[Complete Guide] How to Erase and Restore iPhone

Want to wipe and restore iPhone? This guide will tell you how to restore iPhone to factory settings or restore iPhone from backup.

Lena

By Lena / Updated on July 21, 2023

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People would like to wipe and restore iPhone in two situations: wipe iPhone before selling or giving it to others & restore iPhone from backup to fix iOS errors. This guide will show you the exact way to restore iPhone according to your situation. What’s more, the method to erase and restore iPhone without passcode is also included.

Part 1. How to Erase and Restore iPhone to Factory Settings

Before selling or giving iPhone to someone else, it’s necessary to wipe iPhone clean to ensure that personal data will not be leaked. You can erase your iPhone on device directly or let iPhone data eraser deeply wipe iPhone.

● Wipe and Restore iPhone Directly

1. Go to Settings > Tap General > Tap Reset > Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Erase All Content and Settings iOS 15

2. If asked, enter your passcode or Apple ID passcode.

3. Depending on your device, it may take a few minutes to complete the process.

When the process is done, your iPhone will go to the Hello screen and you will have a clear device to sell.

● Completely Wipe iPhone Clean

If you care about personal data security, it’s recommended to wipe your iPhone with professional data erasing tool like FoneTool. The tool will clear everything on iPhone to prevent data leakage.

★ Its main features:

● Easy and Fast - 1-click to erase all content and settings on device.
● Erase Completely - Deeply scan and erase all deleted and existing data.
● No Possibility of Recovery - Wipe data multiple times ensuring 100% unrecoverable.

1. Free download and install FoneTool on your computer > Launch the tool > Connect your iPhone to computer via USB cable.

Download FreewareWin 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

2. Click Toolbox > Data Eraser.

Data Eraser

3. Click Get Started under Erase all data.

Erase all data

4. Tick the option "I have understood the consequence of erasing data, and I am sure to erase data" and there will be two options available. To guarantee that the data will not be restored, you can select Deeply erase data to prevent recovery option.

Erase Options

5. Click Start Erase > A warning message will appear and click Yes to confirm.

Begin Erase

Note: You may need to enter your Apple ID and passcode to erase the iPhone smoothly if the Find My iPhone function is enabled.

Part 2. How to Erase and Restore iPhone without Passcode

Usually, when you want to erase the iPhone, it asks you to enter the iPhone password. However, you have forgotten the iPhone passcode. Fortunately, there are two ways that can help you wipe and restore iPhone without passcode.

● Erase and Restore iPhone without Passcode via Recovery Mode

1. Put your iPhone in Recovery Mode:

For iPhone X or later, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus:

- Make sure your iPhone isn’t connected to your computer.

- Press and hold the Side button and one of the volume buttons until the power off slider appears > Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone > Then connect your iPhone to computer while holding the Side button > Keep holding the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:

- Make sure your iPhone isn’t connected to your computer.

- Press and hold the Side button until the power off slider appears > Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone > Then connect your iPhone to your computer while holding the Volume Down button > Keep holding the Volume Down button until you see the recovery mode screen.

For iPhone SE (1st generation), and iPhone 6s and earlier:

- Make sure your iPhone isn’t connected to your computer.

- Press and hold the Side (or Top) button until the power off slider appears > Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone > Then connect your iPhone to your computer while holding the Home button > Keep holding the Home button until you see the recovery mode screen.

2. A pop window will appear and you should click Restore to reset your iPhone.

Itunes Recovery Mode Iphone

● Erase and Restore iPhone without Passcode via iCloud

1. Visit iCloud.com on computer or another device > Log in with your iCloud account and passcode.

2. Choose Find My iPhone > Click All Devices > Find your iPhone from the list of devices.

3. Choose your iPhone > Click Ease iPhone and it will start resetting your iPhone to factory settings.

Erase iPhone without Passcode via iCloud

Part 3. How to Erase and Restore iPhone from Backup?

When something goes wrong, you may need to restore your iPhone to get make it work normally again. If you have backed up your iPhone before, then you can choose to wipe and restore iPhone from backup.

● Erase and Restore iPhone from iCloud Backup

1. Erase your iPhone: Go to Settings > Tap General > Tap Reset > Tap Erase All Content and Settings. You may need to enter the passcode or Apple ID passcode to complete the erase.

2. Set up your iPhone: Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device.

3. Restore from iCloud Backup: When you reach the Apps & Data screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup > Sign in with your Apple ID and passcode > Select the backup you want to restore.

Restore iPhone from iCloud Backup

Note: Please keep the connection between your phone and Wi-Fi during the whole process. It may take a few minutes to an hour to complete.

● Erase and Restore iPhone from iTunes Backup

1. Make sure you have installed the latest version of iTunes.

2. Run iTunes and plug in your iPhone.

3. Click the Device icon > Go to Summary > Click Restore Backup... > Choose the right backup and click Restore.

Restore iPhone from iTunes Backup

Conclusion

That’s all for how to erase and restore iPhone. Does this passage solve your problem? You could share it to help more people. If you meet any problem during the process, please free feel to leave a comment and we will reply to you ASAP.

Lena
Lena · Editor
Lena is an editor of AOMEI Technology, she covers backup & restore,hard disk & partitions management and cloud files transfer and so on for AOMEI. She enjoys helping people find solutions to their problems. She loves traveling, eating, reading and so on. She takes most of time with her family when she is not working.