If you factory reset an iphone does it delete everything

From time to time, you may need to reset your iPhone. Resetting your iPhone isn’t something to do on a whim, but it can be necessary in the right circumstances. Reset your iPhone with confidence after reading this guide, which details everything you need to know about the process.

Table of Contents Show

About This Article
Is this article up to date?
Does a factory reset delete everything iPhone?
Does doing a factory reset delete everything?
Do I lose everything on my phone if I do a factory reset?

What does resetting your iPhone do?

Resetting your iPhone removes your preferred settings and information stored on your phone, like your photos, your contacts, your apps, and your browsing history.

Why reset your iPhone?

There are several reasons you may want to reset your iPhone. Most commonly, people reset their iPhone because they are experiencing major software errors, like issues connecting to networks or apps crashing. Resetting the phone to its factory settings should resolve these errors and restore normal functioning.

It’s also smart to reset your iPhone before selling it. Resetting your iPhone will remove your apps, your contacts, your photos, your preferred settings, and other information stored on your phone so the new owner can start fresh. If you get a second-hand iPhone that still has old information on it, you may also want to reset the phone so you can set it up the way you’d like.

Resetting vs. restoring

Both resetting and restoring revert your phone to factory settings. However, the process and results are a little different. Resetting is the lightest option. It’s something you can do directly on your phone, without the use of any other technology. It also maintains your operating system and firmware.

When you restore your iPhone, however, you lose everything — including the operating system and firmware. You’ll need to connect your phone to iTunes on a pc or mac to complete the restore process.

What should I do first?

If you’re experiencing problems with your iPhone, resetting it should be a last resort. Try turning your phone off and on again to see if that resolves the problem. You could also uninstall your most recent apps to see whether they’re the issue.

Once you decide a reset is necessary, you should back up your iPhone. This process will make sure you still have a copy of your contacts, photos, and other information that will be lost during the reset process. You can back up your phone to your desktop, via iTunes, or to iCloud.

How to reset your phone

T-Mobile offers great instructions on how to reset your iPhone. As the fastest network in the United States, T-Mobile is one of the most popular iPhone providers in the country.

T-Mobile explains that you should enter your settings menu, then select “general,” followed by “reset,” located near the bottom of the general settings screen. To perform a complete reset to factory settings, you’ll finally select “erase all content and settings.”

Depending on the model of your iPhone, you may get a notice that your data and documents are uploading to iCloud. You may also need to enter a passcode, depending on your phone’s settings. Some iPhone will ask you to confirm you really do want to erase your iPhone and finally ask for your apple id password.

Note that you also have the option to reset only certain parts of your iPhone. Rather than erasing all content and settings, you could reset only selected content — such as your privacy settings or home screen layout.

What to expect after resetting

Your iPhone will restart and begin the resetting process. You’ll see a blank screen with a progress bar and the apple logo. This can be a lengthy process, sometimes taking several minutes.

If you’ve done a total reset following T-Mobile’s instructions, it will perform the way it did when you first took it out of the box — before you adjusted the settings, added your favourite apps, and store your contacts. If you’re keeping your iPhone, you’ll have to take time to set it up with your preferred settings once again.

Resetting your iPhone is a significant step, but it’s not one you should be scared of. Follow these instructions step-by-step and you can easily reset your iPhone and get it functioning normally once again.

Stay updated with all the insights.
Navigate news, 1 email day.
Subscribe to Qrius

Download Article

Has your device been running super slow lately? A factory reset might help. It's also a good idea if you’re selling or getting rid of your device to prevent people from gaining access to any of your personal information. But does a factory reset really delete everything? It depends on the device, so we'll help you figure out what will happen in your case as well as how to back up your data so you don't actually lose it. Keep reading to get the answers to some of your important questions.

A factory reset erases everything that wasn't originally on your device. If that sounds extreme, it kind of is. But don't worry. You can back up all of your data before you do a reset so that it won't actually be lost. However, it's super important to understand that by doing a factory reset, you're removing all of your photos, videos, and messages from your device.[1]
- You will also erase any apps that you added to the device, games, contacts, and files of all kinds.
- The point of a reset is to make the device look and function just like it did when you bought it. You should definitely do it before you sell or otherwise get rid of the device. You don't want anyone else seeing your stuff, right?

