How to Erase iPhone, iPad and Delete Everything Before Selling?

“I want to sell my iPhone but I don’t know how to remove all data before trading it.”

This is the question that iPhone, iPad users often have and thus, today I am going to tell you how to delete everything from an iPhone before selling it. Erasing data from iPhone does not cover any tough rule but it permanently erases out the entire files, contacts, and data from your iPhone memory. That’s why before you sell your iPhone, it is very necessary to erase all data due to privacy concerns.

In this article, we are focusing on major 2 topics:
(1) How to backup iPhone data
(2) How to erase iPhone, iPad data (Non-jailbroken, jailbroken)?

So before selling iPad, iPod or iPhone, there might be some important data stored on your device which you need to keep a backup of. Due to safety reasons, keeping a backup always helps because you can restore those files to a separate device and access them again.

 

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How to backup iPhone data?

Before you find the answer for what to do before selling iPhone, always remember to take a backup of your iPhone before you attempt to completely reset iPhone and content and settings from it. Although iCloud automatically keeps an overnight backup but still you should take a manual backup to ensure everything is stored. To back up your iPhone, process with the steps below:

• Connect your iPhone with the internet (preferably WiFi because the backup process will likely consume enough data).
• Tap Settings on the home screen.
• Tap on iCloud > Backup > Backup now.

Alternatively, you can use iTunes to store your data.

• Connect your iPhone to the PC via USB.
• Launch iTunes.
• Click on the iPhone icon as it appears on the left panel of the window.
• Click on ‘Backup now’. (Click Encrypt Backup and add a password if you want security).
• Backup Apps (if you’re asked).

The backup process will take some time to complete.

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How to wipe an iPhone data?

Here I am going to mention the simplest and fastest ways to wipe iPhone data that works with 100% users.

(1) Factory reset iPhone

Factory resetting erases all phone data, reset all settings and leaves no trace behind. This process is used by most iPhone users and it works in all iPhone models, including iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

To factory reset your iPhone, follow these steps:

• Go to Settings > General.
• Scroll down to the bottom and tap Reset.
• Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
• Tap on Erase iPhone > tap again to Confirm.
• Enter your Passcode.
• Enter your Apple ID to turn off Activate Lock and remove the device from Find my iPhone.

 

The wiping process will take some time to complete.

(2) How to erase iPhone data with iOS Data Eraser?

iOS Data Eraser is a solution for wiping iPhone data. This tool permanently clears out all files and information stored in your iPhone without hampering its software. If the previous procedure fails then you can use the iPhone data eraser to completely wipe iPad and iPhone data. This program contains the 5 powerful data wiping models of your choice. It instantly clears out junk files, cache files and the invalid files from your phone. It also removes your call history, contacts, messages, photos and videos, documents, history, cookies, apps and system settings. iOS Data Eraser got a simple and easy to use interface that supports all iPhone and iPad models, including iPad 3, iPad Mini, iPad 4 and later.

iOS Data Eraser will work on both Windows and Mac systems. To start using iOS Data Eraser and remote wipe iPhone, follow the steps below:

Steps to wipe iPhone using iOS Data Eraser

• Download and install iOS Data Eraser on your PC from http://www.safewiper.com/ios-data-eraser.html.
• Run the program.
• Connect your iPhone to the computer using USB.
• The program will automatically detect the device.
• iOS Data Eraser will provide 5 options to erase the device- iOS Optimizer, Space Saver, Erase Private Data, Erase Deleted Files and Erase All Data.
• If you are trading in iPhone and want to delete entire iPhone data, then select ‘Erase All Data’.
• The next step will automatically analyze and scan your deleted files in iPhone which will take a few minutes to complete. After that, you can view the detailed report on the deletion.
• Review and choose the data you want to delete.
• The chosen files will be erased shortly.

Thus, you have successfully wiped out your iPhone and have also learned “how to clear an iPhone” data.

(3) Erase everything from a jailbroken, non-jailbroken iPhone

If you want to learn how to wipe an iPhone which is jailbroken then go through this. If you have jailbroken your iPhone then you should be careful of deleting data because you’ll likely lose all your jailbreak features. But if you are selling iPhone then you should not care too much about it. The process to clean data from jailbroken iPhones is slightly different which I am going to illustrate now.

 

How to erase iPhone with one-click without losing jailbreak?

Wondershare provides one-click data wiping solutions for iPhone and iPad devices that let you easily clear out data and wipe app. The WonderShare SafeEraser tool permanently erases your iPhone data and junk files so that you can sell it without bothering. The tool is available for both Mac and Windows PC. Simply download and install WonderShare SafeEraser on your PC from http://www.wondershare.com/iphone-data-eraser/ and launch it. Connect your iPhone with the computer using USB. In the main window, you will find options to erase files, such as erase junk files, private data, deleted files and all data on your iPhone. Simply choose ‘erase all data’’ and your iPhone will be reset.

How to clear an iPhone data without losing jailbreak? (For iOS 5.0- 8.4)

Remember this procedure will work only on iOS versions 5.0 and 8.4, so you shouldn’t try it in the other versions. This data wiping solution should be followed with these steps:

• Simply unzip the package from https://semi-restore.com/ (depending on your system).
• Run the .exe file present there.
• Connect your iPhone to the computer and it will automatically detect your device.
• Click on the button at the right of the progress bar and follow the instructions.
• During this process, your iPhone will restart many times and finally all data will be wiped out.

How to wipe an iPhone without losing jailbreak using an iPhone app?

ILEX RAT is an iPhone app that instantly restores your iPhone and iPad. ILEX RAT can be downloaded from the Cydia store and is specifically built for jailbroken iPhones and iPads. To clear iPhone data using ILEX RAT, follow this method:

How to erase your iPhone using ILEX RAT?

• Download and install ILEX RAT (http://ilexrat.com/) from the Cydia Store.
• Now find and install MobileTerminal on your iPhone from the Cydia Store.
• Now run MobileTerminal on your phone.
• Type rat in the command area and a list of options will be displayed.
• To delete iPhone data, choose option number 12.
• Confirm choice by clicking Yes.
• The process will take some time to complete. Now reboot your iPhone when asked to do so and everything from your iPhone will be erased without hampering the device.