Have you ever encountered a problem with your iPhone that made it malfunction and found yourself unable to reset it through the traditional methods? Perhaps you’ve forgotten your passcode, it’s bricked, or it just won’t turn on. When all else fails, resetting your iPhone with iTunes becomes an excellent option.
This article will walk you through the steps needed to reset your iPhone using iTunes on Windows. Whether you’re not tech-savvy or a pro, following these simple steps will have your iPhone reset in no time.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Reset iPhone Using iTunes on Windows
Resetting your iPhone has never been an easy task for many people worldwide. Previously the process was done on the phone, but now Apple has made it compulsory to reset through the computer. It’s a bit challenging to reset your iPhone if you don’t know what you’re doing. Moreover, iTunes has become a horror movie for some Windows users who find troubleshooting the application excessively difficult. Therefore, restoring and resetting an iPhone using iTunes on Windows can be a nightmare.
Things You Should Prepare for
To reset iPhone using iTunes in Windows, the following are the prerequisites:
1. Latest version of iTunes installed on your Windows PC
2. Lightning or USB cable to connect the iPhone to your PC
3. A most recent backup of the iPhone in iTunes on your computer to ensure you don’t lose your data
Method 1: Via iTunes Application
If you can’t reset your iPhone through Settings or find My iPhone application, the steps below will guide you through the process:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes on your computer. It will detect your phone automatically.
3. On the Summary page, click on “Restore iPhone.”
4. iTunes will then ask you to confirm that you want to restore the iPhone to its factory settings. Click “Restore” to continue.
5. Once completed, the iPhone will restart and will display a “Hello” screen.
Pros: Easy to do and won’t lose any data if you have a backup.
Cons: Requires the latest version of iTunes.
Method 2: Using the iPhone Recovery Tool in iTunes
This method uses the iPhone recovery tool in iTunes, which will erase all contents and settings from your iPhone. For this method, follow the steps below:
1. Install the latest version of iTunes on your Windows computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
3. Click on the iPhone icon in iTunes, then click on “Summary.”
4. In the Summary page, click on “Restore iPhone.”
5. Follow the prompt and click on “Restore and Update” to confirm.
6. The iPhone will then download and install the latest iOS version.
7. Finally, iTunes will restore your iPhone to its factory settings. After completion, the iPhone will restart as a new device.
Pros: The latest iOS version will be installed, and any software issues or glitches will be cleared.
Cons: Time-consuming and requires a stable internet connection.
Method 3: Via the DFU Mode in iTunes
If none of the above methods of resetting your iPhone works, the last resort is to use the DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode. The DFU mode is what iPhone uses when upgrading or downgrading iOS versions. Follow the steps below to use the DFU mode in iTunes:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Turn off your iPhone by holding down the Power (lock) button.
3. Press and hold both the Power (lock) button and the Volume Down button for ten seconds. Then, release the Power (lock) button while still holding the Volume Down button until your iPhone is in DFU mode.
4. iTunes will detect that the iPhone is in DFU mode and prompt you to restore or update the device.
5. Click on “Restore iPhone” and allow iTunes to restore the phone to its factory settings.
Pros: It will completely wipe your iPhone to a new state and fix any software issues.
Cons: It could be tricky to get it into DFU mode and may affect your warranty.
Method 4: Via a Third-Party Application
If you encounter issues with the above methods, another option is to use a third-party iPhone reset tool. These apps offer the easiest and most user-friendly way to reset your iPhone, with much fewer steps to follow.
However, it’s important to note that downloading an unknown third-party application could be potentially dangerous and harm your phone. Therefore, ensure the authenticity of any third-party application before downloading and using it to reset your phone.
Additional Tips
1. Ensure backup protection: Always create a backup of your iPhone before reset.
2. Put your iPhone in recovery mode: If iTunes can’t recognize your iPhone, put it in recovery mode. Connect your iPhone to Windows, then force the restart. When you see the recovery mode screen, release the button.
3. Learn more about your device: It’s beneficial to learn more about how your iPhone works, such as how to troubleshoot it.
5 FAQs about How to Reset iPhone Using iTunes on Windows
Q1: Can I reset my iPhone without iTunes?
A: Yes, you can reset your iPhone via Settings on your iPhone or Find My iPhone on a different iOS device.
Q2: Will resetting iPhone remove the carrier lock?
A: No, resetting your iPhone will not remove the carrier lock. You will need to contact your carrier to have it unlocked.
Q3: How long does it take to reset an iPhone?
A: The duration of the reset process depends on the method used, the amount of data on your iPhone, and your internet connection. It can take anywhere from one to three hours to complete.
Q4: Will resetting my iPhone get rid of a virus or malware?
A: Yes, resetting your iPhone will remove any virus or malware present on it.
Q5: What happens if my iPhone turns off during the reset process?
A: If your iPhone turns off during the reset, you will need to start the process again from method 1.
In Conclusion
Resetting your iPhone using iTunes on Windows can be a quick and easy process, and with the right preparations and the steps outlined in this article, recovering your phone without losing any data is achievable. It’s wise to explore all the methods before deciding which one works best for you. Don’t forget to back up your data before resetting your iPhone.