It happens to the best of us. Maybe your screen is frozen, or you're selling the thing on eBay, or—worst case—you’ve completely forgotten that six-digit passcode you just changed yesterday. Whatever the reason, you're here because you need to know how to reset iPhone using iTunes and everything else you’ve tried isn't working.
Most people think this is a "set it and forget it" process. It isn't.
Actually, it's kinda finicky. Apple has moved away from iTunes on Mac (replacing it with Finder), but if you're on a PC or an older MacBook, iTunes is still the king of the castle. It’s the "nuclear option" for when your phone won't even turn on properly. But before you go clicking buttons, you need to understand that this isn't just a simple refresh; it’s a total wipe of your digital life.
Why iTunes is Still the Best Way to Reset
You've probably seen the "Erase All Content and Settings" option in your iPhone’s menu. That’s fine for a quick cleanup. But honestly, when your software is truly corrupted or you're stuck in a boot loop, that on-device setting is useless. iTunes is different. It doesn't just delete your photos; it communicates with Apple's servers, downloads a fresh copy of iOS, and physically overwrites the firmware.
It's deep cleaning vs. just tidying up.
If you're dealing with a disabled iPhone, iTunes is basically your only hope outside of a trip to the Genius Bar. You’re essentially reinstalling the brain of the phone from scratch. This is why it fixes glitches that a standard restart won't touch.
Preparation: The Stuff Nobody Tells You
Don't just plug it in and pray.
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First, make sure your iTunes is updated. I've seen so many people get "Error 4013" or "Error 9" simply because they were running a version of iTunes from 2021. It won't work. If you're on a PC, go to Help > Check for Updates. If you downloaded iTunes from the Microsoft Store, it usually updates itself, but it never hurts to check.
Second, you need a real cable. Not that frayed one you bought at a gas station. You need an Apple-certified Lightning or USB-C cable that actually handles data transfer. Some cheap cables only carry power, so iTunes won't even "see" the phone.
Wait! What about Find My?
This is the big one. If you can still get into your phone, you must turn off "Find My iPhone." Go to Settings, tap your name, and toggle it off. If you don't, you'll hit the Activation Lock after the reset. Then you'll be stuck needing your Apple ID password anyway, which defeats the purpose if you're trying to set it up for someone else.
How to Reset iPhone Using iTunes: The Step-by-Step Reality
Let's get into the actual meat of it.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer. If iTunes doesn't open automatically, force it open.
- Look for the little phone icon in the top left corner. Click it.
- You’ll see a "Summary" tab. This is your command center.
- Now, you have two choices: Update or Restore.
Clicking "Restore iPhone" is what we're talking about here. This is the "reset" button. iTunes will ask you about twenty times if you're sure. It’ll tell you it’s going to erase everything. Say yes.
At this point, iTunes starts downloading the latest iOS firmware. This file is huge. Depending on your internet, it could take ten minutes or an hour. If it takes longer than 15 minutes, your iPhone might actually exit "recovery mode" and restart normally. Don't panic. Just let the download finish and then start the process again.
What if the phone is disabled?
This is where things get spicy. If you can't click "Trust this computer" because the screen is locked, you have to use Recovery Mode.
To do this, the button combo matters. For an iPhone 8 or later, you tap Volume Up, tap Volume Down, and then hold the Side button until the screen shows a picture of a computer and a cable. Don't let go when you see the Apple logo! Keep holding. Once that "support.apple.com/iphone/restore" screen appears, iTunes will pop up a message saying there’s a problem with the iPhone.
Choose Restore. Not update. Restore.
The Difference Between DFU and Recovery Mode
Most users never need to know this, but if a standard restore fails, you need DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode. It's the deepest level of reset. In DFU mode, the screen stays black. It looks like the phone is off, but iTunes will say "iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode."
It’s the ultimate "un-bricking" tool. If you’ve tried to reset iPhone using iTunes and you keep getting errors, DFU is your next step. It bypasses the iBoot bootloader, which is often where the software corruption is hiding.
Dealing with the "Waiting for iPhone" Hang
We've all been there. You click restore, the bar moves a little, and then it just says "Waiting for iPhone..." for an eternity.
Usually, this is a driver issue on Windows. Or a USB port being stubborn. Try switching ports—specifically, if you're on a desktop, use the ports on the back of the tower, not the ones on the front. They have a more direct connection to the motherboard.
Also, disable your antivirus for ten minutes. Sometimes programs like Norton or McAfee think iTunes is trying to do something malicious because it's rewriting system files. They block the connection, and your restore fails.
Common Myths About Resetting via iTunes
Some people think resetting via iTunes deletes your iCloud backup. It doesn't. Your iCloud backups are safe in Apple's cloud. iTunes only wipes what is physically on the hardware in your hand.
Another myth: "It'll fix my cracked screen." Okay, nobody actually thinks that, but people do think it will fix hardware issues like a dying battery or a broken camera. It won't. If your phone is resetting itself because the battery is chemically aged, a software restore will just make the phone run "cleaner" for a few days before the hardware fails again.
Verifying the Success
How do you know it worked? You'll see the "Hello" screen in different languages.
At this point, the phone is technically a blank slate. If you’re selling it, stop there. Turn it off. If you’re keeping it, you can now choose to "Restore from iTunes Backup" or "Restore from iCloud Backup."
Personally? I prefer restoring from an iTunes backup (now called a local backup) because it's way faster than downloading 60GB of photos over Wi-Fi. Plus, local backups can save your passwords and health data if you checked the "Encrypt Local Backup" box before you started.
Actionable Next Steps for a Clean Slate
Before you dive in, follow this checklist to ensure you don't lose anything forever:
- Check your iCloud: Log into iCloud.com on a browser and make sure your photos and contacts are actually there. Don't assume.
- Transfer Purchases: In iTunes, go to File > Devices > Transfer Purchases. This grabs any apps or books that might not be in your current library.
- Charge the Phone: Never start a restore with 5% battery. Even though it's plugged in, the process is incredibly power-intensive, and if the connection blips, you want the battery to carry it through.
- Update Your OS: Ensure your Windows or macOS is current. Compatibility is the number one reason resets fail.
Once you’ve confirmed your data is backed up and Find My is disabled, plug that phone in and hit Restore. It's the closest thing to getting a brand-new phone without spending $1,000.
If you hit a specific error code like 4013 or 1604, check your USB cable first. It’s almost always the cable. If a second cable doesn't work, try a different computer entirely. Sometimes the software environment on one PC is just too cluttered for iTunes to communicate clearly with the Apple verification servers.
Your iPhone is a complex machine, but the reset iPhone using iTunes process is designed to be a fail-safe. It's the "break glass in case of emergency" tool that works when nothing else does. Just take it slow, watch the progress bar, and don't unplug that cable until you see the "Hello" screen.