iPhone XS – How to Factory Reset

Factory reset is a helpful tool if you want to sell or give away your iPhone XS. On the other hand, your iPhone might sometimes freeze completely and the only thing you can do to get it running is a factory reset.

One way or the other, you should know that a factory reset is an irreversible process. In other words, once you erase all the data, there is no turning back unless you perform a backup first.

Back Up Before a Reset

To ensure that you don’t lose any important data from your iPhone, you need to back up the phone before the reset. You can use either the iCloud backup or the iTunes backup. Here is how to do it:

1. Backing Up to iCloud

iCloud helps you perform a quick backup without connecting to your computer. Just make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection. To back up to iCloud, do the following:

Access Settings > Enter Apple ID > Access iCloud > Tap iCloud Backup > Tap Back Up Now

After a while, your iPhone XS will be backed up and you can perform a factory reset.

2. Backing Up to iTunes

iTunes launches as soon as you connect your iPhone XS to a computer via a USB cable. Access your phone and click on the Back Up Now option in the Manually Back Up and Restore section. Again, wait for a while for the backup to complete and proceed with the factory reset.

How to Factory Reset

There are two different methods to perform a factory reset on your iPhone XS. Similar to backing up your iPhone, you can use either your phone or iTunes to initiate a factory reset.

1. Phone Factory Reset

The easiest way to clear all the data from your phone is via the Settings app:

Access Settings

Tap on the Settings app and then open the General menu for more options.

Access Reset Options

The Reset options are located at the very bottom of the General menu. Swipe up and tap on Reset to access the menu.

Erase All Content and Settings

You need to select Erase All Content and Settings to start the factory reset. A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm the choice and you need to enter your iPhone’s passcode if you have one. After you enter the passcode, the factory reset will initiate.

2. iTunes Factory Reset

If you use iTunes to back up your iPhone XS, you can proceed with a factory reset as soon as you finish the backup. This is what you need to do:

Connect via USB

Make sure that the smartphone is connected to your computer and access iTunes.

Access your iPhone

You can get to your iPhone data and settings when you click on the iPhone icon in the top iTunes bar.

Open Summary Tab

Clicking on the Summary tab will take you to a window with the Restore options.

Click Restore iPhone

You need to click on Restore iPhone in the upper section of the menu. A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm. iTunes will start removing all the data from your iPhone and installing the latest software.

Endnote

After a factory reset, you can easily get all your information back from the iTunes backups. Doing a backup from time to time is also very useful because it purges your iPhone from all the cached data and unnecessary information that’s taking up precious memory.