Has your iPhone been freezing up, acting glitchy, or are you just getting ready to sell it and hand it off to someone new? Whether you need a quick force restart, a full factory reset, or you want to restore everything from a backup, it can be confusing to figure out which option is the right one. This is especially true since Apple has changed how a lot of this works over the years.
Good news: this guide walks you through everything, including backing up your device, resetting it, and restoring it, using the current tools in 2026. That means iCloud, Finder on Mac, and the Apple Devices app on Windows (iTunes is mostly a thing of the past on modern setups, but we’ll cover it too for anyone still using older systems).
Before You Do Anything: Back Up Your Device
Seriously, don’t skip this step. Whether you’re doing a quick settings reset or a full factory wipe, having a fresh backup means you won’t lose your photos, messages, or app data if something goes sideways. There are two ways to back up: to iCloud or to your computer.
Option 1: Back Up to iCloud
iCloud backup is the easiest option because it happens wirelessly, with no cables or computer needed. The catch is that Apple still only gives you 5 GB of free iCloud storage, which isn’t much. If you’ve got a lot of photos and apps, you may need to upgrade your iCloud storage plan or use a computer backup instead (or both).
Here’s how to trigger a manual iCloud backup:
- Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi and plugged into power.
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your name at the top to open your Apple Account settings.
- Tap iCloud.
- Tap iCloud Backup.
- Make sure Back Up This iPhone (or iPad) is turned on.
- Tap Back Up Now and wait for it to finish. You’ll see the date and time of the last successful backup when it’s done.
iCloud automatically backs up your device overnight when it’s plugged in, on Wi-Fi, and locked, so as long as you have enough storage, you’re usually covered without having to think about it.
Option 2: Back Up to Your Computer
A local backup on your computer is a great safety net, especially if your iCloud storage is full or you want a complete encrypted backup that includes things like saved passwords and Health data. Here’s how to do it depending on what computer you’re using.
On a Mac (macOS Catalina or later)
iTunes is gone on modern Macs. Apple replaced it with Finder for device management back in macOS Catalina. Here’s what to do:
- Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to your Mac using a USB cable.
- Open Finder (it’s in your Dock, the smiley face icon).
- Your device will appear in the Finder sidebar under Locations. Click on it.
- If prompted on your iPhone, tap Trust This Computer and enter your passcode.
- Under the General tab, click Back Up Now.
- To make sure your backup includes Health data and saved passwords, check the box next to Encrypt local backup and set a password. (Write that password down somewhere safe, as you’ll need it to restore.)
On Windows
On Windows, Apple now has a dedicated app called the Apple Devices app, which you can get from the Microsoft Store. If you’ve got an older setup or the Apple Devices app isn’t available for your version of Windows, iTunes still works as a fallback.
- Install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store if you haven’t already.
- Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to your PC with a USB cable.
- Open the Apple Devices app.
- Your device should appear in the left sidebar. Click on it.
- If prompted on your iPhone, tap Trust This Computer and enter your passcode.
- Click Back Up Now.
- To include Health and password data, check Encrypt local backup and set a password.
Once your backup is done, you’re all set to reset or restore without worrying about losing anything important.
How to Force Restart Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
A force restart is the first thing to try when your device is frozen, stuck on the Apple logo, or just acting weird. It doesn’t erase anything. Think of it like a hard reboot on a Windows PC. The button combination depends on which device you have.
iPhone 8 or Later (including all iPhone SE 2nd gen and later models)
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then let go.
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus / iPod Touch (7th gen)
- Press and hold both the Side button and the Volume Down button at the same time.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears, then release.
iPhone 6s or Earlier / iPhone SE (1st gen) / iPod Touch (6th gen or earlier)
- Press and hold both the Home button and the Top (or Side) button at the same time.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears, then release.
After the force restart, your device should boot up normally. If it’s still acting up, move on to the reset options below.
How to Reset Settings on Your iPhone or iPad
If a force restart didn’t fix things, you can reset specific settings without wiping your data. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset to find these options.
Here’s what each option actually does:
- Reset All Settings: Resets every setting in the Settings app back to default, including Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth connections, wallpaper, notifications, privacy settings, keyboard settings, and so on. Your photos, apps, and data are completely untouched. This is a good option if your phone has been behaving strangely and you want to rule out a rogue setting.
- Reset Network Settings: Only resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN/APN settings. Great for fixing connection issues without touching anything else.
- Reset Keyboard Dictionary: Clears all the custom words your keyboard has learned. Useful if autocorrect has gone off the rails.
- Reset Home Screen Layout: Puts all your app icons back to the default layout. Doesn’t delete any apps.
- Reset Location & Privacy: Resets all app permissions for location, camera, microphone, etc. Each app will ask for permission again the next time it needs access.
- Erase All Content and Settings: This is the full factory reset. It wipes everything. More on this below.
How to Factory Reset Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
A factory reset, officially called Erase All Content and Settings, wipes your device completely and reinstalls iOS from scratch. Use this if you’re selling or giving away your device, or if you want a completely clean slate to fix deep software issues.
Make sure you have a backup before doing this. Everything will be gone.
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone (or iPad).
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- If prompted, turn off Find My. You’ll need to enter your Apple ID password to do this.
- Confirm the erase. Your device will restart and begin the wipe process.
