Completely wiping an iPhone isn’t always necessary—and in many cases, it’s overkill. Fortunately, iOS gives you the option to reset specific parts of the system without deleting your apps, photos, videos, or personal files. This is especially useful if your phone is acting strangely, a feature isn’t working as expected, or you simply want to undo certain customisations without starting from scratch.
Before walking through the steps, it helps to understand the different reset options available on iOS and what each one actually does. Apple breaks resets into several categories, allowing you to fix targeted issues while keeping your data intact.
Types of resets available on iPhone
Reset All Settings
This option restores all system settings to their original defaults. It resets things like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth configurations, notification preferences, accessibility options, keyboard settings, and privacy permissions. Any cards added to Apple Pay will be removed, but your apps, photos, videos, messages, and other personal data remain untouched.
Reset Network Settings
This resets all network-related configurations, including Wi-Fi passwords, cellular settings, VPNs, and Bluetooth connections. It also changes your device name back to the default “iPhone.” This is often useful for fixing connectivity issues.
Reset Keyboard Dictionary
If your keyboard suggestions have become messy or inaccurate, this option clears all custom words you’ve added and restores the keyboard dictionary to its original state.
Reset Home Screen Layout
This puts your home screen back to its default layout. All built-in apps return to their original positions, and any folders you created are removed. Third-party apps are still installed, but they’re reorganized automatically.
Reset Location & Privacy
This restores all location services and privacy permissions to their default settings. Apps will ask for access to your location, camera, microphone, photos, and other sensitive data again.
Erase All Content and Settings
This is the full factory reset that completely wipes your iPhone. It deletes all apps, data, media, and settings. This option is not what you want if your goal is to keep your data.
How to reset your iPhone without erasing your data
If you want to restore settings while keeping everything else intact, follow these steps:
- Open Settings on your iPhone
- Tap General
- Scroll down and select Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Reset
- Choose the reset option that fits your needs
To restore all system settings without deleting your personal data, select Reset All Settings. Your iPhone will restart, apply the changes, and retain all your apps and files in their original locations.
Which option should you choose?
The right reset depends on what you’re trying to fix. Network problems typically require a network reset, keyboard issues can be resolved by resetting the dictionary, and broader system quirks are often resolved by resetting all settings. The key advantage is flexibility—you can troubleshoot without losing your data or having to redo a full device setup.
In short, iOS gives you plenty of control. You can clean up problematic settings, restore defaults, and refresh your iPhone’s behaviour without wiping it clean or losing any important data.
