How to force factory reset iphone 11

How to force factory reset iphone 11

Campbell Adams | Aug 25, 2022

5-year smartphone engineer, with rich experience in iOS software issues. He presents the most actionable solutions for readers in the most easy-to-understand manner.

You are scrolling on Instagram, or trying to send a text to a friend, and suddenly your iPhone 11 becomes frozen and unresponsive? Sucks, right? Very few things are more annoying than the hanging screen of your smartphone staring back at you.

Fortunately, you can perform a hard reset to easily fix your iPhone 11. A hard reset is super easy to carry out and I will explain the steps in this article, likewise other techniques you could try if it doesn't fix your iPhone’s issue.

Let’s dive right in!

How to force factory reset iphone 11

iPhone 11

What Is a Hard Reset?

A hard reset can be described as a forceful way of restarting your iPhone. Also known as forced restart, it means rebooting your iPhone using the hardware buttons, volume high/low, and power button.

A hard reset shuts down all activities on your iPhone and solves issues like an update that went wrong, an unresponsive app, or an iOS bug. It is usually the most basic solution for issues like a frozen screen, reduced phone performance, or an unresponsive iPhone. For example, when your iPhone fails to boot or is experiencing a system bug that is preventing it from functioning properly, a hard reset is often the first trick to try.

Traditionally, a hard reset is done by removing the iPhone battery and inserting it again. But that only works for older models with removable batteries. iPhone 11 series on the market now have built-in batteries, so the procedure for a hard reset differs.

All You Need To Know about iPhone 11

iPhone 11 is one of the recent models of the iPhone series Apple launched. Although it boasts superb CPU performance and impressive battery life, it comes with certain RAM management problems, Bluetooth issues, Wi-Fi issues, sound problems and battery drain. It can sometimes become vulnerable to malware or minor issues like a frozen screen. In such cases, a hard reset is a must-try.

How to Hard Reset iPhone 11

You can hard reset your iPhone 11 by following these steps:

  1. Click down on the Volume up button and quickly release it.
  2. Click down on the Volume down button and quickly release it.
  3. Click down and hold down the power button at the side until the Apple logo comes on the screen.

How to force factory reset iphone 11

Hard reset iPhone 11

Once the Apple logo comes on, release the button and allow the iPhone to reboot itself. If you have other iPhone models and wonder how to hard reset them, simply check here.

What If The Hard Reset Doesn't Work on Your iPhone?

Have you already tried hard resetting your iPhone 11, but it still isn't working? Don't fret. Sometimes, the problem is caused by severe software issues that can’t be solved by a simple force restart. Here are some other advanced techniques to try out.

Fix iPhone 11 with Mobitrix Perfix

One of the best online software tools for fixing iOS-related issues available is Mobitrix Perfix. Built with a user-friendly interface, Mobitrix Perfix is your one-stop solution for iPhone errors and update problems, a frozen screen, an unresponsive system, and just about every other iPhone 11 issue.

It works with all iOS versions and doesn't need you to leave your home or pay out a ton of money on repairs. With the assurance of protection and security of your data, along with a guaranteed 99% success rate, Mobitrix Perfix is definitely a tool worth trying.

How to force factory reset iphone 11

Mobitrix Perfix iOS software repair

Plus, it takes only 3 steps and 30 minutes to fix your iPhone 11:

  • Download and install the Mobitrix Perfix software on your PC.
  • Using your Apple USB cord, connect your iPhone to your PC and ensure it is detected. Then click Start.
  • Download the needed firmware.
  • Select option for Standard Repair

Once you're done, sit back and allow Perfix to fix your phone in no time.

How to force factory reset iphone 11

Mobitrix Perfix Standard Repair

Factory Reset via iCloud

Another method for fixing iPhone 11 issues is to factory reset your phone. if your iPhone 11 is totally unresponsive and you can’t use the Settings App or turn it on at all, you can try resetting your iPhone via iCloud .

As such, it's best if you backup any data you don't want to lose in iCloud. That way, even after you factory reset, you still get to keep all your conversations, apps, and files. Once your phone is connected to the Wi-Fi, backing up your data on iCloud can be done in 3 easy steps.

