How to Delete All Data on iPhone

Updated Jun 08,2018 | by Micky

It is not easy to make up mind to wipe all data on iPhone because when you do that, you will erase all of your photos, music, messages, and files from your phone. But there are several situations in which you may consider to wipe all data on your iPhone.

1. When you sell or give your iPhone away to someone else

2. When you send your iPhone for repair

3. When the operating system is so messed up that it needs to be erased and set up again from scratch.

Before you delete all data, it is important to back up your data first. With that done, you'll be able to easily restore your data whenever you want in the future.

Back up iPhone with iCloud

Although iCloud can back up automatically, it is safe to do a manual backup to make sure you have all of your recent data backed up.

1. Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.

2. Go to Settings > [your name], and tap iCloud. If you’re using iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings, then scroll down and tap iCloud.

3. Tap iCloud Backup (or tap Backup if you're using iOS 10.2 or earlier).

4. Tap Back Up Now. Stay connected to your Wi-Fi network until the process completes.

Back up iPhone with iTunes

iCloud is great but 5 GB of free storage just isn’t enough to back up all data on your iPhone. Another option for backing up your iPhone is using iTunes. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to back up your data with iTunes.

1. Open iTunes and connect your iPhone to your computer.

2. If a message asks for your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the onscreen steps.

3. Click on the phone icon when it appears in iTunes.

4. Choose Summary on the left. Select This computer and then click Back Up Now to store a full backup of your iPhone on your computer.

Wipe all data on iPhone

Once the backup is done, it’s time to wipe all data on your iPhone. There are several ways you can use to wipe all the data on your phone.

Method 1: Delete the data in iPhone Settings

Follow the instructions below to wipe all information from your iPhone and restore it to factory settings.

1. Go to Settings from the Home screen of your iPhone.

2. Tap General, scroll all the way to the bottom and tap on Reset.

3. Tap Erase All Content and Settings. If asked, enter your passcode or Apple ID password to confirm you want to erase your device.

4. Wait for your device to erase. It may take a few minutes to complete.

Method 2: Delete iPhone data with IOTransfer

1. Free download IOTransfer on your computer

2. Connect your iPhone to PC via a USB cable and launch IOTransfer. Your iPhone will be recognized automatically by IOTransfer.

3. Once IOTransfer recognizes your iPhone, on the MANAGE page, click Camera Roll in the left menu, tick Select All, and click trash icon to delete all photos. You can take the same step to delete other items in Music, Videos, iBooks, Contacts, Podcasts, Voice Memos, and Apps.

4. Switch to CLEAN tab, click Scan My iPhone to scan for junk files and caches on your iPhone, and then click Clean My iPhone to delete all data left on your iPhone.

When it's finished, you'll have a freshly cleaned system. You can set up your iPhone as a new device, restore the data from the up-to-data backup, or give or sell your iPhone to someone else without worries.

Related Readings for Reference

1.       How to Clear iPhone Contacts at Once

2.       How to Clear iPhone before Selling

Related Readings for Reference