How to Factory Reset iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max all offer a straightforward way to erase your personal information and restore the device to its factory settings. You don’t need to be a tech expert to do it. You just need to follow the correct steps.
Before you begin, there’s one important thing to understand. A factory reset permanently erases the data stored on your iPhone, including photos, messages, downloaded apps, and personal settings. Make sure you back up anything you want to keep before proceeding.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to factory reset all three iPhone 12 models, how to prepare your phone beforehand, and what to do if you can’t access the Settings app.
How to Factory Reset iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max?
To factory reset an iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Tap Continue, enter your iPhone passcode if prompted, and follow the on-screen instructions. You may also need to enter your Apple Account password. Once the process finishes, your iPhone will restart and display the Hello screen.
The steps are essentially the same on all three models. However, before erasing your phone, you should back up your data and check whether you want to keep or remove your eSIM.
Step 1: Back Up Your iPhone Before Resetting It
Before erasing your iPhone, make sure you have a copy of your important information. Without a backup, you could lose photos, videos, messages, contacts, and other data that isn’t stored elsewhere.
The easiest option is to use iCloud Backup. Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi, open Settings, and tap your name at the top of the screen. Select iCloud > iCloud Backup.
Tap Back Up Now and keep your iPhone connected to Wi-Fi until the backup finishes. Check the latest backup date and time to confirm that your information has been saved.
If you prefer, you can back up your iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer using the appropriate Apple software.
Remember that some information may already be syncing separately through iCloud. Check that your important photos, contacts, and files are available before erasing the device.
Step 2: Check Your Apple Account and iPhone Passcode
Make sure you know your iPhone passcode and Apple Account password before starting the reset. Your passcode unlocks your device, while your Apple Account password may be required to turn off Find My or complete the erasure process.
To check which Apple Account you’re using, open Settings and tap your name at the top. Make sure you can access the account and its recovery options.
If you’ve forgotten your Apple Account password, recover it before resetting your phone. You can visit Apple’s official account recovery page at iforgot.apple.com.
This step is especially important if you’re preparing to sell or give away your iPhone. After erasing the phone, Activation Lock may require the original owner’s Apple Account credentials before another person can activate it.
Step 3: Open the Transfer or Reset iPhone Menu
Now you’re ready to access the factory reset option.
Unlock your iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max and open the Settings app. Its icon looks like a set of gears.
Scroll down and tap General. This menu contains several options for managing your iPhone, including software updates, storage, and device resets.
Scroll to the bottom of the General screen and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
You’ll see options for preparing your phone for a new device, resetting individual settings, and erasing all content and settings.
Be careful not to confuse a settings reset with a factory reset. If you only want to fix a Wi-Fi issue or restore certain preferences, you may not need to erase the entire phone.
Step 4: Select Erase All Content and Settings
On the Transfer or Reset iPhone screen, tap Erase All Content and Settings.
Your iPhone will display information about what will be removed. This includes your personal content, installed apps, accounts, and customized settings.
Review the information carefully before continuing. If you haven’t completed a backup, stop here and return to Step 1.
When you’re ready, tap Continue. Depending on your settings, the iPhone may ask you to enter your device passcode or provide other account information.
Follow the prompts displayed on the screen. Don’t select the final erase option until you’re sure you want to remove your data.
Step 5: Decide Whether to Keep or Delete Your eSIM
If your iPhone uses an eSIM, you may be asked whether you want to keep it or erase it.
An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets your phone connect to your carrier without requiring a physical SIM card. The choice you make matters because deleting an eSIM can require you to contact your carrier to reactivate your cellular plan.
If you’re resetting the phone to troubleshoot a problem and plan to continue using it, keeping your eSIM is generally the more convenient choice.
If you’re selling or giving away the iPhone, consider your carrier’s instructions and whether the cellular plan should remain on the device. In many cases, you’ll want to remove your personal cellular setup from a phone being transferred to someone else.
