How to Reset an iPhone 12: Your Comprehensive Guide

The iPhone 12, a marvel of modern technology, can sometimes act up. Whether it’s persistent glitches, performance slowdowns, or simply preparing it for sale, knowing how to reset your device is crucial. Let’s get straight to the point: To reset an iPhone 12, you have several options, each serving a different purpose. These include a soft reset (restart), a force restart, resetting settings, and a full factory reset. The best method depends entirely on your specific needs. This guide will walk you through each type of reset, ensuring you choose the correct one and execute it flawlessly.

Understanding the Different Types of Resets

Before diving into the how-to, let’s differentiate between the various reset options available on your iPhone 12. Choosing the wrong one can lead to frustration and potentially data loss, so pay close attention.

Soft Reset (Restart)

A soft reset, often referred to simply as a restart, is the simplest form of reset. It’s akin to rebooting your computer. It closes all running applications and restarts the operating system, resolving minor software glitches without erasing any data.

Force Restart

A force restart is a more forceful version of a soft reset. It’s used when your iPhone 12 is unresponsive or frozen. This method doesn’t erase data either, but it’s more effective at breaking through severe software freezes.

Resetting Settings

This option allows you to reset specific settings on your iPhone 12, such as network settings, keyboard dictionary, Home Screen layout, location & privacy, or all settings. No data is deleted, but your customized settings will revert to their default values. This is helpful when encountering issues related to specific configurations.

Factory Reset (Erase All Content and Settings)

A factory reset, also known as an Erase All Content and Settings reset, is the most drastic option. It wipes your iPhone 12 clean, removing all your personal data, apps, photos, and settings, essentially returning it to its original factory state. This is typically done before selling or giving away your device or when troubleshooting severe software problems.

Step-by-Step Guides to Resetting Your iPhone 12

Now that you understand the different types of resets, let’s look at how to perform each one.

How to Perform a Soft Reset (Restart)

This is the easiest and safest method for resolving minor software glitches.

1. Press and hold either the Volume Up or Volume Down button and the Side button (power button) simultaneously until the power-off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone 12.
3. After your iPhone turns off, press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Your iPhone 12 will now restart, hopefully resolving any minor issues you were experiencing.

How to Perform a Force Restart

Use this method if your iPhone 12 is frozen or unresponsive.

1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side button (power button).
4. Continue holding the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

Your iPhone 12 will force restart, hopefully breaking through the freeze.

How to Reset Specific Settings

This option allows you to reset specific settings without affecting your data.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone 12.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Tap Reset.
5. Choose the setting you want to reset:
   • Reset All Settings: Resets all settings to their defaults, but does not erase your data.
   • Reset Network Settings: Resets Wi-Fi passwords, cellular settings, and VPN settings.
   • Reset Keyboard Dictionary: Clears the words you’ve added to your keyboard dictionary.
   • Reset Home Screen Layout: Resets the layout of your Home Screen to the default arrangement.
   • Reset Location & Privacy: Resets your location and privacy settings.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset.

How to Perform a Factory Reset (Erase All Content and Settings)

Warning: This will erase all data on your iPhone 12. Back up your data before proceeding.

1. Back Up Your Data: Using iCloud or iTunes (Finder on macOS Catalina or later), create a complete backup of your iPhone 12. This is crucial to prevent data loss.
2. Open the Settings app on your iPhone 12.
3. Tap General.
4. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
5. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
6. You may be prompted to enter your passcode or Apple ID password.
7. Tap Erase iPhone to confirm.
8. Your iPhone 12 will begin the factory reset process, which may take some time. Once complete, your iPhone will restart and display the initial setup screen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about resetting an iPhone 12.

1. Will resetting my iPhone 12 delete my photos?

It depends on the type of reset you perform. A soft reset or force restart will not delete your photos. Resetting specific settings also won’t. However, a factory reset will erase all your photos unless you have them backed up to iCloud or another service.

2. How do I back up my iPhone 12 before a factory reset?

You can back up your iPhone 12 to iCloud or to your computer using iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina or later). To back up to iCloud, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap “Back Up Now.” To back up to your computer, connect your iPhone to your computer, open iTunes (or Finder), select your iPhone, and click “Back Up Now.”

3. What if my iPhone 12 is frozen and I can’t access Settings?

If your iPhone 12 is frozen, you should perform a force restart. This is the quickest and most effective way to unfreeze a unresponsive iPhone. Follow the steps outlined earlier in the guide.

4. How long does a factory reset take on an iPhone 12?

The time it takes to complete a factory reset varies depending on the amount of data on your iPhone 12. It can range from a few minutes to over an hour. Ensure your iPhone is connected to a power source during the process.

5. What should I do after performing a factory reset?

After the factory reset, your iPhone 12 will display the initial setup screen. You can choose to restore from a backup (iCloud or iTunes) or set up your iPhone as new.

6. Can I reset my iPhone 12 without my Apple ID password?

Generally, you cannot perform a factory reset without your Apple ID password, especially if Find My iPhone is enabled. This is a security feature to prevent unauthorized resets. If you’ve forgotten your password, you’ll need to reset it through Apple’s account recovery process.

7. Will resetting network settings delete my contacts?

No, resetting network settings will only affect your Wi-Fi passwords, cellular settings, and VPN settings. It will not delete your contacts or any other personal data.

8. Is a factory reset the same as restoring to factory settings?

Yes, “factory reset” and “restoring to factory settings” are interchangeable terms. They both refer to erasing all content and settings on your iPhone 12 and returning it to its original, out-of-the-box state.

9. Why is my iPhone 12 still slow after a reset?

If your iPhone 12 is still slow after a reset, there could be several reasons:

• Restoring from a problematic backup: The backup itself might contain corrupted data or software glitches. Try setting it up as new to see if the problem persists.
• Hardware issues: The slowness could be related to a hardware problem, such as a failing battery or storage issue. Contact Apple Support for assistance.
• Software bugs: There might be a bug in the current iOS version. Check for software updates or consider downgrading to a previous version (if possible and recommended).

10. Does resetting my iPhone 12 remove my SIM card?

No, resetting your iPhone 12 does not physically remove your SIM card. However, resetting network settings will erase the cellular settings associated with your SIM card, potentially requiring you to re-enter your APN settings.

11. What does “Reset All Settings” actually reset?

The “Reset All Settings” option resets the following:

• Network settings: Wi-Fi passwords, cellular settings, VPN configurations.
• Keyboard dictionary: Clears the words you’ve added.
• Home Screen layout: Reverts to the default app arrangement.
• Location & Privacy settings: Resets location services permissions.
• Privacy settings: All saved privacy settings.
• Accessibility settings: Saved accessibility adjustments.

12. Is it possible to partially reset an iPhone 12 without losing all data?

Yes, you can partially reset your iPhone 12 without losing all your data by using the “Reset” options in the Settings app. You can reset specific settings like network settings, keyboard dictionary, or Home Screen layout, without affecting your photos, contacts, or other personal data.

Knowing how to properly reset your iPhone 12 is a valuable skill. By understanding the different types of resets and following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently troubleshoot issues, prepare your device for sale, and maintain its optimal performance. Remember to back up your data before performing a factory reset to avoid any data loss.