How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Learn 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 to back up your device so that you can restore your data later.

Erase your device

Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

An iPhone showing the options to reset or erase content and settings

If asked, enter your passcode or Apple Account password

Forgot your passcode or Apple Account password?

Confirm that you want to erase your device

If you have an eSIM, then you can choose to erase your eSIM or keep it. If you erase your eSIM, then you need to contact your carrier to reactivate your cellular plan.

An iPhone asking you to confirm that you want to erase your device

Wait for your device to erase

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

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

  • Learn what to do if you don't remember your passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled.

  • If you forget 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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