How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Find out how to securely erase information from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and restore your device to factory settings.

If you also need to securely erase your Apple Watch, you can use these steps to unpair your devices.

Back up your device

Make sure you back up your device so that you can restore your data later.

Erase your device

  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.

  2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Transfer or Reset iPhone screen with the Erase All Content and Settings button.

If asked, enter your passcode or Apple Account password

Forgotten your passcode or Apple Account password?

Confirm that you want to erase your device

Erase This iPhone screen with a list of items that will be safely removed from the iPhone.

Wait for your device to be erased

It may take a few minutes to completely erase your data.

If you can’t erase your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

  • Find out what to do if you can’t remember your passcode for your device or if you disable your device.

  • If you’ve forgotten your Screen Time passcode, you can reset it. Restoring your device using a backup won’t remove the Screen Time passcode.

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