Restoring an iPhone means resetting the device back to its factory default settings. This process erases all data and settings on the device and installs the latest version of iOS. There are a few reasons why someone may want to restore their iPhone:
- To fix software issues like bugs, glitches, freezes or crashes that persist even after updating iOS and apps. Restoring can wipe out any corrupted files or settings causing problems.
- To bypass a forgotten passcode. Restoring is the only way to gain access to an iPhone with a forgotten passcode without data loss.
- To remove a jailbreak. Restoring an iPhone will remove any jailbreaking modifications and reset it to normal.
- To wipe the device before selling or giving it away. Restoring it erases all personal content and resets it to factory settings.
Overall, restoring an iPhone can fix certain issues, remove unwanted customizations like jailbreaking, and wipe it completely clean if giving it away to someone else.
Reasons to Restore
There are several common reasons why someone may want to restore their iPhone to factory settings:
Before selling or giving away your iPhone – Restoring it erases all of your personal data and resets it to default settings. This prepares the device for the new owner (Source).
Fixing software issues – If you’re experiencing bugs, glitches, or performance problems, restoring can often resolve software-related issues by completely reinstalling iOS (Source).
Reset to factory settings – Restoring your iPhone reverts it back to default factory settings, removing any customizations you’ve made. This can be useful if you want to start fresh.
Troubleshooting other issues – A restore may also help diagnose problems by determining if the issues persist after the iPhone has been returned to factory conditions.
Before installing a major iOS update – Some users restore their device before installing a major iOS update as a precautionary measure.
Data Loss Risks
Restoring your iPhone will wipe all data and settings from the device, potentially resulting in permanent data loss if you do not have a backup (source). Any photos, messages, downloads, and other personal content will be erased. Your settings, home screen layout, and app data will also be reset.
It is crucial to back up your iPhone before restoring to avoid unintended data loss. You can back up to iCloud or to a computer using iTunes. Ensure your backups are recent to save all your latest data. Restoring without a current backup risks permanently losing any content created or changed since the last backup.
Restoring an iPhone should not be done casually, as it completely wipes the device. Make sure to fully back up your data first to avoid losing your photos, messages, and other important information (source). Handle the restoration process carefully to protect your data.
Restoration Process
There are two main ways to restore an iPhone – using iTunes on a computer or directly on the device itself:
To restore with iTunes (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204184):
- Connect the iPhone to a computer with iTunes installed.
- Open iTunes and select the iPhone.
- Click “Restore iPhone” on the Summary screen.
- iTunes will download the latest iOS software and restore the device.
To restore directly on the iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset.
- Tap “Erase All Content and Settings.”
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- The iPhone will reboot and take you through the setup process.
During restore, all settings, data, and content will be wiped from the device. Make sure to back up important data first.
Restoring from Backup
Restoring your iPhone from an iCloud or iTunes backup is a convenient way to return your device to a previous state without losing your data and settings. The process is simple but does involve a few steps.
To restore from an iCloud backup on an iPhone, first make sure you have a recent backup by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups. Then erase your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. On the setup screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup and sign into iCloud to choose your desired backup. Your iPhone will restore from that backup.
To restore from an iTunes backup on a computer, first connect your iPhone and open iTunes. Make sure you have a recent backup by checking iTunes > Preferences > Devices. Then either restore by clicking Restore Backup on the Summary page for your device, or erase your iPhone by clicking Restore on the Summary page. Your iPhone will be erased and you can choose your backup to restore from.
The restoration process can take some time depending on the size of your backup. Your iPhone will reboot a few times during the process. When it’s done, you’ll be returned to the setup process to finalize restoration. All your data, settings, and content from that backup will be restored.
Software Issues
Restoring an iPhone from a backup will not necessarily fix any software bugs or crashes that were present before the restore. According to discussions on the Apple Support forums, restoring from a backup actually re-installs any corrupted data that was causing crashes or glitches (Source). The backup contains a snapshot of both your data and the OS files, so restoring it brings back the same iOS issues.
