What happens when you erase an iPhone

Erasing everything from your iPhone removes all your data — photos, messages, contacts, apps, settings — and returns the phone to factory condition. The process is permanent and cannot be undone, so back up anything you want to keep before you start. Once erased, the phone is ready to set up as new or to give away, sell, or recycle.

Apple provides two main paths to erase: through Settings on the phone itself, or through a computer using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows). Both methods reach the same result. The Settings route is faster if your phone still works; the computer route is necessary if your phone is frozen, won't turn on, or you do not know the passcode.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your iPhone through iCloud or your computer before erasing, or your data will be lost permanently.
  • The fastest method is Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, which takes 10 to 30 minutes.
  • If your phone is frozen or you forgot the passcode, connect it to a Mac or Windows computer and use Finder or iTunes to erase remotely.
  • After erasing, your phone will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID — you will need the password, not just Face ID or Touch ID.
  • If you are selling or giving away the phone, remove it from Find My iPhone before erasing, or the new owner will not be able to use it.

Back up your data before you erase

The erase process destroys everything on your phone. If you want to keep photos, messages, contacts, or any other data, you must back up first. iCloud is the easiest method: go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud, turn on iCloud Backup, then tap Back Up Now. The backup runs in the background and takes anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

If you prefer to back up to a computer instead, connect your iPhone to a Mac with a USB cable, open Finder, select your phone, and click Back Up Now. On Windows, use iTunes the same way. A computer backup is faster than iCloud and gives you a copy stored locally on your device, which some people prefer for privacy.

After the backup finishes, you can restore from it later on a new phone or the same phone after erasing. The backup includes everything except apps — those download fresh from the App Store during setup.

Erase through Settings if your phone works normally

Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Scroll down and tap General. Scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings. The phone will ask you to enter your Apple ID password — this is a security step to prevent someone else from erasing your phone without permission. Type your password and tap Erase.

The phone will show a countdown and then begin erasing. The screen will go dark, and you will see a progress bar. This takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on the phone. Do not turn off the phone or disconnect it during this time. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen, the same one you saw when the phone was brand new.

At this point, you can set the phone up as a new device, or sign in with an Apple ID to restore from your backup. If you are giving the phone to someone else, stop here and let them complete the setup with their own Apple ID.

Erase using a computer if the phone is frozen or locked

If your iPhone will not turn on, is frozen, or you do not know the passcode, you can erase it from a computer. Connect the phone to a Mac with a USB cable. Open Finder and click your phone in the sidebar. Click General, then click Restore. Finder will download the latest iPhone software and erase the phone, then install that software fresh. This takes 20 to 45 minutes.

On Windows, use iTunes instead of Finder. Connect the phone, click the device icon in iTunes, click Summary, then click Restore iPhone. The process is identical.

If your computer does not recognize the phone, try a different USB cable or a different USB port. If the phone still does not appear, restart both the phone and the computer, then try again. Some older cables or ports do not work reliably with newer iPhones.

Remove the phone from Find My iPhone before giving it away

If you are selling or giving away your iPhone, remove it from Find My iPhone before erasing. If you do not, the new owner will see a lock screen asking for your Apple ID password, and they will not be able to use the phone until you remove it remotely or they contact Apple Support.

To remove it, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone, and turn off Find My iPhone. You will need to enter your Apple ID password. Alternatively, you can go to iCloud.com on a computer, click Find My, select your phone, and click Remove. Either way, do this before you erase.

After you erase and remove the phone from Find My, the new owner can set it up with their own Apple ID and use it normally.

Sign in with your Apple ID password after erasing

When the phone finishes erasing and reboots, it will show the setup screen. You will be asked to sign in with an Apple ID. You must enter your password — Face ID and Touch ID do not work during setup, even if you set them up on this phone before. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer and reset it before the phone asks for it.

If you are setting up the phone as new and do not have an Apple ID, you can create one during setup. If you are restoring from a backup, sign in with the same Apple ID you used before, and the phone will download your backup and restore your data.

What to do if erasing fails or gets stuck

If the erase process stops or the phone gets stuck on the progress bar, force restart the phone. On iPhone 8 and newer, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, quickly press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo. On iPhone 7, hold the Volume Down and Side buttons together. On iPhone 6s and earlier, hold the Home and Top (or Side) buttons together. Hold for about 10 seconds until the phone restarts.

After the restart, try erasing again through Settings or through a computer. If it fails a second time, connect the phone to a computer and use Finder or iTunes to erase, which is more reliable than the Settings method. If that also fails, the phone may have a hardware problem, and you should contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo an erase after it finishes?

No. Once the erase completes, the data is gone permanently. Your only option is to restore from a backup you made before erasing. This is why backing up before you erase is critical.

Will erasing remove my Apple ID from the phone?

Yes. After erasing, the phone will ask you to sign in with an Apple ID during setup. If you do not sign back in, the phone is ready to use by someone else with their own Apple ID.

How long does erasing take?

Through Settings, expect 10 to 30 minutes. Through a computer with Finder or iTunes, expect 20 to 45 minutes because the computer also downloads and installs fresh software. The time depends on how much data is on the phone and your internet speed.

Do I need WiFi to erase my iPhone?

You need WiFi or cellular data to verify your Apple ID password during erasing. If you do not have internet, you can erase through a computer instead, which does not require the phone to have internet.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password?

Go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer and reset it before you erase. You will need access to the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID. If you cannot reset it, you will not be able to complete setup after erasing.