Guide to Factory Resetting Your iPhone with Hardware Buttons

Resetting your iPhone can be a necessary action if you've encountered a variety of issues, such as system crashes or data loss. A factory reset will erase all data and settings on your device, returning it to its original factory settings. This process is particularly useful for cleaning up your device or preparing it for a new user. However, it's important to make sure you have backed up any important data before proceeding. This guide will walk you through the steps to factory reset your iPhone using the hardware buttons, tailored to different iPhone models.

iPhone 8 and Later

To factory reset your iPhone 8 and later models, follow these steps:

First, press and quickly release the Volume Up button.

Then, press and quickly release the Volume Down button.

Next, press and hold the Side button. You'll see the Apple logo, indicating that your device is now in recovery mode. Continue holding until you see a recovery mode screen featuring a cable pointing to a computer or the iTunes logo.

Finally, connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes installed or Finder on macOS Catalina and later.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, the process is slightly different:

Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side button simultaneously.

Hold both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.

Connect your iPhone to a computer and select the appropriate option in iTunes.

iPhone 6s and Earlier

For older models, such as the iPhone 6s and earlier, the process involves:

Press and hold the Home button and the Top or Side button simultaneously.

Hold both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.

Connect your iPhone to a computer and select the appropriate option in iTunes.

Important Notes

It's crucial to backup all important data before attempting a factory reset. This is because this process will erase all content and settings on your device. If you want to retain your data, ensure you have a backup to iCloud or use a local backup through iTunes.

Alternative Methods

If you are unable to access recovery mode, it might be necessary to try again or use iTunes/Finder to perform the reset from your computer directly. Similarly, you can also reset your iPhone without buttons by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset All Content and Settings. This option is available for newer models, particularly from iPhone 8 onwards.

Conclusion

Resetting your iPhone is a straightforward process when you know the correct steps and use the appropriate hardware buttons. It's important to follow the correct process to ensure your device is reset properly and all your data is backed up. If you have any further questions or issues, you can always refer to Apple's official support documentation for detailed step-by-step instructions tailored to your specific model.