If you have finally decided to sell your iPhone or are experiencing some difficulties with the firmware, then you will definitely find this instruction in which I described how to reset iPhone to factory settings. As a result of the reset, the latest version of iOS will be installed on your device. All data from the iPhone will be deleted.
I often advise my friends and readers on the site to reset their iPhone in situations when the device starts to glitch or work slowly. The same steps must be taken before selling your iPhone.
You don't want someone to be able to view your photos, home videos, and get a list of all your contacts and personal messages in addition? Below I have given several methods... Depending on the state of your device, you will be able to do at least one of them.
You can reset your iPhone either using a computer or on the iOS device itself. Therefore, we will divide our lesson into two parts according to your choice.
How to reset iPhone using a computer
If for some reason you cannot enter iPhone Settings (firmware crashed, iCloud Activation Lock, you forgot the numeric unlock password, etc.), then the best way to reset your iPhone is DFU mode. Use this one for iPhone 4s – 7, or this one for iPhone X – 8.
If everything is OK with the iPhone, follow the steps below:
STEP 1 - If you value the data on your iPhone (iPad), then be sure to do so before proceeding to the next step.
STEP 2 - Connect your iPhone with a cable to your computer and launch iTunes. Click on the device icon (see picture below):
STEP 3 - Click the Restore iPhone... button on the right side of the screen. If you see the message “ You need to turn off Find My iPhone before...“, turn it off in Settings phone number here: Settings > iCloud > Find iPhone.
To disable this feature, you will need your Apple ID password. This is done so that no one other than the last owner can clean this device, for example in the event of theft by intruders (not).
STEP 4 - After disabling the Find My iPhone function, confirm your intentions by clicking on the Restore and Update button.
STEP 5 - The latest version of iOS will be downloaded from the Internet and then installed on your iPhone. All personal data will be deleted.
STEP 6 - The next time you turn on your iOS device, you will be asked to set it up as new or restore it from a backup.
STEP 7 - The described procedure for resetting an iOS device does not unlink it from your account. To ensure that the restored device is no longer registered with your Apple ID account, go to icloud.com under your Apple ID and delete the required device in the section Find iPhone.
How to erase content and settings from iPhone
If you have access to the menu of an iPhone that needs to be reset to a new state, the method below will work for you. To complete the following steps, you do NOT need a computer with a cable or iTunes. All the necessary functionality is already included in iOS Settings.
STEP 1 - Since we will be doing a complete wipe of the iPhone, make sure that there is no important data left on it. As in the first part, if necessary, create a backup copy of the iPhone.
STEP 2 - Make sure Find My iPhone is disabled: Settings > iCloud > Find iPhone.
STEP 3 - Now go to Settings > General > Reset and click Erase content and settings. Confirm your desire to “Erase iPhone”.
STEP 4 - All personal information and iPhone settings will be deleted. The iOS version will remain the same as before the reset was performed.
Can't reset iPhone
Both methods above assume that your iPhone is in working condition, i.e. recognized in iTunes or you can go to your phone's settings. What to do if your phone is frozen or none of the above methods allows you to restore your iPhone?
First of all . If the reboot does not work, use the instructions for restoring iPhone firmware in DFU mode (links above).
In this article, I showed how to reset iPhone to factory settings in two ways. If you have any questions regarding linked accounts, please write in the comments. Well, if you learned something useful for yourself, be sure to like it on social networks (buttons below).
Unsuccessful firmware or jailbreak of the device can lead to malfunction. In this case, there is no need to despair; you just need to restore your iPhone using iTunes. The procedure is simple and takes little time, however, you need to know some features, which we will discuss in this instruction.
Determine which version of iOS you can restore to
Before you begin restoring your iPhone, you must determine which version of iOS is suitable for the device. The fact is that when releasing new versions of iOS, Apple stops signing old builds. Restoring and rolling back to them, accordingly, becomes impossible.
The easiest way to determine which version of iOS you can restore to is using this service. Follow the link and select the model of your iPhone (or other Apple mobile device). Firmware marked with checkmarks can be restored. It will not be possible to restore iOS builds marked with crosses. On the same site you can download the firmware itself, which is necessary to carry out the recovery.
