Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Selling, trading in, or handing down your iPhone? Before you let it leave your hands, you need to erase it the right way. In this step-by-step iOS 26 tutorial, I'll walk you through exactly how to wipe your iPhone so your personal data, photos, passwords, and Apple ID are completely removed — and so the next person doesn't end up with a locked, useless device. We'll cover Stolen Device Protection security delays, signing out of iCloud properly, handling your eSIM, backing up your iPhone to iCloud, Mac Finder, or iTunes on a PC, and that annoying Apple ID password bug that freezes the keyboard during sign-out.
Whether you're erasing an iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 15, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, or even an older iPhone mini, this guide shows you the safest method for iOS 26. If you're running an older version of iOS, I'll link the tutorial for that below. Follow along so your iPhone is factory reset correctly, Find My is disabled, and iCloud activation lock is fully cleared before you sell, trade, or gift your device.
00:00 Why You Need to Erase It the Right Way
00:19 Open the Settings App
00:27 Stolen Device Protection & the 1-Hour Delay
01:41 iOS 26 Erase Options
02:05 Sign Out of iCloud (My Preferred Method)
02:37 What to Do With Your eSIM
03:13 Backing Up to iCloud
03:31 Backup to Mac (Finder) or PC (iTunes)
04:17 Entering Your Apple ID Password
04:59 The Weird Keyboard Freeze Bug
05:35 Wiping the iPhone
06:17 Double-Check iCloud Is Signed Out
06:46 Thanks for Watching
#resetiphone #eraseiphone #wipeiphone
===================================================
My Equipment
Cameras: Sony ZV-E10 II - geni.us/NW09IEM
Main Lens: Sigma 16mm f/1.4 - geni.us/gLkhT
Top Down Lens: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 - geni.us/lgflcT
Third: DJI Osmo Pocket 3 - geni.us/7mRy
Lights:
Key Light: Amaran Verge Max LED Video - geni.us/ucYER
Fill Light: Neewer 660 - geni.us/tHPjkEY
Back Light Amaran 60ds - geni.us/xQyQC1
Godox Lantern Softbox - geni.us/dktQDk4'
Rode Microphone - geni.us/TzrAtlL
My Desk Setup
Computer: geni.us/ATXgxA
Monitors: geni.us/FXhVA
Desk Mic: geni.us/KcBXVF
Clock: geni.us/HtZT
3D Printer: geni.us/dBXyy8
iPad: geni.us/KAjxAiY
Speakers: geni.us/GsXU
Follow me elsewhere:
instagram.com/theapplebias
Visit my site: applebias.com
* Most of the links above are affiliate links. If you click on them before making a purchase, it will help support the channel. However, please don’t feel obligated to make a purchase. Simply watching my video means the world to me.
Selling, trading in, or handing down your iPhone? Before you let it leave your hands, you need to erase it the right way. In this step-by-step iOS 26 tutorial, I'll walk you through exactly how to wipe your iPhone so your personal data, photos, passwords, and Apple ID are completely removed — and so the next person doesn't end up with a locked, useless device. We'll cover Stolen Device Protection security delays, signing out of iCloud properly, handling your eSIM, backing up your iPhone to iCloud, Mac Finder, or iTunes on a PC, and that annoying Apple ID password bug that freezes the keyboard during sign-out.
Whether you're erasing an iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 15, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, or even an older iPhone mini, this guide shows you the safest method for iOS 26. If you're running an older version of iOS, I'll link the tutorial for that below. Follow along so your iPhone is factory reset correctly, Find My is disabled, and iCloud activation lock is fully cleared before you sell, trade, or gift your device.
00:00 Why You Need to Erase It the Right Way
00:19 Open the Settings App
00:27 Stolen Device Protection & the 1-Hour Delay
01:41 iOS 26 Erase Options
02:05 Sign Out of iCloud (My Preferred Method)
02:37 What to Do With Your eSIM
03:13 Backing Up to iCloud
03:31 Backup to Mac (Finder) or PC (iTunes)
04:17 Entering Your Apple ID Password
04:59 The Weird Keyboard Freeze Bug
05:35 Wiping the iPhone
06:17 Double-Check iCloud Is Signed Out
06:46 Thanks for Watching
#resetiphone #eraseiphone #wipeiphone
===================================================
My Equipment
Cameras: Sony ZV-E10 II - geni.us/NW09IEM
Main Lens: Sigma 16mm f/1.4 - geni.us/gLkhT
Top Down Lens: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 - geni.us/lgflcT
Third: DJI Osmo Pocket 3 - geni.us/7mRy
Lights:
Key Light: Amaran Verge Max LED Video - geni.us/ucYER
Fill Light: Neewer 660 - geni.us/tHPjkEY
Back Light Amaran 60ds - geni.us/xQyQC1
Godox Lantern Softbox - geni.us/dktQDk4'
Rode Microphone - geni.us/TzrAtlL
My Desk Setup
Computer: geni.us/ATXgxA
Monitors: geni.us/FXhVA
Desk Mic: geni.us/KcBXVF
Clock: geni.us/HtZT
3D Printer: geni.us/dBXyy8
iPad: geni.us/KAjxAiY
Speakers: geni.us/GsXU
Follow me elsewhere:
instagram.com/theapplebias
Visit my site: applebias.com
* Most of the links above are affiliate links. If you click on them before making a purchase, it will help support the channel. However, please don’t feel obligated to make a purchase. Simply watching my video means the world to me.
