Whether your iPhone is frozen, you want to sell it, or it's simply not working properly anymore – a reset is often the quickest solution. However, not all "resetting" methods are created equal: Depending on the situation, a simple restart, a forced restart, or a complete factory reset might suffice. This article explains all methods step by step – currently for iOS 26 and later.
Resetting an iPhone is one of the most common troubleshooting steps for Apple devices. Nevertheless, uncertainty often arises: Will data be lost? Should a backup be created beforehand? And what is the difference between a restart and a factory reset? The answer depends on which type of reset is meant. A soft reset simply restarts the iPhone – without data loss. A hard reset forces a restart on a frozen device. And a factory reset erases everything and restores the iPhone to its original factory settings. This article explains which method is the right one for each situation.
Soft Reset: Restart iPhone normally
A soft reset is a normal restart. It fixes minor problems such as a sluggish interface, apps that won't open, or slow Wi-Fi. No data is lost in the process.
iPhone without a Home button (iPhone X and newer)
- Press and hold one of the volume buttons and the side button simultaneously
- Drag the Off slider to the right
- Wait 30 seconds until the iPhone is completely switched off.
- Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone with home button (iPhone SE)
- Press and hold the top button (or side button).
- Drag the Off slider to the right
- Wait 30 seconds
- Press and hold the top button again until the Apple logo appears.
Restart via Control Center (iOS 26)
Since iOS 18, there's an additional option: Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open the Control Center. Tap the power icon in the top right corner and drag the slider. This is handy if the physical buttons aren't easily accessible.
Hard Reset: Force a restart
If your iPhone becomes unresponsive – the screen is frozen, it's not accepting any input, or the device is completely stuck – a hard reset can help. No data will be lost during a hard reset. It simply interrupts all running processes and restarts the system.
iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation) and newer
- Briefly press and release the volume up button.
- Briefly press and release the volume down button.
- Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears – then release.
Important: The three steps must be performed quickly one after the other. There should be no more than one second between each keystroke.
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
Press and hold the volume down button and the side button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6s and older (with Home button)
Press and hold the Home button and the top button (or side button) simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
Reset settings – without data loss
Sometimes the problem isn't with a single app, but with a faulty setting – such as a Wi-Fi issue, a broken Bluetooth connection, or a misconfigured keyboard. In such cases, iOS offers the option to reset only specific settings without deleting personal data.
The path: Settings > General > Transfer/Reset iPhone > Reset
Several options are available here:
Reset all settings – resets Wi-Fi passwords, privacy settings, wallpapers, and sounds. Photos, apps, and messages are retained.
Reset network settings – deletes all saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, and VPN configurations. Often helps with persistent connection problems.
Reset keyboard dictionary – removes all user-added words from autocorrect.
Reset Home Screen – restores the layout to the Apple default arrangement.
Reset location & privacy settings – resets all app permissions for location, camera, microphone, etc. Each app will request access again the next time it is opened.
Factory settings: Completely reset iPhone
A factory reset erases all data, settings, apps, and accounts from the iPhone, restoring it to its original factory state. This method is necessary if the iPhone is being sold, given away, or traded in—or if there is a serious software problem that cannot be resolved otherwise.
Before a factory reset: Checklist
1. Create a backup – Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap "Back Up Now". Alternatively, create a backup using Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app (Windows).
2. Sign out of iCloud – Starting with iOS 15.2, this happens automatically when resetting. However, it's still recommended to check beforehand whether "Find My iPhone" is disabled: Settings > Apple ID > Find My iPhone > Find My iPhone.
3. Unpair Apple Watch – If an Apple Watch is paired, unpair it beforehand using the Watch app on your iPhone. This will automatically create a backup of the watch.
4. eSIM settings – When resetting, you'll be asked whether to delete or keep the eSIM. If you're keeping the iPhone, you should keep the eSIM. If you're selling it, you should delete it.
Reset iPhone via Settings
- Open Settings > General > Transfer/Reset iPhone
- Tap Delete all content & settings
- Enter the iPhone code
- Enter your Apple ID password to disable "Find My iPhone".
- Tap delete on iPhone and confirm.
Depending on the amount of data, the process takes a few minutes. The iPhone then restarts and displays the "Hello" welcome screen.
Resetting iPhone via Computer
If the iPhone is unresponsive or the passcode has been forgotten:
- Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC using a USB cable
- Open Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app (Windows).
- To put the iPhone into recovery mode: Briefly press the Volume Up button, briefly press the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the recovery screen appears.
- Click Restore on your computer
This method installs the latest iOS version and erases all data from the device.
Which method when?
| Problem | Solution | Data loss? |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone is slow to respond | Soft Reset (Restart) | No |
| App crashes | Soft Reset | No |
| iPhone completely frozen | Hard Reset (forced restart) | No |
| Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is not working | Reset network settings | Network data only |
| Recurring software problems | Reset all settings | Settings only |
| Sell or give away your iPhone | Factory settings | Yes – everything |
| Forgot iPhone code | Recovery via computer | Yes – everything |
Resetting your iPhone – the most important points at a glance
For most problems, a soft reset (normal restart) or a hard reset (forced restart) is sufficient – both without data loss. Network or settings issues can be specifically resolved using the reset options in Settings, without deleting personal data. A factory reset erases all data and is only necessary if the iPhone is being sold or if there is a serious software problem. Before any factory reset, a current backup should be created in iCloud or on a computer.
Which iPhone is best suited for which purpose? Our iPhone buying guide will show you. If you're experiencing storage problems after a reset, you can find help in the article "Clearing the iPhone Cache". The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those compatible with HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / pixjets)
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Frequently Asked Questions: Resetting an iPhone
No. Neither a soft reset (normal restart) nor a hard reset (forced restart) deletes data. Both methods simply restart the system. Only a factory reset erases all content from the device.
A soft reset is a normal restart using the buttons or the Control Center. A hard reset forces a restart using a specific key combination and is used when the iPhone is frozen and no longer responds to input.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone and tap "Erase All Content and Settings". Be sure to create a backup beforehand – a factory reset will delete all data, apps, and settings from your device.
Yes, via recovery mode. Connect the iPhone to a Mac or PC using a USB cable, start recovery mode (press Volume Up briefly, Volume Down briefly, then hold the Side button), and click "Restore" on the computer. This will erase all data.
Starting with iOS 15.2, you are automatically logged out when resetting your iPhone. However, it's still recommended to check beforehand whether "Find My" is disabled – otherwise, Activation Lock will remain active and the iPhone cannot be set up again.
During a factory reset, you'll be asked whether to delete or keep the eSIM. If you plan to continue using the iPhone yourself, you should keep it. If you're selling or giving it away, you should delete it and contact your mobile provider to transfer your plan to a new SIM.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer/Reset iPhone > Reset and select the "Reset Network Settings" option. This will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth connections, but not any personal data.