Simply go to your Settings; tap on iCloud, and then iCloud backup; lastly, click on Backup now, and all your data automatically gets stored on iCloud. Once that's done, you can proceed to factory reset your iPhone 11. Here's how to go about it:

  • In your web browser, go to icloud.com/#find.
  • Click on the option Find my iPhone.
  • Input your Apple ID.
  • Select your iPhone among the list of devices and select Erase iPhone.

Reinstall iOS Via iTunes

If the iPhone 11 is giving you trouble (for instance, if it constantly freezes or stops responding), and a hard reset can’t help, you can consider reinstalling its iOS through iTunes.

The method would require you to have the latest version of iTunes on your computer and keep your phone connected until the iOS installation is complete. Follow these steps to reinstall iOS through iTunes.

  1. Connect your iPhone to your PC using your Apple USB cord.
  2. Open iTunes on your PC. Suppose you have a macOS Catalina, launch Finder, and follow the same steps.
  3. Put your iPhone 11 in recovery mode.
  4. How to force factory reset iphone 11

    iPhone 11 recovery mode screen

  5. Next, select your iPhone 11 on iTunes on your computer.
  6. A pop-up will appear, asking you to choose between Update and Restore.
  7. Choose Update. If it doesn’t work, take one step back and choose Restore.

How to force factory reset iphone 11

Update or restore your iPhone 11 in recovery mode

Update allows you to keep your data while Restore wipes it off.

Make sure your iPhone is connected till the update is completed.

Restore Via DFU Mode

Last but not least is the Device Firmware Update (DFU) Mode. This option should only be considered, when reinstalling iOS via recovery mode does not work. It can be useful for solving persistent iOS issues, severe malware, jailbreaking gone wrong, or update errors.

Like factory reset, DFU restore will get rid of all your data, so you want to ensure it's backed up before doing anything. Here are the steps to put your iPhone in DFU mode.

  • Using a USB cord, connect your iPhone to your PC.
  • On your computer, launch iTunes or Finder, depending on your iOS.
  • Place your phone in DFU mode. This will require you to first hard reset your phone but hold the power button down until your screen goes black.
  • Once that happens, simultaneously long-press the Volume low button for about 5 seconds.
  • Release the power button, but keep your finger pressed on the Volume low button until iTunes verifies you are in DFU mode.
  • Follow the instructions on iTunes and click on Restore iPhone.
  • Keep your phone connected till it's completed, and your phone automatically reboots.

Once your iPhone 11 is back on, simply restore your backup and continue using your iPhone like nothing ever happened.

Instead of putting up with your iPhone crashing multiple times or force-closing apps every now and then, it’s best to hard reset it as soon as you can. The info above contains all the steps to do it. Some advanced alternatives like Mobitrix Perfix are also included, should you need a more powerful yet easy way out.

Hard Reset Vs. Soft Reset Vs. Factory Reset

As an iPhone user, you might be confused by the three ‘reset’ terms used by Apple. They are different and this is what they mean:

A hard reset involves shutting down your device forcefully when it is unresponsive, so it can reboot and start over. You can do this when a soft reset doesn’t work.

A soft reset, however, is not forced. It is simply the process of shutting down a smartphone and turning it back on. This is done to fix minor problems on an iPhone and won’t result in data loss.

Factory reset, as the name implies, is about restoring your iPhone to the initial settings it had from the manufacturer. It wipes off all data and settings added by you. When your iPhone 11 is acting weird, and a hard reset can’t help, a factory reset can be a good fix. However, backup all your data before trying this method.

How do I force a hard reset on my iPhone 11?

Force restart iPhone.
Press and quickly release the volume up button..
Press and quickly release the volume down button..
Press and hold the side button..
When the Apple logo appears, release the side button..

How do I force my iPhone 11 to factory reset with buttons?

Pick up your iPhone 11 and do the hard reset with button presses. Press and quickly release Volume Up button, press and quickly release Volume Down button, then press and hold Side button.

How do I force my iPhone to factory reset?

Tap Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] Then tap Erase All Content and Settings.

How do I factory reset my iPhone with just the buttons?

4: Use the Hard Reset Feature Simply press and hold the Volume buttons and Home button at the same time. iPhone X, 8 & Newer: Press and hold the Volume up button, then the Volume Down button, and the side button at the same time. iPhone 7 / 7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down and the side button at the same time.