Last Updated on November 29, 2022 by Mathew Diekhake

Hard resetting the iPhone XS Max is how to wipe all data at once and reset the smartphone to its factory settings. Hard resetting an iPhone is common among those who want to sell the device or at least hand it over to someone else so no data is shared. Sometimes hard resets are taken to solve software-related issues. If you notice your software freezing, for instance, a hard reset might solve that. If you are hard resetting for troubleshooting reasons and it doesn’t work, check for a software update from the Settings as there might be a new firmware version waiting to be installed that will solve those bugs you’re experiencing.

This tutorial demonstrates how to hard reset the iPhone XS Max smartphone with iTunes on a desktop/laptop.

Method One: How to Hard Reset iPhone XS Max from Settings

You can hard reset/factory reset the iPhone XS Max from the General section of the Settings app. Here is how:

Caution:
Hard resetting the iPhone XS Max smartphone deletes all data and that data cannot be restored unless you take a backup before you begin this guide.

1. With the iPhone XS Max turned on, tap Settings > General.

2. Tap Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

3. Tap Erase iPhone.

The data will now be wiped on the iPhone and its factory settings will be reset. Once the iOS operating system restarts, you need to sign in to your Apple account and restore the data if you want it back on the smartphone.

Method Two: How to Hard Reset iPhone XS Max from iTunes

If you don’t hard reset through the Settings app, you have to hard reset through iTunes. There are various methods for this. Here is the most common method first:

Note: You need iTunes installed on your desktop/laptop to use this guide.

1. Open iTunes on the desktop.

2. With the iPhone XS Max connected to the desktop, select the iPhone XS Max in iTunes’ left menu.

3. Click Restore.

Note: A hard reset deletes all data from the iPhone. If you plan on restoring the data after the hard reset, you need to take a backup here first. This part of the iTunes app lets you take that backup now.

4. Click Restore.

5. Click Restore and Update.

6. Wait for iTunes to hard reset the iPhone. Once done, select Set up as new iPhone.

Method Three: How to Hard Reset iPhone XS Max with Hardware Buttons and iTunes

You can also hard reset using the hardware buttons and iTunes. Use this method if you could not navigate to select your iPhone in iTunes. Here is how to hard reset with the hardware buttons:

1. Open iTunes on the desktop.

2. With the iPhone XS Max connected to the desktop, press Volume Up once.

3. Press Volume Down once.

4. Press and hold the Side button.

5. Wait for the Apple logo to appear.

6. On the desktop, click Restore iPhone.

7. In iTunes, click Restore and Update.

In conclusion, that is how to hard reset the iPhone XS Max smartphone.