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Mitch

Reset iPhone Settings

Posted by Mitch on Nov 26, 2007 under iPhone Tips | 72 Comments

How to reset your iPhone Settings.

Reset all settings

Choose General > Reset and tap Reset All Settings.

All your preferences and settings are reset. Data such as your contacts list and media such as your songs and videos are not deleted.

Erase All Content and Settings

Choose General > Reset and tap Erase All Content and Settings.

All your data and media are deleted. You must sync iPhone with your computer to restore contacts, songs, videos, and other data and media.

Reset the keyboard dictionary

Choose General > Reset and tap Reset Keyboard Dictionary.

You add words to the keyboard dictionary by rejecting words iPhone suggests as you type. Tap a suggested word to reject it and add your word to the keyboard dictionary. Resetting the keyboard dictionary erases all words you’ve added.

Reset Network Settings

Choose General > Reset and tap Reset Network Settings.

Source: iPhone Users Guide

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72 Comments so far »

  1. by Marcos Michaelides, on February 20 2009 @ 11:51 pm

     

    I carried ou the “Choose General > Reset and tap Erase All Content and Settings” to reset the phone and now will not start up. When switching on the apple sign comes up and remains there for hours. Please advise.
    Thank you

  2. by Basco, on March 1 2009 @ 2:57 am

     

    ive had the same problem,i choosed to ‘reset and erase all content and settings’ and voila …. my iPhone does not start anymore.It puts the apple logo and stays there …. any advice will be appreciated.

  3. by bubaks, on March 2 2009 @ 11:45 am

     

    the same just happened to me. i really dont know what to do, so please help somebody

  4. by bubaks, on March 2 2009 @ 12:26 pm

     

    you are experiencing what is called a SWOD (Spinning Wheel Of Death). All is not lost! What you’ll need to do is get it in DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode and restore.

    This is the easiest way to boot into DFU mode:

    * Plug iPhone into PC (or Mac)
    * Press-and-hold the sleep button and home button until the device force-powers off. (about 10 seconds)
    * Release the sleep button, but still hold the home button. Do this until you hear the device connected sound on the computer.
    * You may now release the home button, to test that it works, go into iTunes, it should say that an iPhone is connected, and has to be restored.

    originally from: http://www.modmyi.com/forums/general-iphone-chat/511671-iphone-stuck-pineapple-screen-after-reset-major-crash.html

  5. by BigDaddy, on March 7 2009 @ 12:31 pm

     

    I had the same problem. I plugged the phone into the computer and it brought my phone back up. Cool!!!

  6. by ann, on March 13 2009 @ 9:10 pm

     

    hi bubaks! pls. help! i got the same problem with my iphone. i choose the reset and erase all content and settings thinking that it might help my iphone with the freezing problems. i’ve tried the pressing of wake/sleep button and the home button but when i plug it in the computer, there is no sound of connection and still itunes cannot detect it. only the apple logo appears in the screen and nothing else. please help…

  7. by Keith, on April 15 2009 @ 4:59 am

     

    Had the same problem. I did as bubaks said:
    “* Plug iPhone into PC (or Mac)
    * Press-and-hold the sleep button and home button until the device force-powers off. (about 10 seconds)
    * Release the sleep button, but still hold the home button. Do this until you hear the device connected sound on the computer.
    * You may now release the home button, to test that it works, go into iTunes, it should say that an iPhone is connected, and has to be restored.”

    Worked like a charm- IPhone 3G

  8. by Graham, on April 23 2009 @ 5:30 am

     

    I had the same problem as above and i done what bubaks suggested and it worked fine.

    Thanks a million

  9. by jose gudiño, on April 25 2009 @ 12:38 pm

     

    yea but after that what do i do to unlock it it appears the connect to itunes sign and i restore it and nothin happens i have tried quickpwn and ziphone 3.0 cant do anything…

  10. by Walid, on April 26 2009 @ 11:54 pm

     

    Thanks dudes!!!
    It worked with my iPHONE. Gud Luck

  11. by 3noud, on May 4 2009 @ 11:58 am

     

    i had the same problem can any one tell me how long the restore in itune took??

