How to reset a phone to factory settings (2026)
Quick Answer
To reset a phone to factory settings, first back up anything you want to keep, sign out or prepare your account security, then use the phone’s built-in reset option in Settings. If the phone will not boot normally, you can usually reset it from recovery mode, but you may still need the original account details afterwards because anti-theft protection can stay active.
Overview
A factory reset wipes your phone’s apps, settings and personal data and returns the software to a fresh state. It is commonly used before selling or giving away a phone, fixing serious software problems, or starting over after too many setup issues. The exact menu names vary by brand and software version, but the safest order is broadly the same: back up your data, make sure you know your sign-in details, remove any eSIM if you need to keep it, charge the phone, then run the reset from Settings. If the phone is frozen or stuck on startup, a recovery-mode reset may help, but it does not bypass security locks. After the reset, the phone should restart to the initial welcome or setup screen, which is how you know it completed properly. If you are resetting the phone for a new owner, also make sure activation or account locks are handled correctly, otherwise the next person may be unable to set it up. Always check your manufacturer’s official support pages for the exact path for your model, because Android menus and button combinations differ between makers.
Who this is for
People resetting an iPhone or Android phone before selling it, passing it on, recycling it, or trying to fix persistent software problems.
What you’ll need
- Your phone
- Battery charge or a charger
- Your Apple ID or Google account details if required
- A backup method such as cloud backup or a computer, if you want to keep your data
- Your SIM card tool if you plan to remove the SIM tray
Before you start
Back up photos, messages, contacts and files you want to keep. Check whether the phone uses an eSIM and decide whether to erase or transfer it. Make sure you know the account credentials linked to the phone, because Apple’s Activation Lock and Android’s Factory Reset Protection can require them after reset. If you are sending the phone away for repair, ask the manufacturer or repairer whether they want Find My, screen lock, or account protection turned off first.
Step-by-step
- 1
Back up anything you need
Save your photos, contacts, messages, documents and app data using your phone’s backup service or a computer. Check that important items have actually appeared in the backup location rather than assuming they have synced.
Why: A factory reset erases user data from the phone. Once the reset is done, anything not backed up may be difficult or impossible to recover.
- 2
Prepare account and mobile network details
Make sure you know the Apple ID or Google account currently linked to the phone. If you use an eSIM, check your carrier’s guidance on whether it will be erased during reset and whether you need to transfer it first. Remove any physical SIM card if you are giving the phone to someone else.
Why: Account protection may ask for the original sign-in after reset, and mobile service can be lost if an eSIM is erased without a transfer plan.
- 3
Charge the phone and connect if needed
Make sure the phone has enough battery or leave it plugged in during the process. If your backup has not finished, stay connected to Wi-Fi until it completes.
Why: A reset interrupted by loss of power can leave the phone stuck or force extra recovery steps.
- 4
Run the factory reset from Settings
On iPhone, go to Settings, then the transfer or reset section, and choose to erase all content and settings. On Android, look in Settings for System, General management, or a similar section, then Reset or Factory data reset. Read each prompt carefully and confirm that you want to erase the device.
Why: Resetting from Settings is the normal and safest method because it follows the phone maker’s intended process and usually gives clear warnings about what will be erased.
- 5
Wait for the phone to erase and restart
Leave the phone alone while it wipes itself and reboots. Do not press buttons repeatedly or try to force a restart unless it is clearly frozen for an unusually long time and the manufacturer’s support advice says to do so.
Why: The erase process can take time. Interrupting it can cause setup problems or require more advanced recovery.
- 6
Check that the reset completed properly
When the phone finishes, it should show the welcome, hello or first-time setup screen rather than your home screen. If you still see your apps, photos or logged-in accounts, the reset did not complete. If you are keeping the phone, you can now set it up and restore your backup. If you are passing it on, stop at the setup screen and do not sign back in.
Why: The first-time setup screen confirms the user data has been removed and the phone is ready either for you to restore or for a new owner to activate.
Why this works
A factory reset deletes user data and settings stored in the phone’s user area and rebuilds the software state to a clean default. It is effective for removing personal information and resolving many software issues caused by corrupted settings or problematic apps, though it does not fix all hardware faults.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Resetting before checking that the backup actually completed
- Forgetting Apple ID or Google account credentials and getting blocked by anti-theft protection afterwards
- Assuming a factory reset removes a carrier lock or activation lock
- Signing back into the phone before handing it to a buyer or family member
- Not removing or transferring an eSIM before erasing the device
Troubleshooting
The phone will not start normally, so you cannot reach Settings
Use the manufacturer’s recovery or recovery-mode method for your model. Check the official support page for the exact button sequence. Be aware that account protection can still require the previous owner’s login afterwards.
