Will I lose everything if I reset my iPhone settings?

Asked by: Prof. Eli Moore  |  Last update: September 22, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (64 votes)

No, choosing Reset All Settings will not delete your data, such as photos, videos, apps, or music. It only resets system settings like network configurations, keyboard dictionary, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards. However, selecting "Erase All Content and Settings" will delete everything.

How do I reset my iPhone settings without losing data?

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset. Here, you can select "Reset All Settings." This action resets system settings like Wi-Fi networks and passwords, privacy settings, and wallpaper to their defaults, but your personal data, such as apps, photos, and music, remains untouched.

Does resetting settings on iPhone delete everything?

Choose an option: Reset All Settings: All settings—including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards—are removed or reset to their defaults. No data or media are deleted.

How to reset phone settings without losing data?

Back up your Android phone.

Uploading it to a service like Google Drive™, or one offered by your phone carrier, will ensure you don't lose everything during a factory reset.

What happens if I reset system settings only?

The "reset system setting" will only delete system data & cache, it will not delete pictures and music, only applications. It sets the phone back to factory mode.

What Happens If You Reset iPhone?

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Is it safe to reset settings on iPhone?

You can return your iPhone settings to their defaults without erasing your content. If you want to save your settings, back up iPhone before resetting it. For example, if you're trying to solve a problem but resetting iPhone doesn't help, you might want to restore your previous settings from a backup.

Can I reset my phone and not lose everything?

Yes, you can reset your phone without losing everything by either performing a "soft reset" (restarting) for minor issues or a "reset all settings" for system tweaks without data loss, or by backing up your data (photos, contacts, apps) before a factory reset, which eruces everything but allows you to restore it all from a cloud or computer backup after the reset. A factory reset erases personal data, but a proper backup lets you restore it all, keeping apps and settings intact. 

How do I soft reset my phone?

1. Soft Restart (Regular Restart) Press and Hold the Power Button: On most Android phones, press and hold the power button until the power menu appears. Tap “Restart” or “Reboot”: Select “Restart” or “Reboot” from the menu.

How to not lose data after iPhone reset?

Restore from iCloud Backup

  1. Turn on your iPhone and follow the setup steps until you reach Apps & Data. ...
  2. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
  3. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  4. Select the backup you created before the reset.
  5. Stay connected to Wi-Fi and wait for the restore to finish.

What is the benefit of resetting settings?

As devices operate, they amass temporary data and glitches, gradually impeding their efficiency. The reset eradicates these digital cobwebs, effectively decluttering the system and enabling gadgets to operate at peak performance levels.

Does reset iPhone delete photos?

Doing a factory reset will delete nearly everything on your iPhone, including: Personal Files: This includes photos, videos, messages, contacts, notes, calendars, and reminders stored on your iPhone.

Will resetting remove my apps?

A factory reset restores a device to its original settings and removes user accounts, apps, and local data—use it to fix severe software issues or safely prepare a device for hand-off.

What does resetting an iPhone do?

Resetting your iPhone can mean a few things, from a simple restart (soft reset) to erasing everything (factory reset/erase all content and settings), which removes all personal data, apps, and settings, returning it to its original state, so always back up first to avoid data loss. Options range from just resetting settings (like network or location) to a full wipe, which is ideal for selling but requires a backup for personal data restoration.

How to reboot without losing data?

Before resetting, back up your Android to Google Drive so you don't lose data. You'll be prompted to restore the data after the reset during the setup process. To create a backup, go to "Settings" > "Accounts and backup" > "Back up data", turn on "Backup to Google Drive", and tap "Back up now".

How often should you reset your iPhone?

Fact: Regular restarts can prevent freezes and ensure smoother performance. Myth: Restarting too often can harm your phone. Fact: A weekly restart is beneficial and won't damage your device, but a daily restart isn't necessary.

Will I lose my text messages if I reset my phone?

So if you restore a backup, you will have the text messages that were present when the backup was created. Restore to factory settings would remove text messages, as well as other content.

How do I reset my iPhone without erasing everything?

To reset your iPhone without losing everything, you can either perform a "Reset All Settings" (keeps data, resets network/privacy/layout) or, for a full factory reset, first create a backup (iCloud/computer) and then restore from it after erasing. The "Reset All Settings" option is found in Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset, while a factory reset uses Erase All Content and Settings, requiring a backup beforehand to restore data.

Will I lose my pictures if I reset my phone?

Factory reset will delete most of the content on your phone, including: Locally stored photos, videos, documents. All contacts, text messages, and third-party application data.

Can I reset my iPhone but keep photos?

Go to Settings > General on your iPhone. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone. Click Erase All Content and Settings to force reset your phone. If you choose Reset, your iPhone will only delete the phone's settings and retain all other data.

What if I reset all settings?

A factory data reset erases your data from the phone. While data stored in your Google Account can be restored, all apps and their data will be uninstalled. To be ready to restore your data, make sure that it's in your Google Account. Learn how to back up your data.

What problems does resetting fix?

Why perform a factory reset on your smartphone? Fixing generic phone problems: If your smartphone is having issues, such as slow performance, freezing, or crashing, a factory reset can often solve the problem. This is because the process erases any corrupt files or settings that might be causing the issue.