How to Wipe an iPhone’s Memory

iPhoneExpert111 · 07-08-2009, 08:43 AM

If you are moving up to the new iPhone 3GS, you may wonder what to do with you old phone. You can give it to someone else, or resell it, but whatever you decide to do, wipe the memory first.

It’s easy. Here’s what to do.
Go to your settings menu -– the icon with the gears. Look for “General,” a menu with the same gear icon as the Settings menu. At the very bottom of the General menu is a “Reset” button. Touch it. Then choose “Erase All Content and Settings.”
When the warning pops up tell it to go ahead. It will tell you that it can take up to 2 hours — mine took exactly an hour and 57 minutes -– but it doesn’t have to be supervised while running. It takes a long time because a security feature writes randomly on top of your old data, making it harder for bad guys to find what you erased.
There it is, ready to be set up for its new owner, free of your settings, search history, passwords, and any, ahem, personal photos.

Wtf0ver · 07-08-2009, 09:10 AM

great advice, thanks for posting

iNinja · 07-08-2009, 11:26 AM

Is this more secure than plugging into Itunes and restoring as new device? Or just more convenient?

Youngbinks · 07-08-2009, 11:59 AM

It's an extra level of precaution after restoring on iTunes. When I got my 3G replaced a few weeks ago the Apple genius wiped the phone's memory after restoring it in iTunes from a new phone. It might be a bit redundant but better safe than sorry.

embyr · 07-08-2009, 01:08 PM

Ok so this is a tad off topic, so more than likely in the wrong place but I'm new to forum stuff. anyway I found someplace other than the appstore to find more apps yay! so if you wipe it clean go to www.appswizard.com/12937 to at least get some games and music back on, or rather on to the new one. but yea they have lots and you can get as many apps as you want. ok my 2 cents is over

iNinja · 07-08-2009, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by embyr

Ok so this is a tad off topic, so more than likely in the wrong place but I'm new to forum stuff. anyway I found someplace other than the appstore to find more apps yay! so if you wipe it clean go to www.appswizard.com/12937 to at least get some games and music back on, or rather on to the new one. but yea they have lots and you can get as many apps as you want. ok my 2 cents is over

surely nobody is going to click this???

styfle · 07-08-2009, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Croucher

surely nobody is going to click this???

Seriously. Did you notice the link hidden in the first post?

embyr · 07-08-2009, 01:59 PM

you guys are awsome, you think like poor people, haha. I bet you will never see a million dollars in your lifetime. Why would I hide a link I'm excited about? It isn't even mine, but I like it, so I tell people. If you don't like it thats fine, but you wouldn't no it's there if nobody told you.

iNinja · 07-08-2009, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by embyr

you guys are awsome, you think like poor people, haha. I bet you will never see a million dollars in your lifetime. Why would I hide a link I'm excited about? It isn't even mine, but I like it, so I tell people. If you don't like it thats fine, but you wouldn't no it's there if nobody told you.

hahahahahahahahaha - think like poor people?? have a good night my friend, but keep your money making schemes to yourself

iNinja · 07-08-2009, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by styfle

Seriously. Did you notice the link hidden in the first post?

I know, million dollar ideas... haha