Q&A for How to Hard Reset an iPhone

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Question

If my iPhone is disabled, is there any way to get it working without losing my data?

Community Answer

If you've recently backed up your iPhone, you'll be able to restore that backup after resetting your device, which will save your data. If you haven't backed up your iPhone before, then there is no way to restore functionality and save your data. Everything will be wiped from the iPhone when you reset it.

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Question

I forgot my Restrictions passcode, how can I reset my phone?

Community Answer

If you've forgotten your Restrictions passcode, you'll need to restore your iPhone using iTunes. If you don't have access to iTunes, you can sign into the iCloud website and select "Find My iPhone." Select your device and choose "Erase" to reset it.

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Question

I can't remember my iPhone's passcode, how can I factory reset it?

Community Answer

If you can't remember your passcode to access the Settings, you'll need to put your iPhone into Recovery mode and connect it to your computer. You can then use iTunes to reset the iPhone. See How to Put an iPhone into Recovery Mode for detailed instructions. Note that you'll still need the Apple ID password after restoring the device.

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Question

How can I bypass the activation lock after resetting the iPhone?

Community Answer

The only ways to bypass this lock are to have the original owner log in with their Apple ID, or to have the original owner visit the Find My iPhone website and remove the device from their account. You cannot bypass the activation lock through any other means.

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Question

How do I put an iPhone into recovery mode?

Community Answer

Open iTunes, and connect the iPhone to your Mac. Press and hold the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time. As soon as the screen goes black, release the Sleep/Wake button. Continue holding the home button until iTunes pops up a message telling you that it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode.

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Question

What do I do if my iPhone 5 won't connect to my WiFi?

Community Answer

Restart your iPhone, or turn off the WiFi on your phone, then wait for about 5 minutes. After that, turn it back on. If no devices in your house connect to WiFi, restart your router.

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Question

What can I do if my phone's screen says "Disabled?"

Community Answer

If your iPhone has been disabled from too many passcode attempts, you won't be able to access the Settings app to reset the iPhone. Instead, you'll need to either connect it to a computer and use iTunes to reset it, or log into the iCloud website and use Find my iPhone to erase the device. If you've never synced the iPhone to your computer and never used iCloud, you'll need to put the iPhone into Recovery mode and then connect it to your computer. See

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Question

How long does an iPhone update normally take?

Adam Michael Sobers

Community Answer

Usually from about 5m - 1h, although if it takes less or more don't panic as this is probably normal.

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Question

How do I fix lines running through my screen?

Community Answer

This could be a problem with the screen. Consider visiting a nearby Apple Store or contacting Apple Support for assistance.

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Question

Can I reset my iPhone without iTunes?

Community Answer

If you are able to access your iPhone's Settings app and don't have a Restrictions passcode set, you can reset your iPhone directly from the Settings menu. You can also reset your iPhone from the Find My iPhone website, as long as you were logged into your iCloud account on your iPhone.

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Question

How do I reset my phone if the Sleep, Wake, and Home buttons don't work?

Community Answer

Click on Settings, then General, then Reset. Then choose what you want to reset.

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Question

How do I change my restriction code?

Aasim

Top Answerer

Go to Settings > General > Restrictions, then enter your restrictions code.

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Question

If I restore my used iPhone to factory settings, will the phone revert to the previous owner's account?

Somone

Community Answer

No, unless it was locked with Find My iPhone.

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Question

Will doing a hard reset on my iPhone fix my problems with using iMessage?

Community Answer

That depends on the exact issue, but a hard reset should clear up many possible issues with iMessage.

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Question

I can't remember my Apple ID. How can I reset it?

Community Answer

Go to appleid.apple.com and reset it from there. It will ask your security questions, but if you don't remember them, you can reset it with the email address associated with your account.

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Question

Can I reset my iPhone using any iTunes account, or does it have be the one that I previously used for my iPhone?

Community Answer

You can use any iTunes to reset your iPhone.

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Question

How do I reset a deceased person's iPhone without the password?

Community Answer

You cannot. You have to have the password to bypass the activation lock when you turn it on afterward.

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Question

After trying a hard reset, I again get the Apple; then in a few seconds, the iTunes logo plus arrow up and cable screen. There is no other message telling me to reset or restore. I am plugged into my desktop HP computer but don't know what to do next. What can I do?

Somone

Community Answer

You will need iTunes on you computer to go any further. Once you have iTunes, plug your phone into the computer and iTunes will automatically pop up and prompt you to reset the iPhone.

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Question

My 6s just died. How can I restart without losing anything?

Somone

Community Answer

If your iPhone was connected to iCloud, then you can restore on a new iPhone from the iCloud backup. There is no other way to transfer data from one iPhone to another.

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Question

I removed this app from my iPad two days ago. I have reinstalled it today, but it will not restart properly. When I try to start it, it freezes and closes. What can I do to restore it?

Somone

Community Answer

Uninstall it (make sure it is completely deleted), restart the iPad, and try installing it again.

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Question

What can I do if my iPhone is just showing the apple symbol and not restoring?

Community Answer

It is possibly water damaged. Check the indicator in either the charging port, headphone jack or sim tray.

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Question

What do I do if my iPhone gave an alert that it has reached its maximum iCloud limit and won't let me make an account?

Somone

Community Answer

Delete or remove unnecessary iCloud accounts off the iPhone.

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Question

What do I do if I can't sign into my iCloud account?

Aasim

Top Answerer

Click on the question mark on the password field or the iForgot button. If that does not work, restore using any of the other methods.

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Question

Will doing a hard reset result in complete data loss?

Community Answer

Yes, it will, so it's important to back up your data prior to beginning a hard reset.

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Question

My iPhone keeps dropping calls. What can I do?

Aasim

Top Answerer

If your iPhone keeps dropping calls, contact your carrier and/or Apple after updating.

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Question

Where do I find my 4 digit passcode to reset my phone?

Aasim

Top Answerer

You create your passcode on activation or later in the settings. If you forgot your passcode, follow the directions at support.apple.com/en-us/HT204306.

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Question

What can I do if my iPhone is only showing iTunes with a plug?

Community Answer

Your iPhone is in Recovery Mode. Connect your iPhone to iTunes on a computer with the charging cable and reset the phone.

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Question

I don't know the password or even the Apple ID password. How do I proceed to use this locked iPhone?

Community Answer

Connect it to a Mac or PC, making sure it's a computer that has Windows installed. The app iTunes will pop up. Put your iPhone into restore mode (hold the power button for 1 minute or more). Click restore iPhone and you should be able to get in. Then try factory resting or hardware, your choice.

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Question

What do I do if my iPhone won't connect to my WiFi anymore?

Community Answer

Restart your router. If you do not know how to, unplug your router for 30-60 seconds and plug it back in. After restarting your router, restart your IPhone for faster data improvement and can connect easier. Then settings/WiFi/connect.

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Question

What do I do if my iPhone is black and won't turn on?

Community Answer

Charge the iPhone for 3 hours. Hold down all the buttons until you see a apple logo. If it doesn't work, go to a repair shop and change the battery.

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