How to Hard Reset iPhone 12: A Step-by-Step Guide

The iPhone 12 is one of the latest and greatest smartphones on the market, with powerful features and cutting-edge technology. However, even with all of these impressive capabilities, users may still encounter issues such as freezing, crashing, or unresponsiveness. In these cases, performing a hard reset can be an effective solution to get your device back up and running. But how exactly do you perform a hard reset on an iPhone 12? In this guide, we will walk through the steps to hard reset your device using button combinations or the settings option. Whether you are experiencing technical difficulties or just want to start fresh, our step-by-step instructions will help you successfully hard reset your iPhone 12.

What is a Hard Reset?

A hard reset is a process that erases all data and settings on your iPhone 12, bringing it back to its original factory state. This means that any personal information, photos, or apps on your device will be permanently deleted. A hard reset is often used as a last resort for fixing issues with your iPhone 12 that cannot be resolved through other methods.

One common reason to perform a hard reset is when your iPhone 12 is frozen or unresponsive. In some cases, a hard reset can restart your device and fix the issue. It can also be used when you want to wipe all data from your iPhone 12 before selling or giving it away.

It’s important to note that a hard reset is different from a soft reset, which simply restarts your iPhone 12. A soft reset may resolve some minor issues without deleting any of your data.

To perform a hard reset on an iPhone 12, you need to know the specific button combination required. This varies depending on the model of your iPhone. For the iPhone 12, you need to press and quickly release the volume up button, then press and quickly release the volume down button, and finally press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

While a hard reset can be useful in certain situations, it should only be done after trying other troubleshooting steps. It’s also important to back up your data before performing a hard reset to ensure that you don’t lose anything important.

When to Perform a Hard Reset on iPhone 12

When your iPhone 12 is freezing, crashing, or unresponsive, it can be frustrating and disruptive to your daily life. While there are several troubleshooting steps you can take, sometimes a hard reset is necessary to fix the issue.

A hard reset on an iPhone 12 is a process that forces the device to restart, clearing out any temporary data or lingering software issues that may be causing problems. It’s important to note that a hard reset should only be performed as a last resort, after attempting other methods such as closing apps or restarting the device normally.

If your iPhone 12 is freezing consistently or crashing frequently, a hard reset may be necessary to get it back to functioning properly. Additionally, if your device becomes completely unresponsive and won’t turn on or respond to touch, a hard reset may be the only solution.

It’s crucial to make sure you have backed up all of your important data before performing a hard reset, as it will erase all data and settings from your device. You can do this by connecting your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes and creating a backup.

In summary, if your iPhone 12 is experiencing frequent freezing, crashing, or becoming unresponsive, a hard reset may be necessary to resolve the issue. However, it is important to use this option as a last resort and always backup your data beforehand.

How to Hard Reset iPhone 12

Step 1: Press and Quickly Release the Volume Up Button

The first step to hard resetting your iPhone 12 is to press and quickly release the volume up button. This button is located on the left-hand side of your iPhone.

Pressing the volume up button may seem like a simple task, but it’s important to do it correctly. If you hold down the button for too long, you may accidentally activate another function, such as taking a screenshot or adjusting the volume.

By pressing and quickly releasing the volume up button, you are telling your iPhone to prepare for a hard reset. This step essentially sends a signal to your device, letting it know that you’re about to perform a critical action.

It’s important to note that this process may take a few tries to get right. It’s natural to feel a little nervous when performing a hard reset, especially if you’ve never done it before. However, by following these steps carefully, you can rest assured that you’re doing everything correctly.

In summary, the first step to hard resetting your iPhone 12 involves pressing and quickly releasing the volume up button. This simple action sends a signal to your device, preparing it for the rest of the reset process.

Step 2: Press and Quickly Release the Volume Down Button

When it comes to hard resetting your iPhone 12, pressing and quickly releasing the Volume Down button is an essential step. This action can help you troubleshoot various issues such as unresponsiveness or freezing that your device may be facing.

To perform this step, locate the Volume Down button, which is located on the left side of your iPhone 12. Press down on it firmly, but make sure to release it quickly. You should do this in one swift motion, without holding down the button for too long.

This action serves as a signal to your iPhone 12 that you want to enter the hard reset mode. It initiates the process that will ultimately lead to your phone restarting and restoring its factory settings.

It’s important to note that if you press and hold down the Volume Down button instead of releasing it quickly, your iPhone will enter the “SOS” mode, which can have consequences for your device’s functionality. Therefore, it’s crucial to follow this step carefully and execute it correctly.

In conclusion, pressing and quickly releasing the Volume Down button is a crucial step when performing a hard reset on your iPhone 12. By doing so, you can successfully restore your device to its default settings and fix any unresponsive or freezing issues it may be experiencing.

Step 3: Press and Hold the Side Button Until the Apple Logo Appears

To perform a hard reset on your iPhone 12, once you’ve pressed and quickly released the volume up and down buttons, it’s time to press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This step is crucial to complete the process and get your phone back to working order.

The side button is located on the right-hand side of your iPhone 12, just above the volume control buttons. It serves as a multifunctional button, allowing you to turn your phone on or off, activate Siri, take screenshots, and more. For this step of the hard reset process, you’ll need to press and hold down the side button for a few seconds until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Holding down the side button initiates the hard reset process on your iPhone 12, which clears out any temporary files and data that may be causing your phone to freeze, crash, or become unresponsive. This action should not erase any personal data or settings from your device.

