPhone should automatically backup daily when connected to WiFi, power, and locked. Check that your iCloud backup is current before resetting your device. You can check and manage your iCloud backups from Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
iTunes Backup
You can also backup your iPhone by connecting it to a computer with iTunes installed. Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes. Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable, then select your iPhone in iTunes. Under Backups, right click and select “Backup Now” to manually backup before resetting your iPhone.
Encrypted vs Unencrypted Backup
Note that by default, iCloud and iTunes backups are encrypted to protect your data security. If you ever need to restore from your backup, you will need to enter your passcode. For maximum data security, it’s best to keep backups encrypted by ensuring encryption is enabled in Settings.
What Does Backup Include?
Backing up your iPhone saves a wide range of data depending on what’s enabled, such as:
- Messages, call history, contacts
- Photos and videos
- Device settings and preferences
- App data
- Home screen and app organization
- Apple Watch backups (if paired)
- Health and activity data
Double check that all the data you need is included before resetting your iPhone. For example, your photo library may need to be manually backed up if iCloud Photo Library is disabled.
How to Factory Reset an iPhone
Once your iPhone data is safely backed up, here are the steps to complete a factory reset:
- Open the Settings app and tap General.
- Scroll down and tap Reset.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Tap Erase [device] to confirm and reset your iPhone.
Resetting will quickly wipe all content and restore your iPhone to out-of-the-box defaults. Do not interrupt the reset process or you risk corrupting data. Your iPhone will automatically reboot itself when finished.
Alternative Reset Options
On the Reset screen, you’ll also see these other options:
- Reset All Settings: Resets all settings but does not erase data.
- Erase All Content and Settings: The full factory reset that erases all data.
- Reset Network Settings: Resets just WiFi, Bluetooth and other network settings.
- Reset Keyboard Dictionary: Erases custom keyboards and learned words.
- Reset Home Screen Layout: Restores home screen to default layout.
- Reset Location & Privacy: Resets location access and returns privacy settings to defaults.
While the above can help resolve smaller issues, resetting all content and settings is recommended to fully remove a virus.
What Exactly Gets Deleted in a Factory Reset?
Resetting your iPhone deletes:
- All apps and associated data
- Music, photos, videos, and other media
- Contacts, call history, messages
- Safari browsing history and saved passwords
- WiFi networks, Bluetooth pairings
- Home screen layout and folders
- Notifications settings
- Location and privacy settings
- Apple Pay cards
- Game scores and activity streaks
Essentially, all personal content and customization will be wiped. Your iPhone will be returned to the state it was in when you first unboxed it.
Re-Setting Up Your iPhone After a Factory Reset
Once your iPhone has completed the reset process, it will reboot to the Hello screen and prompt you to set it up as a new iPhone or restore from a backup.
Setting Up as New
You can choose to set up your iPhone as new to start completely fresh. This is recommended if you suspect a backup file contains any malware. However, you will need to re-download apps, re-enter settings, and will lose device-specific data that cannot be restored.
Restoring from a Backup
In most cases, you’ll want to restore from a backup after resetting your iPhone. Just make sure it’s a clean backup made prior to any infection. Restoring from a backup allows you to get your iPhone working just as it was before the issues occurred while hopefully removing any lingering viruses.
On the Hello screen, select “Restore from iCloud Backup” or “Restore from iTunes backup” and follow the prompts to restore your content. Sign into iCloud and Apple ID when asked. Your iPhone will rebuild itself using the backup data.
Precautions When Resetting an iPhone with Viruses
Here are some important precautions to take when resetting an infected iPhone:
- Only restore from clean backups made before viruses were introduced.
- Avoid syncing infected iPhones with other devices until reset.
- Be careful about logging into accounts on a virus-infected device.
- Change Apple ID, iCloud, and other account passwords after removing viruses.
- Monitor accounts that may have been compromised by malware on your iPhone.
- Re-download apps from the App Store rather than using backups of infected apps.
Taking these precautions helps prevent reinfection from backups containing malware or compromised data. Resetting your iPhone may not completely solve issues if viruses are lingering in backups or accounts.
When Should You Factory Reset Your iPhone?
Resetting your iPhone to factory default settings is a helpful troubleshooting step in many situations beyond just virus removal:
- iPhone is acting slow, freezing, or crashing constantly
- Many apps are having problems or keeps crashing
- You forgot your passcode and need to reset it
- Strange issues or glitches after a major iOS update
- You want to sell, donate or recycle your iPhone
- Removing a previous owner’s accounts and data
Resetting should typically be one of the last troubleshooting steps you try after simpler fixes don’t resolve your issues. While it can often fix major problems, the process is time consuming. But factory resetting is an important tool for wiping viruses or cleaning up a misbehaving iPhone.
Risks of Resetting an iPhone
Before resetting your iPhone, consider these potential downsides:
- Permanent data loss if you forget to backup first
- Loss of data that is not included in your backup
- Time spent re-downloading apps, music, photos and videos
- Having to redo custom settings and preferences
- texts and call history will be lost
- Game progress resets
- Signed out of apps and need to re-authenticate
- Lost two-factor authentication app data
While inconvenient, for most users the benefits of resetting an iPhone outweigh potential data loss if backups are up-to-date. In some cases, you may be able to use iCloud to restore data even after factory resetting. But be prepared to put time back into personalizing your iPhone.
Tips to Avoid iPhone Viruses
To reduce your risk of getting viruses in the first place, follow these best practices:
- Only install apps from the official App Store
- Avoid “sideloading” apps from unidentified developers
- Don’t jailbreak your iPhone
- Keep iOS up-to-date with the latest updates
- Don’t click suspicious links in emails, messages, websites
- Only connect to trusted WiFi networks
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication
- Install iOS anti-malware tools
- Be cautious about opening attachments or downloading files
Following basic security precautions makes it much less likely your iPhone will become infected by a virus. But if it does happen, factory resetting can help remove viruses and get your iPhone working normally again.
Conclusion
While resetting your iPhone erases all its data, it provides the most sure way to remove a virus or other persistent issues. To factory reset, go to Settings > General > Reset and tap “Erase All Content and Settings.” Just remember to backup your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes first to prevent losing your data permanently.
Resetting your iPhone is an inconvenient but sometimes necessary troubleshooting step. In cases of serious performance issues, glitches after updating iOS, preparing to sell your phone, or suspected malware, factory resetting can often fix problems that simpler measures cannot. But avoid resetting unless absolutely needed, and always backup your iPhone beforehand.