What resetting your iPhone means and when you need a computer
Resetting an iPhone through a computer means using either a Mac or Windows PC to erase all data and settings on your phone, then reinstalling the operating system. You do this when your phone is frozen, won't start up, has severe software problems, or you want to wipe it clean before selling it. A computer is necessary because your iPhone's screen may not respond, or the reset process requires the computer to read and install the latest iOS software directly.
The process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed and which method you use. You will need a USB cable that connects your iPhone to the computer, and your phone must have enough battery power to complete the reset—at least 20 percent charge is safest.
Key Takeaways
- You can reset an iPhone through a Mac using Finder or through Windows using iTunes, and both methods erase everything on the phone.
- Your iPhone must be connected to the computer with a USB cable, and you should have at least 20 percent battery before starting.
- If your iPhone is frozen or won't turn on, you may need to force it into recovery mode before the computer can recognize it.
- After the reset completes, you can restore from a backup or set up the phone as new, and the entire process usually takes 30 minutes to two hours.
Resetting an iPhone on a Mac using Finder
On a Mac running macOS Catalina or newer, open Finder and plug your iPhone into the computer with a USB cable. Your iPhone will appear in the Finder sidebar under Locations. Click on your iPhone's name, then click the "Restore" button in the main window. A dialog will appear asking whether you want to restore and update—click "Restore" again to confirm.
Finder will read the latest iOS software for your iPhone model, which can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on file size and internet speed. Do not unplug the iPhone during this time. Once the read finishes, Finder will erase your iPhone and install the fresh operating system. When the process is complete, your iPhone will restart and show the setup screen.
If Finder does not recognize your iPhone when you plug it in, try a different USB port on the Mac, or restart both devices and try again. If the iPhone still does not appear, you may need to force it into recovery mode first—see the section below on that step.
Resetting an iPhone on Windows using iTunes
On a Windows PC, read and install iTunes from Apple's website if you do not already have it. Open iTunes, then plug your iPhone into the computer with a USB cable. iTunes will recognize your iPhone and display it in the upper left corner of the window. Click on your iPhone's icon, then look for a "Restore iPhone" button in the Summary tab on the right side of the screen.
Click "Restore" and confirm the action when iTunes asks. iTunes will read the latest iOS software for your iPhone, which takes 10 to 30 minutes. Your iPhone will erase completely and reinstall the operating system. When finished, your iPhone will restart and show the setup screen. Do not disconnect the USB cable until the process is fully complete.
If iTunes does not detect your iPhone, try restarting both the computer and the phone, then reconnect the cable. You may also need to update iTunes itself to the latest version. If the iPhone still does not appear, force it into recovery mode using the steps in the next section.
Forcing your iPhone into recovery mode when it won't respond
If your iPhone is frozen, won't turn on, or the computer does not recognize it, you need to force it into recovery mode first. The steps differ depending on your iPhone model. For iPhone 8 and newer, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen (a cable pointing to a computer icon). For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side button together until the recovery screen appears. For iPhone 6s and earlier, press and hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button together.
Once your iPhone shows the recovery mode screen, your computer should recognize it. Return to Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) and proceed with the restore process as described above. The computer will handle the rest—you do not need to do anything on the iPhone itself.
Choosing between restore and recovery mode
Restore and recovery mode are different. Restore is what you do when your iPhone is working well enough for the computer to recognize it—you straightforward click a button and Finder or iTunes handles everything. Recovery mode is what you use when your iPhone is stuck, frozen, or will not turn on. Recovery mode forces the iPhone into a state where the computer can communicate with it and perform the reset.
If your iPhone turns on and the computer sees it, use restore. If your iPhone is unresponsive or the computer does not detect it, use recovery mode first. Both methods result in a completely erased phone with a fresh operating system.
What happens after the reset is complete
When your iPhone finishes resetting, it will show the "Hello" setup screen. At this point, you can either restore from a backup or set up the phone as new. If you have a backup stored in iCloud or on the computer, you can restore it during setup—this will put back your apps, photos, messages, and settings. If you set up as new, you will have a blank iPhone and can read your apps fresh from the App Store.
To restore from a backup on the computer, keep the iPhone connected to Finder or iTunes and look for a "Restore Backup" option. Select the backup you want and let the process complete. To restore from iCloud, disconnect the iPhone and follow the on-screen prompts during setup—you will sign in with your Apple ID and choose which backup to restore.
Common mistakes to avoid during the reset
Do not unplug the iPhone or close Finder or iTunes while the reset is running. If you disconnect during the process, your iPhone may get stuck in recovery mode and require you to start over. Keep the USB cable connected from start to finish, even though it may take an hour or more.
Do not force restart your iPhone while it is connected to the computer and resetting. The computer is controlling the process, and restarting will interrupt it. If something seems stuck, wait at least 15 minutes before assuming the process has failed—large iOS downloads can take time.
Do not forget to back up your data before resetting if you still have access to your iPhone. Once the reset starts, all data is erased. If you have not backed up and you need to recover your photos or messages, you may not be able to get them back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting my iPhone delete everything on it?
Yes. Resetting erases all photos, messages, apps, settings, and personal data. If you have a backup in iCloud or on your computer, you can restore it after the reset is complete. If you do not have a backup, the data is gone.
Can I reset my iPhone if I forgot my passcode?
Yes. Resetting through a computer does not require you to enter your passcode—the computer handles the entire process. You may need to force the iPhone into recovery mode first if it will not turn on or respond to touch.
How long does it take to reset an iPhone?
The process usually takes 30 minutes to two hours. Most of the time is spent downloading the iOS software from Apple's servers, which depends on your internet speed. The actual erase and reinstall takes 10 to 20 minutes once the read is complete.
What if my computer does not recognize my iPhone even after I force recovery mode?
Try a different USB cable and a different port on the computer. Restart both devices and try again. On Windows, make sure iTunes is fully updated. If the problem persists, the USB port on your iPhone or computer may be damaged and you may need to visit an Apple Store.
Do I need Wi-Fi to reset my iPhone through a computer?
Yes. Your computer needs an internet connection to read the iOS software from Apple. The iPhone does not need Wi-Fi during the reset itself—the computer provides everything through the USB cable.