This post will walk you through wiping all data from the iPhone 14 storage and restoring the device to its default factory state. Here’s a quick guide to factory reset an iPhone 14 straight from the iOS settings menu.
iOS Master Reset
Every iPhone has different types of reset options that you can use whenever you find the need to restore defaults. In iOS 16 and later versions, available system resets include reset network settings, reset all settings, reset home screen layout, keyboard settings reset, factory reset and more.
Depicted below are the steps to perform a factory reset on the new iPhone 14 through the iOS settings menu.
A factory reset, also known as master reset, refers to a system reset that puts the device to its original system state by wiping all of the added files and information from the system storage. It effectively deletes all your settings, downloaded apps and files. As a result, your device is restored to its original manufacturer settings.
A factory reset is often used to resolve complex system issues that result in a system or app malfunction. It typically yields positive outcomes but the main downside is data loss unless you’ve managed to back up files beforehand.
If you’re new to iOS and need some input on how to access and trigger the iOS factory reset via settings menu, you can refer to this quick walkthrough as follows.
Steps to Factory Reset iPhone 14 through Settings
This method is only applicable if your iPhone is still responsive. To factory reset a frozen iPhone, you will need to use iTunes or any other third-party iOS repair apps on a Windows or Mac computer.
Before you proceed, be sure to create a backup of all your important apps and files. You can back them up to your cloud account (iCloud) or to any secure folder/directory on your Windows or Mac computer.
Once you’ve got everything set, you may go ahead and begin restoring your iPhone to its factory state with these steps:
Step 1: To begin, launch the iOS settings app by tapping on the Gear/settings icon from the Home screen or Apps library.
Step 2: While in the settings menu, find and then tap General. Another menu opens with the in-built system management features and functions.
Step 3: Scroll down to the bottom section then tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 4: On the next screen, you will see two main options at the bottom section, namely Reset and Erase All Content and Settings. Select or tap Erase All Content and Settings to proceed.
Step 5: More details about the reset will show up in the next window. Read and review the information so you will know which type of data will be erased from your iPhone. After reviewing the details, tap Continue.
If prompted, enter your iPhone’s passcode on the next screen to confirm then follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to start wiping and restoring your iPhone to its factory state.
The entire reset process may take several minutes to finish depending on the amount of data to back up and wipe on your iPhone storage. Just don’t do anything that may disrupt the process to avoid bumping into fatal system errors. Also ensure that your phone is sufficiently charged or has at least 50 percent of battery life.
The device may instigate a series of automatic system reboots. After the final reboot, it will load up to the Home screen, with the latest iOS version up and running.
By then you can start setting your iPhone as new. To use your old apps and files, just restore them from your backup.
Restoring a Frozen iPhone 14
If you need to factory reset your iPhone but it is stuck or not responding, you will need to do it with iTunes. This also denotes the need for you to secure a Windows computer that has the latest version of iTunes app installed or a Mac computer running on the latest macOS Finder application.
Once you’ve got everything ready, connect your iPhone to your computer using the supplied USB/lightning cable, launch iTunes then use its in-built commands to start wiping and restoring factory defaults on your iPhone.
You can execute the standard iOS restore, recovery mode restore or DFU mode restore depending on your iPhone’s condition.
If your iPhone is stuck on black screen, Apple logo or white screen, restoring it via recovery mode is usually needed. If it’s stuck in recovery mode, then your last option would be to restore it via DFU (device firmware update) mode. This is the most advanced iOS restore that can be done on an iOS device that’s not functioning completely due to some fatal system error.
Similar to a factory reset, a recovery mode restore and DFU mode restore also wipes all your saved settings and information from the iPhone storage. Unless you’ve enabled iCloud backup before your iPhone stops working, you’ll have no choice but to lose them all.
And that’s all about restoring an iPhone 14 to its factory state through a factory reset via settings.
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