Resetting your iPhone to factory settings is a powerful process that erases all your personal data and restores the device to its original state—just like it was when you first took it out of the box. This is commonly done when selling or giving away the phone, or as a last resort to fix persistent software issues.
But many users wonder: “Will I lose everything?” The short answer is yes, unless you’ve created a backup. This article explains exactly what happens when you factory reset your iPhone, what gets deleted, how to back up your data, and what steps to follow to do it safely.
🧠 What Does “Factory Reset” Mean?
A factory reset, also known as “Erase All Content and Settings”, completely wipes your iPhone. It:
- Deletes all user data
- Removes installed apps and content
- Clears system settings and preferences
- Signs out of iCloud (if done correctly)
- Reinstalls the iOS system software
After the reset, your iPhone will restart with the “Hello” setup screen, ready to be set up as new or restored from a backup.
📦 What Gets Erased During a Factory Reset?
Here’s a breakdown of what is permanently deleted:
✅ Personal Data:
- Photos and videos
- Messages (iMessage, SMS, MMS)
- Contacts and call logs
- Calendar events
- Notes and voice memos
- Email accounts and passwords
✅ Apps and App Data:
- All third-party apps
- App data such as game progress, saved files, and login credentials
✅ System and Settings:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings
- VPN, screen layout, and notification settings
- Face ID / Touch ID data
- Accessibility and display preferences
✅ Apple ID & iCloud:
- If you manually sign out before resetting, Activation Lock (iCloud lock) is removed
- If not signed out, the device remains linked to your Apple ID, and the new user won’t be able to activate it
❗ Important: You Will Lose Everything Unless You Back Up
Yes—you will lose everything unless you back up your iPhone before the factory reset. There is no undo once the process begins.
💾 How to Back Up Your iPhone Before Resetting
Option 1: iCloud Backup
- Connect to Wi-Fi
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup
- Tap Back Up Now
- Wait until the backup is completed
Option 2: Backup with a Computer
- Connect iPhone to a Mac or PC
- Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows)
- Select your device and click Back Up Now
- Optionally, encrypt the backup to include Health and password data
🔄 After resetting, you can restore this backup during the setup process.
📲 How to Factory Reset Your iPhone
Step-by-Step:
- Sign out of iCloud:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out
- Enter your Apple ID password to disable Find My iPhone
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings
- Enter your passcode if prompted
- Confirm and tap Erase iPhone
Your iPhone will reboot, erase all data, and return to the initial setup screen.
🛠 What If You Can’t Access the iPhone?
If the device is locked or unresponsive, you can reset it using a computer:
- Connect your iPhone to a computer
- Put it in Recovery Mode
- Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows)
- Choose Restore
This will erase everything and install a fresh version of iOS. You’ll still need your Apple ID and password to bypass Activation Lock.
🆘 When Should You Factory Reset?
Use a factory reset when:
- You’re selling, gifting, or trading in your iPhone
- You want to start fresh with no leftover apps or data
- You’re troubleshooting persistent software bugs
- You forgot your passcode and need to erase the device
🔐 What About Activation Lock?
If iCloud is still signed in, the device will remain linked to your Apple ID. This prevents theft and protects your data.
To properly reset and allow someone else to use the phone:
- Sign out of iCloud first
- Make sure Find My iPhone is disabled
🧼 After Reset: What to Expect
Once your iPhone has been reset:
- You’ll see the “Hello” welcome screen
- You can choose to:
- Set up as new
- Restore from iCloud
- Restore from Mac/PC backup
This is your opportunity to recover all your data—but only if you made a backup before the reset.
✅ Summary: What Happens When You Reset iPhone to Factory Settings
A factory reset erases all data, apps, settings, and your Apple ID (if signed out first). It’s a clean slate for your iPhone and is essential before selling or troubleshooting major issues.
Key Takeaways:
| Action | Outcome |
| Erases all personal data | ✅ Yes |
| Removes apps and settings | ✅ Yes |
| Deletes Apple ID & iCloud info | ✅ Only if signed out before reset |
| Removes Activation Lock | ✅ Only if signed out of iCloud |
| Restores iOS software | ✅ Yes |
| Can data be recovered? | ✅ Only if a backup was made |