If your iPhone uses a physical SIM card, the factory reset does not physically remove that card. Remove it separately if you’re giving the phone away.
Step 6: Confirm the Factory Reset
After reviewing the options, enter your iPhone passcode if requested. Your phone may also ask for your Apple Account password to disable Find My and remove the device from your account as part of the erasure process.
Read the final confirmation carefully. Once you approve the erase, your iPhone will begin removing your personal information and settings.
Keep the phone charged, and don’t interrupt the process by forcing it to shut down. The time required can vary depending on the device and its condition.
When the reset finishes, your iPhone will restart and show the Hello screen. This means the device is ready for initial setup.
At this point, you can set it up as a new iPhone, restore your backup, or leave it at the Hello screen if you’re preparing it for a new owner.
Step 7: Set Up Your iPhone Again or Prepare It for Sale
Once the Hello screen appears, the factory reset is complete. What you do next depends on why you erased the device.
If you’re keeping your iPhone, swipe up from the Hello screen and follow the setup instructions. Select your language and region, connect to Wi-Fi, and continue through the setup process.
When you reach the data transfer screen, choose the option that fits your needs. You can restore your information from an iCloud backup or transfer it from another compatible device. If you want a completely fresh start, set up your iPhone without restoring a backup.
If you’re selling, trading in, or giving away the phone, leave it at the Hello screen. Don’t sign in with your personal Apple Account again. The new owner can complete the setup using their own account.
For additional guidance, visit Apple’s official factory reset instructions.
Factory Reset Your iPhone Using a Computer
What if your iPhone won’t open Settings or you can’t complete the reset directly on the device? You can use a Mac or Windows computer to restore it.
On a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, connect your iPhone using a compatible cable and open Finder. Select your iPhone in the sidebar, open its General section, and choose Restore iPhone.
On a Windows PC, open the Apple Devices app if it’s available. Select your iPhone and look for the restore option. If you’re using a supported older setup, you may need iTunes instead.
Follow the on-screen instructions to restore the device. This process erases the phone and reinstalls iOS, so make sure you have a backup if you need to recover your data.
If the iPhone is disabled or you can’t unlock it, you may need to use recovery mode. The exact procedure depends on the issue, so follow Apple’s instructions for your specific situation. A computer restore does not bypass Activation Lock, which may still require the Apple Account associated with the device.
FAQs
1. Does a factory reset work the same way on iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max?
Yes. All three models use essentially the same Settings menu. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings and follow the prompts.
2. Will a factory reset delete everything on my iPhone?
A factory reset removes personal content, installed apps, accounts, and customized settings from the device. Back up your important information first so you can restore it later. Information already synced with iCloud or another service may remain available in that account.
3. Can I factory reset my iPhone without an Apple Account password?
You may be able to start certain reset or recovery procedures without knowing the password, but you may still need the associated Apple Account credentials to disable Activation Lock or activate the device afterward. If you own the phone, use Apple’s official account recovery process rather than trying to bypass the security feature.
4. How long does it take to factory reset an iPhone 12?
The erasure itself often takes only a few minutes, but the time can vary depending on the device and circumstances. Restoring a backup and downloading apps afterward may take considerably longer.
5. What’s the difference between resetting settings and factory resetting an iPhone?
Reset All Settings restores settings to their defaults without deleting your personal photos, messages, and other media. Erase All Content and Settings removes your personal content and returns the iPhone to its initial setup state.
6. Will factory resetting my iPhone remove its eSIM?
You may be given the choice to keep or delete your eSIM during the reset. If you erase it, you might need your carrier’s help to reactivate your cellular plan. Review the options carefully before confirming.
Summary
Factory resetting an iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max is straightforward once you know where to find the correct setting.
Back up your data, confirm that you can access your Apple Account, and open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the on-screen prompts and wait for the Hello screen to appear.
If Settings isn’t accessible, you can restore the device using a Mac or Windows computer. Whatever method you choose, make sure you understand what will be erased before proceeding.
That way, you can start fresh without losing important information unexpectedly.