Factory reset your iPhone through a computer using Finder or iTunes

A factory reset wipes your iPhone completely and restores it to the state it left the factory. You can do this through a computer running macOS or Windows by connecting your phone to Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), then selecting the restore option. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed and iPhone model.

Before you start, back up any data you want to keep — photos, contacts, messages, app data — because a factory reset deletes everything on the phone. You can back up to iCloud through your iPhone's settings, or to your computer through Finder or iTunes during the reset process itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Connect your iPhone to a Mac using Finder or to a Windows PC using iTunes, then select Restore to erase and reinstall the operating system.
  • Back up your data before starting, either through iCloud on your phone or through Finder/iTunes on your computer.
  • You need your Apple ID password to complete the reset and reactivate the phone afterward.
  • The process works even if your iPhone is frozen, won't turn on, or is locked — as long as your computer recognizes it.
  • After the reset finishes, you can restore from your backup or set up the phone as new.

What you need before you start

Gather these items: your iPhone, a USB cable that fits your phone (Lightning for most iPhones, USB-C for iPhone 15 and later), a computer running macOS 10.15 or later (for Finder) or Windows 7 or later (for iTunes), and your Apple ID password. If you do not know your Apple ID password, you can reset it through iforgot.apple.com before you begin.

Make sure your computer has at least 5 GB of free storage space and a stable internet connection. The reset process downloads the latest iOS version to your phone, so a slow or interrupted connection can cause the restore to fail partway through.

How to reset an iPhone on Mac using Finder

Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable. Open Finder and look for your phone's name in the sidebar under Locations. Click it, then click the General tab at the top of the window. You will see a button labeled Restore iPhone — click it.

A dialog box will appear asking whether you want to back up your iPhone settings before erasing. Choose "Back Up" if you want to save your settings and app data, or "Don't Back Up" if you want to erase everything without saving anything. Finder will then read the latest iOS version and install it on your phone. Do not disconnect the cable during this process.

When the restore finishes, your iPhone will restart and show the setup screen. You can sign in with your Apple ID and restore from your backup, or set up the phone as new. If you backed up to iCloud before starting, you can restore from that backup instead.

How to reset an iPhone on Windows using iTunes

read iTunes from apple.com/itunes if you do not have it already. Install it, then connect your iPhone to your Windows PC with a USB cable. Open iTunes and look for your phone's name in the top left corner of the window. Click it to open your phone's summary page.

On the summary page, you will see a button labeled Restore iPhone. Click it and choose whether to back up your settings first. iTunes will read the latest iOS version and install it on your phone. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes — keep your phone connected and do not close iTunes.

When the restore finishes, your iPhone will restart and show the setup screen. You can sign in with your Apple ID and restore from your backup, or set up as new. If you backed up to iCloud before connecting to your computer, you can restore from that backup during setup.

What happens during the reset process

Once you click Restore, your computer downloads the current iOS version — this can take 5 to 10 minutes depending on your internet speed. Your iPhone will show a progress bar and may restart several times. The entire process from start to finish usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Do not disconnect your iPhone, close Finder or iTunes, or put your computer to sleep while the restore is running. If the connection breaks, the restore may fail and your phone could be stuck in recovery mode. If that happens, you can reconnect and try again — Finder or iTunes will offer to resume the restore.

When the restore finishes, your iPhone will restart and display the Hello screen. At this point the reset is complete and you can set up your phone with your Apple ID or as a new device.

Restoring from backup after the reset

After your iPhone restarts and shows the setup screen, you have two choices: restore from a backup or set up as new. If you backed up to iCloud before the reset, you can sign in with your Apple ID during setup and choose "Restore from iCloud Backup." Select the backup you want and your phone will read your photos, contacts, messages, and app data.

If you backed up through Finder or iTunes on your computer, connect your phone to the same computer after setup is complete. Open Finder or iTunes, click your phone, and look for a "Restore Backup" option. Choose the backup you want and your phone will restore from it.

Restoring from backup takes time — the larger your backup, the longer it takes. A backup with several years of photos and messages can take an hour or more to restore, especially over a slower internet connection.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed reset

If your iPhone gets stuck on the Apple logo or progress bar during the restore, disconnect it and try again. Reconnect the cable, open Finder or iTunes, and click Restore. Your computer will offer to resume the restore from where it stopped.

If Finder or iTunes does not recognize your iPhone when you connect it, try a different USB cable or a different port on your computer. If your phone is very old or the cable is damaged, this is often the problem. On Windows, you may need to reinstall iTunes or update your USB drivers.

If you see an error message during the restore, write down the error number and search Apple's support site for that specific error. Common errors like 4013 or 4014 usually mean a USB connection problem — try a different cable or port. Errors like 3194 or 3000 usually mean a firewall or security software is blocking the connection — temporarily disable it and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know my Apple ID password to factory reset my iPhone?

You do not need it to start the reset, but you will need it after the reset finishes to reactivate your phone. If you do not remember your password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com before you connect your phone to your computer.

Can I factory reset my iPhone if it is locked or won't turn on?

Yes. As long as your computer recognizes the phone when you connect it, Finder or iTunes can restore it even if the screen is frozen, locked, or black. The reset process will erase the lock and reinstall the operating system.

Will factory reset remove the Find My iPhone lock?

No. If Find My is turned on, the reset will complete but your phone will be locked to your Apple ID. You will need to sign in with that Apple ID during setup to reactivate the phone. If you do not remember the password, reset it at iforgot.apple.com first.

How long does a factory reset take?

The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes from the moment you click Restore until your phone shows the setup screen. Downloading the iOS version takes the longest — this can be 5 to 10 minutes on a slow internet connection. Restoring from a backup afterward takes additional time depending on how much data you are restoring.

Can I use any USB cable to connect my iPhone to my computer?

You need a cable that matches your iPhone's port. Most iPhones use Lightning (the smaller rectangular connector), but iPhone 15 and later use USB-C. The cable must be in good condition — a damaged or frayed cable can cause the connection to drop during the restore and fail the process.