  12. by Shawn Keu, on May 8 2009 @ 4:01 pm

     

    TOtally worked I then did a restore from iTunes and everything came back. Thanks for the good advice!

  13. by Abbas, on May 18 2009 @ 5:39 am

     

    Thx mate! it works! Thanks for the good advice!

  14. by vikas, on May 21 2009 @ 10:44 am

     

    thaNK you so much bubaks!

    i honestly thought i bricked my phone or something =S

  15. by Balck knight, on May 23 2009 @ 6:59 pm

     

    Hi All,
    I had the same peoblem, I did the same as bubaks said, and it worked.
    thanks very much.

  16. by dyen, on May 24 2009 @ 9:33 pm

     

    Hi Bubaks, really appreciate your adv….it’s working now!!! thanks a lot!!!

  17. by Banukumar, on May 25 2009 @ 3:47 pm

     

    I had a same problem and recovered as per the Bubaks steps. Thanks a lot.

    Regards,
    Banu

  18. by Yubhatin, on June 23 2009 @ 11:09 pm

     

    Ihad the same problem. followed Bubaks and works great! Thank you soooooo sooooo much!!!

  19. by Reggie, on July 9 2009 @ 4:40 am

     

    I still have this problem. I did as Bubaks said, but my iTunes didn’t connect. The only different was a sign of usb cable and itunes on my iPhone. Please, Could somebody help me?

  20. by 'Saint0s, on July 27 2009 @ 11:40 am

     

    I did the same and it didnt work for me the first time, but when i did a pc reboot, the second time worked fine!!
    (dont start itunes yet, wait till your pc connects to the iphone)

    Thanks alot!

  21. by jeffries, on July 28 2009 @ 11:04 pm

     

    bubaks u are a CHAMPIONNNN !!!!!

  22. by morpheus25, on August 4 2009 @ 4:37 am

     

    Thanks for the info. I believe it was Icy that caused my issues. What could have done something like that

  23. by aziz, on August 5 2009 @ 6:42 am

     

    thax worked :D

  24. by Brad, on August 10 2009 @ 7:37 pm

     

    I tried it and it goes to the restore menu so I click restore and wait for it and then it just back to doing the same thing. HELP!!!!

  25. by Seldon, on August 15 2009 @ 12:23 am

     

    Pls help me. I changed something in settings now my iPhone’s skrin works like computer with double click and it’s doesn’t go up down left and right. So now I can’t do nothing and I don’t have computer to restore it

  26. by Ubangoh Helly, on August 20 2009 @ 12:24 am

     

    I clicked restore but a message comes that my sim is not surported. an itunes logo and USB cable head are just planted on the screen. what do i do? i am confused and cann’t use my iphone

  27. by Gabriella, on August 28 2009 @ 4:59 am

     

    i have tried to reset the dictionary on my iphone but the same things are still coming up.. why does it not work?? =( any help would be much appreciated!!

  28. by Jeff, on September 1 2009 @ 8:41 pm

     

    Thanks so much !

    Life savior !

  29. by Thank you, on September 4 2009 @ 5:28 am

     

    Thank you Thank you so much. I’m german so maybe my english isn’t the best, but we should thank everyone who helps us day per day to fix or repair our problems. Not just the iPhone but everything. I remember having a lot of problems with a lot of electronic things and the internet always helped. Way better than the apple service :)

  30. by Gulamo, on September 6 2009 @ 8:30 am

     

    Thanks for help, i’ll try.

  31. by Dennis, on September 7 2009 @ 5:36 am

     

    Hey Everyone… I have a huge problem.. I try loading springboard on my 8GB iphone 3g and it ask to restart. When i restart it freeze at the apple logo. I try connecting to itune and reseting to factory but it just keep restarting and never come back pass the apple logo…..

    HELPPPP

  32. by IBRAHIM, on September 12 2009 @ 4:14 am

     

    HEY EVERYONE I HAVE A HUGE PROBLEN TOO….. SAME AS WHAT HEPPEN TO DENNIS. IN MY PHONE DISPALY ONLY THE SIMBALS OF A CD AND USB PORT…….. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP….

