How to Fix iPhone Erase All Content And Settings Not Working

"Hello, I am an iPhone X user and I want to change the phone to iPhone 14. But when I tried to reset the phone to factory settings, I found that Erase All Content and Settings not working on my iPhone. Does anyone know how can I fix this problem and reset my iPhone to the factory settings?"

What would you do if you need to sell your iPhone as a used iPhone? Before selling a used iPhone, setting it to the factory settings is the necessary step. This can not only remove all data and content from the iOS device, but also disable the Find My iPhone feature so that the buyer can use the phone normally. However, some users found that iPhone Erase All Content and Settings not working. In this article, we will summarize the fixes to solve the problem.

Part 1. When Do Users Need to Erase All Content and Settings

Before jumping into technical fixes, it is essential to understand what is blocking the process. In the latest iOS versions, Apple has prioritized data security over user convenience. If any of the following conditions are met, your iPhone will likely block the erasure process:

• Stolen Device Protection: If this is enabled and you are not at a "Familiar Location" (like home or work), iOS requires a one-hour security delay before allowing a reset.
• Screen Time Restrictions: If "Content & Privacy Restrictions" are active, the reset button may be greyed out to prevent unauthorized data wiping.
• Find My iPhone: The device must communicate with Apple's servers to disable Activation Lock before it can be erased.
• Storage & Battery: If your storage is completely full or your battery is below 50%, the system may prevent the erase process to avoid a "brick" scenario.

Part 2. How to Fix Erase All Content and Settings Not Working?

By following a systematic troubleshooting approach, you can identify and clear these specific security layers. Whether the issue is a forgotten passcode or a network error, the following methods will restore the functionality of your reset button.

Solution 1. Force Restart Your iPhone

The first solution you can take to fix the Erase All Content and Settings not working on your iPhone is to force restart your iPhone. Generally, force restarting an iPhone can fix most minor iOS problems in several minutes. And this method is safe and will not cause any data loss from your iOS device. You can follow the steps below to force restart your iPhone.

• For iPhone 8 or later: Press and release the Volume Up button quickly. Followed by the Volume Down button. Then keep pressing the Side button until your iPhone screen goes black.
• For iPhone 7/7 Plus: Keep pressing the Volume Down and Side buttons until your iPhone screen goes black.
• For iPhone 6 or earlier: Keep pressing the Home and Side buttons until your iPhone screen goes black.

Solution 2. Turn Off Stolen Device Protection

One of the most common reasons for a non-responsive reset button in 2026 is Stolen Device Protection. If you are at a coffee shop or a friend's house, Apple prevents critical changes to protect your data. You must either return to a familiar location or initiate a security delay to proceed.

• Step 1. Open the Settings app and navigate to Face ID & Passcode.
• Step 2. Enter your current lock screen passcode to access the security menu.
• Step 3. Scroll down to Stolen Device Protection and check its status. If it is "On," tap to enter the settings.
• Step 4. Tap Turn Off Stolen Device Protection. If you are away from a familiar location, you will see a prompt to Start Security Delay.
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• Step 5. Wait for the one-hour timer to expire. Once finished, you will receive a notification to re-authenticate with Face ID, after which the "Erase All Content and Settings" button will become functional again.

Solution 3. Disable Screen Time Restrictions (Fix Greyed-Out Button)

If the "Erase All Content and Settings" button is visible but you cannot tap it, a Screen Time restriction is likely the reason. This feature is often used for parental controls, but it can accidentally lock you out of system-level resets.

• Step 1. Navigate to Settings and tap on Screen Time.
• Step 2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• Step 3. Ensure the toggle at the top is turned Off. Alternatively, if you wish to keep restrictions on, look for "Account Changes" and ensure it is set to "Allow."
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• Step 4. Return to the General > Transfer or Reset iPhone menu to see if the erase option is now active.

Solution 4. Update iOS Version

If you are using an old iOS version, it can be the reason behind the problem that Erase All Content and Settings not working. There may be some bugs in your iOS system and you can try to update your iOS version to the latest to fix this problem. You can follow the steps below to update your iOS version.

• Step 1. Go back to the Home page and open the Settings app.
• Step 2. Click on the General option and hit on the Software Update option.
• Step 3. Click on the Update Now option to update your iOS version to the latest.
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Solution 5. Check Your Internet Connection

If your iPhone is offline, you should check if there is anything wrong with your network connection. The Apple Server needs to connect to the internet to verify that you are the owner of the Apple ID and the iPhone. You can disconnect from WiFi connection and connect it again.

Solution 6. Reset Network Settings

An alternative way to fix Erase All Content and Settings not working on your iPhone is to reset the network setting. This will remove all the internet settings on your iPhone including WiFi passcode, Cellular settings, Bluetooth, etc. But don't worry, it will not cause any data loss from your iPhone. You can follow the steps below to reset the network settings.

• Step 1. Open Settings on your iPhone and click on the General option.
• Step 2. Click on Transfer or Reset iPhone option and select Reset > Reset Network Settings.
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Solution 7. Sign Out of iCloud and "Find My" Manually

The "Erase All Content" process requires a handshake with Apple's servers to verify that the owner is the one performing the reset. If your network is unstable or the iCloud session has timed out, the erase command will fail with a "Server Error." Manually signing out before the reset can bypass this bottleneck.

• Step 1. Tap your Apple ID Name at the very top of the Settings app.
• Step 2. Tap on Find My and toggle the Find My iPhone switch to Off. You will be prompted for your Apple ID password.
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• Step 3. Go back to the main Apple ID screen, scroll to the bottom, and tap Sign Out.
• Step 4. Choose to keep a copy of your data on the iPhone and confirm the sign-out.
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• Step 5. Now that the device is unlinked from your account, navigate to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings to finish the job.

Part 3. How to Erase All Content and Settings on iPhone

If you can't erase all content and settings on your iPhone after trying using the above solutions, you can try using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker to factory reset your iPhone. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is a multifunctional iOS unlocking with various unlocking features that can also factory reset your iPhone without entering any passcode.

This almighty tool supports users to unlock iOS screen, unlock Apple ID, bypass MDM restrictions, unlock Screen Time, and factory reset your iPhone without Apple ID password. It has a user-friendly and concise interface that you can factory reset your iPhone with several simple clicks.

Now, let's see how to erase all content and settings on iPhone by using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

Step 1Connect iPhone to Computer

The first step you should take is to download and install TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your computer. Launch TunesKit iPhone Unlocker, and then use a workable cable to connect your iPhone to the computer. When your iPhone is connected to the computer, click on the Unlock iOS Screen feature and then hit on the Start button.

Step 2Put iPhone into Recovery Mode

Then, please follow the instructions to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode. When your iPhone is in Recovery mode successfully, click on the Next button.

Step 3Download Firmware Package

Here, you will need to download the firmware package to factory reset your iPhone. Please correct the information manually if there is anything wrong. Then, click on the Download button.

Step 4Erase All Content and Settings on iPhone

Once the firmware package is downloaded, click the Unlock button. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to erase all content and settings from your iPhone. After erasing your iPhone, you will need to set up your iPhone again.

Part 4. FAQs About iPhone Erase All Content and Settings

Part 5. Conclusion

When Erase All Content and Settings not working on your iPhone, there are still some effective solutions for you to set your iPhone to factory settings. You can also use the methods in this post to fix this problem on your iPhone. If you can't remember the passcode to factory reset your iPhone, using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker to erase all content and settings on your iPhone is the optimal choice.