How to Restore Your iPhone to Factory Settings Using iTunes [Windows]

These are just some instructions on how to restore the iOS firmware on your iPhone and return it to factory settings using iTunes for Windows.

Step One
Launch iTunes from your programs list.

Step Two
Connect your iPhone to the computer via USB and select it from the toolbar. If you are using an old version of iTunes you can select your device from the side.

Step Three
Before continuing, click ‘Back Up Now’ to ensure your device is backed up before the restore.

Step Four
If want to want to download and restore to the latest available firmware, click the Restore iPhone button from the Summary window.

If you have already downloaded the firmware ipsw for the firmware you would like to restore to, hold down the Shift key and click Restore iPhone.

Select the firmware ipsw file from your hard drive then click Open.

*Please note that you may not be able to downgrade to lower firmware version if Apple has stopped signing that firmware.

Step Five
iTunes will ask you if you want to restore the iPhone to its factory settings.  All of your media and other data will be erased.  Click the Restore button to continue.

Step Six
You will be shown the firmware’s changelog.  Click Next to continue.

Step Seven
Click Agree to agree to Apple’s Software License Agreement.

Step Eight

iTunes will begin downloading the new firmware. It may take a while.

Step Nine
The firmware will then be extracted and installation will begin.

Step Ten
iTunes will inform you once the installation is complete and your iPhone will reboot.

Step Eleven
You may be informed that there is a carrier update for your iPhone. If there is, click the Download and Update button.

The settings will be updated.

Click OK to acknowledge the successful installation.

Step Twelve
You will be welcomed to your new iPhone.  You can choose to ‘Set up as a new iPhone’ or ‘Restore from this backup’.

Select the option you’d like.  If you chose to restore from backup, you can use the dropdown to select from previous backups.

Step Thirteen

You have a refreshly restored iPhone.  Click ‘Get Started’ to view the device in iTunes.