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iPhone XS – How to Factory Reset and Restore Device

Resetting your iPhone XS to factory settings can help improve device performance, prepare it for resale, or wipe your personal data before donating or recycling it. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to factory reset and restore an iPhone XS.

Back Up iPhone Data Before Resetting

Before resetting your iPhone to factory settings, it’s important to back up your data first:

  • Back Up to iCloud – Go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap “Back Up Now” to back up your iPhone data to iCloud. This will save your photos, messages, contacts, and more.
  • Back Up to iTunes – Connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes installed. Under the Summary tab, click “Back Up Now” to back up data to your computer.

Backing up ensures you have a copy of your data if you need to restore it later.

Reset iPhone XS to Factory Settings

Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap General > Reset.

Step 2: Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 3: Enter your passcode if prompted.

Step 4: Tap Erase Now.

Step 5: Wait for your iPhone to reboot itself. This process can take a few minutes.

Once completed, your iPhone will boot up to the iOS setup screen just like when you first purchased it.

Restore from iPhone Backup After Reset

If you backed up your iPhone data before resetting, you can restore from that backup:

To Restore from iCloud Backup

  • When you reach the Apps & Data screen during setup, tap Restore from iCloud Backup. Sign in with your Apple ID and choose the desired backup.

To Restore from iTunes Backup

  • Connect your iPhone to the computer you normally sync with. iTunes will prompt you to restore from backup and walk you through the process.

Restoring from backup will reload your apps, data, settings and more that were saved in your last backup.

Extra Tips When Factory Resetting iPhone

  • Reset network settings separately before erasing all content. Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset Network Settings first. This often fixes connectivity issues.
  • Make sure Find My iPhone is turned off before resetting. Go to Settings > Your Name > Find My > Find My iPhone and turn it off.
  • Sign out of iCloud and the App Store before erasing the device. Go to Settings > Your Name > Sign Out. Signing out ensures all personal data is removed.
  • If asked for your Apple ID password when resetting, enter the password for the Apple ID currently signed in to your device. This authorizes the erase.
  • Can’t turn off Find My iPhone? Use recovery mode to [bypass the activation lock] if you forgot your Apple ID password.

Resetting your iPhone to factory default settings can provide a fresh start and bring new life to an old device. Just be sure to fully back up first and correctly restore from backup afterwards if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about factory resetting an iPhone XS:

Will I lose iOS version after resetting?

No, resetting your iPhone will not downgrade or upgrade the iOS version installed. Your iPhone will stay on the same iOS version it was running before the reset.

Can I reset without computer or iTunes?

Yes, you can factory reset an iPhone without needing a computer or iTunes. The reset can be performed directly on the device through the Settings app as shown above.

Will reset delete everything permanently?

The reset process erases all content and settings from the device storage. However, any data backed up to iCloud or iTunes before resetting can be restored afterwards if needed.

How long does an iPhone reset take?

Resetting and erasing all iPhone content usually takes just a few minutes. The device will then need to reboot and walk through the setup assistant again, which adds some additional time.

What causes an iPhone to need a factory reset?

Common reasons to reset an iPhone include fixing performance/battery issues, removing a forgotten passcode, preparing it for a new owner when selling or gifting, or wiping your personal information when recycling or replacing it.

Summary

In summary, while factory resetting your iPhone XS will wipe all contents and settings, be sure to fully back up your device first using either iTunes or iCloud backup. This will allow you to later restore your data if needed. Resetting your iPhone can often improve system performance, prepare it for resale, or wipe data before disposal. Just follow the step-by-step process outlined above.

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