When it’s done, you’ll see the “Hello” welcome screen, the same one you saw when you first took it out of the box.
How to Restore Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
Once your device is erased (or you’re setting up a new one), you’ll be asked how you want to set it up. Here’s what your options look like and when to use each one.
Restore from iCloud Backup
- On the setup screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup.
- Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
- Choose the backup you want to restore from the list. Pick the most recent one unless you have a reason to go further back.
- Stay connected to Wi-Fi and wait for the restore to finish. Depending on how much data you have, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour.
Restore from a Computer Backup
If you made a local backup using Finder or the Apple Devices app, here’s how to restore from it.
On a Mac
- Connect your device to your Mac with a USB cable.
- Open Finder and click on your device in the sidebar.
- Click Restore Backup.
- Choose the backup you want from the dropdown list and click Restore.
- If the backup was encrypted, enter the password when prompted.
On Windows
- Connect your device to your PC with a USB cable.
- Open the Apple Devices app (or iTunes if you’re on an older setup).
- Click on your device in the sidebar.
- Click Restore Backup.
- Select the backup from the list and click Restore.
- Enter the backup password if it was encrypted.
How to Use Recovery Mode (When Your iPhone Won’t Turn On)
If your iPhone is completely stuck, whether it won’t boot, is stuck on the Apple logo, or won’t respond to anything, recovery mode is Apple’s official fix. It lets you restore the device from your computer even when the normal setup process isn’t accessible.
Heads up: using Restore in recovery mode erases all data on the device. Always try Update first, as it attempts to reinstall iOS without wiping your data.
Step 1: Put Your Device in Recovery Mode
The button combination depends on your device:
- iPhone 8 or later / iPhone SE (2nd gen or later): Press and quickly release Volume Up, then press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.
- iPhone 7 / 7 Plus / iPod touch (7th gen): Press and hold both the Side button and Volume Down button until the recovery mode screen appears.
- iPhone 6s or earlier / iPhone SE (1st gen) / iPod touch (6th gen or earlier): Press and hold both the Home button and the Top (or Side) button until the recovery mode screen appears.
You’ll know you’re in recovery mode when you see the connect-to-computer icon on the screen (a cable pointing to a laptop).
Step 2: Connect to Your Computer and Choose Update or Restore
- Connect your device to your Mac or PC while it’s in recovery mode.
- Open Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app / iTunes (Windows).
- A dialog will pop up saying your device is in recovery mode and asking if you want to Update or Restore.
- Try Update first. This reinstalls iOS without erasing your data. If it works, you’re done.
- If Update fails or the device is still unusable, click Restore. This will erase everything and reinstall iOS from scratch.
After the restore completes, your device will restart and show the Hello screen. You can then restore from a backup or set it up as new.
Tips and Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Problem: iCloud backup keeps failing or won’t complete
This is frustrating but pretty common. A few things to try:
- Make sure you have enough free iCloud storage. Go to Settings > your name > iCloud > Manage Account Storage to check.
- Toggle iCloud Backup off and back on, then try Back Up Now again.
- Sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update and make sure you’re on the latest version of iOS, as bugs in older versions can cause backup failures.
- Try resetting network settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Problem: My computer doesn’t recognize my iPhone
- Try a different USB cable, as the cable is often the culprit.
- Make sure you tapped Trust This Computer on your iPhone when prompted.
- Restart both your iPhone and your computer, then reconnect.
- On Windows, make sure the Apple Devices app (or iTunes) is fully up to date.
Problem: “Where did iTunes go?” on my Mac
If you’re on macOS Catalina or later, iTunes was replaced by Finder for device management. Just open Finder and connect your device and it’ll show up in the sidebar under Locations. You haven’t lost any functionality; Apple just moved it.
Problem: Can I downgrade to an older version of iOS after restoring?
Almost certainly not. Apple only allows restoring to firmware versions it’s currently “signing,” meaning it officially supports them. Once Apple stops signing an older version (which usually happens quickly after a new release), you can’t restore to it. So if you restore, you’ll end up on the latest version of iOS 26.
Pro Tips
- Encrypt your local backups: An encrypted backup includes your saved passwords, Health data, and HomeKit data. An unencrypted one doesn’t. It’s worth setting a backup password, just store it in a password manager so you don’t lose it.
- Back up before any major iOS update: It only takes a few minutes and can save you a huge headache if something goes wrong during the update.
- Use iCloud device migration for upgrades: If you’re switching to a new iPhone, you don’t even need a cable anymore. iCloud backup combined with the setup assistant on your new phone can restore everything wirelessly, and it’s the easiest path for most people.
- Try a force restart before anything else: A surprising number of iPhone problems, including freezes, glitches, and apps crashing, are fixed by a simple force restart. Always try that first before jumping to a full reset or restore.
Wrapping Up
Dealing with a misbehaving iPhone is no fun, but now you’ve got all the tools to handle it, from a quick force restart all the way to a full recovery mode restore. The most important habit to build is backing up regularly, whether that’s to iCloud or your computer, so you’re never caught off guard when something goes wrong.
If you’re still having issues after trying everything here, it might be time to book an appointment at an Apple Store or contact Apple Support directly. Some problems are hardware-related and no amount of software resets will fix them. But for most everyday issues, one of the steps above should get you sorted.