There are many different reasons you may want to erase or restore your device to factory settings. Maybe you have recently gotten a new iPhone and want to sell, trade or give away your device. In that case, it is very important to do a factory reset to remove all of your personal information and data from your old device. Factory resets can also be a useful troubleshooting tool.
If you want to access your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, but you can’t remember the passcode, you will have to erase your iPhone – which deletes the data and settings, including your passcode. If you forget your passcode, try Passcode Reset first. If you can’t use Passcode Reset, you can then reset your iPhone without a computer to regain access. Finally, if you can’t use Passcode Reset and can’t reset your iPhone on the device itself, you can reset it with a computer.
Passcode Reset
When you change your passcode, Passcode Reset gives you 72 hours during which you can still access your iPhone using your previous passcode. If you unlock your device this way, you’ll be prompted to change your passcode again immediately.
- On your Lock Screen after five incorrect passcode attempts, the “iPhone Unavailable” screen appears. When prompted, tap Forgot Passcode? in the bottom corner of the screen.
- Tap Enter Previous Passcode.
- Enter your old passcode, then follow the onscreen instructions to set a new passcode.
The Forgot Passcode? option appears when you are locked out, connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network, signed into your Apple Account, and have Find My turned on.
Apple notes that if you need to expire an old passcode sooner than 72 hours, you can do that in the Settings app: go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, use Face ID or enter your current passcode, then tap Expire Previous Passcode Now.
Reset your iPhone without a computer
- From your device’s Lock Screen, try to enter your passcode until the “iPhone Unavailable” screen appears.
- When you’re able to, tap Forgot Passcode? The Forgot Passcode? button only appears if you have an active cellular or Wi-Fi connection and have Find My turned on.
- On the Security Lockout screen, tap Start iPhone Reset to confirm.
- Enter your Apple Account password to sign out of your Apple Account on your device.
- Tap Erase iPhone to permanently delete all of your data and settings. If you use an eSIM, you can also choose to keep your eSIM and erase your data, or to delete your eSIM and erase your data.
- When your device restarts, follow the onscreen instructions to set up your device again, restore your data and settings from a backup if you have one, and set a new passcode.
Recovery Mode
We will first outline the steps to get your iPhone into recovery mode. See that your computer is on and you are logged in to your (computer) user account. If you are using a PC, you must have the Apple Devices app installed.
- Press and hold both the side button and the Volume down button until the power off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to power off your iPhone.
- Connect the cable to your Mac or Windows PC. Next, connect the cable to your iPhone and quickly hold the side button. Do not release it.
- Continue to hold the side button while the Apple logo appears. Do not release the side button until an image of a computer and a cable appears.
If your iPhone buttons don’t respond and you can’t get to the image of a computer and a cable on the recovery mode screen, you might need service.
Restore iPhone to Factory Settings
After your iPhone 18 Pro is in recovery mode, you can use Finder (or the Apple Devices app) to restore it to factory settings.
Mac
- Open a Finder window and select your iPhone in the sidebar under Locations.
- Allow the accessory to connect if necessary.
- Select Restore when you have the option to Restore or Update.
Windows PC
- Open Apple Devices and select your iPhone in the sidebar.
- Select Trust [your device] if necessary, then select General.
- Select Restore and follow the onscreen instructions.
Once the restore process finishes, the Hello screen will appear on your iPhone. Disconnect your phone from the computer and set up and use your iPhone.
If you don’t have a computer and you can’t borrow one, you need to go to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for help.
Troubleshooting
When I recently restored my iPhone 18 Pro, after the software update was downloaded, my iPhone restarted. It had not yet been restored to factory, and was still locked with a passcode. If this happens:
You might need to update your iPhone before you can finish restoring it, and this download can take more than 15 minutes to complete. If your device restarts during this process, turn off your iPhone and start recovery mode again.