The phone asks for the previous Apple ID or Google account after reset
Sign in with the account previously linked to the phone. If you bought the phone second-hand, contact the seller and ask them to remove the device from their account properly.
The reset option is greyed out or blocked
Check whether the phone is managed by a work, school or parental control system. Managed devices may require an administrator to remove restrictions first.
The phone is stuck during or after reset
Force restart it using the manufacturer’s official method. If it still will not complete setup, use recovery mode or connect it to the official desktop recovery tool if your manufacturer provides one.
Mobile service is missing after reset
Reinsert the physical SIM if removed, or contact your carrier if an eSIM needs reactivation or transfer.
Compare your options
Reset from Settings
Best for: A working phone you can unlock normally
Pros: Simplest method, clear prompts, lowest risk of mistakes
Cons: Not possible if the phone is frozen, unbootable or inaccessible
Reset from recovery mode
Best for: A phone that will not boot properly
Pros: Can work when normal menus are unavailable
Cons: Steps vary by manufacturer, easier to get wrong, account protection still applies
Remote erase through account tools
Best for: A lost phone or a device you no longer physically have
Pros: Can protect your data if the device is elsewhere
Cons: Requires the device to be associated with your account and may need network access
| Option | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reset from Settings | A working phone you can unlock normally | Simplest method, clear prompts, lowest risk of mistakes | Not possible if the phone is frozen, unbootable or inaccessible |
| Reset from recovery mode | A phone that will not boot properly | Can work when normal menus are unavailable | Steps vary by manufacturer, easier to get wrong, account protection still applies |
| Remote erase through account tools | A lost phone or a device you no longer physically have | Can protect your data if the device is elsewhere | Requires the device to be associated with your account and may need network access |
Alternatives
- Restart the phone first if you are only trying to fix a minor glitch
- Reset only network settings or all settings if you do not want to erase personal data
- Clear the data for a single problematic app instead of wiping the whole phone
Pro tips
- If you are selling the phone, take photos of its condition and note the serial or IMEI for your records before wiping it
- If you are keeping the phone, leave enough time after reset to restore your backup and update apps
- If the phone belongs to work or school, check with the administrator before erasing it
- After reset, stop at the welcome screen if the phone is going to a new owner
Safety notes
- Do not rely on a factory reset as a theft bypass or ownership workaround; anti-theft locks are designed to remain active
- Keep the phone connected to power if the battery is weak
- Make sure any authenticator apps or recovery methods are moved first, or you could lock yourself out of important accounts
Legal & regulatory notes
If the phone is owned by an employer, school, lease provider or another person, get permission before erasing it. If you are disposing of the phone, wipe it properly and follow local e-waste rules for recycling.
What this guide does not cover: This guide covers the general process for iPhone and Android phones, not every brand-specific menu path or recovery-button combination.
Cost considerations
A factory reset itself does not usually cost anything. The main possible costs are data loss if you forgot to back up, mobile service interruption if an eSIM needs carrier help, or paid repair if the phone has a deeper hardware fault that a reset does not fix.
Frequently asked questions
Does a factory reset delete everything on a phone?+
It deletes your apps, settings and personal data from the device, but anything already synced or backed up elsewhere can be restored. It does not necessarily remove anti-theft account locks.
Will a factory reset remove a virus or malware?+
It often removes unwanted apps and software problems, but you should also avoid restoring the same harmful app or risky settings afterwards.
Can I reset a phone without the password?+
You may be able to erase it using recovery mode or account tools, but you can still be asked for the original linked account during setup because of security protection.
How do I know the reset worked?+
The phone should restart to the initial setup or welcome screen, and your apps, photos and accounts should no longer be present on the device.
Should I remove the SIM card before selling a phone?+
Yes, remove a physical SIM unless you are explicitly transferring it with the phone. Check eSIM status too, because there may be a separate transfer or deletion step.
Sources & references
Guidance on this page is traced to documented sources. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Apple Support - Erase iPhone · manufacturer
Supports the iPhone erase process from Settings and the purpose of erasing all content and settings.
- Google Android Help - Reset your Android device to factory settings · manufacturer
Supports the general Android factory reset process, warnings about data erasure, and recovery steps when a device cannot be accessed normally.
- Apple Support - Activation Lock for iPhone and iPad · manufacturer
Supports that Apple devices can remain protected by Activation Lock and may require the linked Apple ID after erase.
The overall process stays similar, but menu names, button combinations and account-protection screens can change with software updates and phone brands.