Resetting your iPhone or iPad completely wipes the data on the device and returns it to factory settings. (This is distinct from the less drastic processes of restarting and force-restarting, both of which retain your data and settings and should generally be tried first.)

To factory-reset an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

But there are some steps you should take first, as we'll outline in this article. We explain how to reset an iPhone or iPad, the steps and precautions to take first, and how to rescue the data on a phone or tablet you've wiped by mistake.

With your phone backed up and all of your accounts removed, factory reset it by following these steps:

1. Open the Settings app. 

2. Select General. 

3. Scroll to the bottom and select Reset. 

4. Select Erase All Content and Settings. 

You'll need to enter your phone's PIN code along with your Apple ID password to remove the phone from your account. In the past, you had to disable Find My iPhone (now called Find My) before you could reset your phone. Now, however, Apple prompts you for your Apple ID password during the reset process so it can turn Find My off for you. 

After entering your password, the screen will go dark and the Apple logo along with a progress bar will show up. A few minutes later, you'll be greeted with a screen with "Hello" in different languages flashing on it, indicating the reset was a success.