Step 1. Download the latest version of iTunes from the official website or update the already installed program. On a Mac, you can check for updates in the Mac App Store; on Windows, in the " Reference» → « Updates».
Step 2. Download the firmware version you need. You can download using this service.
Step 3: Connect your iPhone to your computer and enter it into recovery mode. To do this, simultaneously hold down the buttons Nutrition And Home for 10 seconds, then release the button Nutrition, continuing to hold Home for 6-9 seconds. If you did everything correctly, iTunes will launch with a message that the iPhone was found in recovery mode.
Note: Putting iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus into recovery mode is slightly different. Instead of the Home button, you should hold the Volume Down button.
Step 4. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and while holding it click on the “ Restore" In the window that opens, select the previously downloaded firmware file.
Step 5: Confirm that the recovery will begin.
Step 6. The recovery process will start and after it is completed, the device will work normally.
During the recovery process, various errors may occur; let's look at some of them.
How to fix error 3194 when restoring iPhone
Error number 3194 can occur for various reasons, but the main one is the consequences of working with the TinyUmbrella or similar utility.
In order to get rid of error 3194 when restoring an iPhone, you need to do the following:
- Open the folder C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc and find the file in it hosts.
- Open the file using the standard program " Notebook" and find the line containing the inscription gs.apple.com- delete this line.
- Save the file and restart your computer.
There is a high probability that error 3194 will not occur the next time you try to restore your iPhone. But for greater confidence, before starting the procedure, temporarily disable your computer’s firewall - the chances of a successful recovery will increase significantly.
How to fix errors 1013, 1014 or 1015 when restoring iPhone
These errors occur when you try to downgrade the firmware due to the inability to downgrade the modem version. Important − This method will only help with older iPhone models (iPhone 4s and older).
In order to get rid of errors 1013, 1014 or 1015 during iPhone recovery, you need to do the following:
- Download the latest version of the redsn0w utility.
- Unzip the downloaded file and run the application as administrator.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- On the redsn0w start screen, click Extras → Recovery Fix.
- Click Next and enter the device into DFU mode according to the program instructions. This is easy to do: hold down the button for three seconds Nutrition, then without letting go Nutrition start holding the button Home for 10 seconds, then release Nutrition, but continue to hold the button Home about 10 seconds. Redsn0w will show a timer for each step, so the chances of making a mistake when putting the device into DFU mode will be greatly reduced.
A list of known iTunes errors and ways to solve them can also be found on our website by following this link.
These instructions apply not only to the iPhone, but also to the iPad and iPod Touch. The main thing is to follow all the points exactly, after making sure that all precautionary rules are followed.
Recently, the issue of updating software or flashing iPhones has increasingly interested owners of Apple devices. There is a lot of information on the Internet about how to carry out these manipulations yourself, but very often these instructions miss the nuances associated with system errors during the installation of the operating system. This article describes cases when the iPhone is not restored and what can be done if such failures occur.
In fact, there are many reasons for refusing to restore a gadget through iTunes. This could be either problems in the hardware of the device, or a banal outdated version that does not allow you to restore the iPhone via iTunes, the appearance of error 9, or an incorrect reset of all settings. Below are the main variations of faults with a detailed analysis of each of them.
The very first thing you need to do is update iTunes. To do this, open the program and check it for new versions. If you were unable to roll back your phone through iTunes, you can simply delete the application and download it again from the official website, checking the latest version of iTunes. You can find out how to download the new version of iTunes by going to
As trivial as it may seem, a simple reboot can help out: both the computer and the Apple device itself. While you are rebooting your PC using the standard method, take your phone and simultaneously hold down the Power and Home buttons for 10 seconds, after which the smartphone will reboot. Now try connecting again and starting the recovery process.
For older iPhone models
For new models (8, 8 plus, X)
Replacing the usb cable
First, you need to make sure that the connection is made using an original and certified cord. The fact is that if you use a non-original USB cable, it will provoke a refusal to install the firmware. If everything is fine, but the process still does not start, carefully inspect the wire and connector for damage.
Using a different USB port
Very often, people connect a device through ports located on the keyboard or other peripheral devices and are surprised that they cannot reflash the device. Try connecting your iPhone through another USB port located on the back of the system unit.