  33. by Mehedy Hasan, on September 22 2009 @ 7:07 am

     

    I think I have the same problem. I reset all content from my iPhone 3GS 32GB , now my Iphone not resetting, I lost every thing on iphone. when i put my iphone for recharge but it appears red battery image that means it not charging. pls advs or help me how can i resolve from this problem.
    best regards
    mehedy hasan
    dhaka, Bangladesh

  34. by walter, on October 2 2009 @ 12:51 am

     

    thanks really worked for me

  35. by Mehedy Hasan, on October 10 2009 @ 10:57 pm

     

    I am from Bangladesh. I boaught My iPhone 3GS 32GB running on Firmware OS 3.0 it was quite ok using Windows xp,
    but once I have seen that some application missing from my home screen those are not working. to resolve the problem fist i make my phone reset from settengs + General…..but its not working properly.
    Then I choose from my phone settings option that- “Erase all content and Resetting the phone.” thats all.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    after this operation my iPhone 3GS not working. Not working means —–

    1. only apple logo starting and shuting down continusly!!!!
    2. iTune couldn’t recognise my phone.
    3. iphone not charging-”when i plug my phone to power adapter to recharge then in home screen showing red battery image and after 30 sec to 1 minute later again apple logo comes in to home screen and starting and shutting down again and again.

    4. i tried my iphone to restore from itune (TO MAKE MY PHONE RECOVERY MODE)

    BUT FAILED TO RESTORE AND ITUNE SAYS -ITUNE CANT MAKE ANY SOFTWARE UPDATE AS YOUR PHONE IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO MAKE ANY BUEILD”

    so any one can help me to resolve/fix the problems.

    thanking you.
    mehedy hasan
    dhaka/Bangladesh
    mehedy@onecotton.com

  36. by nabz, on October 11 2009 @ 10:16 pm

     

    on my iphone i had changed my setting from the zoom to voice settings and on that i dont know how to scroll down and because of that i cant even change my settings what should i do?

  37. by Kirsty, on October 28 2009 @ 3:28 pm

     

    Selling my iPhone and I have restored all settings. Phone was not turning back on and I had continuous apple on the front so tried what you suggested with holding sleep button and conecting to computer – that has worked but now the phone is not turning on at all and I dont want to send the phone to the person who is buying for it not to be working!! ARRGGGG!! Someone please help

  38. by Kirsty, on October 28 2009 @ 3:31 pm

     

    Sorry just thought I would leave this information I have just seen, I have now connected the phone to the computer via itunes – phone is still not turning on but there is a message that has just flashed up on the computer saying that itunes has detected an iphone in recovery mode you must restore the iphone befor it can be used with itunes

  39. by ruth, on November 12 2009 @ 10:55 am

     

    i’m having the same problem. m iphone had 250 contacts and a whole bunch of content. i hit erase all contents and settings. now my phone won’t even start

  40. by ruth, on November 12 2009 @ 10:56 am

     

    oh i’ve tried everthing that is stated here. itunes not even seeing the phone. pc not even seeing the usb connection.

  41. by boneshard17, on December 8 2009 @ 5:52 am

     

    bubaks thanks a lot. this worked like a charm on my 2nd gen ipod touch running on OS 3.0

  42. by melissa, on December 11 2009 @ 7:50 am

     

    Thank you so much bubaks! This iphone has been unresponsive for months I thought i broke it! but i tried what you posted and now its restored! Thank you!

  43. by yingbo, on December 11 2009 @ 11:06 am

     

    thankzzzz bubaks

  44. by vully, on December 18 2009 @ 1:03 pm

     

    i did that and finally a white screen shows up .. instead of just hte apple logo but now itunes says “error (23)” i have no idea what that is please help.

  45. by booman, on December 28 2009 @ 1:57 pm

     

    This is the easiest way to boot into DFU mode:

    * Plug iPhone into PC (or Mac)
    * Press-and-hold the sleep button and home button until the device force-powers off. (about 10 seconds)
    * Release the sleep button, but still hold the home button. Do this until you hear the device connected sound on the computer.
    * You may now release the home button, to test that it works, go into iTunes, it should say that an iPhone is connected, and has to be restored.”

    thx bubaks it worked for me too! good luck guys

  46. by Jimmy, on December 28 2009 @ 6:46 pm

     

    I did only “Reset Network Settings” on my own Apple iPhone 3G to fix my GPS. While I’m using iGo Europe 2009 my iPhone reboots itself most of the time. It might depend on my battery? Because tonight while I was using it in my car, I had 40% battery and rebooted again and again ’till my battery went 25%. Anyone has this problem while using iGo maps?

