Do you want to recover your iPhone without using iTunes? On a Mac or Windows PC, follow this tutorial to reset and restore your device without using iTunes.
When Apple originally introduced the iPhone, connecting it to a computer running iTunes was the best way to reset or restore your device. What's the easiest way to reset or restore an iPhone without using iTunes in 2019? Apple replaced iTunes for the Mac with the Music app, and iTunes isn't installed on every Windows PC.
We'll walk you through how to restore or reset your iPhone using the device settings, the Mac's Finder, or a third-party tool if you don't have access to iTunes.
How to Restore or Reset an iPhone Without iTunes
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Resetting vs. Restoring an iPhone
"Reset" and "restore" are frequently used interchangeably. However, as the two terms refer to various processes, this is inaccurate.
Resetting your smartphone is the less strenuous strategy out of the two. Depending on the reset option you select, it can delete your phone's data, but it won't change the firmware or operating system version.
A more detailed list of choices is also provided by resetting. You have the option to wipe all of your content and settings in addition to returning all of your device's settings to their original defaults. If you'd like, you may select to only reset the location and privacy settings, network settings, keyboard dictionary, home screen layout, and keyboard layout. All of your other data will remain in tact.
If your iPhone is experiencing serious issues, on the other hand, you must go through the procedure of repairing your iPhone. For instance, you could be unable to exit Device Firmware Update (DFU) or Recovery mode on your device, or you might continually see error messages (the most common are 3194, 4013, 4014, 9, and 51).
When you restore an iPhone, all of your data is deleted, and the operating system is completely reinstalled. You may further divide the restore procedure into two groups: retrieving data from a backup of your iPhone, or restoring your iPhone to a functional condition with no data.
How to Reset an iPhone Without iTunes
Resetting an iPhone without iTunes is simple. You may do this action from within the Settings app on your phone, if your device is operationally sound. To reset your iPhone, do the following:
- Turn on your iPhone.
- Open the Settings app.
- Navigate to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- If you want to erase all your data and reset your iPhone to its factory state, tap on the Erase All Content and Settings option. Otherwise, tap Reset and select the option that best fits your needs.
- Follow the prompts on the next screens to sign out of your Apple ID, create a backup, or enter your passcode, depending on the reset option you chose.
You must follow the instructions to restore your iPhone without using iTunes if you are unable to complete these steps because your iPhone isn't functioning.
How to Restore an iPhone Without iTunes on a Mac
You may restore your iPhone using Finder if you have a Mac and are unable to use iTunes due to Apple's discontinuation of the software. The procedure is precisely the same as it was with iTunes in the past:
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable.
- Open Finder and select your iPhone from the sidebar.
- If prompted, enter your passcode and tap Trust on your iPhone screen.
- From the General tab in Finder, click Restore iPhone to completely erase your device and reinstall the software. Alternatively, click Restore Backup to restore data from a previous backup on your Mac.
You might additionally need to restore the firmware, depending on the nature of the issue with your iPhone. To achieve this, you must put your iPhone into DFU mode.
How to Restore an iPhone Without iTunes on a Windows PC
The scenario is a little bit more challenging if you need to restore an iPhone using a Windows PC but are unable to utilize iTunes or Finder because you are experiencing the white screen of death. You will require third-party software for this. Tenorshare, dr.fone, and FonePaw are three of the most well-known companies.
We'll concentrate on the Tenorshare software in this manual. If there is something about the Tenorshare procedure that you don't like, feel free to try the other two applications.
Tip: If you haven't already, make sure you try to download iTunes from Apple's website before attempting a more complicated solution.
How to Restore an iPhone Using Tenorshare
Let's examine how to repair a deactivated or non-functional iPhone without iTunes. This is the procedure you should do if you've forgotten your iPhone password, are in Recovery or DFU mode, or if iTunes is giving you issues when it attempts to restore your device.
The Tenorshare ReiBoot app, which has a paid membership option but may be used without one for free, is required to be downloaded first.
Connect your iPhone to your computer once the software is active. The procedure has to be a cable connection; Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections won't function.
If necessary, you can enter or leave Recovery mode using the one-click buttons. The Reset Device button at the bottom of the screen should be used in the majority of circumstances.
You now have a choice between two reset choices. The best way to resolve issues with your iPhone is to do a factory reset, but be aware that this will destroy all of your device's data. If you select General Reset, the app will merely instruct you on how to reset your iPhone via the Settings app.
Once you've chosen Factory Reset, download the most recent firmware for your iPhone, then follow the on-screen instructions to put your phone in the proper mode and perform the fix.
How to Restore Erased iPhone Data
If you move fast, you might be able to retrieve an essential picture, message, document, or file that the iPhone restore process accidentally erased. UltData is another helpful app from Tenorshare. Although it's free, a membership will provide you access to more services. The program is available for macOS or Windows.
When compared to utilizing iTunes for file recovery, UltData offers a few noteworthy advantages. First off, you don't need to have created a backup because, unlike iTunes, it can (hopefully) retrieve files directly from your iPhone. Additionally, rather of having to deal with an all-or-nothing strategy, you may recover individual pieces of data from an iTunes backup.
The procedures listed below can be used to recover iPhone data without iTunes:
- Download and install the UltData app.
- Select either Recover from iOS Devices, Recover Data from Backup, or Recover Data from iCloud, depending on what you want to achieve.
- Select the files you want to recover and restore.
- Click on the Scan button to see what's available, then restore whatever you need.
Third-Party Apps Give You More Options Than iTunes
Although it may at first appear that you are at a disadvantage if you are unable to reset or restore your iPhone using iTunes, many third-party applications actually provide a far greater number of capabilities than iTunes.
Both UltData and Tenorshare allow you to recover any type of data from your iPhone, iCloud, or backup, as well as enter or exit Recovery mode with ease. However, some of those choices can also be made in different ways.
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