How to Force Factory Reset an iPhone

To force factory reset an iPhone that is unresponsive or inaccessible, connect it to a Mac or Windows PC, put it in recovery mode, and choose Restore. Restoring reinstalls iOS and erases the iPhone’s personal data, settings, apps, and accounts.

Before You Reset Your iPhone

A factory reset permanently removes information stored on the iPhone. It is different from restarting the device, and it cannot be undone after the erase is complete.

Before restoring the iPhone, check the following:

• Confirm that you have an iCloud or computer backup if you need your photos, messages, settings, or other data. Do not assume erased data can be recovered without a backup.
• Have the Apple Account email address or phone number and password associated with the iPhone. You may need them during activation.
• Use a Mac or Windows PC with an internet connection and enough available storage to download the iPhone software.
• Update the Mac. On Windows, install or update the Apple Devices app or iTunes.
• Use a USB cable that supports both charging and data transfer.

If the iPhone belongs to an employer, school, or another person, contact the organization or owner before erasing it.

Try a Force Restart First

A force restart makes an unresponsive iPhone turn off and start again without intentionally erasing its data. A factory reset erases the device and reinstalls iOS.

Try the sequence for your iPhone model:

• iPhone 8 or later, including iPhone SE second generation or later: Press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then hold the side button. Release the side button when the Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Hold the side button and Volume Down together. Release them when the Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 6s or earlier, including iPhone SE first generation: Hold the Home button and the side or top button together. Release them when the Apple logo appears.

If the iPhone starts and works normally, a factory reset may not be necessary. If it remains inaccessible or returns to the same problem, use recovery mode.

Factory Reset an iPhone With a Computer

Recovery mode lets a computer reinstall iOS when the iPhone cannot be restored through its own Settings app.

1. Update the Mac, or update the Apple Devices app or iTunes on the Windows PC.
2. Connect the iPhone directly to the computer with a USB cable.
3. Open Finder on a current Mac. On Windows, open Apple Devices. Use iTunes instead on a Windows PC without Apple Devices or on a Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier.
4. Keep the iPhone connected and use the correct recovery-mode button sequence for its model.
5. Continue holding the required button or buttons past the Apple logo. Release them only when the Connect to Computer screen appears.
6. Select the iPhone in Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes.
7. When the computer offers Update or Restore, select Restore. Update attempts to reinstall iOS without erasing data, while Restore erases the iPhone and installs iOS again.
8. Keep the iPhone connected while the computer downloads and installs the software.

Do not disconnect the cable while restoration is underway. When restoration finishes, the iPhone displays its setup screen.

Enter Recovery Mode by iPhone Model

Recovery mode is identified by the Connect to Computer screen. Seeing only the Apple logo means the iPhone has not yet entered recovery mode.

• iPhone 8 or later, including iPhone SE second generation or later: Press and quickly release Volume Up. Press and quickly release Volume Down. Hold the side button until the Connect to Computer screen appears.
• iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Hold the side button and Volume Down at the same time. Keep holding both until the Connect to Computer screen appears.
• iPhone 6s or earlier, including iPhone SE first generation: Hold the Home button and the side or top button at the same time. Keep holding both until the Connect to Computer screen appears.

Do not release the buttons when the Apple logo first appears. Releasing at the Apple logo performs a normal or forced restart instead of entering recovery mode.

What to Do If the Restore Fails

If the iPhone leaves recovery mode while the computer is downloading its software, let the download finish. Then repeat the model-specific button sequence and select Restore again.

If the computer does not recognize the iPhone or restoration produces an error:

1. Make sure the Mac, Apple Devices app, or iTunes is current.
2. Reconnect the iPhone directly to the computer rather than through a keyboard or USB hub.
3. Check the cable and charging port, then try another data-capable cable or USB port if available.
4. Restart the iPhone and computer, then enter recovery mode again.
5. Try another Mac or Windows PC if one is available.
6. Record any error code or exact alert and use Apple Support to find the instructions for that specific message.

If no computer recognizes the iPhone, the buttons do not work, or restoration repeatedly fails, the device may need service through Apple or an authorized service provider.

Set Up or Recover the iPhone

After the force factory reset iPhone process finishes, follow the onscreen setup steps. Connect to Wi-Fi or a cellular network so the iPhone can contact Apple’s activation service.

During setup, choose one of the available options:

• Restore from an iCloud backup.
• Restore from a backup stored on a Mac or Windows PC.
• Transfer data from another available Apple device when that option is offered.
• Set up the iPhone as new if no usable backup exists.

Activation Lock is an anti-theft feature connected to Find My. Erasing an iPhone does not remove Activation Lock, so setup may require the Apple Account previously associated with the device or a previously used device passcode when Apple offers that option.

If the iPhone shows “iPhone Locked to Owner,” use the linked owner’s credentials. For a workplace or school device, contact its administrator. For a used device linked to someone else, ask the previous owner to remove it from that person’s account; do not use unofficial unlocking or bypass tools.