    Device: iPhone 3G (Factory Unlocked)
    Firmware: v3.1.2

    * Jailbreaked with Blackra1n RC3 to use 3rd party applications.

  47. by Timbo, on January 12 2010 @ 4:15 am

     

    - ditto – to what everyone else has said. Thanks for the help.
    ( Y’know what ? This internet-thing is going to catch on one day … ! )

  48. by Vikas, on January 19 2010 @ 12:59 am

     

    I carried out “Choose General > Reset and tap Erase All Content and Settings” to reset the phone. I am using it in India. It is not powering up but when i connect it to pc it gives option to restore.

    What should i do now. Phone will be locked now? If yes what is the procedure to restore and unlock apple i-phone 3GS.

  49. by prateek Aggarwal, on February 3 2010 @ 8:35 am

     

    I boaught My iPhone 3GS 16GB running on Firmware OS 3.0 it was quite ok using Windows xp,
    but once I have seen that some application missing from my home screen those are not working. to resolve the problem fist i make my phone reset from settengs + General…..but its not working properly.
    Then I choose from my phone settings option that- “Erase all content and Resetting the phone.” thats all.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    after this operation my iPhone 3GS not working. Not working means —–
    1. only apple logo starting and shuting down continusly!!!!
    2. iTune couldn’t recognise my phone.
    3. iphone not charging-”when i plug my phone to power adapter to recharge then in home screen showing red battery image and after 30 sec to 1 minute later again apple logo comes in to home screen and starting and shutting down again and again.
    4. i tried my iphone to restore from itune (TO MAKE MY PHONE RECOVERY MODE)
    BUT FAILED TO RESTORE AND ITUNE SAYS -ITUNE CANT MAKE ANY SOFTWARE UPDATE AS YOUR PHONE IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO MAKE ANY BUEILD”
    so any one can help me to resolve/fix the problems.
    thanks
    prateek aggarwal

    prateek4965@gmail.com

  50. by evin, on February 14 2010 @ 10:23 pm

     

    Ok I reseted and erased all my contents and the screen goes in to this itunes and usb picture and every time I plug it up to my pc it show up but I can do any thing and it stay like that on the screen I don’t have internet on my itunes so is that why. It is still show that pic like when you first buy it what do I do.

  51. by Ron Welter, on February 18 2010 @ 6:48 pm

     

    Thanks fixed my phone with just a apple logo. I phone 16gb. The trick was not holding just both buttons. Thanks again!!!

  52. by Ron Welter, on February 18 2010 @ 6:50 pm

     

    Also make sure your phone is fully charged!!!

  53. by Kiry Soeum, on February 20 2010 @ 7:05 pm

     

    ive had the same problem,i choosed to ‘reset and erase all content and settings’ and voila …. my iPhone does not start anymore.It puts the apple logo and stays there …. any advice will be appreciated.

  54. by Ann, on March 5 2010 @ 5:21 am

     

    I clicked restore but a message comes that my sim is not surported. an itunes logo and USB cable head are just planted on the screen. what do i do? Please help.

    Thank you

  55. by paul, on March 11 2010 @ 4:16 pm

     

    bubakz is a legend

  56. by ryo, on March 12 2010 @ 2:59 am

     

    thnx so much

  57. by Kelly, on March 14 2010 @ 1:10 am

     

    Thank you so much bubaks! I’ve been sitting here for 4 hours trying to fix my phone and came across this website! Your help is much appreciated! :)

  58. by michelle, on March 14 2010 @ 9:34 am

     

    how long does it take after you hold the home button?

