If you want to erase your iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max and start from scratch, you will need to perform a factory reset. You can also restore to factory settings; We will cover both options in this guide.
Factory resetting your iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro will erase your phone’s data and return the software to its original settings. This is useful if you plan to trade in, sell, donate your device, or are dealing with issues.
Before you factory reset your iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max, you’ll want to make a backup of all your data so you can restore it at a later date. After doing this, follow these steps.
iPhone 15 Factory Reset
First, go to your iPhone 15’s Settings app from there:
Now you need to confirm that you want to delete everything stored on your iPhone. If you have an iPhone 15 with eSIM, you can choose: delete your eSIM or keep it.
Apple notes that if you delete your eSIM, you’ll need to contact your carrier to reactivate your cellular plan.
Restore iPhone 15 to Factory Settings
If you prefer to reset your iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus to factory settings, here’s what you need to do.
Factory restore takes a little more effort because you need to use a computer. Restoring will also install the latest operating system and firmware.
First, make sure your Mac is updated to the latest version of macOS. This is an optional step, but it can definitely help. If you have a Windows computer, you’ll want to update it too.
If your Mac is currently running macOS Mojave or an older version of macOS and you don’t want to upgrade, you’ll want to download the latest version of iTunes.
Once you’ve done this, you’ll want to back up any data stored on your iPhone. If you do not want the data to remain saved on your phone, you can skip this step.
Now you’ll need to turn off Find:
Once these steps are completed, you are ready to restore your iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro to factory settings.
If your Mac is currently running macOS Sonoma, macOS Ventura, macOS Monterey, macOS Catalina, or macOS Big Sur, open Finder. If you’re running older software, open iTunes. From there follow these steps.
Once your iPhone restarts, it will return to its original factory settings and you can set it up as new. Note that restoring an iPhone with iTunes or Finder does not erase your eSIM. If you want to do this, head I’m here to learn more.