Cleaning the PC
This procedure will require a little effort. You need to remove programs and components for iOS devices that are installed on your computer or laptop. Go to the “Control Panel” and go to the “Programs and Features” section, then uninstall all Apple applications, while confirming the erasure of all additional files.
Don't forget to uninstall iTunes as well. Since in any case you will have to download all the necessary utilities again, restart your PC before installation. After completing the procedure, you can start updating the smartphone firmware again.
Editing the hosts file
When updating or renewing an Apple device, iTunes will certainly contact Apple servers, and if this fails, you can safely assume that the hosts file has been changed on the PC.
As a rule, the hosts document is modified by system viruses, therefore, before resuming the starting hosts file, it is preferable to check the laptop for the presence of virus threats. This can be done either through an antivirus by running the recognition mode, or with the support of a special utility, Dr.Web CureIt, which disinfects the necessary files. If problems remain, move on.
Disabling antivirus
Thanks to the excessive care of antivirus programs, they can block certain processes, even completely safe applications. iTunes may also be included in this blacklist, which will lead to interference and failures, which is why, during recovery, it is not possible to roll back iOS to the latest normally working version. First, add the snail to the antivirus exclusion list; if this does not help, then disable the blocker completely and check the result.
Recovery via DFU mode
This mode is intended for emergency resuscitation of Apple gadgets. To use it, follow the instructions below:
- First, completely turn off your phone and launch the iTunes application on your computer.
- Next, connect the device via a USB cable to the port and switch it to DFU mode.
- To do this, hold down the “Home” and “ON” buttons at the same time. Both buttons cannot be released for 10 seconds, after which the “ON” key must be released and the second button held until the iPhone appears in the program on the PC.
- The application will notify you that you can begin the recovery procedure. After confirming the action, your cell phone will be updated and will work normally.
Using another computer
The last hope for the desperate owner of a damaged smartphone is to try to restore the device by connecting it to another PC. Before doing this, you need to make sure that the system has the latest version of iTunes and the Windows installed on your computer is licensed. After connecting your smartphone to your computer, restore iOS via the USB port, if possible. Things are really bad if even this method didn’t help.
Most likely, you will have to take the device to a service center, where it can either be replaced under warranty or the fault can be identified and repaired. 90% that the problem is in the memory chip responsible for storing iOS files.
Conclusion
Having tried all the methods described above to repair and restore the operating system of an Apple gadget, you will 100% determine that in case of failure, it is not the software part that is to blame, but the mechanical part, in which, most likely, it will simply not be possible to change the firmware. To make your task easier, contact a specialist who will certainly be able to help you.
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Each individual person is inclined to believe that force majeure is a thing that can happen to anyone, but not to him. Hence the disregard for data safety. Backups? Pfff. And then everything breaks down, and panic begins, because there is no preparedness for an unforeseen situation. What could happen to an iPhone that would make it impossible to retrieve the necessary information without additional means? There are many options:
- Accidental deletion, better known as “oops, I pressed the wrong button.”
- Another iOS update that suddenly went wrong.
- An evil joker or you have started the factory reset process.
- Jailbreak.
- Physical failure of the smartphone.
- The smartphone froze during the loading phase.
- Malware.
- Blocking after several incorrect password entries.
- Battery replacement failed.
- iTunes does not recognize the smartphone, which is why there is no way to restore from a backup.
The above are the top 10 situations in which iPhone users may lose access to the necessary data.
To restore information, you will need a utility and a computer running Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10).
Tenorshare iPhone Data Recovery is capable of extracting data from all current Apple smartphone models, from the latest 6s and 6s Plus to the ancient 4s and 4.
The utility works with 20 file types that are statistically of the greatest value:
- Text content (call history, contacts, messages, message attachments, notes, information from Safari, calendar, reminders).
- Media content (voice recordings, Camera Roll, Photo Stream and other photos, videos, voice mail).
- Content from applications (WhatsApp, including attachments, Tango, Viber Call and Viber Message).
