How to Factory Reset an iPhone 6

To factory reset an iPhone 6, back it up, sign out of iCloud, then open Settings and erase all content and settings. If the iPhone 6 is locked or you forgot the passcode, connect it to a computer and use recovery mode to restore it.

What should you do before you factory reset an iPhone 6?

A factory reset permanently removes your personal data from the iPhone 6. Complete these steps before selling the phone, giving it away, or erasing it for troubleshooting.

1. Back up the iPhone with iCloud or a computer if you may need its photos, messages, contacts, app data, or settings later.
2. Make sure you know the Apple ID password associated with the iPhone. You may need it to turn off Find My or clear Activation Lock.
3. Open Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. Follow the prompts to sign out of iCloud and turn off Find My iPhone.
4. If an Apple Watch is paired with the iPhone, unpair it before erasing the phone.
5. Keep the iPhone connected to power or charge the battery well before starting.
6. Remove the physical SIM card before transferring the iPhone to another person.

Find My is Apple’s feature for locating and remotely protecting a device. Activation Lock is the protection that can require the previous owner’s Apple ID password after an erase if Find My was not removed correctly.

How do you factory reset an iPhone 6 from Settings?

Use the Settings method when the iPhone works and you know its screen passcode. The wording may differ slightly by installed iOS version.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll down and tap Reset. On software versions that show Transfer or Reset iPhone, tap that option instead.
4. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
5. Review any backup warning and choose to continue.
6. Enter the iPhone passcode when asked.
7. Enter the Apple ID password if the iPhone asks you to turn off Find My and Activation Lock.
8. Confirm that you want to erase the iPhone.

The iPhone 6 will restart and display the Apple logo while it erases the data. Do not force the phone to restart or disconnect it from power during this process.

How do you factory reset an iPhone 6 without the passcode?

If the screen is locked and the passcode is unavailable, the supported method is to restore the iPhone 6 in recovery mode with a Mac or Windows computer. Restoring erases the passcode along with all other personal data.

1. Turn off the iPhone 6. If necessary, disconnect it from the computer first.
2. Open Finder on a Mac that uses Finder for device management. On a Windows computer, open the Apple Devices app or iTunes, depending on what is installed. Older Macs may also use iTunes.
3. Press and hold the iPhone’s Home button while connecting the phone to the computer with a compatible cable.
4. Keep holding the Home button until the recovery-mode screen appears. Do not release it merely when the Apple logo appears.
5. Select the iPhone when it appears on the computer.
6. Choose Restore when the computer offers Update or Restore. Confirm the restore if prompted.
7. Wait while the computer downloads the required software and restores the iPhone.

If the download takes long enough for the iPhone to leave recovery mode, let the download finish. Turn off the phone and repeat the recovery-mode steps, then choose Restore again.

People searching “how to factory reset the iPhone 6,” “how do I factory reset iPhone 6,” or “how to reset factory iPhone 6” are usually looking for one of these two methods. A search such as “how to factory reset and iPhone 6” normally refers to the same erase process.

What happens when you factory reset an iPhone 6?

A factory reset iPhone 6 procedure removes accounts, downloaded apps, photos, messages, saved passwords, settings, and other personal information stored on the phone. Data already synchronized with iCloud or another online account is not deleted from that account merely because the phone is erased.

The operating system remains available after an erase through Settings. A computer restore erases the device and installs the appropriate available software. When the reset finishes, the iPhone shows the Hello screen instead of the previous Home Screen.

The time required varies with the phone, computer, connection, and whether software must be downloaded. Keep the iPhone powered and connected until the process finishes. No personal data should remain accessible on the device, but Activation Lock can remain if the iPhone is still associated with the previous owner’s Apple ID.

How do you set up an iPhone 6 after a factory reset?

The Setup Assistant begins at the Hello screen after the iPhone 6 restarts. Follow the screens in order.

1. Select a language and country or region.
2. Connect to an available Wi-Fi network.
3. Complete activation. Enter the Apple ID previously associated with the phone if Activation Lock requests it.
4. Create a new passcode and configure the available security options.
5. Choose to restore from an iCloud backup, restore from a computer backup, or set up the iPhone as new.
6. Sign in with the Apple ID that should be used on the device.
7. Finish the remaining privacy, location, and account prompts.

Choose a backup made before the reset if you want compatible saved information returned. Choose the fresh setup option when troubleshooting and you want to test the iPhone without immediately restoring old settings or app data.

What should you do if the iPhone 6 reset will not complete?

• If Activation Lock appears, enter the Apple ID and password previously linked to the iPhone. If the phone belonged to someone else, that person must remove it from their account. Repeating the reset does not remove Activation Lock.

• If the battery is low, connect the iPhone to reliable power, allow it to charge, and try again.

• If the computer does not detect the iPhone, reconnect the cable, try another computer port, restart both devices, and confirm that Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes is up to date.

• If recovery mode disappears during a software download, wait for the download to finish and repeat the button sequence.

• If the restore reports an error, check the cable and computer connection, restart the computer, and attempt recovery mode again.

Contact Apple Support if the buttons do not work, the computer repeatedly cannot recognize the iPhone, activation cannot be completed with the correct account, or the restore continues to fail. Have the iPhone, Apple ID information, and proof of ownership available when requesting help.