A “Reset” guide is the backbone of any tech support site. For fixyourphonehere.com, we want to clearly distinguish between resets that fix glitches and resets that wipe data.

Here is a detailed breakdown of every reset method for Apple devices in 2026.

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The Apple Reset Master Guide

When your iPhone is acting up, a reset is often the fastest cure. However, using the wrong kind of reset can lead to unnecessary data loss. Use this hierarchy to find the right fix.

1. The Soft Reset (Standard Restart)

When to use: Minor glitches, app lag, or when the phone just feels “slow.”

Does it delete data? No.

• How to do it: Press and hold the Side Button and either Volume Button simultaneously until the “Slide to Power Off” slider appears. Slide it, wait 30 seconds, then hold the Side Button again to turn it back on.

2. The Force Restart (Hard Reset)

When to use: The screen is frozen, black, or completely unresponsive. This “cuts the power” to the processor and forces a reboot.

Does it delete data? No.

• The “1-2-3” Method (iPhone 8 through iPhone 17):
  1. Quick-press and release Volume Up.
  2. Quick-press and release Volume Down.
  3. Press and hold the Side Button. Keep holding even when the slider appears. Only let go when you see the Apple Logo appear on the screen.

3. Targeted Settings Resets

Sometimes the hardware is fine, but a specific “rule” in the software is broken. You can reset these without losing your photos or apps.

• Location: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.

Reset Type	What it Does	Use it when…
Reset Network Settings	Deletes Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, and VPNs.	Wi-Fi won’t connect or your “Bars” are acting weird.
Reset All Settings	Resets wallpaper, alarms, Apple Pay cards, and privacy settings to default.	The phone has “ghost” bugs or settings you can’t find.
Reset Home Screen Layout	Puts all original Apple apps back in their factory positions.	You’ve lost an app in a folder and can’t find it.

4. The Factory Reset (Erase All Content)

When to use: You are selling the phone, giving it away, or troubleshooting a deep system error that nothing else could fix.

Does it delete data? YES. Everything is wiped. Back up your phone first.

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
3. Follow the prompts to sign out of your Apple Account (this disables Find My iPhone/Activation Lock).
4. The phone will restart to the “Hello” screen, just like it was brand new.

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5. Advanced: Recovery Mode (The “Computer” Reset)

When to use: Your iPhone is stuck on the Apple Logo or shows a “Support.apple.com/iphone/restore” screen (the computer/cable icon).

1. Plug your iPhone into a Mac (Finder) or PC (Apple Devices app).
2. Perform the Force Restart steps (Up, Down, then hold Side Button).
3. Keep holding the Side Button even after the Apple Logo appears. Wait until you see the “cable and computer” icon on the phone screen.
4. On your computer, a window will pop up. Choose Update (tries to fix the software without erasing data) or Restore (wipes the phone and installs a fresh iOS).

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Summary Checklist: Which one do I need?

• Phone is slow? -> Soft Reset.
• Phone is frozen? -> Force Restart.
• Wi-Fi won’t connect? -> Reset Network Settings.
• Selling the phone? -> Factory Reset.