When you buy a new iPhone or iPad, you may want to get rid of your older iDevice. However, before doing so, it's important to factory reset your used iPhone or iPad to ensure that the new owner doesn't get access to your data or personal information. Factory resetting could also come in handy if your existing iDevice is bloated or misbehaving. Follow the steps below to utilize this essential feature.

Backing up your iDevice

Before you factory reset anything, you should back up all your data, including apps, accounts, photos, music, and more, so it's easy to restore either after the reset or on your new device. The best way to back up your iPhone or iPad is to make an iCloud Backup by following the steps below.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on your name at the very top.
3. Head to the iCloud section.
4. Hit on iCloud Backup and enable the toggle if it isn't enabled already.

Alternatively, you can also plug your iPhone or iPad into a Mac or PC and back up your data locally on your computer.

How to factory reset an iPhone or iPad

Once you've backed up your data, you can go ahead and factory reset your iPhone or iPad by following these steps. Note that the following steps are applicable for all recent iDevice OS versions, including the latest iOS 17 and iPadOS 17:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Go to General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
3. Hit Continue. You'll be prompted to enter your iDevice's passcode, which you use to unlock your iPhone or iPad.
4. You'll be asked to enter the password to your iCloud/Apple ID account.
5. Enter both your iDevice's PIN and your Apple ID password correctly, and your iPhone or iPad will factory reset.

Wait for your iPhone or iPad to reboot (it will take a few minutes), and then you can set it up just like you would set up a brand-new iPhone or iPad. It's a wise idea to keep your device connected to a power source during the process. You wouldn't want the battery to die while the device is performing a system-level task.

All of us have some sort of sensitive data on our smartphones and tablets that we don't want others to access. A factory reset wipes all of your personal data — as well as settings and other configurations — and resets the phone to how it was when you first bought it. This means when you give the device to someone else, the software is as good as new, and they would have to set it up with their own information. Sometimes, a factory reset even helps with fixing some issues you might be facing on your device.