How To Factory Reset & Restore your iPhone 18 Pro Max on Windows PC, by Serg Tech on YouTube. 8 min 39 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 39 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Download iTunes from the Apple website or the Microsoft Store and install it on your Windows PC. Open it once the install finishes.
If you can still the phone, open Settings, tap General, then Transfer or Reset iPhone, then Erase All Content and Settings. That is the quickest route.
If you are locked out, connect the iPhone to the PC with a USB-C cable. Open iTunes and tap Trust if a prompt appears.
Put the phone in recovery mode: press Volume Up, press Volume Down, then hold the side button until a laptop icon appears on screen.
ITunes shows a message that there is a problem with the iPhone. Click Restore to wipe the phone and reinstall iOS.
Confirm the restore and let iTunes download the iOS software file. Keep the cable connected and do not unplug the phone.
Wait while the software installs. This can take 15 minutes or more, depending on your internet speed.
When the iPhone restarts at the Hello screen, set it up as new or restore your data from an iCloud or computer backup.
If iTunes does not see the phone, try another USB port, a different cable, or update iTunes. Restart the PC and repeat the recovery mode step.
Tips and common mistakes
A restore erases every photo, message and app, so back up first if the phone still turns on.
Use a USB-C data cable and a port directly on the PC rather than a hub, so the connection stays stable.
Find My iPhone survives the reset, so you need the Apple ID password to get past Activation Lock.
Charge the phone above 50 percent before you start so it does not die mid install.
Questions
Will I lose everything on the phone?
Yes. A restore wipes all content and settings. If you have an iCloud or computer backup, you can put your data back during setup.
Does this remove Activation Lock?
No. After the reset the phone asks for the Apple ID and password that were signed in before the wipe.
What if the phone stays stuck on the recovery screen?
Run the restore again from iTunes with a different cable or USB port. If it keeps failing, the next step is DFU mode.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