Possibly, but Windows allows you to choose to keep or delete your files. This feature takes a little of the stress out of doing a factory reset. When you are in the main menu, you can choose the "Recovery" option. That will take you to the "Reset" menu where you can select either "Keep my files" or "Remove everything."[2]
- If you are planning to get rid of your computer, choose to get rid of everything. That way you don’t risk someone gaining access to any of your personal information.
- Maybe you are resetting to improve the speed and function of your computer. If that’s the case, you can choose to keep your files. Everything else will be reset to speed your computer up.
- Whichever option you choose, just make sure to back up all of the documents and photos that you want to keep.

A reset will remove all of your personal data and files. Yes, that's a lot. But try not to stress! You can back everything up first before you do the reset. Make sure to save anything that will be erased. That includes files, photos, videos, and any extra programs you've put on the computer.[3]
- To back everything up, you can save your data using cloud storage, a flash drive, or an external hard drive.
- A reset is pretty easy to do. Just start by going into macOS Recovery, and then follow the steps to erase data. This is really important to do before selling or disposing of your Mac so that no one else gets access to your data.

1
You will lose your contacts, photos, and installed apps. It's okay, you can back everything up first. When you restore your iPhone to its original settings, the phone will look and function like it did when you first bought it. That means that you will lose anything personal that you put on your phone. In addition to your contacts, photos, and any apps you installed, a factory reset will also clear out:[4][5]
- Videos
- Call logs
- Messages
- Browsing history
- Calendar
2
You'll also lose all of your data, so back up your iPhone first. Doing a basic backup will be a lifesaver for you if you need to reset your phone. Send all of your pictures, contacts, etc. to your iCloud account. Go to the settings in your phone and select the iCloud icon. You’ll be able to select all of the data that you want to send to the cloud.[6]

Do a factory reset before you sell or discard your iPhone to erase personal data. When you’re ready to upgrade or are simply done with your iPhone, it’s important to wipe all of your personal data. You don’t want anyone having access to your passwords, photos, or contacts.[7]
- It’s really simple to reset your iPhone. Just go to the settings icon, choose "General" and select "Erase all content and settings."[8]
- You can also put the iPhone in recovery mode and connect it to a computer using iTunes. This method guarantees that you install the latest software version from Apple.[9]

Yes, it will clear all of your personal data from your phone. Doing a factory reset of your Android phone will make the phone look and operate exactly as it did when you bought it. That means that your contacts, photos, messages, and any installed apps will be deleted. Make sure to back everything up, so you don’t have to stress about losing those beloved family photos or all of your business contacts.[10]
- Resetting your Android is super simple. In the Settings app, choose System, Reset options, and then Erase all data.
- You should reset your phone if you are going to sell or donate it so that no one else can access your personal info.

If your games keep freezing, it might be a good idea. Nothing is more frustrating than when you’re having an awesome game and your PS4 freezes right in the middle of it. This can happen frequently as your console ages, and you might be getting irritated. Luckily, doing a factory reset can help get your gaming system running smoothly again. Just make sure to back everything up before starting the reset.[11]
- Save your games and data to the cloud or use a flash drive to hold anything you want to save. If you’re a PlayStation Plus member, you can choose to have all of your data automatically backed up. If you’re not a member, go to Application Saved Data in Settings and follow the on-screen instructions to back everything up on a flash drive.

Yes, it will wipe all of your games and information. When you factory reset your device, you’re basically returning it to how it was when you bought it. That means that all of your account information and saved games will be lost. The good news is that it automatically backs up your data whenever your device is connected to the Xbox network. If you haven’t been online in a while, make sure the box is connected to the internet before you restore factory settings.[12]
- To reset your console, open up Settings and choose Console info. Once there, select Reset your console. You’ll be given the option to reset and remove everything. Pick this one if you are getting rid of your Xbox.
- Pick the option to reset and keep your games if you are simply trying to make your machine run a little faster.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Always follow the instructions that came with your device.
Back up your data frequently so that you don’t risk losing anything important.

About This Article

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 33,076 times.

Is this article up to date?

Does a factory reset delete everything iPhone?

When you tap Erase All Content and Settings, it completely erases your device, including any credit or debit cards you added for Apple Pay and any photos, contacts, music, or apps. It will also turn off iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, Game Center, and other services.

Does doing a factory reset delete everything?

When you do a factory reset on your Android device, it erases all the data on your device, and returns the phone back to its original out-of-the-box state as it was from the factory.

Do I lose everything on my phone if I do a factory reset?

A factory data reset erases your data from the phone. While data stored in your Google Account can be restored, all apps and their data will be uninstalled. To be ready to restore your data, make sure that it's in your Google Account.