How to restore default iPhone settings without erasing your data (2024)

How to restore default iPhone settings without erasing your data (1)

Want to keep all of your data but restore to the default iPhone settings? Read along below for several options for how to reset to the defaults for the Home screen layout, privacy and location settings, and more.

Apple offers several ways to restore the default iPhone settings without deleting your data like Photos, messages, notes, email, music, videos, and other content.

While the “Reset All Settings” option won’t delete your content, the one thing it does remove is Apple Pay cards. If you don’t want to re-load your Apple Pay cards, choose one of the other options mentioned below.

Here’s how Apple describes theReset All Settings option:

All settings—including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and ApplePay cards—are removed or reset to their defaults. No data or media are deleted.

Important:Do not choose Erase All Content and Settings unless you want to wipe your entire iPhone, including all of your data

How to restore default iPhone settings without erasing content

  1. OpenSettings, swipe down and tapGeneral
  2. Swipe to the bottom and chooseReset
  3. To restore all settings to the default without deleting your content, tapReset All Settings(note this does remove Apple Pay cards) tap Reset All Settingsagain
  4. To restore a particular default, chooseReset Network Settings,Reset Home ScreenLayout, etc.

Here’s how these steps look:

How to restore default iPhone settings without erasing your data (2)

Now you can choose if you’d like to restore all iPhone settings to the defaults or a specific one.

How to restore default iPhone settings without erasing your data (3)

Read more about restoring default iPhone settings in this Apple Support document.

For more help getting the most out of your Apple devices, check out our How to guideas well as the following articles:

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How to restore default iPhone settings without erasing your data (4)

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How to restore default iPhone settings without erasing your data (2024)

FAQs

How to restore default iPhone settings without erasing your data? ›

Go to “Settings” app and navigate to the “Backup > Reset > Reset Settings” tabs. Step 2. If you have the option that says “Reset Settings”, then it's possible for you to reset only settings without losing storage data.

How do I reset all settings without losing data? ›

Go to “Settings” app and navigate to the “Backup > Reset > Reset Settings” tabs. Step 2. If you have the option that says “Reset Settings”, then it's possible for you to reset only settings without losing storage data.

How do I restore my iPhone settings only? ›

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset. Choose an option: WARNING: If you choose the Erase All Content and Settings option, all of your content is removed.

Will I lose everything if I restore my iPhone? ›

If you choose to restore your iPhone to factory defaults, either choosing iTunes restore or factory reset, it will delete everything on your iPhone.

What is the difference between reset and erase all content and settings? ›

Reset all Settings removes things like your Wifi password and settings you've set on your iPad for Apps, mail, etc. Erase All Content and Settings restores a device to it's out of the box state when it was first turned on. You should use Erase All Content and Settings to get it ready for the next owner.

Does resetting iPhone delete photos? ›

Before you reset your iPhone.

Resetting your iPhone will completely remove your settings and your personal info, like contacts, photos, etc.

Can you factory reset without deleting everything? ›

A factory data reset erases your data from the phone. While data stored in your Google Account can be restored, all apps and their data will be uninstalled. To be ready to restore your data, make sure that it's in your Google Account. Learn how to back up your data.

Is all data gone after factory reset? ›

If you can no longer use your Android phone, the only solution might be to factory reset it. A factory reset, also known as a hard reset, deletes all settings and data from your device, reverting it to its original state.

What happens when you restore your iPhone? ›

A factory restore erases the information and settings on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod and installs the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or iPod software.

How do I go back to original settings? ›

How to perform Factory Reset on Android smartphone?
  1. Tap Settings.
  2. Tap General & Backup and reset.
  3. Tap Factory data reset.
  4. Tap Reset device.
  5. Tap Delete all.
Oct 5, 2022

Does restoring iPhone to factory settings unlock it? ›

Resetting your iPhone can get rid of system problems, remove unnecessary files and give you a clean, new device. If you're previously had your phone unlocked by a carrier, the unlock should still work after you've reset it.

How many times can I restore my iPhone? ›

Restoring an iPhone does not damage it or wear it out no matter how many times you do it, unless it was jailbroken. You're welcome, and Welcome to Apple Support Communities. Restoring an iPhone does not damage it or wear it out no matter how many times you do it, unless it was jailbroken.

Will my pictures be deleted if I reset all settings? ›

Any photos (and any downloaded data) not backed up will be permanently erased when you reset your phone. (I am assuming you mean factory reset.) Here is what I would do to start globally: Open Google Drive on your Android device.

Does reset all settings delete messages? ›

It does not delete text messages or other application data.

What happens when you reset all system settings? ›

The "reset system setting" will only delete system data & cache, it will not delete pictures and music, only applications. It sets the phone back to factory mode.It was confirmed by official support.

What happens if I reset data settings? ›

When you reset network settings (clear all connection data), a number of features are restored to default. Affected settings are Wi-Fi®, mobile data and Bluetooth®. Reset network settings: Allows background data sync.

How do I do a soft reset on my Android? ›

In a mobile device, a soft reset can be performed by holding down the power button for a few seconds, or by using a combination of buttons, such as the power button and the volume down button.

How do I restore my settings data? ›

You can restore a new or factory reset Android phone from a Google backup during the setup process. At the Copy apps and data step, tap Next, and select Can't use old device. Sign in to the same Google account, tap on the listed backup, and select the apps and data you want to restore.

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