How to Reset iPhone without Losing Data?

Written By Vishakha Singh
Approved By Rohit Arora
Updated on 4 Jun, 2024
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Summary: Sometimes, resetting an iPhone is essential to fix minor issues like iPhone crashing, freezing, or getting stuck at the Apple logo. But the iPhone reset process can delete important data and settings on your device. Read this post to learn smart ways to reset your iPhone without data loss. Moreover, you can also download this quick tool to reset your iPhone without losing data.

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“Yesterday, my iPhone stopped working suddenly. I have been trying multiple ways to fix it since then; even tried the force reboot method. Should I simply reset my iPhone? How do I do it without losing my device data?”

Resetting an iPhone can sometimes become a necessity, whether due to sudden freezing up of your device, software glitches, or slow performance. Often, when your iPhone gets stuck on the Apple logo or suddenly crashes, you can reset your iPhone to fix this minor issue.

A factory reset is also necessary if you want to sell your iPhone and want to start fresh. When resetting your iPhone, it will become an empty slate with no pictures, contacts, videos, downloaded applications, playlists, or anything else. An iPhone reset restores your iPhone to its initial configuration and original factory settings.

However, be careful with this method as resetting your iPhone deletes all files & settings on the device. For those looking to reset iPhone without losing their precious data, this blog is the answer. Let’s read on to find some simple ways to do so while keeping our data intact.

How to reset your iPhone without Losing Data?

Before starting, it’s crucial to back up your iPhone data to avoid losing important files and folders. You can back up your iPhone using iCloud, iTunes, or Finder on Mac or PC.

Next, follow the step-by-step instructions on resetting an iPhone using iPhone Settings, iPhone erasure software, and iTunes.

Method 1: Reset iPhone Without Losing Data via Settings

To reset iPhone without losing data, you need to use the ‘Reset’ feature in your iPhone. This feature has different options on how you would like to reset- whether through the ‘Reset All Settings’ or the ‘Reset Network Settings’ option.

The Reset All Settings option will remove or reset privacy settings, keyword dictionary, location settings, etc., to default. At the same time, Reset Network Settings will remove previously used networks and VPN settings. Resetting the Network Settings will turn off the cellular data roaming and remove previously used Wi-Fi settings of your iPhone.

Moreover, no data or media is deleted from iPhone when choosing the Reset All Settings or Reset Network Settings option.

Steps to Reset iPhone Using the ‘Reset All Settings’ option

On the iPhone, navigate to Settings > General.
Tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Click Reset options.

Next, click the Reset All Settings option.
Then enter the iPhone passcode.
Now, click Reset All Settings. This process will take a couple of minutes to reset the privacy settings, keyword dictionary, location settings to default, but will keep the rest of your data fully secure.

Method 2: Reset iPhone via Stellar Toolkit for iPhone Tool

Sometimes, the ‘Reset All Settings’ option doesn’t solve your iPhone issue. In such a case, try resetting the iPhone with the help of trusted software. Stellar Toolkit for iPhone is a secure and professional tool that can help you reset your iPhone to fix various iOS issues without losing data.

Also, you can also use Stellar Toolkit for iPhone to fix iOS related issues like- iPhone crashing, stuck at the Apple logo, etc.

This tool’s ‘Repair iPhone’ feature will first download the fresh copy of the iOS version present in your device from the official website. Then it will install the freshly downloaded iOS version on your iPhone after removing the existing one from your device. The software will reset your iPhone, making it seem new without removing or deleting your data.

Stellar Toolkit for iPhone is compatible with the latest iPhone 14, 13, 12, and below series and even all iPad versions, such as iPad Air, iPad Mini, and others.

Step-by-Step: How to reset iPhone with Stellar Toolkit for iPhone:

Step 1: Download Stellar Toolkit for iPhone on your Mac or Windows PC and connect your iPhone to the system using a USB cable.

Step 2: Select Repair iPhone module from the launch screen of the software.

Stellar Toolkit for iPhone - click Repair iPhone

Step 3: On the Repair iPhone screen, click the Next button.

Step 4: Click on the iPhone icon.

Step 5: Click the Download button to download the latest iOS or iPadOS version of the firmware file. If you have already downloaded the firmware before, select Import.

Stellar Toolkit for iPhone - select Import

Step 6: After downloading the firmware file, click the Repair button to start repairing.

Stellar Toolkit for iPhone - click Repair

Step 7: Once you receive the message —The repairing process of the selected iOS device is completed, click OK.

Stellar Toolkit for iPhone -repair process gets completed

Restart your iPhone to see if the iOS issues are resolved.

