How to Factory Reset — iPhone, Windows 10/11 & Mac (2026)
A factory reset wipes your device clean and restores it to the state it was in when you first bought it. It's the nuclear option for fixing persistent problems — and the necessary step before selling or giving away a device.
This guide covers the three most common devices people need to reset: iPhone, Windows PC, and Mac. I'll walk you through exactly what to do, what to back up first, and what happens after the reset.
Quick Reference
| Device | How to Factory Reset | Time |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone / iPad | Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings | 5-15 min |
| Windows 11 | Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC | 30-90 min |
| Windows 10 | Settings → Update & Security → Recovery → Reset this PC | 30-90 min |
| Mac | System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings | 30-60 min |
Table of Contents
- Before You Reset — Backup Checklist
- How to Factory Reset iPhone & iPad
- How to Reset iPhone Without Password
- How to Factory Reset Windows 11
- How to Factory Reset Windows 10
- How to Reset Windows Without Logging In
- How to Factory Reset Mac
- How to Reset Older Macs (Before macOS Monterey)
- What to Do After a Factory Reset
- FAQ
Before You Reset — Backup Checklist
Don't skip this. I've seen too many people factory reset and then realize their photos, documents, or passwords are gone. Take 10 minutes to check these:
- Photos & videos — Upload to iCloud, Google Photos, or OneDrive. Or copy to an external drive.
- Documents — Check Desktop, Documents, and Downloads folders. Copy to cloud storage or USB.
- Browser bookmarks — Sign into Chrome/Edge/Firefox to sync bookmarks to your account.
- Saved passwords — Make sure your password manager (or browser) is synced. Test logging into a few sites from another device.
- App licenses & keys — Note down any software product keys you'll need to reinstall (Office, Adobe, etc.).
- Two-factor authentication — If you use an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator), make sure it's backed up or synced. Losing your 2FA codes locks you out of accounts.
- iMessage / WhatsApp chats — Back up in the app settings before resetting.
- Sign out of accounts — Especially iCloud (iPhone), Microsoft account (Windows), and Apple ID (Mac). This prevents Activation Lock issues.
iPhone / iPad How to Factory Reset iPhone
From Settings (Standard Method)
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings
- Tap Continue
- Enter your passcode
- Enter your Apple ID password (to turn off Find My iPhone)
- Tap Erase iPhone to confirm
Your iPhone will restart and show the Apple logo with a progress bar. When it's done, you'll see the "Hello" setup screen — just like when you first bought it.
iPhone How to Reset iPhone Without Password
Forgot your passcode? You can still reset, but you'll need a computer.
Method 1: Using a Computer (iTunes / Finder)
- Connect your iPhone to a computer with a USB cable
- Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows)
- Put iPhone in Recovery Mode:
- iPhone 8 or later: Press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears
- iPhone 7: Hold Volume Down + Side button together
- iPhone 6s or earlier: Hold Home + Side button together
- Your computer will show a prompt — click Restore
- Wait for the process to complete (downloads the latest iOS and wipes the phone)
Method 2: Using iCloud (Remote Erase)
- Go to icloud.com/find from any browser
- Sign in with your Apple ID
- Click All Devices → select your iPhone
- Click Erase iPhone
This works even if the iPhone is not with you — useful for lost or stolen devices.
Windows 11 How to Factory Reset Windows 11
- Press Win + I to open Settings
- Click System → Recovery
- Under "Recovery options", click Reset this PC → Reset PC
- Choose one of two options:
- "Keep my files" — removes apps and settings but keeps your personal files (Documents, Photos, etc.)
- "Remove everything" — full factory reset, wipes everything
- Choose "Cloud download" (re-downloads Windows from Microsoft — cleaner) or "Local reinstall" (uses files already on your PC — faster)
- Review the summary and click Reset
The PC will restart several times. The whole process takes 30-90 minutes depending on your hardware and whether you chose cloud download.
Windows 10 How to Factory Reset Windows 10
- Press Win + I to open Settings
- Click Update & Security
- Click Recovery in the left sidebar
- Under "Reset this PC", click Get started
- Choose "Keep my files" or "Remove everything"
- Follow the prompts and click Reset
Same process as Windows 11, just a slightly different path to get there.
Windows How to Reset Without Logging In
Can't log into Windows? Forgot your password? Blue screen loop? You can still reset from the login screen or recovery mode.
