Reset All Settings puts an iPhone back to its default system configuration without deleting your photos, messages, apps or personal files. Here is how to reset all settings on iPhone without losing your data, and what you will need to set up again afterward.
The reset is built into the Settings app and can help fix certain system, network or configuration problems without requiring a full factory reset. However, it does change several settings, including saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings and Apple Pay cards.
Reset All Settings Takes Three Taps and Keeps Your Photos, Messages and Apps
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset, then tap Reset All Settings.
Nothing is deleted during the reset, since photos, videos and music, apps and app data, messages and call history, contacts and calendar events, documents and files, and downloaded content all stay on the iPhone.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple Pay Cards and Face ID Return to Defaults
These items are removed or restored to their defaults while your content stays untouched.
- Wi-Fi passwords and networks
- Bluetooth pairings
- VPN configurations
- Apple Pay cards
- Apple Watch pairings
- Face ID and Touch ID settings
- Accessibility settings
- Display & Brightness, Sounds & Haptics and notification settings
- Home screen layout and wallpaper
- Keyboard dictionary
- Location services preferences and Privacy & Security settings
- Previously trusted computers and accessories
Expect some setup afterward, starting with re-joining your Wi-Fi networks, pairing Bluetooth accessories again and adding your cards back to Apple Pay. You will also need to pair the Apple Watch again and set up Face ID or Touch ID. If Face ID gives trouble after that, there is a guide on fixing Face ID not working on iPhone, and a separate one for Bluetooth not connecting.
Selling or Giving Away the iPhone Needs a Full Erase Instead
Reset All Settings leaves your personal content on the phone, which makes it the wrong choice for a sale or a trade. The full wipe is Erase All Content and Settings, and the guide on how to erase an iPhone walks through it. Preparing for a trade-in has its own checklist in how to prepare your iPhone for trade-in.
If you are selling or giving away your iPhone or iPad, Apple says to use Erase All Content and Settings instead of Reset All Settings.
