Restart, reset, and restore sound interchangeable but do very different things to your data, and picking the wrong one can cost you photos, messages, and app logins. Here’s what each option actually does and when to reach for it.
The Short Version
| Restart | Reset | Restore | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Powers the device off and on | Returns settings to defaults | Erases everything, reinstalls iOS |
| Your data | Untouched | Untouched | Erased (unless you restore a backup after) |
| Your settings | Untouched | Reset to defaults (varies by type) | Reset to factory state |
| Risk | None | Low (some reconfiguration) | High (backup is mandatory) |
| Use for | Crashes, slowdowns, flaky radios | Corrupted settings, network bugs | Selling the device, deep corruption, disabled device |
Work down that table in order: restart first, reset second, restore last.
Restart
A restart closes every app and process, clears RAM and temporary files, and boots fresh. It fixes app crashes, general sluggishness, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth glitches, and it cannot lose your data.
Standard restart:
iPhone with Face ID, or iPad without a Home button:
- Press and hold the Side (or Top) button with either Volume button
- Slide to power off when prompted
- Wait 30 seconds
- Press and hold the Side (or Top) button until the Apple logo appears
iPhone 8 and earlier, or iPad with a Home button:
- Press and hold the Top (or Side) button
- Slide to power off when prompted
- Wait 30 seconds
- Press and hold the same button until the Apple logo appears
Force restart (device frozen, standard restart ignored):
iPhone 8 and newer:
- Press and quickly release Volume Up
- Press and quickly release Volume Down
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus:
- Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down together
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears
iPhone 6s and earlier:
- Press and hold the Home button and Top (or Side) button together
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears
Full per-model detail: how to force restart an iPhone, or see Apple’s official instructions.
Reset
A reset returns settings, not data, to defaults. iOS offers several, all in one place: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
| Reset type | What it wipes | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| Reset All Settings | Every setting: Wi-Fi passwords, VPN, keyboard, Home layout, permissions | Multiple settings misbehave at once; the “nuclear” reset that still keeps data |
| Reset Network Settings | Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, VPN, cellular settings | Persistent Wi-Fi/cellular problems |
| Reset Keyboard Dictionary | Learned words and shortcuts | Autocorrect has learned things it shouldn’t |
| Reset Home Screen Layout | App arrangement and folders | Restore default icon order |
| Reset Location & Privacy | App location/permission choices | Permission prompts acting up |
Prefer the most specific reset that covers the problem. Reset Network Settings costs you five minutes of reconnecting; Reset All Settings costs you an hour of reconfiguration. Nothing here deletes photos, messages, or apps, but do a backup first anyway; it’s cheap insurance.
Restore
A restore erases the device completely and reinstalls iOS. There are three flavors:
Restore from backup (erase, then bring your data back):
From iCloud:
- Erase the device: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings
- Follow the setup assistant until the “Apps & Data” screen
- Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup” and sign in with your Apple ID
- Pick the backup and wait for the restore to finish
From a computer:
- Connect the device and open Finder or iTunes
- Select the device, then click Restore Backup
- Choose the backup and enter the encryption password if asked
- Wait for the restore to finish
Restore as new (erase and set up fresh, no data brought over). The right choice when a device is misbehaving in ways that survive a backup restore. Rare, but it happens; corrupted backups exist.
Restore with an IPSW file (erase and install a specific iOS version from a downloaded firmware file). Needed for downgrades and stubborn corruption; files for your model are on the dotIPSW and iPadOS pages:
- Connect the device to the computer and open Finder or iTunes
- Select the device
- Hold Shift (Windows) or Option (Mac) and click Restore
- Select the IPSW file and confirm
When restore is the right call: selling or giving away the device (our sale preparation guide covers the full handoff), a disabled/locked device, corruption that resets can’t fix, or major update failures.
Before You Reset or Restore
- Back up, via iCloud (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now) or via computer (select the device in Finder/iTunes, click Back Up Now). Details in our backup guide
- Verify the backup: check its timestamp; an unverified backup is a hope, not a plan
- Know your credentials: Apple ID password, and the backup encryption password if you set one. Apple cannot recover a forgotten backup password
- Charge above 50% and stay connected to power throughout
Never interrupt a restore mid-process; that’s how recoverable problems become recovery-mode problems.
When Things Go Wrong
- Device won’t turn off or on: charge 30 minutes with a known-good cable, then force restart
- Reset options grayed out: update iOS first, and check Screen Time restrictions
- Restore can’t find the backup: confirm the Apple ID, and on computer check Edit > Preferences > Devices (iTunes) for the backup list
- Restore fails repeatedly: update iTunes/macOS, try another cable, or check the specific error code in our error guide
- Device stuck during restore: wait up to an hour, then force restart and retry via Recovery Mode. See the emergency recovery guide
If attempts keep failing, or you suspect hardware damage, that’s Apple Support territory; bring your serial number and backup status.
Quick Recap
- Restart is safe, fixes most glitches, do it first
- Reset touches settings only; pick the narrowest type that covers the problem
- Restore erases everything; backup first, use it last
- The wrong choice costs you data; the right order costs you nothing