Let’s be real. Nobody actually wants to wipe their phone. It’s usually a move born out of necessity—maybe your new iPhone 16 is acting like a brick after a buggy iOS update, or perhaps you're finally trading it in for whatever shiny thing Apple releases next. Whatever the reason, knowing how to reset iPhone 16 to factory settings is one of those "break glass in case of emergency" skills every user needs. It sounds scary because, well, "factory settings" implies total erasure. You're basically sending the software back to the moment it left the assembly line in Zhengzhou.
It’s a clean slate.
But before you go hitting the nuclear button, we need to talk about what's actually happening under the hood. When you trigger a factory reset, you aren't just deleting photos of your cat. You are cryptographically destroying the keys to your data. Apple uses a file-based encryption system, and a reset essentially tells the hardware to "forget" how to read everything currently stored on the NAND flash chips.
Why you might need to wipe it all away
Sometimes a simple restart doesn't cut it. We’ve all been there: the screen is lagging, or maybe the "System Data" (formerly known as Other) has bloated to 40GB for no apparent reason. Honestly, a fresh start can make a year-old iPhone 16 feel like it just came out of the box.
If you're selling the device, this isn't optional. It's mandatory. You don't want the person who buys your phone on eBay to have access to your banking apps or your Apple Wallet. And since the iPhone 16 utilizes the A18 chip with its enhanced Secure Enclave, the reset process is actually more secure than it was on older models like the iPhone 11 or 12.
The "Find My" problem
Here is the thing most people get wrong. If you just erase the phone without signing out of iCloud, you trigger "Activation Lock." This is a theft-prevention feature. If you sell a locked phone, the buyer literally cannot use it. They’ll be greeted with a screen asking for your Apple ID. It’s a nightmare to fix after the phone is already in the mail. So, the first step in how to reset iPhone 16 to factory settings is always, always handling the iCloud side of things first.
The Pre-Reset Checklist (Don't skip this)
Seriously. If you haven't backed up, stop reading. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now.
Wait for it to finish.
If you have a massive amount of 4K video footage, this might take an hour. Don't rush it. Also, make sure you know your Apple ID password. If you’ve been using FaceID for six months and haven't typed that password in, you might be in for a rude awakening when the phone asks for it during the sign-out process.
Unpairing the Apple Watch
If you have an Apple Watch Series 10 or an Ultra 2 paired to your iPhone 16, unpair it before you reset the phone. This creates a fresh backup of your watch data on the iPhone, which then gets moved to the cloud. If you skip this, your watch might get stuck in a weird limbo where it thinks it’s still paired to a phone that no longer exists.
How to reset iPhone 16 to factory settings: The direct method
Apple has actually made this fairly intuitive in recent years. They moved the menu options around a bit in iOS 18, but the path is still relatively straightforward.
- Open the Settings app. It’s the one with the grey gears.
- Scroll down to General.
- Swipe all the way to the bottom. You’re looking for Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
At this point, the iPhone 16 will give you a summary of what’s about to be deleted. It’ll list your apps, your data, your eSIMs (careful with those!), and your Find My status.
A note on eSIMs
The iPhone 16 in the US is eSIM only. When you go through the reset process, the phone will specifically ask if you want to Keep eSIMs and Erase Data or Erase All. If you are just troubleshooting a software bug and plan on keeping the phone, choose to keep your eSIMs. If you’re selling the phone, wipe them. Getting a new eSIM from a carrier like Verizon or T-Mobile is a hassle you don't want the next owner to deal with—and you certainly don't want them using your cellular plan.
What if the screen is frozen?
If your iPhone 16 is totally unresponsive—maybe the touch screen isn't registering or the OS is completely locked up—you can't use the Settings menu. You'll need to use a computer.
For Mac users on macOS Catalina or later, you use Finder. For Windows users (or old-school Mac users), you still use iTunes (or the Apple Devices app).
Force Restarting into Recovery Mode:
This is a bit of a finger-gymnastics routine. Briefly press Volume Up. Briefly press Volume Down. Then, press and hold the Side Button. Keep holding it even when the Apple logo appears. Only let go when you see the "support.apple.com/iphone/restore" screen, which usually shows a cable pointing toward a computer.
Once you’re in Recovery Mode, plug the phone into your laptop. A pop-up will appear asking if you want to Update or Restore. Tap Restore. This will download the latest version of iOS and completely wipe the device. It’s the "scorched earth" policy of tech support.
Common misconceptions about factory resets
A lot of people think that a factory reset is the same as a "Hard Reset." It's not.
A hard reset (or force restart) is just like pulling the plug on a computer and plugging it back in. It clears the temporary RAM but doesn't touch your data. How to reset iPhone 16 to factory settings is a much more permanent process.
Another myth? That resetting your phone ruins the battery. That’s nonsense. In fact, a reset can sometimes improve battery life if the drain was caused by a runaway background process or a poorly coded third-party app that was constantly pinging your GPS.
Does it remove the iOS version?
No. If you've updated to iOS 18.2, a factory reset won't take you back to iOS 18.0. It keeps the current operating system version but clears out all the user-added layers. If you were trying to "downgrade" your firmware, a factory reset isn't the tool for that job.
Dealing with "Stuck" resets
Sometimes the progress bar (the white Apple logo on a black background) just... stops.
Don't panic.
👉 See also: Elon Huck Time Travel: What Really Happened With This Internet Legend
A factory reset on an iPhone 16 usually takes between 5 and 15 minutes. If it’s been an hour and the bar hasn't moved, something is wrong. Usually, this happens if the battery was low and the phone died mid-process. Always plug into a charger before starting. If it is truly stuck, you’ll have to use the Recovery Mode method mentioned above to "force" the software back onto the hardware.
Verification failed?
If you get an error saying "Verification Failed" when trying to sign out of iCloud, check your Wi-Fi. The phone must talk to Apple's servers to de-register your serial number from your Apple ID. If you’re in a dead zone or on flaky public Wi-Fi, the reset will fail every single time.
The "Erase All Content" Security Buffer
Since the introduction of Stolen Device Protection, Apple has added a security delay for certain actions. If you are in an "unfamiliar location" (somewhere you don't usually hang out, like a random coffee shop), the phone might make you wait an hour before it lets you perform a factory reset. This is to prevent a thief from snatching your phone and immediately wiping it.
If this happens, you’ll see a timer. You have to wait the hour, then authenticate again with FaceID. It’s annoying, but it’s a brilliant piece of security. If you’re at home, this usually won't trigger.
Actionable Next Steps
Now that you've got the theory and the steps, here is exactly what you should do to ensure a successful wipe.
- Audit your photos: Go to your "Recently Deleted" folder and empty it if you want that space back in the cloud, or make sure everything has a "cloud" icon indicating it’s synced.
- Check your login: Go to iforgot.apple.com if you have even a 1% doubt about your password. Change it now while you still have access to the device.
- Plug in: Find your USB-C cable. Don't risk the battery dying at 40% during a NAND wipe.
- De-register iMessage: If you are moving to Android (we won't judge, much), you must turn off iMessage in Settings > Messages before you reset. If you don't, your friends' texts will get lost in the ether because Apple still thinks you have an iPhone.
- The Final Tap: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Confirm, enter your passcode, and let the A18 chip do its work.
Once the "Hello" screen in different languages starts looping, you're done. The phone is officially as clean as the day you peeled the paper screen protector off. Whether you're handing it to a new owner or setting it up as a "new" device to escape software bugs, you’ve successfully navigated the process.