Are you upgrading to the latest iPhone 16E and need to clear out the Apple phone you’re replacing? Knowing how to reset your Apple phone is crucial: whether you’re selling your old device or making it a hand-me-down for a family member, it’s essential to ensure everything you put on the device is wiped clean. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to factory reset your iPhone.

Why Factory Reset Your iPhone?

No matter the reason you want to wipe your iPhone clean, it all boils down to ensuring that all your personal data is gone. This can include sensitive and personal information, such as family photos you definitely don’t want to hand off to a stranger. It also includes the litany of private details that your iPhone stores, from credit card information to contacts to everything in your apps.

Preparing for the Reset

Thankfully, it’s easy to factory reset your iPhone, although you’ll be asked several times to make sure you’re ready to clear it completely. You’ll also want to prepare before wiping your phone. Here’s how to do it.

Back Up Your iPhone

The first step is to make sure all the data you want to keep is safely backed up. This can easily be done over iCloud, although you can also make a manual backup. The same way you’d want to back up your iPhone before updating to iOS 18head to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. This should take a little while, but you’ll be able to restore from this online backup if you need to.

You can also manually create a backup by connecting your iPhone to your computer, although the process differs between PC and Mac. You can still download iTunes to your Windows PC, through which you’ll sync your iPhone and create a backup through that software. With the end of iTunes on Mac in 2019, you’ll have to go through Finder to manage your iPhone, but otherwise, the process of backing up is relatively straightforward.

Note that iPhones are good at moving data wirelessly from one device to another in close proximity, making it easy to seamlessly transfer from your old device to a new one. After waking up your new iPhone, follow the on-screen instructions on your new iPhone to use its camera to scan your old device and let the process continue. It’s still smart to save a backup when you’re getting rid of your old iPhone.

Sign Out of All Accounts

This is the most tedious step but a necessary part of the process, but it’s important to sign out of apps and services you’ve logged into. You should prioritize apps with more sensitive data, but it’s a good idea to ensure you’re fully logged out of anything with personally identifiable information.

You won’t want someone popping into email, contacts and calendar accounts, so head to Settings > Apps > Mail/Contacts/Calendar > Accounts to manually unlink those.

Bank and payment apps, external email and messaging apps, workplace software like Slack or authentication apps and even digital community apps like Discord are good to log out of. Lastly, if you’re selling your iPhone or giving it to someone else, make sure to disable Find My before erasing your phone. Go to Settings > [your name] > Find My.

Transfer Your Cell Service

If you’re about to reset an older iPhone that used to be your daily driver linked to your carrier account, you’ll want to transfer service to your new iPhone before factory wiping your device. Why? Because you’ll probably use your older iPhone to call your carrier to switch that service over. Don’t get stuck without a phone like I did.

You used to be able to yank your SIM card out of your old phone and stick it in the new one to carry service over. Not so much these days, as the iPhone 14 and later models sold in the US don’t come with a physical SIM card — it’s e.g all the way. You’ll need to call your carrier to transfer your data plan over to your new iPhone, but it’s a pretty effortless process. If worse comes to worst (like if you’ve already wiped your old iPhone), you can bring your new iPhone into any of your carrier’s retail stores and they can digitally transfer service over to it.

If you’re just clearing out an old iPhone or will still use this one after resetting it, proceed to the next step.

Factory Reset Your iPhone

If you’ve done the above and are ready to reset your iPhone, open up the Settings app. Then tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings and confirm. You’ll be asked to enter your iPhone’s PIN code, then enter your Apple ID password (to unlink the device from your account and turn off Find My capability if you haven’t already).

Once you’ve done that, the screen will turn black and you’ll get a black progress bar at the bottom (similar to if you were updating to a new version of iOS). In a few minutes, the word “Hello” will appear on the screen in different languages, just like it did the first time you activated your iPhone. Congratulations, it’s been successfully reset.

That done, you’re now free to hand it off or send it on its way to a new owner.

Additional Tips and Considerations

When preparing to reset your iPhone, it’s crucial to consider the environmental impact of e-waste. Apple has made strides in sustainability, but it’s still important to ensure your old device is recycled properly. Many carriers and retailers offer trade-in programs that can help offset the cost of a new iPhone while ensuring your old device is responsibly recycled.

For those who are tech-savvy, you might consider selling your old iPhone on platforms like eBay or Craigslist. However, be cautious of scams and ensure that all personal data is completely erased before selling.

If you’re upgrading to a new iPhone, consider the benefits of Apple’s trade-in program. Apple offers credit towards a new iPhone when you trade in your old device. This can be a cost-effective way to upgrade while also ensuring your old device is handled responsibly.

Potential Counterarguments

Some users might argue that factory resetting an iPhone is unnecessary if they plan to keep the device. However, resetting can help improve performance and security, especially if the device has been used for a long time. Additionally, resetting can be beneficial if you plan to give the device to a family member or friend, ensuring that all personal data is securely removed.

Conclusion

Resetting your iPhone is a straightforward process that ensures your personal data is securely removed. By following the steps outlined above, you can confidently hand off your old device to a new owner or recycle it responsibly. Whether you’re upgrading to the latest model or simply clearing out an old device, taking the time to factory reset your iPhone is a crucial step in maintaining your digital security and privacy.