How to Reset an iPhone 13: Step-by-Step Guide

To reset an iPhone 13 when you are locked out, erase it with recovery mode on a Mac or Windows computer, then set it up again. If Find My is enabled, you may also erase the iPhone 13 remotely from another trusted Apple device.

When do you need to reset an iPhone 13?

An iPhone 13 reset is appropriate when you have forgotten the passcode, the phone is unavailable after repeated failed attempts, or you are preparing to sell or hand off the device. Erasing is also useful when you want to remove all personal data and return the phone to its factory settings.

If you merely need to fix a frozen phone, try a force restart first. Press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. A force restart does not erase data and is different from a factory reset.

What should you know before resetting an iPhone 13?

A factory reset erases the iPhone's apps, photos, messages, accounts, settings, and locally stored files. Data can be recovered afterward only if it was included in an iCloud or computer backup, or if it already syncs separately with iCloud.

Before learning how to reset an iPhone 13, gather the following:

• The Apple Account email address or phone number previously used on the iPhone.
• The password for that Apple Account.
• A Mac or Windows computer and a compatible cable if you will use recovery mode.
• A dependable Wi-Fi connection for activation and backup restoration.
• A recent backup, if one is available.

Activation Lock is an ownership check tied to Find My. After an iPhone 13 reset, Apple may require the previous Apple Account credentials before the phone can be used again.

How do you reset an iPhone 13 using a computer?

Use recovery mode when the iPhone 13 passcode is forgotten or the device cannot be opened normally. Finder handles the restore on a Mac with a current macOS version; Apple Devices or iTunes may handle it on Windows, depending on what is installed.

1. Turn off the iPhone 13. Disconnect it from the computer first if necessary.
2. Open Finder on the Mac, or open Apple Devices or iTunes on the Windows computer.
3. Connect the cable to the computer, but not yet to the iPhone.
4. Press and hold the iPhone's Side button while connecting the cable to the iPhone.
5. Keep holding the Side button until the recovery-mode screen appears. Do not release it when the Apple logo appears.
6. Select the iPhone when it appears in Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes.
7. Choose Restore when offered Restore or Update. Confirm that you want the computer to erase the phone and install iOS.
8. Keep the iPhone connected while the restore runs. If the download takes long enough for the phone to leave recovery mode, let the download finish and repeat the recovery-mode steps.

How do you reset an iPhone 13 without a computer?

If you still know the passcode, erase the iPhone directly in Settings:

1. Open Settings and select General.
2. Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. Select Erase All Content and Settings.
4. Review what will be removed, then continue.
5. Enter the device passcode and Apple Account password when requested.

If the passcode is forgotten but Find My was enabled before the lockout, use the Find My app on another Apple device signed in to your Apple Account. Select Devices, choose the iPhone 13, select Erase This Device, and follow the prompts. The erase begins when the iPhone connects to the internet.

Some iOS versions also show Forgot Passcode? or Erase iPhone on the lockout screen. If that option appears and the phone has a network connection, follow the prompts and enter the Apple Account password associated with the device. The wording and available choices can vary with the installed iOS version.

How do you put an iPhone 13 into recovery mode?

Recovery mode is a startup state that lets a computer reinstall iOS when normal access is unavailable. The iPhone 13 has no Home button, so use this exact sequence while it is connected to a computer:

1. Press and quickly release Volume Up.
2. Press and quickly release Volume Down.
3. Press and keep holding the Side button.
4. Continue holding past the Apple logo.
5. Release the Side button only when the recovery-mode screen appears.

If the regular lock screen appears, the sequence did not complete correctly. Turn the iPhone off and try again, pressing the buttons in order without pausing between the first two presses.

What happens after an iPhone 13 reset?

After the reset, the iPhone 13 displays its setup screen. Connect it to Wi-Fi, follow the activation prompts, and sign in with the Apple Account previously associated with the phone if Activation Lock requests it.

During setup, choose an iCloud backup or a backup stored on a computer to restore apps, settings, and supported data. If no backup is available, select the option to set up the iPhone as new. Keep the device connected to power and Wi-Fi while synced photos, messages, apps, and other content return.

If the phone is being handed to someone else, do not complete setup for the new owner. Confirm that the device has been removed from your Apple Account and leave it at the initial setup screen.

When should you contact Apple Support about an iPhone 13 reset?

Contact Apple Support when Activation Lock rejects the correct Apple Account credentials, account recovery is required, or proof of ownership needs to be reviewed. Apple Support cannot help bypass Activation Lock on a device that you do not own.

Support is also appropriate when the iPhone remains disabled after the displayed wait period, a damaged Side or Volume button prevents recovery mode, the computer never recognizes the device, or restore attempts repeatedly return an error. Hardware damage, a faulty cable, or a computer connection problem may prevent an otherwise correct iPhone 13 reset.