What happens if I erase my old iPhone?

Answered by Randy McIntyre

When you choose to erase your old iPhone, whether it’s for selling it, giving it away, or just starting fresh, the device will go through a process that deletes all of its data, apps, and settings. This essentially restores the phone to its original factory settings, as if it were brand new out of the box.

1. Backup your data: Before you proceed with erasing your iPhone, it’s crucial to back up any important data or files you want to keep. This can be done using iCloud or iTunes. It’s always a good idea to have a backup of your data to ensure you don’t lose any important information.

2. Sign out of iCloud and other accounts: To prepare your iPhone for erasure, it’s recommended to sign out of your iCloud account and any other accounts linked to the device. This will ensure that your personal information is not accessible to anyone else who may use the phone after it’s been erased.

3. Erasing process: Once you’ve backed up your data and signed out of your accounts, you can proceed with the erasure process. On your iPhone, go to the Settings app, then General, and scroll down to find the “Reset” option. Tap on it and choose “Erase All Content and Settings.” You may be prompted to enter your passcode or Apple ID for security reasons.

4. Confirmation and progress: After confirming that you want to erase all content and settings, the iPhone will begin the process. You may see a progress bar indicating the percentage of completion. The duration of the erasing process can vary depending on the device and the amount of data stored on it. It’s important to keep the device connected to a power source throughout the process to avoid any interruptions.

5. Complete erasure: Once the erasing process is complete, your iPhone will restart and prompt you to set it up as a new device. At this point, all of your personal data, apps, and settings have been deleted from the device, and it’s ready for a fresh start. You can choose to set it up as a new iPhone or restore from a backup if you have one available.

It’s worth noting that erasing your old iPhone is a permanent action, and there’s no way to retrieve the data once it has been deleted. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure you have a backup of any important information before proceeding with the erasure.

When you erase your old iPhone, all of your personal data, apps, and settings will be deleted, and the device will be restored to its original factory settings. It’s important to back up your data, sign out of accounts, and follow the necessary steps to ensure a smooth and secure erasure process.