How to Factory Reset Your iPhone Using a Computer

Factory Reset Your iPhone Through a Computer Using Finder or iTunes

You can factory reset an iPhone by connecting it to a Mac or Windows computer and using either Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows or older Mac). The computer erases all data on the phone and reinstalls the original iOS software. This process takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed and which iOS version you're installing.

A factory reset removes everything: photos, messages, apps, settings, and saved passwords. The phone returns to the state it was in when it left the factory. You'll need the phone to be unlocked, your Apple ID password ready, and a stable internet connection. If you've forgotten your Apple ID password, you'll need to reset it before starting.

Key Takeaways

Connect your iPhone to a Mac using Finder or to a Windows PC using iTunes, then select "Restore" to erase and reinstall iOS.
You must know your Apple ID password before you start, because the phone will ask for it during setup after the reset.
The reset process takes 15 to 30 minutes and requires a stable internet connection to read the iOS software.
If your iPhone is disabled or you can't unlock it, you can still factory reset it, but the steps are different.
After the reset completes, the phone will restart and show the setup screen, as if it were brand new.

Steps to Factory Reset on Mac Using Finder

On a Mac running macOS Catalina or newer, open Finder and plug in your iPhone with a USB cable. Click your iPhone's name in the sidebar under Locations. In the main window, click the "General" tab, then click "Restore". A dialog box will appear asking if you want to restore the iPhone to factory settings. Click "Restore" again to confirm.

Finder will read the correct iOS version for your phone model. This read can take several minutes depending on your internet speed. Do not unplug the iPhone during this time. Once the read finishes, Finder will erase the phone and install the fresh iOS. The iPhone will restart automatically when this is complete. You'll see the "Hello" setup screen when it's done.

Steps to Factory Reset on Windows or Older Mac Using iTunes

On Windows or a Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes and connect your iPhone with a USB cable. Click the iPhone icon near the top left of the iTunes window. In the left sidebar, click "Summary". On the right side, click "Restore iPhone". A dialog will ask if you want to restore and update. Click "Restore" to proceed.

iTunes will read the iOS software your phone needs. This can take 5 to 15 minutes. Keep the phone plugged in and do not close iTunes. Once the read is complete, iTunes will erase the iPhone and install the fresh operating system. The phone will restart on its own. When you see the setup screen, the reset is finished.

What to Do If Your iPhone Is Disabled or Locked

If you've entered the wrong passcode too many times, your iPhone will show "iPhone is disabled" and you won't be able to unlock it. You can still factory reset it through a computer. Connect the disabled iPhone to your Mac or PC using a USB cable. Follow the same steps as above — Finder or iTunes will let you restore the phone even though you can't unlock it on the device itself.

If you don't remember your Apple ID password, you'll need to reset it before the factory reset is complete. When the phone restarts after the erase, it will ask for your Apple ID during setup. If you don't have the password, visit iforgot.apple.com on your computer and follow the steps to reset it. Have your recovery email or phone number ready.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During the Reset

Do not unplug the iPhone while the reset is running. If you disconnect it during the erase or iOS installation, the phone may not restart properly and you may need to try again. Keep the cable connected from start to finish, even though it can take 20 or 30 minutes.

Do not close Finder or iTunes while the process is underway. Closing the window will stop the reset. Leave both the phone and the computer alone until you see the setup screen on the iPhone. If your internet cuts out during the iOS read, the process will pause and resume when the connection returns, so you don't need to restart.

Do not forget your Apple ID password. Write it down or reset it before you start if you're not sure. The phone will ask for it when ready after the reset completes, and you won't be able to set up the phone without it. This is a security feature to prevent someone else from using a phone they don't own.

What Happens After the Factory Reset Is Complete

Once the reset finishes, your iPhone will restart and show the "Hello" screen in your preferred language. You'll see the setup wizard, which walks you through connecting to Wi-Fi, signing in with your Apple ID, and choosing your settings. This is the same screen you'd see if you'd just bought the phone new.

You can restore your data from a backup if you made one before the reset. During setup, you'll see an option to restore from iCloud backup or from a computer backup. If you don't restore from a backup, the phone will be completely empty and you'll need to read your apps again from the App Store and re-enter your settings by hand.

Backing Up Before You Reset

Before you factory reset, back up your iPhone so you don't lose your data. The easiest way is to back up to iCloud: go to Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, tap iCloud Backup, and tap "Back Up Now". This saves your photos, messages, app data, and settings to your iCloud account. The backup takes a few minutes depending on how much data you have.

You can also back up to your computer. On Mac, open Finder, click your iPhone, and click "Back Up Now" in the General tab. On Windows, open iTunes, click your iPhone, and click "Back Up Now" in the Summary tab. Either way, wait for the backup to finish before you start the factory reset. After the reset, you can restore from this backup during setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know my passcode to factory reset through a computer?

No. If your iPhone is disabled or you've forgotten the passcode, you can still factory reset it by connecting to a computer and using Finder or iTunes. The computer can erase the phone without unlocking it first.

Will factory reset remove my Apple ID from the phone?

Yes. The reset erases everything, including your Apple ID sign-in. After the reset, the phone will ask you to sign in with an Apple ID during setup. You'll need your Apple ID password to complete the setup process.

How long does a factory reset take?

The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your internet speed and which iOS version the phone needs. The iOS read is the longest part. Once the read finishes, the erase and reinstall take only a few minutes.

Can I use a factory reset to remove Find My iPhone?

A factory reset will erase the phone's data and settings, but it won't remove Find My iPhone if your Apple ID is still active on the device. After the reset, during setup, you'll need to sign in with your Apple ID again. If you want to remove Find My iPhone completely, you'll need to turn it off in Settings before the reset, or sign out of your Apple ID.

What if the reset fails or gets stuck?

If the process stops or hangs, unplug the iPhone, close Finder or iTunes, wait 30 seconds, and try again. Make sure your internet connection is stable. If it fails a second time, try a different USB cable or a different USB port on your computer. If the phone still won't reset, contact Apple Support for help.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.