How to Hard Reset iPhone 16: Settings, Recovery, and DFU Mode Explained

Force Restarting Your iPhone 16

• ⚡ To force restart your iPhone 16, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

Factory Reset via Settings

• ⚙️ For a full factory reset, navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• 💡 Select Erase All Content and Settings, then Continue. You will need to enter your passcode and Apple ID password to proceed.
• 🚀 This method is ideal for preparing your device for sale or when you want to restore it to its original state.

Resetting with Recovery Mode

• 💻 If you've forgotten your passcode or your iPhone is unresponsive, Recovery Mode is the next step.
• 🔌 Connect your iPhone to a computer using a USB cable.
• 👆 Press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.
• 🍏 On your computer, use either the Apple Devices app (on Windows) or iTunes (older versions) to restore your iPhone.
• ⚠️ The Apple Devices app offers options to Update (without erasing data) or Restore (factory reset).

Full Restore with DFU Mode

• 🛠️ For a more comprehensive restore, DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode can be used, often with third-party tools like 3uTools.
• 🔄 While the transcript mentions 3uTools for selecting specific OS versions, the primary method shown involves connecting to a computer and initiating a restore via the Apple Devices app or iTunes after entering recovery mode.
• 💡 DFU mode is typically a deeper level of restore than standard recovery mode, often used for troubleshooting persistent software issues.