Transfer or Reset iPhone, Shut Down
Transfer or Reset iPhone
Erase iPhone
When you choose to delete any data on your iPhone such as pictures, videos, contacts, notes etc., You won’t be able to access that data anymore through the iPhones interface but it isn’t completely erased form your iPhones storage. If you want to completely wipe your iPhones hard drive and remove all content and settings from the internal storage, you want to erase the iPhone. You may want to completely wipe your iPhone if you were to sell it or give it away. If you want to save your content and settings, back up iPhone before erasing it.
Note: All resets are permanent and cannot be undone unless you have your iPhones data and settings backed up before you reset it. The erase all content and settings especially is permanent and you will not be able to get any of your information back. Make sure you back up your phone to iCloud and everything you want to keep is turned on with a green switch in your phones iCloud settings. For more information on iCloud click Here.
You can erase iPhone from Settings. If for whatever reason you can open settings you can connect your device to a computer or you can remotely wipe your phone using Find My iPhone you’re unable to open Settings, you can use a computer to erase iPhone.
Wipe all content and settings from iPhone
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Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
If you’re upgrading (replacing) your iPhone with new iPhone and you want to erase the old phone and transfer your data to the new iPhone that you have with you but you don’t currently pay for iCloud storage (it’s recommended that you do purchase iCloud storage), Apple allows you to use free iCloud storage so you can transfer your apps and data to your new device. To do this, click Get Started, and continue through the instructions on the screen, then go back to to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
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Click on Erase All Content and Settings.
When your iPhone restarts after you’ve erased all content and settings, you will be brought to the start of the iPhones set up screen where you can set up iPhone as new or restore it from a saved backup.
Note: If there is an activation lock on your phone and you’ve forgotten your passcode or Apple ID and Apple ID Password, you’ll have to go through the account recovery process. This could be a lengthy and tedious process so it is recommended that you write your passcode and your Apple ID and Apple ID Password down so you don’t forget it.
Return iPhone settings to their defaults
There are also other reset options that may come in handy that do not completely wipe your iPhones hard drive and delete all of your data.
Note: These reset options Cannot be undone once they’re initiated
So before you choose a reset option, make sure you back up your iPhone and save your current settings before you initiate a reset and return your iPhone to its default settings. For example, if you’re trying to solve a problem but returning settings to their defaults doesn’t help, you might want to restore your previous settings from a backup.
Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
You will then have the following reset options to choose from:
WARNING: If you initiate the Erase All Content and Settings option, all of your data, current settings and content will be permanently removed. Make sure you back up your data or transfer your data to another device before doing this.
Reset All Settings
When you choose the Reset All Settings option, everything except your personal data (photos, videos, contacts, notes, messages, call logs, etc.) will be reverted back to their default settings. All of the following settings will be removed and/or reset to default settings including: Network settings, the keyboard dictionary, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards. Again none of your personal data or media data will be deleted with a settings reset.
Reset Network Settings
Reseting the network settings can be helpful if you are having connection issues with Wi-Fi, Cellular data, Bluetooth, VPN’s, etc.
When you do a network settings reset, all current network connections will be removed. The device name that was assigned in Settings > General > About will also be reset back to “iPhone,” and manually trusted certificates (such as for websites) are changed to untrusted.
Cellular data roaming may also be turned off. See Cellular.
When you reset network settings, any Wi-fi, Cellular data (cellular settings will be refreshed and this will not disconnect you from your wireless carriers network) Bluetooth, and VPN settings that weren’t installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are removed. Wi-Fi will turned off and then back on, and you will be disconnected from any network that you’re on and any familiar networks (You may have to re-enter any Wi-Fi passwords to reconnect to your home or familiar Wi-fi networks). The Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks settings will still be turned on.
If you want to remove VPN settings installed on your device by a configuration profile, navigate to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, Then select the configuration profile, then click on the tab that says Remove Profile. This will also remove any other settings and accounts provided by the profile.
If you want to remove any network settings installed by MDM, navigate to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, then choose the Management, then click on Remove Management. This will also remove other settings and certificates provided by MDM.
Delete All eSIMS
This setting will show for eSIM compatible devices with an EID. This will remove all currently activated eSIMs from your device.
Reset Keyboard Dictionary
You add words to the keyboard dictionary by rejecting words iPhone suggests as you type. Resetting the keyboard dictionary erases only the words you’ve added.
Reset Home Screen Layout
Returns the built-in apps to their original layout on the Home Screen.
Reset Location & Privacy
Resets the location services and privacy settings to their defaults.
Shut Down
This will turn off your iPhone.