Method 1: From the Login Screen
- On the Windows login screen, click the Power icon (bottom-right)
- Hold Shift and click Restart
- You'll enter the blue Recovery Environment
- Click Troubleshoot → Reset this PC
- Choose "Keep my files" or "Remove everything"
Method 2: Force Recovery Mode (PC Won't Boot)
- Turn on your PC
- As soon as you see the Windows logo, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force shutdown
- Repeat this 3 times
- On the 4th boot, Windows enters Automatic Repair mode
- Click Advanced options → Troubleshoot → Reset this PC
Mac How to Factory Reset Mac (macOS Ventura & Later)
Apple made factory resetting a Mac much simpler starting with macOS Monterey (2021). If your Mac runs macOS Ventura, Sonoma, or later, use this method:
- Click Apple menu → System Settings
- Click General in the sidebar
- Click Transfer or Reset
- Click Erase All Content and Settings
- Enter your admin password
- Review what will be removed and click Continue
- Sign out of your Apple ID when prompted
- Click Erase All Content & Settings to confirm
Your Mac will restart and erase everything. When it's done, you'll see the setup screen with language selection — ready for a fresh start or a new owner.
Mac How to Reset Older Macs (Before macOS Monterey)
For Macs running macOS Big Sur or earlier, you need to use macOS Recovery:
- Sign out of iCloud: Apple menu → System Preferences → Apple ID → Sign Out
- Sign out of iMessage: Open Messages → Preferences → iMessage → Sign Out
- Restart into Recovery Mode:
- Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3): Shut down, then hold the Power button until "Loading startup options" appears. Click Options → Continue.
- Intel Mac: Restart and immediately hold ⌘ Cmd + R until the Apple logo appears.
- In the Recovery screen, click Disk Utility
- Select your main drive (usually "Macintosh HD") → click Erase
- Choose format: APFS for SSD Macs, Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for older HDD Macs
- Click Erase, then close Disk Utility
- Click Reinstall macOS and follow the prompts
What to Do After a Factory Reset
| Device | After Reset Steps |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Sign into Apple ID, restore from iCloud backup (or set up as new), download apps, re-enable 2FA |
| Windows | Create user account, run Windows Update (may take 1-2 hours), install drivers, reinstall apps, restore files from backup |
| Mac | Choose language/region, sign into Apple ID, restore from Time Machine backup (optional), download apps from App Store |
When Should You Actually Factory Reset?
A factory reset is the last resort, not the first step. Before resetting, try these fixes:
| Problem | Try This First | Factory Reset? |
|---|---|---|
| PC running slow | Uninstall unused apps, disable startup programs, run Disk Cleanup, check for malware | Only if nothing else works |
| Can't log in | Reset password via Microsoft account or Apple ID online | Only if password reset fails |
| App crashing | Reinstall that specific app | No |
| Virus or malware | Run Windows Defender full scan or Malwarebytes | Yes, if malware persists after scan |
| Selling the device | N/A | Yes — always factory reset before selling |
| Blue screen loops | Boot into Safe Mode, uninstall recent updates | Yes, if Safe Mode doesn't help |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses?
In most cases, yes. A factory reset ("Remove everything" option) wipes the system drive clean. However, some sophisticated malware can survive in the BIOS/UEFI firmware or on other drives. If you chose "Keep my files," the virus might survive in your personal files. For maximum security, use "Remove everything" and also format any secondary drives.
Will factory reset make my computer faster?
Usually yes, because it removes all the accumulated junk — startup programs, unused apps, temporary files, and background services that slow your PC down over time. It's like getting a brand new computer. However, if your PC is slow because of old hardware, a reset won't help.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. Once you confirm and the reset begins, there's no going back. Your data is permanently erased. This is why backing up before resetting is critical.
How long does a factory reset take?
iPhone: 5-15 minutes. Windows: 30-90 minutes (longer with cloud download). Mac: 30-60 minutes. Don't turn off the device during the process — let it complete on its own.
Do I need to reinstall Windows after factory reset?
No. "Reset this PC" reinstalls Windows automatically — either from files stored on your PC (local reinstall) or by downloading a fresh copy from Microsoft (cloud download). You don't need a USB drive or installation media.
Will factory reset remove the Windows license?
No. Your Windows license is tied to your hardware (via digital license) or your Microsoft account. After resetting, Windows will automatically reactivate. You don't need to enter a product key again.
Should I remove my Apple ID before factory resetting?
For iPhone and Mac, the reset process automatically signs you out of Apple ID and deactivates Find My. However, it's good practice to sign out manually first (especially on older macOS versions) to avoid Activation Lock issues for the next owner.
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Sreenivasa Reddy G
Founder & CEO • 15+ years
Sreenivasa Reddy is the Founder and CEO of Medha Cloud, recognized as "Startup of the Year 2024" by The CEO Magazine. With over 15 years of experience in cloud infrastructure and IT services, he leads the company's vision to deliver enterprise-grade cloud solutions to businesses worldwide.
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