How to Reset Your iPhone Using a Computer

Reset Your iPhone Through a Computer Using Finder or iTunes

You can reset an iPhone to factory settings by connecting it to a Mac or Windows computer and using either Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows or older Mac). This process erases all data and settings on the phone, then installs a fresh copy of iOS. The computer must have internet access, and the reset takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed and which iOS version is being installed.

Before you start, back up any photos, contacts, or other data you want to keep. Once the reset begins, everything on the phone will be gone. You will also need your Apple ID password ready — after the reset completes, the phone will ask you to sign in to verify you own it.

Key Takeaways

Connect your iPhone to a computer with a USB cable, then open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to access the reset option.
Back up your iPhone before resetting, because the process erases all data, photos, contacts, and apps.
Have your Apple ID password available, because the phone will ask you to sign in after the reset finishes.
The reset downloads and installs a fresh iOS version, which can take 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed.
If your iPhone is disabled or locked, you may still be able to reset it this way even without knowing the passcode.

Back Up Your iPhone Before Resetting

Before you connect to a computer, save a backup of your iPhone data. On the iPhone itself, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then tap Back Up Now. Wait for the backup to finish — it may take several minutes. This backup stores your photos, messages, app data, and settings in iCloud, so you can restore them after the reset if you want to.

If you prefer to keep a backup on the computer instead, connect the iPhone to the computer first, then follow the steps in the next section to create a backup through Finder or iTunes before you reset.

Connect Your iPhone and Open Finder or iTunes

Plug your iPhone into the computer using a USB cable. On a Mac running macOS Catalina or newer, open Finder and look for your iPhone in the sidebar under Locations. Click it once. On a Windows computer or an older Mac, open iTunes instead and wait for it to recognize the iPhone — you should see the device icon appear near the top left of the window.

If the computer asks for permission to access the iPhone, tap Trust on the phone screen. If you see a message on the computer asking you to update iTunes or install drivers, follow those prompts first — the reset will not work until the computer can fully communicate with the phone.

Start the Reset Process in Finder or iTunes

On a Mac, click your iPhone in the Finder sidebar, then click the General tab. Look for a button that says Restore iPhone. On Windows or an older Mac using iTunes, click the iPhone icon near the top left, then look for a Restore iPhone button in the Summary tab. Click it.

A dialog box will appear asking if you want to restore and update your iPhone. Click Restore. The computer will read the latest iOS version for your phone — this can take several minutes depending on file size and internet speed. Do not unplug the iPhone during this read.

Wait for the Reset to Complete

Once the read finishes, the computer will automatically erase the iPhone and install the fresh iOS. You will see a progress bar on both the computer and the phone screen. This step takes 10 to 20 minutes. The iPhone may restart several times — this is normal. Keep the USB cable connected the entire time.

When the process finishes, the iPhone will show the Hello screen or ask you to set up the device. At this point, you can unplug the cable. The reset is complete.

Sign In and Restore Your Data

After the reset, the iPhone will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID. Enter your email address and password. Next, you will see an option to restore from a backup — choose the iCloud backup you created before resetting, or choose the backup you made on the computer if you created one through Finder or iTunes.

Restoring from backup takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data you have. Your photos, messages, contacts, and app data will return to the phone. Apps themselves will read from the App Store automatically once you are connected to Wi-Fi.

What to Do If the Reset Fails or Gets Stuck

If the reset stops partway through or the computer shows an error, unplug the iPhone and try again. Make sure you are using a working USB cable — some cables are damaged and will not transfer data reliably. Also check that your computer has at least 5 gigabytes of free storage space, because the iOS file needs room to read.

If the iPhone is disabled (locked after too many wrong passcode attempts), you can still reset it this way — the reset will erase the passcode. If the computer does not recognize the iPhone at all, restart both the computer and the phone, then try again. On Windows, you may need to install or update iTunes from the Microsoft Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose everything when I reset my iPhone?

Yes, the reset erases all data, photos, messages, and apps. That is why backing up first is important. After the reset finishes and you sign in with your Apple ID, you can restore from your backup to get your data back.

Can I reset my iPhone if I forgot my passcode?

Yes. The reset process erases the passcode along with everything else on the phone. You will need your Apple ID password to sign in after the reset, but not the iPhone passcode.

How long does the whole process take?

The reset itself takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed and which iOS version downloads. Restoring from backup afterward can add another 15 to 45 minutes. Plan for at least an hour total if you are backing up and restoring.

What if my computer does not recognize the iPhone?

Try a different USB cable first — many cables are worn out or damaged. Restart both the computer and iPhone, then plug in again. On Windows, make sure iTunes is installed from the Microsoft Store. On Mac, update to the latest macOS version.

Can I use a phone charger cable instead of a data cable?

Some charger cables can transfer data, but not all. If the computer does not recognize the iPhone when you plug it in, the cable probably cannot transfer data. Use an official Apple USB cable or a certified third-party cable that supports data transfer.

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.