How to Reset Any iPhone or Android Device

You're getting ready to sell or give away your iPhone, iPad, or Android device, but first you want to wipe all traces of yourself and your data. Fortunately, Apple and Android devices offer built-in features through which you can erase all your personal information, applications, and other content. The process brings the phone or tablet back to factory conditions so a new owner can't retrieve any leftover information. The steps for wiping your phone differ between an iPhone or Android phone but are quite doable with either type of device.

Wipe Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Let's first check out how to do this on your iPhone. The process for erasing your iPhone also applies to an iPad or iPod touch.

Sign Out of iCloud

First, you need to turn off Find My iPhone, which you can do by itself or by signing out of iCloud. The steps for signing out of iCloud differ slightly depending on which version of iOS you're running. In iOS 10.3 or later, open Settings and then tap your name at the top of the screen. Swipe down to the bottom of your account screen and tap the Sign Out link. In iOS 10.2 or earlier, open Settings, swipe down and tap iCloud, and then tap the Sign Out link.

Turn Off Find My iPhone

Enter your Apple ID password. You're then asked if you want to keep a copy of your data on this device. Make sure the listed content items are turned off. Tap Sign Out and then tap Sign Out again in response to the confirmation. Signing out of iCloud then automatically turns off Find My iPhone. You should also receive an email informing you that Find My iPhone has been disabled on your device.

Erase Personal Data

Next, to erase your personal data and other information, return to the Settings screen and tap General. Swipe down to the bottom of the General page and tap the Reset link. At the top of the Reset screen, tap the link to Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your passcode. Tap the command to Erase iPhone.

Your device will then be wiped and restored to factory conditions. After the reset, your device restarts and places you at the setup screen. You can now power it down so it's ready for disposal or a new owner.

Wipe Your Android Device

To erase your Android phone or tablet, you'll first want to encrypt the data on the device just in case someone somehow manages to sneak past the wipe and gain access to your information. In that event, encryption ensures that your personal data and other information are unreadable

Encrypt Device

Open Settings on your Android device and select the setting for Security. Within the Security screen should be an option to encrypt your device. If you have trouble finding the option, search for the word "encryption" in Settings to locate it. Assuming your device is not already encrypted, tap the button to encrypt the device.

If your device is not fully charged or plugged in, you'll see a message telling you that it must be fully charged. Charge your device to 100 percent and tap the button to Encrypt phone or tablet. You may receive a message that requires you to confirm the encryption. Confirm the action. Your device will be encrypted, during which time you won’t be able to use it. After the device is restarted, go back to the Encryption settings screen to verify that encryption is now active.

Erase All Data

Return to the Settings screen. Now, you have to hunt down the right option to reset your device. Since this is Android, the location for that option varies by manufacturer, device, and OS version. You may find it under Backup & reset, under General Management, or even under System. If you can't locate it, search for "Reset" in the Settings screen.

Then, look for an option that says Factory Data Reset or Erase all data (factory reset). Tap that button. The next screen tells you what the reset will erase and shows you your signed-in accounts. Tap the Reset button to proceed.

You're asked to enter your PIN or password. Another confirmation screen pops up. Tap the button to Erase Everything or Delete All. Your device is wiped and restored to factory conditions. After the reset and a restart, your device should display the Welcome screen. You can now power it down and prepare for its departure.

About Our Expert

Lance Whitney

Contributor

My Experience

I've been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I've written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I've also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.

My Areas of Expertise

I've used Windows, Office, and other Microsoft products for years so I'm well versed in that world. I also know the Mac quite well. I'm always working with iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and Android on my various mobile devices. And these days, I write a lot about AI, so that's become another key area for me.

The Tech I Use

My wife always jokes about all the tech products we have around the house, but I manage to put them to good use for my articles. I like Lenovo computers, so I own a couple of Lenovo desktops and several laptops. I have three MacBooks and a Mac mini. For my mobile life and work, I use an iPhone 16 Pro, iPad Pro, and iPad mini as well as an Apple Watch. But since I write about Android, I own several Android phones and tablets. Like any tech person, I have a cabinet full of cables, wires, and assorted mysterious gadgets. And when it's time to take a break from writing, I have an old Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, both of which I use for exercise and fitness games.

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