Go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. Stay on WiFi until it completes. This backs up photos, contacts, messages, and app data so you can restore them to a new iPhone later.
Some apps — like Spotify or Microsoft Office — need to be signed out so you can use your account on a new device. Open each app and go to its settings to sign out before erasing.
If you have photos in non-iCloud albums, downloaded music, or offline files, move them to a computer or cloud service now. A factory reset removes everything permanently.
From the Home screen, open the Settings app (the grey gear icon) and scroll down to tap General.
At the very bottom of the General settings screen you'll find Transfer or Reset iPhone. Tap it.
This is the full factory reset option. Tap it. If you haven't backed up recently, iOS will offer to run a backup now before erasing — accept this if you want a fresh backup.
You'll need to enter your iPhone's lock screen passcode to confirm. If you've forgotten it, see the section below for resetting via a computer.
iOS will ask for your Apple ID password to sign out of iCloud and disable Activation Lock. This is critical — if you skip this step and give the phone to someone else, they won't be able to set it up. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.
A final confirmation screen appears. Tap Erase iPhone (or Continue depending on your iOS version). The reset begins immediately — the Apple logo appears and the progress bar fills over several minutes.
When the erase completes, the iPhone restarts and shows the "Hello" setup screen — the same screen you saw when the phone was brand new. The reset is complete.
The button combination depends on your model: iPhone 8 and newer — quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears. iPhone 7 — hold Volume Down and Side simultaneously. iPhone 6s and older — hold Home and Top/Side simultaneously.
Plug the USB cable in while holding the buttons (for older models) or before starting the Recovery Mode sequence. The iPhone screen will show a cable pointing to a computer icon.
On Mac (macOS Catalina or later), your iPhone appears in the Finder sidebar. On Windows, open iTunes. A dialog will appear saying your iPhone is in Recovery Mode.
In the dialog that appears, click Restore (not Update). This erases the iPhone and installs the latest version of iOS. The process downloads the firmware and takes 10–20 minutes.
Once the restore finishes, the iPhone shows the Hello screen. You can set it up as new or restore from a backup you made before.
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