iOS: How to back up your data and set up as a new device
Summary
In some cases you may want to erase all data on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and set it up as a new device (for example, after purchasing a new device, you may decide to give the previous device to a family member, friend, or another person for their use).
Follow the steps in this article to erase all content on your device and set it up as if it were a new device. This article also explains how to preserve your data before erasing your device. You can also use these steps to troubleshoot an issue.
Products Affected
iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, iTunes
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1. Transfer content
Before you erase your device, take few minutes to transfer your content from your device to your computer to ensure that all your critical data is safe.
2. Backup
Back up your device before you erase it. Review the steps below, depending on your backup method, to ensure that you have a recent backup in case you decide to restore your device from a backup.
iCloud
iCloud backs up your device automatically once a day. Review when your device was last backed up by tapping Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup. You can see the last time the device was backed up on the bottom of the page. If you need to back up, tap Backup now. Ensure that your device is connected to Wi-Fi and connected to a power source before backing up.
iTunes
iTunes backs up your device automatically when you sync. If you have previous backups of your device in iTunes when you select Set Up As New, a sync occurs. This sync creates a new backup indicating the time the device was backed up.
To backup your device:
- In iTunes, check Preferences > Devices to check the date and time of your latest backup.
- If you do not have a recent backup, create one by right-clicking the device in the source list and choosing Back Up.
For more information on backing up your device, see iOS: How to back up.
3. Erase your device
Erasing all content and settings will delete all the data from your device, including songs, videos, contacts, photos, calendar information, and any other data. All device settings are restored to their factory condition.
To remove all settings and information from your device, tap Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. For more information about this feature, see iOS: Understanding 'Erase All Content and Settings'.
4. Set up as new
After your device is erased or restored, you should be able to see the following on your device screen. If your device does not have iOS 5 installed, or if you want to use iTunes to set up your device as new, see the "Setup in iTunes" section below.
To set your device up as a new device in factory configuration, complete the setup assistant. When prompted to set up your device, select "Set up as new" and then tap Next to continue.
Note: After setting up as new, you will need to reenter the Visual Voicemail password for iPhone (on carriers that support Visual Voicemail). If you've forgotten the password, contact your carrier to help you reset it.
Set up your device as new in iTunes
To set your device up as a new device in factory configuration, connect your device to iTunes and choose "Set up as new."
Note: After setting up as new, you will need to reenter the Visual Voicemail password for iPhone (on carriers that support Visual Voicemail). If you've forgotten the password, contact your carrier to help you reset it.
Additional Information
If your device uses a SIM card or has a cellular data plan
Setting up a device as new or erasing all content does not disable the cellular account or data plan. If you plan on giving your device to someone else, follow the instructions below to remove your account or data plan from the device:
If your device uses a SIM card, remove the SIM card from the device. If your device does not use a SIM card, do one of the following:
iPhone 4 or later
Contact the carrier to deactivate the account on the device.
Note: If you've already transferred your account (plan) to a new device, this may be done already.
iPad Wi-Fi + 3G for Verizon
If you set up a data plan, sign in to your account from Settings > Cellular Data and follow the steps to deactivate and delete your account.
If the person to whom you are giving the device wants to use it as a phone or wants to set up a cellular data plan, refer them to the wireless carrier for a new SIM card or to activate the device.
If you erased your device for troubleshooting purposes
After erasing and setting up as a new device, your device is now in a factory configuration.
If you erased your device in troubleshooting purposes, test now to determine if erasing and setting up as a new resolved the issue. It may be that content on the device caused unexpected behavior.
If the issue is now resolved, sync one type of content at a time back to the device. After each sync, test to see if the issue has returned.
To restore your device using a previous backup
iCloud
- Erase all content and settings by tapping Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
- When your device turns back on, complete the setup assistant. When prompted to set up your device, choose Setup from iCloud and then enter your user name and password.
- iCloud will prompt you to choose a backup. Select the backup you wish to use and then tap Restore to continue.
iTunes
To restore your device using a previous backup, connect your device to iTunes. When your device appears in the source list, right-click your device and click "Restore from backup…". iTunes will ask you to choose the desired backup from the list provided.
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