A full factory reset (not from a backup) may have a better chance of resolving software problems by wiping the iOS firmware and starting fresh. However, bugs in the latest iOS version you update to could still reappear. As one Apple user explained, “By restoring the phone form a backup you will restore what ever data corruption you’re experiencing now, so the same issues will persist” (Source).
In summary, restoring from backup will likely not fix iOS crashes, freezes, or other software issues. A full factory reset without using a backup has a better chance of wiping any corrupted OS files. However, underlying bugs in the iOS version may still remain. To fully fix software issues, updating to a newer iOS version that resolves the bugs is the best option.
Bypassing Passcodes
If you’ve forgotten your iPhone’s passcode, restoring the device does allow you to get past the passcode screen and activate the iPhone again. However, restoring will erase all data on the device.
The main way to bypass a forgotten passcode without losing data is to connect the iPhone to a computer it trusts and use iTunes to restore a backup. This will get you past the passcode screen while preserving your data from the backup. However, according to Apple support, this will not work if you have enabled Activation Lock [1].
Some third-party software claims it can unlock an iPhone without restoring and losing data, such as iMyFone AnyUnlock [2]. However, these methods may not work on all devices and can be risky.
The only guaranteed way to bypass a forgotten passcode without losing data is to remember the passcode. Otherwise, restoring the iPhone is the most reliable method, albeit at the cost of erasing all current data.
Effect on Jailbreaking
Note that restoring your iPhone removes any jailbreaking of the device. The jailbreaking process gives root access to the iOS operating system and allows installation of unauthorized apps and modifications. While some find it useful, jailbreaking voids the device warranty and poses security risks.
According to How to Unjailbreak All the iPhones in 2024 (3 Methods) (https://www.aiseesoft.com/how-to/unjailbreak-iphone.html), restoring the iPhone through iTunes or Finder will completely remove the jailbreak and restore the device to a non-jailbroken state. The article recommends backing up data prior to restoring, as the process erases the device.
Similarly, the Reddit post [HELP] How to fully remove Jailbreak from iOS (https://www.reddit.com/r/jailbreak/comments/roarat/help_how_to_fully_remove_jailbreak_from_ios/) confirms that using the “Restore RootFS” function in the unc0ver jailbreaking app, followed by a full restore process, will wipe the jailbreak data and return the device to factory settings.
In summary, restoring an iPhone will remove any existing jailbreak and return the device to its default non-jailbroken state. Users should backup data they wish to retain before initiating a restore.
Restoring Other Data
In addition to restoring your iPhone from a backup, you may also want to restore specific data like messages, photos, and app data separately. Here are some options for restoring that other important data:
To restore your messages like iMessages, SMS and MMS texts, you can use an iOS data recovery tool like iMyFone D-Back. This allows you to selectively scan and extract messages from iCloud or iTunes backups without fully resetting your device.
For photos, the easiest way is enabling iCloud Photos. This will automatically sync your photos to iCloud so you can download them to a restored device. Alternatively, you can use D-Back to extract photos from a backup.
Finally, app data like game progress or documents can often be synced via iCloud Drive. Or you may be able to move over app-specific backups from iTunes or iCloud using software like iMazing.
When to Avoid Restoring
Restoring an iPhone to factory settings can be a useful troubleshooting step for major problems like significant performance issues or unresponsive apps. However, it’s best to avoid restoring your iPhone to fix minor glitches or issues.
Restoring will wipe your device completely, removing all data, settings, apps, and account info. According to discussions on Apple’s support forums, users caution against restoring just to troubleshoot small problems, as it can be an extreme measure with major drawbacks [1].
Additionally, restoring without a current backup can result in permanent data loss. As recommended on Apple forums, only restore your iPhone if you have a reliable iTunes or iCloud backup you can restore from afterwards [2]. Otherwise, you risk losing valuable photos, messages, app data and settings.
In summary, restoring your iPhone should be used as a last resort when major issues arise and backups are available. It’s best to avoid restoring for minor troubleshooting, as you may lose personal data and custom settings.