Method 3: Reset iPhone Without Losing Data via Recovery Mode

To reset your iPhone, you can use iTunes or Finder app. You need to use Mac or Windows PC to access the recovery mode of your iPhone and reset the device. This method will erase all your device data, so take a backup of your iPhone before proceeding.

Steps to reset iPhone via Recovery

Open iTunes on your Mac or Windows system.
Connect your iPhone to the computer and then put your iPhone into Recovery Mode.
Once your device has entered the Recovery Mode, a message ‘you’re in Recovery Mode’ will pop up. Click OK.

Click on your iPhone when it appears in iTunes, then click Summary.
Now, select the “Restore iPhone” option on the right pane.

reset iphone via itunes - click Restore iPhone

Click Restore to confirm. It might take a while for your iPhone to reset; don’t disconnect your device from the computer until the reset process is completed.

Once the restore process is complete, set up your iPhone as new or restore it from a backup.

Conclusion

You can factory reset your iPhone without fearing data loss by trying different methods mentioned in this blog. Reset All Settings/ Reset Network Settings feature of iPhone can reset your device; however, it may not always work. You can even use iTunes to reset your iPhone, but you will lose all your device data.

Or use the ‘Repair iPhone’ feature of Stellar Toolkit for iPhone software to permanently reset your iPhone without losing data. This tool can repair iOS issues like iPhone crashing, Black Screen of Death, and iPhone stuck at the Apple logo.

Download the free trial version to evaluate the features of the software.

FAQs

Why is my ASUS laptop not turning on and not charging?

If your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can protect your iPhone data from misuse by remotely erasing its data using the iCloud website.

How to restore or set up your iPhone after reset?

Use an iCloud backup to restore your iPhone after a factory reset.

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About The Author

Vishakha Singh

Vishakha Singh is a Senior Writer at Stellar Data Recovery with half a decade of experience in writing content in diverse verticals. She's a tech enthusiast who loves creating photo/video recovery & repair tutorials. Vishakha also specializes in writing full-blown iPhone and Android guides.

30 comments

Frederick Taylor says:

April 30, 2023 at 9:35 pm

Hi,
I have the following issues with my iPhone 12:-

1. The iPhone 12 shuts down and restarts on its own occasionally. This is most annoying especially when I am using the iPhone.

2. This is the biggest issue I have. The iPhone 12 drops off my wireless network and leaves the wireless button is permanently greyed out. I have been able to rectify this by doing a network reset, however, this network reset has stopped resolving the issue today. Again I have important information and messages I need off this iPhone which I need to print out. As I use a wireless printer, without my iPhone connected to my wireless network I cannot print this information.
I am fairly well informed on technology devices and have checked all my wife’s and my devices connected to the wireless network and they all work perfectly. This suggest to me the problem is either the device or a iOS up date.
I believe I need to do a complete reset but don’t want to loose anything on my devise.
Please help.

Reply
1. Aruna Attri says:
  
  May 1, 2023 at 11:57 am
  
  Hi Frederick,
  Thank you for reaching out to us and explaining the issues you are facing with your iPhone 12. It seems that you have tried several troubleshooting steps, but the issues persist. In this case, you may want to try resetting your iPhone without losing your data. The article on “How to Reset iPhone without Losing Data” provides step-by-step instructions on how to do this. However, we would recommend taking a backup of your iPhone before resetting it, just to be on the safe side. Once you have taken the backup, you can proceed with the reset, and hopefully, it will resolve the issues you are facing. If the problem persists even after the reset, you may want to contact Apple Support for further assistance.
  
  Reply
2. Georgia says:
  
  May 23, 2023 at 2:46 pm
  
  I have this exact issue with my iPhone 12 too !! Restarts on its own, and will not connect to wifi or Bluetooth at all, it doesn’t even come up with an option to chose any networks.
  Luckily I had a backup phone to be able to use for the past month or so.
  I have spoken to Apple and they suggested to factory reset which is what I am doing now, but I have had to purchase extra Data/credit from Telstra to be able to download all of my data from my phone to my iCloud so I didn’t lose anything since I couldn’t download it using internet.
  Must be something wrong with the iPhone 12’s ?
  
  Reply
  1. Aruna Attri says:
    
    May 25, 2023 at 12:35 pm
    
    Hi Georgia, I’m sorry to hear about the issues you’re facing with your iPhone 12. Random restarts and connectivity problems can indeed be frustrating. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause without more information, there are a few potential factors that could contribute to these issues.
    
    Firstly, software glitches or conflicts could be responsible for the unexpected restarts and the inability to connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth networks. Factory resetting your iPhone, as suggested by Apple, is a good troubleshooting step to address these software-related issues. It essentially restores your device to its original settings, potentially resolving any software conflicts that may have occurred.
    