Conventionally, all situations with data loss can be divided into two categories: when there is a more or less current backup and when there is no backup at all. The beauty of Tenorshare iPhone Data Recovery is that it works in all cases. The utility has three recovery modes:
- Directly from a smartphone in the absence of a backup.
- From an iTunes backup.
- From iCloud backup.
In the first case, when there is no backup, the user simply launches the utility and connects the smartphone to the computer.
Tenorshare iPhone Data Recovery will scan the contents of the device and display the detected files on the screen.
Although the utility is not Russified, the most basic knowledge of English is enough to work with it. In fact, it works like any file manager with preview.
When restoring from an iTunes backup, the smartphone does not need to be connected to the computer at all. If you backed up your device on a PC, it means that some files in the SQLITEDB format are stored in the depths of your computer.
The problem is that you cannot open its contents without third-party programs. Tenorshare iPhone Data Recovery will find the file, read the contents, and then display the user-selected file types.
When restoring from an iCloud backup, you will need to download and install the iCloud Windows client (link to the official Apple website), and also log in with your iCloud account.
Now all that remains is to select the required backup and file formats in Tenorshare iPhone Data Recovery.
As you can see, in all three cases the recovery process is extremely simple and consistent.
None of us are immune from losses, and at some point we may mistakenly find ourselves without important information on our iPhone, having jailbroken it incorrectly, or after an unsuccessful attempt to update to the next version of the software or restore the gadget to factory settings. Don’t rush to despair: fortunately, there is special software that allows you to recover lost photos, instant messenger conversations, notes, voice recordings, etc. in a short time. The required program is called iPhone Data Recovery.
Data recovery from iPhone
The developers of this utility offer two versions for users - for Windows and for Mac. It is possible to perform full or partial data recovery on all versions of iPhone, including the new iPhone 6s/6s Plus, iPhone 6/6 Plus. If for some reason a user of an Android device has wandered onto our resource, we would like to note that the developers have not ignored you either: the Android version of the Data Recovery program is also available for download on the official website. Well, now more about the utility itself...
What data can be recovered using iPhone Data Recovery?
The program supports recovery of up to 20 different types of files on iPhone: call history, contacts, messages, SMS attachments, notes, Safari data, reminders, calendar, voice recordings, photo feed, video, voice messages, call history and correspondence in Viber, messages WhatsApp etc.
Attention! You can also use another program that allows you to recover deleted, formatted, damaged data from your computer, iPhone, phone, any removable storage device, etc.
iPhone Data Recovery program offers users 3 data recovery methods:
- Data recovery without backup (this method involves connecting your iPhone to your Mac and recovering lost or deleted data directly from the iPhone without the need for a backup).
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable, launch iPhone Data Recovery and select the first recovery mode.
Step 3. After this, you will see all the files presented directly by category. This allows for selective data recovery. You can view each file.
Step 4. Select the required files and click on the Recover button.
Please note that before the recovery procedure, you can configure the save option. A synchronization mode for recovered contacts and messages on iPhone is also available.
- Restoring data from a backup via iTunes (this method is suitable for those who have lost their gadget; there is no need to connect the iPhone to the Mac, data is restored by extracting the backup file from iTunes).
Step 1. Select the second data recovery mode - Recover Data from iTunes Backup File. The program will detect all available backups and show them in the main window. You have to select the one you need and then start scanning by clicking on the Start Scan button. If the backup file you need is not listed, you can import it manually.
Step 2. After the scan is completed, you can view all the deleted and lost files on Mac, select the ones you need and click on the recovery button. Save path: to device or OS X.
- Restoring data from an iCloud backup (restoring data from an iCloud backup does not involve overwriting existing data on your iPhone).
Step 1: Select the third data recovery mode. Next, you need to sign in to your iCloud account.
Step 2: Next, you will see all available iCloud backups. After this, a window will appear where you will need to select the types of files that you want to recover. When you have finished making your selections, click on the “Next” button to download them.
Step 3: After some time, all files will be available for viewing by category. You can select the ones you need by previewing them, then click on the Recover button to save them on your Mac.
You don't have to be an advanced user to master iPhone data recovery using iPhone Data Recovery. The program, despite its powerful functionality, is quite easy to use. This is truly useful software that every user should have in their collection.
