How to Safely Factory Reset Your iPhone Before Selling or Giving It Away

Upgrading to a new iPhone is exciting, but before you sell or give away your old device, wiping it clean is essential to protect your personal data. This process, known as a factory reset, removes everything from your phone, ensuring sensitive information like photos, contacts, and payment details don’t fall into the wrong hands.

Step 1: Back Up Your Data

Before wiping your iPhone, ensure all important data is safely backed up. You can use iCloud by navigating to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tapping "Back Up Now." Alternatively, create a manual backup by connecting your iPhone to a computer—using iTunes on Windows or Finder on Mac. This backup allows you to restore your data to a new device or recover it later if needed.

Step 2: Sign Out of Accounts and Apps

Logging out of your accounts is tedious but crucial. Prioritize apps containing sensitive data such as email, contacts, calendars, banking, payment, workplace apps like Slack, and messaging platforms like Discord. To unlink accounts, go to Settings > Apps > Mail/Contacts/Calendar > Accounts. Also, disable "Find My iPhone" by visiting Settings > [your name] > Find My to prevent activation lock issues after reset.

Step 3: Transfer Cellular Service

If your old iPhone is linked to your carrier, transfer your cellular service to your new device before resetting. Unlike older models, iPhone 14 and later use eSIMs instead of physical SIM cards, so you'll need to contact your carrier to switch your plan. If you’ve already reset your old phone, visit a carrier store for assistance with digital transfer.

Step 4: Factory Reset Your iPhone

Once you’ve backed up data, signed out of accounts, and transferred service, it’s time to reset. Open Settings, tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Confirm your choice by entering your PIN and Apple ID password. The device will erase itself, display a progress bar, and restart to the initial setup screen with a "Hello" message in multiple languages. Your iPhone is now clean and ready for its next owner.

Taking these steps ensures your personal information stays secure and your old iPhone is properly prepared for resale or gifting. It’s a straightforward process that protects your privacy and helps the new user start fresh.