    Secondly, it’s also possible that there could be a hardware problem with your iPhone 12. Defective components or hardware malfunctions can lead to the symptoms you’ve described. In such cases, contacting Apple support or visiting an authorized service center would be advisable to have your device inspected and repaired if necessary.
    
    Hopefully, the factory reset and subsequent data transfer to iCloud will help resolve the issues you’ve been facing. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to ask.
lynn says:

March 26, 2023 at 9:43 pm

Netflix will not play. All work in the app. But when I push play , won’t play.

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  March 27, 2023 at 11:23 am
  
  Hi Lynn, Thanks for reaching out to us. I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing issues with Netflix on your iPhone. Based on the information provided, it’s unclear whether resetting your iPhone will resolve the issue with Netflix not playing. However, if you decide to reset your iPhone, it’s important to backup your data first to avoid losing any important information.
  
  This blog offers a helpful guide on how to reset your iPhone without losing data. It’s always a good idea to try some basic troubleshooting steps before resetting your iPhone. You can try force quitting the Netflix app, restarting your iPhone, and checking for any available updates for both the Netflix app and your iPhone’s software.
  
  If these basic troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to reach out to Netflix customer support for further assistance. They may be able to provide more specific guidance on resolving the issue with Netflix not playing on your iPhone.
  
  I hope it helps!
  
  Reply
Susan says:

February 1, 2023 at 3:45 am

About half of my apps and games won’t open. It says no connection, try again later. If I want to reset this to factory settings will I lose my data, pictures, How do I get things to work without losing everything

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  February 3, 2023 at 12:26 pm
  
  Hi Susan,
  Thanks for reaching out. I can understand that you are facing an issue related to your apps and you want to Reset to Factory Settings without losing the existing data. I would recommend is to create a backup of the existing data on your iPhone. As a solution to your query, you can check our software- “Stellar Toolkit for iPhone” which is capable of repairing the current iOS version of your iPhone without hampering the existing data on it. So, basically, it will replace the current iOS version with a fresh copy of the same by downloading it from the Apple server. I believe it resolves the issue.
  I hope it helps!
  
  Reply
Ayah says:

May 22, 2022 at 3:13 am

Will I be able to see any messages I got while my iPhone is resetting? So during the resetting process, if I get messages, will I be able to see them?

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  August 24, 2022 at 7:00 am
  
  Hi Ayah,
  No, while resetting your iPhone, you won’t be able to check or receive any calls or messages, even though it is highly advisable to create a backup before making any significant changes to it.
  
  Reply
Gerry says:

November 16, 2020 at 11:11 am

If I reset with your software will any malware or Trojan on my phone also be recovered when I restore the data and apps?

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  November 25, 2020 at 4:11 am
  
  Hi Gerry, No, the software will not recover any Malware or Trojan with the lost files.
  
  Reply
Oliver Kmia says:

July 22, 2019 at 10:38 am

Thanks for the tips to reset iPhone! I had lost couple of videos in my iPhone. Could I know the software work to retrieve video from iPhone 6? Any Suggestion would be appreciated!

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  July 31, 2019 at 10:21 am
  
  Hi Oliver, Yes, you can try our software demo version and see the preview the recovered video from your iPhone. Thanks!
  
  Reply
Joe Alterio says:

January 10, 2019 at 2:33 am

I have been try to reset my iPhone but stuck on verifying all apps freezing. I follow the steps to reset my iPhone 6. Thank you very much!

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  January 24, 2019 at 8:48 am
  
  Hi Joe, Thank you!
  
  Reply
Callie says:

November 30, 2018 at 6:34 am

I had my backup stored on icloud as well as on itunes and restored by following these steps. Thanks for these easy steps.

Reply
1. Harsha Alamchandani says:
  
  December 10, 2018 at 5:15 am
  
  Hi Callie,
  We are glad these solutions worked for you.
  
  Reply
ASHLEY HUNSBERGER says:

October 9, 2018 at 2:25 am

I had just updated to iOS 12.0. Even if I tap the greyed out App store icon, unfortunately all messages lost. This blog help me a lot to recover iPhone messages. Thanks!

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  October 11, 2018 at 9:59 am
  
  Hi Ashley, Thanks for sharing your valuable feedback with us!
  
  Reply
Simba says:

September 19, 2018 at 5:45 am

Ever since I installed ios 12, my phone has been freezing on every app. Even after downgrading to 11.4.1 it’s becoming difficult to work. Is there anything I can do except resetting it ?

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  October 8, 2018 at 4:58 am
  
  Hi Simba, Please follow given steps as mentioned on this blog. If any confusion please contact our support email support[@]stellarinfo.com. Thanks
  
  Reply