If you’re dealing with glitches or preparing to wipe and restore an A17-powered device, this guide walks you through the main reset options. The A17 chip powers Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and the restoration steps below cover soft restarts, force restarts, and both partial and full resets. If you’re using a different device branded with an A17-type processor, check that device’s official support resources for exact instructions.
Restart options for A17-powered devices
Restarting the device without erasing data is the first line of action for many issues. The following sections explain both a normal reboot and a forced reboot when the screen is unresponsive.
Soft restart (regular reboot)
Use this sequence when the device is responding but sluggish or behaving oddly. It preserves all data and apps.
- Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off the iPhone, then wait a few seconds.
- Press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears to reboot.
A normal restart clears temporary software glitches without affecting your data. If problems persist, proceed to more targeted resets or consider recovery options.
Force restart (unresponsive device)
Use this when the screen is frozen or the device won’t respond to touches. This method does not erase data.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release.
A force restart can resolve deeper software freezes. If the device still won’t respond, you may need to try more advanced resets or recovery modes.
Reset options in iPhone settings
When you need to reset certain settings or wipe all content, these in-device options provide safe paths. The options below vary in scope from preserving data to removing everything on the device.
Reset all settings (preserves data)
This resets system settings to defaults without deleting photos, apps, or other content. It’s useful for tricky configuration issues.
- Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted, then confirm the reset.
- Let the device restart and reconfigure settings (you may need to re-enter Wi‑Fi passwords and re-tune preferences).
Resetting all settings won’t erase personal data, but you’ll need to re-enter network credentials and adjust preferences afterward.
Factory reset / Erase all content and settings
This option wipes the device completely, returning it to its original out-of-the-box state. Back up first.
- Back up important data to iCloud or a computer.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode, then sign out of Apple ID if prompted (to disable Find My iPhone). Confirm erasure.
- Wait for the device to erase and restart to the setup screen.
Factory reset is irreversible for the data on the device. Ensure you have a complete backup before proceeding.
Network and connectivity resets
If Wi‑Fi, cellular, or Bluetooth issues persist, resetting network settings can help without deleting your content. This restores network configurations to default values.
Reset network settings
This clears saved networks and related connections, which can fix stubborn connectivity problems.
- Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted, then confirm the reset.
- The iPhone will reboot; you’ll need to rejoin Wi‑Fi networks and reconfigure Bluetooth devices.
Note that all saved Wi‑Fi networks and passwords, VPN settings, and cellular APN settings will be removed.
Recovery and advanced restoration
When standard resets fail to fix issues or the device won’t boot, recovery or DFU restores via a computer can help. These procedures can erase data, so back up first if possible.
Recovery mode restore
Recovery mode lets you restore or update the device using Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (Windows or macOS older versions).
- Connect the iPhone to your computer with a USB cable.
- On an iPhone 15 Pro, quickly press Volume Up, then Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the recovery screen appears.
- In Finder/iTunes, choose Restore to reinstall the latest iOS version, or Update to reinstall without erasing data (if offered).
Recovery mode is a middle option that can fix software issues without a full factory reset, though data may still be at risk depending on the action chosen.
DFU mode restore
DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode provides a deeper restore when other methods fail. This process can erase all data and reflash the device firmware.
- Connect iPhone to your computer and open Finder or iTunes.
- For iPhone 15 Pro: quickly press Volume Up, release; quickly press Volume Down, release; then press and hold the Side button for about 3 seconds. While still holding the Side button, press and hold Volume Down for 10 seconds. Release the Side button but keep holding Volume Down for 5 seconds. The screen should stay black, indicating DFU mode.
- In Finder/iTunes, choose Restore to reinstall the firmware.
DFU mode provides the lowest-level restore option and should be performed only if you’re comfortable with firmware-level procedures or with guidance from Apple Support.
Important notes for A17 devices
The steps above are tailored for Apple’s A17 Bionic-powered iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. If your device is not from Apple or uses a different firmware environment, consult the official support resources for that exact model. Always back up data before performing factory resets or firmware restores and be aware of activation lock requirements after erasing the device.
Summary
For most A17-powered iPhones, start with a simple restart to clear glitches. If the device is unresponsive, use a force restart. When data preservation is important, reset settings or perform a normal reset. If you must wipe the device, back up first and use Erase All Content and Settings. For persistent issues or boot problems, recovery or DFU restoration through a computer can help, though these steps erase data and should be undertaken with care. When in doubt, contact Apple Support for guided assistance.