How to Factory Reset iPhone with Buttons – Easy Guide

Is your iPhone stuck or not working right or could it just use a quick reboot? Selling or donating your device is usually when a factory reset is the appropriate option. Although the majority of users navigate through settings, there is an alternative that is quicker: factory resetting your iPhone using buttons. If you wish to discover how to factory reset iPhone with buttons, this simple guide is just what you are looking for.

In this comprehensive article, we will guide you through the process of doing a factory reset using simply the hardware buttons without the use of a computer. Whether you have an iPhone 6, iPhone 8, iPhone X, or the new iPhone 15, the following guide is applicable to all models and provides you with step-by-step directions.

📱 What Is a Factory Reset?

A factory reset will restore your iPhone to its factory, out-of-box settings. That is:

• Everything, including all apps, data, photos, and personal information, is wiped out.
  
• iOS is installed again and reset.
  
• Your phone maintains its quality since the day you got it.
  

Many times, it is used to spotlight performance issues, solve them or set a device up for sale.

⚠️ Before You Begin: Important Notes

Before you factory reset your iPhone using buttons, ensure to:

• Backup your data via iCloud or iTunes (Finder on a macOS Catalina or later).
  
• Turn off Find My iPhone (Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone).
  
• Charge your phone to at least 50% battery.
  
• Have your Apple ID and password handy – it will be used to restore the device after the reset.
  

🔧 How to Factory Reset iPhone with Buttons – Step-by-Step Instructions

The process of resetting an iPhone using buttons differs slightly according to the model. Here’s how to reset each version.

✅ For iPhone 8, X, XR, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 Series

These models don’t have a physical Home button. You’ll use a combination of volume and side buttons.

Step-by-Step:

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
   
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
   
3. Depress and keep holding the button marked Side which is found on the right side of the phone.
   
4. Hold on until the Apple logo shows up.
   
5. Release the button.
   

This does a force reboot, but for a full factory reset, continue with:

• When the iPhone has restarted, plug it into a computer.
  
• Use Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (Windows or older Macs).
  
• Put the phone into Recovery Mode:
  
  • Repeat steps 1-3 above.
    
  • Continue holding down the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen is displayed (a cable and computer icon).
    
• In Finder or iTunes, pick Restore to set your iPhone back to how it was when you first bought it.
  

💡 Tip: This procedure resets the device without needing to go through Settings.

✅ For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

The process is a bit different because of the physical Home button.

Step-by-Step:

1. Hold down both the Side (Power) button and the Volume Down button at the same time.
   
2. Hold both of them down until the Apple logo is displayed.
   
3. Release both buttons.
   

For factory reset:

• Connect to iTunes or Finder.
  
• Long-press both buttons until the Recovery Mode screen comes up.
  
• Click Restore when prompted.
  

✅ For iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, and iPhone SE (1st Gen)

Older iPhones with mechanical Home buttons use this method:

Step-by-Step:

1. Press and hold the Home button and Power button (on the side or top).
   
2. Hold them until the Apple logo is on the screen.
   
3. Release both.
   

To factory reset:

• Plug into iTunes or Finder.
  
• Hold the power and volume up buttons together until you see Recovery Mode.
  
• Choose Restore..
  

🛠️ What If Buttons Aren’t Working?

You will be unable to enter things using the Sleep button if your iPhone buttons are broken. Instead:

• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone and choose Erase All Content and Settings.
  
• Or plug in to iTunes/Finder and reset from computer.
  

🔐 Don’t Forget Activation Lock

The factory reset will ask you to input your Apple ID password to get back into the phone. This feature is enabled because of Activation Lock which belongs to Apple’s anti-theft system. Make sure that you have these credentials beforehand.

🧠 Why Use the Button Method?

You may wonder: why restore the iPhone via buttons and not through the Settings menu?

Here are a few advantages:

• Still works when your screen or touch doesn’t respond properly.
  
• Helpful when Settings menu is not available owing to glitches.
  
• No need to run through complex menus – use the physical keys instead.
  
• Allows access to Recovery Mode directly.
  

🔋 Troubleshooting Tips

If the reset is not working:

• Check if you’re using the correct button combo for your model.
  
• Ensure your iPhone has enough battery.
  
• Try using a certified Lightning cable and Apple-compatible computer.
  
• If stuck in Recovery Mode, use the Restore button in iTunes or Finder.
  

📌 Summary: Resetting iPhone Using Buttons

iPhone Model	Button Combo to Force Restart	For Factory Reset via Buttons
iPhone 8 and later	Volume Up > Volume Down > Hold Side Button	Use buttons + Recovery Mode
iPhone 7/7 Plus	Hold Volume Down + Side Button	Use buttons + Recovery Mode
iPhone 6s/SE (1st Gen)	Hold Home + Power Button	Use buttons + Recovery Mode

Remember, factory resetting an iPhone with buttons doesn’t completely erase the device until you use iTunes/Finder to restore it.

❓ FAQs About How to Factory Reset iPhone with Buttons

1. Will resetting my iPhone delete everything?

After finishing a factory reset, your apps, data, settings and personal stuff will be gone. Making a backup of your data is important before you change computers.

2. Can I reset my iPhone without Apple ID or password?

No. Activation Lock after the reset requests original Apple ID credentials. This is a security feature intended to help maintain privacy from improper use.

3. How long does it take to factory reset an iPhone with buttons?

The button combo only takes a few seconds. The complete reset process via iTunes/Finder normally takes 10–15 minutes.

4. Is factory resetting with buttons safe for my device?

Yes, it’s totally safe when done properly. It’s the official Apple-approved way of restoring devices in Recovery Mode.

5. Can I reset an iPhone if the screen is broken?

Yes! That is one of the best applications of the button method. So long as the buttons function and you have a computer, you can do a factory reset

🧾 Final Thoughts

Now you understand how to factory reset iPhone with buttons for any model – including if your screen is stuck or Settings won’t activate. This trick comes in handy when debugging major software problems or getting your device ready to sell.

Always make sure to save a copy of your data and identify your Apple ID login details. If you’re working with an iPhone 6 or an iPhone 15 Pro, a button-based factory reset provides you with a highly effective means of restoring your phone to factory settings in no time and safely.

If this guide helped you, share it with a friend or save it for future reference. Need help with other iPhone issues? Check out our related how-to articles!