How to reset my iphone 7 to factory settings

There are multiple ways to reset your device if you are experiencing issues. The first step is to power cycle/restart your device.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

• Power cycle/restart your device
• Perform a soft reset
• Reset network settings
• Perform a factory data reset 


Power cycle/restart your device

Press and hold the Side button until the slider appears, then select and drag the Power icon to the right. To turn back on, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

How to reset my iphone 7 to factory settings




Perform a soft reset

If a power cycle/restart does not resolve your issue, perform a soft reset. Press and hold the Volume down and Side buttons until you see the Apple logo, then release both buttons.

How to reset my iphone 7 to factory settings




Reset network settings

If you are having connectivity issues, you can try resetting your network settings. This will delete all network settings, returning them to factory defaults. From the home screen, select the

How to reset my iphone 7 to factory settings
Settings app > scroll to and select General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > select Reset Reset Network Settings > select Reset Network Settings again to confirm.

How to reset my iphone 7 to factory settings


Perform a factory data reset

If you are still having issues with your device, you may need to do a Factory data reset (Master reset). This will reset all settings to their defaults and erase all data stored on iPhone, including your contacts, messages, and music.

1. From the home screen select the 

How to reset my iphone 7 to factory settings
 Settings app.

Note: iPhone cannot be used while data is being erased. iPhone will instantly and securely erase all data, and then restore settings to their factory defaults. After iPhone reboots, it will display the "Connect to iTunes" screen. If you have backed up your device to iTunes or iCloud, you may be able to restore personal data back to iPhone, if desired. Wi-Fi or a wireless data connection is required to re-activate iPhone after a reset. Learn more from the Apple support articles Back up your iPhone and Erase all content and settings on your iPhone.

2. Scroll to and select General, then scroll to and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.

How to reset my iphone 7 to factory settings

3. Select Erase All Content and Settings to reset device, then select Continue.

How to reset my iphone 7 to factory settings

4. Select Finish Upload Then Erase or Erase Now

How to reset my iphone 7 to factory settings

5. Select Erase iPhone to confirm.

Note: If you have a passcode, you will be prompted to enter your passcode to complete the reset. Enter your Apple ID password then select Erase. If you can't update or restore your iPhone with the steps above, for instructions on how to put your device in recovery mode and set it up again, click here.

How to reset my iphone 7 to factory settings

How to reset my iphone 7 to factory settings

If any damages have been caused to your Apple iPhone 7 by downloading unauthorized software or other means, a restore to original factory settings is one way to repair the issues. A full restore will delete all of the data on it, including all pictures, music, contacts and videos. This can easily be done from the phone or using iTunes.

Remember: this removes EVERYTHING from your phone and resets it back to factory settings. If you’re sure you wish to proceed with this, follow the simple steps below. If you just want to reset a frozen device, hold “Volume Down” and “Power” for 15 seconds. That should reboot it.

Reset From Device

  1. Click on “Settings” and then on “General.”
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the General tab and click “Reset.”
  3. Tap “Erase all Content and Settings.”
  4. Enter your passcode (if you have set one) and confirm your reset by tapping “Erase iPhone.”

Your device should give you an estimate as to how long this process will take. Depending on how many apps you have, it could be anywhere from a few moments to an hour or more. During this time, the device is completely inoperable. Once finished, your phone will be like new. This is something you should do if you ever give or sell your phone to someone else as it erases all of your information.


Reset From iTunes

You may wish to simply restore using a backup of your device so that you can keep your settings, email and apps. This process involves a few more steps, but it’s still fairly simple.

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer with its cable and allow iTunes to launch. You’ll see a button appear for your phone under “Devices” on the upper-left side of your screen. This lets you know the phone is properly connected and recognized. Select the button.
  2. If iTunes is set to automatically sync when the device is connected, it will start transferring data right away. This is a very important step so that all newly-added content will be saved, including any songs or apps you’ve purchased and photos you’ve saved. If iTunes does not automatically begin to sync, do so manually now. Press the “Sync” button at the bottom-right corner of the “Summary” option located in the left pane in iTunes.
  3. Once the sync has completed, head back to the information page within iTunes. In the middle of the main window, you’ll see two buttons. Click on the “Restore” button. Once you have done so, iTunes will warn you that restoring your iPhone to factory settings will erase all media and data. If you’ve already successfully synced, simply click the “Restore” button again to begin the process.
  4. As soon as you click the “Restore” button the second time, iTunes will automatically start the process. You’ll see several different message on the screen where iTunes tells you things – such as that it is extracting the software needed to restore your device. You’ll see things such as a message that it’s being verified with Apple, as well. Do NOT disconnect your phone from your computer while this process is going.
  5. iTunes will tell you when the phone is finished being restored, but you aren’t done quite yet! You have to restore your settings and sync everything back to the device. Let the iPhone restart itself after restoration. You may then see a message saying it needs to activate – just wait a moment and it will then tell you that process is finished.
  6. On the iTunes screen, you’ll see two options: “Set Up as a New iPhone” or “Restore From a Backup“. If you wish to restore your settings, email, contacts and other information, you’ll of course choose the “Restore From a Backup” option. Select the name of your iPhone from the drop-down menu on the right side of the screen.Once you click the button, iTunes will restore all settings and files you backed up earlier in this process. It will likely take several minutes – make sure you don’t disconnect the phone during this time. As soon as everything is restored to the iPhone it will restart itself once again. If iTunes is not set to automatically sync, please do so again now manually. This step is critical: it is when all of your files, apps, music and such will be transferred back to the iPhone.

Voila! Your iPhone 7 is now restored to original factory settings and all of your data has been synced back to the phone. You can unhook the phone from the computer and use it now!

Reader Interactions

How do I force my iPhone to factory reset?

Tap Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] Then tap Erase All Content and Settings.

How do I factory reset my iPhone 7 without passcode?

iPhone 7: Press and hold the Volume Down and the side button at the same time. iPhone 6S & older: Press and hold both the Side and Top buttons. Hold these down until the iTunes connection recovery mode screen appears. Now move across to your PC, and select the “Restore” button in iTunes.

How do I factory reset my iPhone 7?

Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Press and hold the side button. When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.