The best way to reset your iPhone or restore it was to connect it with an iTunes computer. Apple has since discontinued iTunes for Mac in 2019. Instead, it replaced it with the Music app. iTunes also doesn’t work on all Windows PCs. What’s the best way reset an iPhone or restore it without iTunes?
This guide will show you how to restore or reset your iPhone using the device settings. You can also use Finder or a third-party application for when iTunes isn’t available.
Resetting vs. Resetting an iPhone
Many people use the words “reset” or “restore” interchangeably. It is wrong to do this. The two words refer to different processes.
Resetting your phone is the easier option of the two. It may wipe your phone’s data depending on which reset option you choose. However, it does not affect the firmware version or the operating system version.
You also have more options when you reset your device. You can reset all settings and content on your device. You can also choose to reset network settings, keyboard dictionary and Home Screen layout. This will preserve all your data.
If your iPhone has major problems, you will need to restore it. You might have problems with your iPhone’s Recovery or Device Firmware Update (DFU), or you are seeing error codes. The most common errors are 4194, 4013 and 4014.
Restoring an iPhone erases all data and reinstalls it from scratch.
The restoration process can be further divided into two categories: data recovery and data restoration.
How to Reset iPhone without iTunes
You can reset your iPhone without iTunes. If your iPhone is functioning properly, you can reset it using the Settings app. These steps will help you reset your iPhone.
- Turn on your device, and ensure it isn’t connected to iTunes.
- Start the Settings App.
- Navigate to General > Reset or Transfer iPhone.
- This will display a list with all the available reset options. To erase all data and restore your iPhone to factory settings, tap the Erase ALL Content and Settings option. You can also tap Reset to choose the option that suits your needs.
You will first need to enter your passcode before the reset process can begin. This process will take several minutes.
If your iPhone won’t work and you are unable to follow these steps, you will need to follow the instructions below to restore it without iTunes.
How to restore an iPhone without iTunes on a Mac
You can use Finder to restore an iPhone if iTunes has been discontinued on your Mac. This process is the same for iTunes as for Finder.
- Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone and Mac.
- Select your iPhone from the sidebar and open Finder.
- When prompted, enter your passcode.
- To completely wipe your device and reinstall software, use the General tab of Finder. To restore data from an older backup, you can click Backup.
You may also need to update the firmware depending on the issue with your iPhone. To do this, you will need to place your iPhone in DFU mode .
How to restore an iPhone without iTunes on a Windows PC
It is possible to restore an iPhone using a Windows PC. However, you won’t be able to use iTunes or Finder if you have the white screen. Third-party software is required to do this. FonePaw, Tenorshare and dr.fone are three of the most popular brands.
This guide will be focused on Tenorshare. If you are not satisfied with the Tenorshare process, feel free to download the other apps.
Tenorshare: How to Restore an iPhone that is Disabled
Let’s take a look at how to fix an iPhone that isn’t working or disabled without iTunes. This is the method to use if your iPhone password has been lost or you are experiencing errors in the restore process.
You will need to first download the Tenorshare ReiBoot App. This app offers a paid subscription, but can be used for free.
After the app has been installed, connect your iPhone with your computer. The process won’t work over Bluetooth or Wi Fi.
You can also use the one-click buttons for entering and Exit Recovery modes. To repair your iPhone, click the start button.
The list of possible iOS problems will now appear. Select the nearest match and then click Fix Now. You have two options: a Basic Repair that is less efficient but does not delete any of your data; or an Advanced Repair that is more effective but also deletes all of your data.
Whatever process you choose to use, simply follow the instructions on the screen to set your iPhone into the correct mode and perform the repair.
How to restore iPhone data using Tenorshare
You might be able to restore an important file, photo, message, document or other file that you have deleted from your iPhone if you act fast. Tenorshare’s UltData app is here to help. The app is free but subscriptions allow you to unlock additional features. It is available for Windows and macOS.
There are a few significant advantages to using the app instead of iTunes to recover files. It can retrieve files from your iPhone, so unlike iTunes, you don’t have to make a backup. You can also restore data from an iTunes backup on a case-by-case basis, instead of having to deal with an “all or nothing” approach.
- Install the UltData app.
- Depending on your goals, you can choose Recover iOS Devices or Data Recovery from Backup.
- Choose the files that you wish to restore and select them.
- To see all available scan information, click on the button and then restore what you need.
Third-party apps offer more options than iTunes
While it may seem that you are at a disadvantage if your iPhone cannot be reset or restored using iTunes, third-party apps offer many more features than iTunes.
Tenorshare can be used to quickly enter or exit Recovery, fix a wide variety of issues, and UltData can be used to recover all data from your iPhone, iCloud or backup. You can also use other methods to access some of these options.