Once the Apple logo appears on your iPhone 12 screen, release the side button and let the phone restart. Depending on how much data you have stored on your phone, the restart process may take several minutes.

In some cases, your iPhone 12 may not respond to the first attempt at hard resetting. If this happens, try the process again, making sure to press and hold the side button firmly until the Apple logo appears. If your phone still doesn’t respond after a few tries, you may need to contact Apple support for further assistance.

By following these simple steps, you can easily hard reset your iPhone 12 and get it back to working order. Keep in mind that a hard reset should only be used as a last resort if your phone is completely unresponsive or freezing frequently. If you’re experiencing frequent issues with your iPhone 12, consider backing up your data and restoring your phone to its factory settings before attempting a hard reset.

Alternative Method: Hard Resetting iPhone 12 Using Settings

Step 1: Open ‘Settings’ on Your iPhone 12

To open the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone 12, first locate the app icon on your device’s home screen. It has a gray gear-shaped icon. Once you have identified it, simply tap on it to launch the app.

If you cannot find the ‘Settings’ app on one of your home screens, try using the Search function on your iPhone 12. Swipe down on your home screen and enter “settings” into the search bar. The app should appear in the results.

Once you have opened the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone 12, you can access all of the settings for your device, including those for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Display & Brightness, Sounds & Haptics, and more. You can also adjust various privacy and security settings, such as location services, passwords, and Face ID/Touch ID.

It is important to note that some apps may require you to adjust certain settings within the ‘Settings’ app to work properly. For example, if you are having trouble connecting to a Wi-Fi network, you may need to enter the ‘Wi-Fi’ section of the ‘Settings’ app to manually select a network or enter a password.

Overall, opening the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone 12 is a simple process that can help you customize and optimize your device according to your preferences and needs.

Step 2: Go to ‘General’

After pressing and quickly releasing the volume down button in step 1, you need to navigate to the ‘General’ settings on your iPhone 12.

To do this, locate and tap the ‘Settings’ app on your home screen. Once the app is open, you will see a list of options. Scroll down until you find the ‘General’ option and tap it.

The General settings menu contains several options that let you customize your iPhone 12 experience. You can control features such as language and region, accessibility settings, software updates, and more.

For instance, you can toggle on/off features like AirDrop, Control Center, CarPlay, Siri, or even reset your device from there. You can also access the ‘About’ section in case you need to check your device’s storage capacity, model number, or carrier information.

It’s essential to get familiar with the settings available in the General settings menu since they can help you enhance your device’s functionality and privacy.

Overall, accessing the General settings on an iPhone 12 is a straightforward process that opens up a world of customization options for users.

Step 3: Scroll Down to ‘Reset’

Once you have accessed the ‘General’ menu from your iPhone 12 settings, it is time to scroll down to the ‘Reset’ option. This may require a bit of scrolling, depending on how many options are available on your device. Keep in mind that this function will reset all settings on your device, so it’s important to make sure you’re prepared to lose any saved data or preferences.

When you choose the ‘Reset’ option, you’ll be presented with several different options for resetting your device, including resetting your network settings, keyboard dictionary, or home screen layout. However, for the purposes of hard resetting your iPhone 12, you’ll want to select ‘Erase All Content and Settings.’

It’s worth noting that resetting your device should only be done as a last resort, as it will erase all content and settings from your device. If you’re experiencing issues with your device, you may want to try other troubleshooting methods before resorting to a full reset. However, if you’ve exhausted all other options and decide to proceed with a reset, be sure to back up any important data from your device beforehand.

In conclusion, locating the ‘Reset’ function on your iPhone 12 involves a simple process of scrolling down through the ‘General’ menu within your phone’s settings. However, it’s important to remember that this function will erase all content and settings from your device, and should therefore be used only as a last resort when other troubleshooting methods have failed.

Step 4: Choose ‘Erase All Content and Settings’

Once you have accessed the Reset menu in your iPhone 12’s settings, it is time to choose the option that will erase all content and settings from your device. This step is irreversible, which means that all of your personal data, including contacts, photos, and apps, will be deleted permanently.

However, in some cases, this may be necessary to fix persistent issues with your iPhone 12, such as software glitches or malware infections. It can also be useful if you plan to sell or give away your phone and want to make sure that none of your sensitive information falls into the wrong hands.

To choose the ‘Erase All Content and Settings’ option, simply tap on it and follow the prompts on your screen. Your phone may ask you to enter your passcode or Apple ID password to confirm the action, so make sure you have these details handy before proceeding.

It is worth noting that erasing your iPhone 12 will not remove any iOS updates that you have installed, but it will reset your phone to its original factory settings. This means that you will need to set up your device from scratch, including logging back into your Apple ID and reinstalling any apps that you had previously downloaded.

Overall, while choosing to erase all content and settings from your iPhone 12 may seem like a drastic solution, it can be a highly effective way to troubleshoot persistent issues or protect your privacy. Just make sure that you have backed up any important data before taking this step, and proceed with caution.
After going through this guide, you now know how to perform a hard reset on your iPhone 12 using button combinations or the settings option. Hard resetting your device is a simple fix for various issues such as freezing, crashing, or unresponsiveness. Remember to back up your data before performing a factory reset, as it erases all your content and settings. With these steps, you can get your iPhone 12 back to its optimal performance. We hope this guide has been helpful in resolving any issues you may have encountered with your device.