  59. by alex, on March 16 2010 @ 10:03 am

     

    so i did reset all content and settings….and now its on a screen with the itunes plugin…and all i can do is make an emergency call..and my sim card works perfectly fine….i did this :D FU: (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode and restore.
    did the whole hold the 2 buttons and release one ect…

    and absolutly nothing happened, it wont even recognize the phone in itunes to restore it

  60. by Erlyana, on March 18 2010 @ 1:24 am

     

    I did the same with my iphone 3GS, reset all content and now the computer is not recognising my phone.
    right now i live in Indonesia, (i bought my iphone in USA view months ago, with factory locked),if i do what bubak said, it will be upgraded to 3.13 firmware, i am afraid there is no jailbreak to unlock it, that is mean there will no signal in my iphone.
    i try to restore it in 3.12 firmware, but itunes said that my iphone ilegible to do that.
    what should i do??? please anybody help.

  61. by evita, on March 24 2010 @ 9:11 pm

     

    yesterday i had erased all the data and resetted the settings on my iphone but after that the iphone is not getting switched on … when i press the sleep button and the gome button together the apple logo comes followed bt usb plig and an itunes logo…….

  62. by evita, on March 24 2010 @ 9:21 pm

     

    yesterday i erased the data and resetted the settings on my iphone but now it is not gettind switched on .. sometimes when the itunes on my pc recognises the iphone it asks for restoring the original settings when i do so its unable to do it … plz help?

  63. by erlyana, on March 25 2010 @ 6:21 pm

     

    dear Evita, If you have iphone 3gs, there is no way out except to restore and upgrade it, I just did it, and its work well

  64. by evita, on March 26 2010 @ 11:23 pm

     

    while restoring my iphone 3G with 3.12 software i am getting an error 1602 what should i do plz help?

  65. by evita, on March 26 2010 @ 11:24 pm

     

    sorry error 1601

  66. by flipmode, on May 18 2010 @ 7:30 am

     

    Hi Bubaks, thanks alot..it works for me

  67. by Nathaniel, on May 18 2010 @ 8:46 am

     

    My personal opinion is to DO NOT use the “Erase All Content and Settings” because this will do as it say’s “erase” everything and you will be experiencing what is called a SWOD (Spinning Wheel Of Death). This is all you need to do! You will need to get your iPhone in the DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode and restore.

    This is the easiest way to boot into DFU mode:

    * Plug iPhone into PC (or Mac)
    * Press-and-hold the sleep button and home button until the device force-powers off. (about 10 seconds)
    * Release the sleep button, but still hold the home button. Do this until you hear the device connected sound on the computer.
    * You may now release the home button, to test that it works, go into iTunes, it should say that an iPhone is connected, and has to be restored. I suggest that you load “Spirit 3.1.2″ to re-Jailbreak your iPhone if you plan on “Jailbreaking” your 3G, 3GS, :0)>

  68. by Nadine, on May 24 2010 @ 7:29 am

     

    I recently used the “erase all content and settings” button. I was able to restore mo phone to software 3.1.2 and was able to jailbreak it and was also able to download cydia. My problem is when I plug my phone in Itunes, all my applications, which can previously be synced to my phone, can’t anymore. It says that there an “unknown error that occurred.” I really don’t know what to do. I can sync music and other media, but I can sync the apps. I don’t know what to do. please help me.

  69. by Pratik Vaidya, on June 22 2010 @ 1:29 am

     

    Bubaks is great. Somehow i accidently reset entire settings and took ages to come over. I was tired of the apple logo and the wheel which moved occassionally.

    I pressed the sleep button on top and the Home button (the main buton at bottom) for 10 secs. While doing this i had already connected the phone with my mac, and voila i get the USB icon with itunes icon displayed on my iphone. Also in my itunes i got the option restore to factory settings. Its done and is now working.

  70. by Helen, on July 5 2010 @ 8:28 am

     

    I have tried reset all and followed option above. tried resotring on itunes but not allowed to reset, anyone help?

  71. by aa, on July 7 2010 @ 7:09 pm

     

    my carrier does not respond after a month…pls help…tnx…

  72. by Lisa, on July 27 2010 @ 8:39 am

     

    OMG.
    This totally worked.
    My iPod Touch did not have any WiFi, so I went to Settings> General> Reset> Reset Network Settings.
    Then it came back and I put the password for my WiFi network and it worked! Thanks for the help :)

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