How-to
How to Factory Reset Any iPhone (iPhone 6s to iPhone 18)
Six taps in Settings, plus the buttons, iOS and SIM differences for every model from iPhone 6s to iPhone 18.
On any iPhone, go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your passcode and Apple Account password. It's done when you see "Hello".
Factory reset your iPhone
First, 3 quick checks
-
Back up your photos and data. A reset deletes everything.
How
Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. Stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes. No iCloud space? Use Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app on Windows.
-
Unpair your Apple Watch, if you have one.
How
On the iPhone: Watch app → My Watch → All Watches → ⓘ → Unpair Apple Watch.
-
Know your Apple Account password. You need it to turn off Activation Lock.
How
Forgot it? Reset it at iforgot.apple.com before you erase. On iOS 17 and older, menus call it "Apple ID". Same password.
- Open Settings → General.
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone (at the bottom).
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings → Continue.
- Asked about your eSIM? Choose delete if you're selling.
- Enter your passcode, then your Apple Account password.
- Wait for the Hello screen. Done.
Don't see "Transfer or Reset iPhone"? The phone is on iOS 14 or older. Update it first: Settings → General → Software Update.
Find your iPhone
The steps above work on every model. These are the parts that change. Not sure which iPhone you have? Settings → General → About shows the model name.
| Model | Newest iOS | Menus say | SIM (Canadian models) | Recovery buttons | Locked out? Tap | Sell it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, SE (1st gen) | iOS 15 | Apple ID | SIM card only (tray on right) | Home + Side/Top | Erase iPhone | iPhone |
| iPhone 7, 7 Plus | iOS 15 | Apple ID | SIM card only (tray on right) | Side + Vol Down | Erase iPhone | iPhone |
| iPhone 8, 8 Plus | iOS 16 | Apple ID | SIM card only (tray on right) | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Erase iPhone | 8, 8 Plus |
| iPhone X | iOS 16 | Apple ID | SIM card only (tray on right) | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Erase iPhone | X |
| iPhone XR, XS, XS Max | iOS 18 | Apple Account | SIM card + eSIM (tray on right) | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Forgot Passcode? | XR, XS, XS Max |
| iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max | iOS 27 | Apple Account | SIM card + eSIM (tray on right) | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Forgot Passcode? | 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max |
| iPhone SE (2nd gen) | iOS 27 | Apple Account | SIM card only (tray on right) | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Forgot Passcode? | SE 2 |
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | iOS 27 | Apple Account | SIM card + eSIM (tray on right) | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Forgot Passcode? | SE 3 |
| iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max | iOS 27 | Apple Account | SIM card + eSIM (tray on left) | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Forgot Passcode? | 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max |
| iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max | iOS 27 | Apple Account | SIM card + eSIM (tray on left) | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Forgot Passcode? | 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max |
| iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max | iOS 27 | Apple Account | SIM card + eSIM (tray on left) | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Forgot Passcode? | 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max |
| iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max | iOS 27 | Apple Account | SIM card + eSIM (tray on left) | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Forgot Passcode? | 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max |
| iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e | iOS 27 | Apple Account | SIM card + eSIM (tray on left) | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Forgot Passcode? | 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e |
| iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 17e, Air | iOS 27 | Apple Account | eSIM only | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Forgot Passcode? | 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 17e, Air |
| iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max | iOS 27 | Apple Account | eSIM only | Vol Up, Vol Down, hold Side | Forgot Passcode? | 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max |
Selling it? Erasing doesn't touch a physical SIM card, so take it out. iPhone 17 models, iPhone Air and iPhone 18 Pro sold in Canada are eSIM only, so there's no tray to empty. Just delete the eSIM during the erase.
Apple Watch: an iPhone stuck on an older iOS can't pair with newer watches. iPhone 6s and 7 top out at Series 7. iPhone 8 and X top out at Series 8, Ultra (1st gen) and SE (2nd gen). iPhone XR and XS top out at Series 10 and Ultra 2. iPhone 11 and later work with every current watch.
Forgot your passcode?
You can still erase it. Everything on it is lost, and you need your Apple Account password after. Needs Find My on and a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
- Enter the wrong passcode until you see iPhone Unavailable.
- Tap Forgot Passcode?
- Tap Start iPhone Reset.
- Enter your Apple Account password, then tap Erase iPhone.
iPhone XR and later.
- Enter the wrong passcode until you see iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout.
- Tap Erase iPhone.
- Tap Erase iPhone again and enter your Apple ID password.
iPhone 6s, 7, 8 and X.
- Turn the phone off.
- Connect it to a Mac (Finder) or Windows PC (Apple Devices app).
- Put it in recovery mode (button combos below).
- On the computer, click Restore.
How
If the download takes more than 15 minutes, the phone may leave recovery mode. Let the download finish, then repeat the buttons.
Any iPhone. Use this if the phone has no connection or no erase option.
