How to Reset iPhone: Complete Step-by-Step Guide for All Models (2025)
Reset iPhone procedures have become essential knowledge for every iOS user in 2025. Whether you’re dealing with a frozen screen, preparing to sell your device, or simply want to boost performance, knowing how to properly reset your iPhone can save you time and frustration.
This article is a step by step guide you can follow in order to reset your iPhone iPad or iPod touch. We will cover several different reset options, make sure you can back up your device safely, and ensure you can securely erase information when necessary.
Quick iPhone Reset Guide for 2025
There are three main ways to reset your iPhone:
- Soft Reset: The device is rebooted to ask for a fresh look at memory.
- Hard Reset: If your phone has become completely unresponsive, then a hard reset is the easiest way to force it to restart.
- Factory Reset: This option erases your device completely, deleting accounts and all data.
Here’s a quick reference table:
| iPhone Model | Soft Reset | Hard Reset |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15/14/13/12/11 | Side + Volume buttons | Volume Up → Down → Hold Side |
| iPhone X/XS/XR | Side + Volume buttons | Volume Up → Down → Hold Side |
| iPhone 8/7/6s | Side + Volume Down | Home + Side together |
A 30-second emergency reset should yank most iPhones out of the freezer. Press and hold the indicated buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Apple icon pops up.
Why Reset Your iPhone This Year?
There are various reasons why you would want to reset your iPhone:
Performance Problem: Apps keep crashing, system feels slow, or the battery is draining too fast. These are signs of a muddled memory.
iOS Update Issues: It’s not uncommon for new iOS versions to have a problem when paired with existing settings. These discrepancies are resolved by a reset.
Storage Recovery: Doing a factory reset your device frees up several gigabytes by clearing out the cached files.
Security Issues: If someone else gained access to our Apple Account password, a reset helps reduce the risk of malware lingering about.
Selling Preparation: You must securely erase information before trading or selling your iPhone.
Step-by-Step iPhone Reset Made Easy
Soft Reset Process
For iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11:
- Press Side button + Volume Up or Down
- Wait for power slider
- Drag slider to turn off
- Wait 30 seconds
- Press Side button to restart
For iPhone 8, 7, 6s:
- Press and hold Side button
- Wait for power slider
- Slide to power off
- Wait 30 seconds, then restart
Hard Reset Instructions
For Face ID Models:
- Quickly press Volume Up
- Quickly press Volume Down
- Hold Side button until Apple logo appears
- Wait for your device to restart
For Touch ID Models:
- Hold Home + Side buttons together
- Keep holding 10-15 seconds
- Release when Apple logo appears
Factory Reset Process
Before you factory reset your device, back up important data:
- Open Settings
- Tap General → Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Select Erase All Content and Settings
- Enter your passcode when prompted
- Enter Apple Account password
- Confirm that you want to erase everything
- Tap Erase iPhone
Factory reset takes 15-30 minutes depending on your model.
Fix iPhone Glitches with a 2025 Reset
Different problems demand different solutions:
Unresponsive Screen: First attempt soft reset then hard reset.
Camera suddenly freezes: Soft reset will solve this 90% of the time.
Bluetooth problems: Always reset network settings in General → Reset.
Face ID: Soft reset first Face ID not working properly after updating to iOS 14? Reset and re-learn your face.
App Crash: Cleans RAM and fixes Memory issues.
IOS 17+ bugs: Solve the problem of compatibility with the product factory reset and app re-loading.
Boost Your iPhone's Speed Today
A timed reset makes all the difference, as the next number shows that performance drops sharply:
Memory management:– Altera clears cache and releases RAM.
Cache Clearing : Deletes temporary cache files, which can slow down your phone.
Performance: Users experience 20-30% speed up after a factory reset.
| Metric | Before Reset | After Reset | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| App Launch | 3-5 seconds | 1-2 seconds | 50-60% faster |
| Storage | 2-5 GB free | 8-15 GB free | 300% more space |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours | 8-12 hours | 25-50% longer |
Securely Reset iPhone Before Selling
When selling your iPhone, go through this security check list:
Pre-Reset Steps:
- Sign out of iCloud
- Log out of iTunes & App Store
- Turn off Find My iPhone
- Unlink device from Apple Account from the web
Complete Erasure:
- Back up your device first
- Visit Settings app → General → Transfer or Reset
- Choose Erase All Content and Settings
- Are you sure you want to carry on?
- Wait for your device to complete the wiping process
Verification: Device must display “Hello” set-up screen with personal information not available.
Save Your Data Before iPhone Reset
Back up your data before you clear your device:
iCloud Backup:
- iCloud Backup:
- Connect to WiFi
- Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup.
- Tap Back Up Now
- Allow the backup to finish on your gadget
What Gets Backed Up:
- Photos and videos
- App data and settings
- Messages and call history
- Device settings
What Doesn’t:
- Face ID/Touch ID settings
- Apple Pay information
- Downloaded media files
- Solve iPhone Problems with Reset
Troubleshoot iPhone Issues with Reset
Use this progressive approach:
- Soft reset first – Solves 60% of issues
- Hard reset if frozen – Fixes memory problems
- Reset specific settings – Network or keyboard issues
- Factory reset last – For persistent problems
Issue-Specific Solutions:
- Network Problems: Reset Network Settings
- Keyboard Issues: Reset Keyboard Dictionary
- App Problems: Delete and reinstall apps
If you can’t erase your device or resets fail, contact Apple Support.
Ultimate iPhone Reset Tips for 2025
Professional Tips:
- Time: Reset when you can spare 2-3 hours.
- Battery: Make sure it has more than 50% battery before going through the reset process.
Post-Reset Optimization:
- Restore Device As New(Optional)
- Install apps gradually
- Biometric authentication goes last
Emergency Scenarios:
- Broken buttons: Utilize AssistiveTouch This is an Apple feature that helps you replace a broken button with another button.
- Water damage: Let it dry completely first
Advanced Techniques
Recovery Mode: Connect to computer, force restart while connected, choose Restore.
Prevention
- Restart weekly
- Update iOS regularly
- Keep 10-15% storage free
- Back up your device monthly
You might also need to re-activate your cellular plan with the carrier after doing this.
READ MORE ABOUT: Apple Official iPhone Reset Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does iPhone reset take?
Depending on your model and storage, factory reset should take approximatly 15-45 minutes. This operation deletes all the information there is on your divice.
Will I lose everything?
Yes, factory reset is a complete data destroy. But if you have already backed up your device, you can restore your device back with all data.
Can I reset without passcode?
No, for your regular resets you should have to put in your passcode. Forgot yours, use recovery mode.
What if reset fails?
If you are unable to erase your device as usual, try recovery mode instead or contact Apple Support for help.
Do I need to remove SIM card?
Don’t need for resetting (most of them) but highly recommended for selling. After that, you might need to reactivate your cellular plan.
Conclusion
Reset iPhone are gonna be one of the most important things every iOS user in 2025 knows. Whether you are troubleshooting your phone or planning to sell it on, the appropriate reset procedure can help you make the most out of it, and (possibly) save you a lot of time doing so.
Always backup your device before performing major resets and securely erase when selling. Don’t be afraid to factory reset your device when other fixes won’t do the trick it is generally the quickest way to follow the road to peak iPhone performance through 2025.
