Restoring your iPhone to factory settings can solve many issues. You can reset your iPhone using support.apple.com/iphone/restore for a fresh start. This process erases all data, so back up your data first.
To begin, ensure your Mac or PC has the latest version of iTunes or Finder. Connect your iPhone to your computer. Follow the on-screen steps on Apple’s support page. This will erase your iPhone and install the latest iOS version.
In some cases, you might need to use recovery mode. Press and hold specific buttons on your iPhone until the recovery mode screen appears. This allows you to restore or update your phone.
How to Restore Your iPhone
Restoring your iPhone can mean two things:
- Restoring from a backup — to recover your data, apps, and settings.
- Restoring to factory settings — to erase all content and settings and reinstall iOS.
Below are instructions for both methods.
🔹 Option 1: Restore iPhone from a Backup
If you’ve backed up your iPhone to iCloud or your computer, you can easily restore that data.
🧭 Restore from iCloud Backup
- Turn on your iPhone.
- On the Apps & Data screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup.
- Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Choose a backup from the list (based on date and size).
- Stay connected to Wi‑Fi while your data restores.
💡 Tip: You can check your last iCloud backup in Settings › [your name] › iCloud › iCloud Backup.
💻 Restore from a Mac or PC Backup
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC using a USB cable.
- On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder.
- On macOS Mojave or earlier, or on Windows, open iTunes or the Apple Devices app.
- Select your iPhone when it appears.
- Click Restore Backup.
- Pick the backup you want and click Restore.
- Keep your iPhone connected until the process finishes.
(Source: Apple Support – Restore iPhone)
🔹 Option 2: Restore iPhone to Factory Settings
If you want to erase all data and start fresh — for example, before selling or troubleshooting — perform a factory restore.
⚙️ Using iPhone Settings
- Go to Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- If prompted, enter your passcode or Apple ID password.
- Confirm and wait for your iPhone to erase.
- After restart, you can set it up as new or restore from a backup.
💻 Using a Computer
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC.
- Open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes/Apple Devices app (Windows/macOS Mojave or earlier).
- Select your iPhone.
- Click Restore iPhone.
- Confirm when prompted — this erases your iPhone and installs the latest version of iOS.
(Source: Apple Support – Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings)
⚠️ Important Notes
- Backup first if you want to keep your data.
- Restoring erases everything on your iPhone.
- You’ll need your Apple ID and password to reactivate your device after a factory reset (Activation Lock).
- If your iPhone shows the Restore screen (with a cable and computer icon), use Finder or iTunes to reinstall iOS.
(Source: Apple Support – If the Restore screen appears)
🧩 Summary
| Task | Method | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Restore from backup | iCloud or Finder/iTunes | Keeps your data |
| Factory restore | Settings or Finder/iTunes | Erases everything |
| Reinstall iOS | Finder/iTunes (Recovery Mode) | Fixes system issues |
🔗 Official Apple Resources
- Restore iPhone – Apple Support
- Restore your iPhone to factory settings
- If the Restore screen appears on your iPhone
- If you forgot your iPhone passcode
Key Takeaways
- Visit support.apple.com/iphone/restore for restore instructions.
- Back up your data before restoring your iPhone.
- Use recovery mode if your iPhone is unresponsive.
Restoring Your iPhone
To restore your iPhone 12, you need to prepare your device and make sure all data is backed up. The process involves connecting your iPhone to your computer and using iTunes or Finder to restore it to factory settings.
Preparing for Restore
Start by backing up your iPhone 12. You can use iCloud or connect your device to a computer and use iTunes or Finder. This step is important to save all personal data like photos, contacts, and settings.
Make sure your computer has the latest software updates. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, use Finder. For older macOS versions or Windows PCs, use the latest version of iTunes. Ensure your iPhone is charged and has no pending software updates.
Check if Find My iPhone is turned off. Go to Settings > [your name] > Find My, and toggle it off. This step is crucial to avoid issues during the restore process.
Executing the Restore Process
Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone 12 to your computer. Open iTunes or Finder. Locate your device on the computer. If your iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo or in recovery mode, perform a forced restart. Press the Volume Up button, then Volume Down, followed by holding the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
In iTunes or Finder, select your iPhone 12. Click on Restore iPhone. Confirm the action when prompted. Your device will erase all content and settings, then reinstall the latest iOS version.
During the restore, your iPhone will restart multiple times. Do not disconnect it from the computer. If you encounter any errors, follow on-screen instructions or visit support.apple.com for further help.
After a Successful Restore
Once the restore completes, your iPhone 12 will restart. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device. You can choose whether to set up as a new iPhone or restore from a previous backup.
If restoring from a backup, connect to Wi-Fi and sign in with your Apple ID. Ensure all data, apps, and settings are correctly restored. Verify that your iPhone works properly and all personal data is accessible. If you face issues, restart the device or contact Apple Support.