Frozen or stuck? Button combos by model
Try them in order: force restart deletes nothing, recovery mode can keep your data, DFU always erases. Recovery and DFU need a Mac (Finder) or Windows PC (Apple Devices app).
iPhone 8 and later, including SE (2nd and 3rd gen)
Use it when the screen is frozen or black.
- Press and quickly let go of Volume Up.
- Press and quickly let go of Volume Down.
- Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo shows, then let go.
Use it when it's stuck on the Apple logo or you forgot the passcode.
- Press and quickly let go of Volume Up.
- Press and quickly let go of Volume Down.
- Press and hold the side button. Keep holding past the Apple logo. Let go when you see the computer-and-cable screen.
On the computer, click Update first. It keeps your data. Use Restore only if Update fails.
Use it when recovery mode fails. Always erases.
- Press and quickly let go of Volume Up.
- Press and quickly let go of Volume Down.
- Hold the side button until the screen goes black.
- Keep holding Side and also hold Volume Down for about 5 seconds.
- Let go of Side, keep holding Volume Down until the computer finds the phone.
Screen stays black? You're in DFU. Click Restore. See a logo or the cable screen? You held too long. Start again.
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
Use it when the screen is frozen or black.
- Press and hold the side button and Volume Down together until the Apple logo shows.
Use it when it's stuck on the Apple logo or you forgot the passcode.
- Press and hold the side button and Volume Down at the same time.
- Keep holding both until you see the computer-and-cable screen.
On the computer, click Update first. It keeps your data. Use Restore only if Update fails.
Use it when recovery mode fails. Always erases.
- Hold the side button and Volume Down together for about 8 seconds.
- Let go of Side, keep holding Volume Down until the computer finds the phone.
Screen stays black? You're in DFU. Click Restore. See a logo or the cable screen? You held too long. Start again.
iPhone 6s, 6s Plus and SE (1st gen)
Use it when the screen is frozen or black.
- Press and hold the Home button and the top (or side) button together until the Apple logo shows.
Use it when it's stuck on the Apple logo or you forgot the passcode.
- Press and hold the Home button and the top (or side) button at the same time.
- Keep holding both until you see the computer-and-cable screen.
On the computer, click Update first. It keeps your data. Use Restore only if Update fails.
Use it when recovery mode fails. Always erases.
- Hold the Home and top (or side) button together for about 8 seconds.
- Let go of the top/side button, keep holding Home until the computer finds the phone.
Screen stays black? You're in DFU. Click Restore. See a logo or the cable screen? You held too long. Start again.
Apple doesn't publish DFU steps for iPhone. The DFU steps come from iFixit and match what repair shops use.
Already sold it? Remove it from your account
Didn't sign out before handing it over? The new owner is locked out. Fix it from any browser:
- Go to icloud.com/find and sign in.
- Select the iPhone from your devices.
- Click Remove This Device.
- Change your Apple Account password. If you used Apple Pay, remove your cards too.
Selling it? Run this checklist
Get an instant price on our Sell your iPhone page, or use the "Sell it" links in the table above. We email you a prepaid shipping label.
Upgrading?
iPhone 6s through XS can't run iOS 27. Every phone we sell is unlocked, tested and has up to a 1-year warranty.
Common questions
Does a factory reset update my iPhone?
No. A reset keeps the iOS version that's installed. Update separately in Settings → General → Software Update.
Does erasing remove Activation Lock?
Only if you enter your Apple Account password during the erase or sign out first. If you skip that, the next owner can't set it up.
What happens to my eSIM?
The erase screen asks whether to keep or delete it. Delete it if you're selling. If you delete it by mistake, contact your carrier to reactivate your plan.
Does a factory reset remove a carrier lock?
No. Erasing doesn't change a carrier lock. In Canada, your carrier must unlock the phone for free when you ask (CRTC Wireless Code).
Can I factory reset an iPhone without the Apple Account password?
You can erase it with the passcode or recovery mode, but Activation Lock stays on. To clear it you need the password, or proof of purchase sent to Apple through an Activation Lock support request.
Will the reset erase my iCloud photos?
No. Erasing only deletes what's stored on the phone. Anything synced to iCloud stays in your account.
Sources
Every step was checked against Apple's support pages (DFU: iFixit; unlocking: CRTC) on October 18, 2026. Menu names can change with iOS updates.
- What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad
- How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings using a computer
- If you can't update or restore your iPhone or iPod touch
- If you forgot your iPhone passcode, reset your device without a computer
- How to remove Activation Lock
- Unpair and erase your Apple Watch
- Apple Watch and iPhone compatibility
- Learn which type of SIM your iPhone uses
- iPhone models compatible with iOS 17
- The Wireless Code, simplified (CRTC)
- Remove or switch the SIM card in your iPhone
- Force restart iPhone
- Everything you need to know about DFU mode (iFixit; Apple does not publish iPhone DFU steps)
- iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 are compatible with these devices
- iPhone models compatible with iOS 26
- Manage and use your Apple Account (Apple ID is now Apple Account)
- iOS 27 is compatible with these devices
- iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 are compatible with these devices
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