How to Reset iPhone Network Settings: What Gets Erased and Stays

September 30, 2026

You can reset your iPhone’s network settings by going to Apple Support via Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Steps to Reset Network Settings

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap General.
Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap Reset at the bottom of the screen.
Select Reset Network Settings.
Enter your device passcode.
Tap Reset Network Settings again to confirm. Your phone will restart.

Resetting your iPhone network settings clears all saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords, cellular settings, and VPN configurations, restoring them to factory defaults without deleting personal data like photos, videos, or apps.

What Gets Erased

Wi-Fi networks and passwords: All saved hotspots and home networks are forgotten.
Bluetooth connections: Paired devices are unlinked, requiring you to reconnect them.
VPN and APN settings: Unmanaged virtual private networks and custom cellular access point configurations are removed.
Device name: Your custom iPhone name resets back to the default “iPhone”.
Certificates: Manually trusted security certificates are untrusted.

What Stays Safe

Personal content: Photos, videos, messages, contacts, and notes remain untouched.
Installed apps: All third-party apps and downloaded data stay on your device.
Carrier cellular plans: Your physical SIM card or active carrier settings remain functional (though carrier-specific profile configs may need a toggle or restart)

Pro Tip

Take a quick screenshot of your Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options screen and your VPN details before you reset. After the reset you can compare them to the defaults and restore anything that was custom, which saves a call to your carrier or IT team.

What Does Reset Network Settings Do on iPhone?

It returns every connection related setting to the way it was when the phone was new. Your personal data is left alone. Only the way your iPhone connects to networks and devices is cleared, which is why it fixes so many connection faults: a corrupted network setting is wiped and rebuilt from scratch.

Do This Before You Reset

Saved WiFi passwords are the part people regret losing, so save them first.

Go to Settings > WiFi, tap the info icon beside a network and tap the password field. Confirm with Face ID or your passcode to reveal it.
Note the password somewhere safe, or check it in the Passwords app.
If you forget a password after the reset, you can look it up on a laptop. Here is a guide to check WiFi password laptop settings.
Write down any VPN details you set up by hand, because you will need to enter them again.

Try These Quicker Fixes First

A full reset is a heavier fix. These steps solve most problems and cost nothing:

Toggle Airplane Mode. Turn it on for ten seconds, then off.
Restart your iPhone. A restart clears many temporary connection faults.
Forget the network. Go to Settings > WiFi, tap the info icon beside the network, tap Forget This Network and join again.
Restart the router. Unplug it for thirty seconds and plug it back in.
Turn off any VPN. A faulty VPN can block all connections.
Update iOS and carrier settings. Go to Settings > General > Software Update, and accept any carrier update prompt that appears.
Test another network. If the problem follows your phone to other networks, the fault is on the iPhone. If not, it is the router.

If none of these helps, go ahead with the reset.

What to Do After You Reset Network Settings

Reconnect to WiFi. Open Settings > WiFi, choose your network and enter the password.
Check mobile data. Open Settings > Cellular and make sure Cellular Data is on. Your eSIM line stays, but confirms it is active.
Pair Bluetooth devices again. Put each device in pairing mode and connect it.
Set up your VPN. Add it again or sign in through its app.
Reconnect your printer. If a wireless printer no longer shows up, follow how to print from your iPhone.
Connect to your computer. If you sync or transfer files, see how to connect iPhone to laptop and how to connect laptop to WiFi on the same network.

When Should You Reset Network Settings on iPhone?

Use it when you see one of these:

WiFi shows connected but pages will not load
Mobile data or a hotspot works one day and not the next
“No Service” or a searching signal after an iOS update
Bluetooth devices will not pair or keep dropping
AirDrop, AirPlay or personal hotspot fail without a clear reason
A VPN error that does not clear after you remove and add it again

Do not use it for problems that are not about connections, such as slow apps or low battery. It will not fix those.

Reset Network Settings vs Other Reset Options

Your iPhone has several reset choices, and picking the wrong one causes real damage.

Reset Network Settings: clears only network and connection settings. Safest option.
Reset All Settings: resets every system setting, such as notifications, privacy and layout, but keeps your data.
Erase All Content and Settings: wipes the phone completely. Use it only when selling or handing the phone back. If you are locked out of this, see how to reset iPhone without password when you cannot sign in.

Resetting network settings does not touch your app tracking choices or your default app choices. If you want to review those, open the guides on app tracking settings iPhone and default apps settings iPhone. The same idea applies to an iPad, and you can follow the steps to reset your iPad properly when it has the same connection faults.

If the Problem Continues After the Reset

Update iOS to the latest version.
Test the phone on a different WiFi network and with a different SIM or eSIM line if you have one.
Contact your carrier if the fault is only on mobile data.
Visit an Apple service provider if nothing works, because a hardware fault in the antenna or WiFi chip cannot be fixed with settings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resetting Network Settings on iPhone

What gets erased when you reset network settings on iPhone?

Resetting network settings erases your saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, Bluetooth pairings, VPN configurations and customised network settings. It does not erase personal data such as photos, videos, contacts, messages, apps or your Apple ID. Your eSIM also remains on the iPhone after the reset.

What will be deleted if I reset network settings?

A network reset deletes connection-related information stored on your iPhone, including saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, manually configured VPN settings and certain cellular preferences. Your personal files and apps remain untouched, making this different from Erase All Content and Settings, which completely wipes the device.

How do I reset network settings on iPhone without losing everything on iOS?

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings and confirm with your passcode. This only restores network-related settings to their defaults. Your photos, messages, apps, contacts, Apple ID and other personal information remain on the iPhone.

Why do I keep having to reset network settings on my iPhone?

If you repeatedly need to reset network settings, the underlying problem may be your Wi-Fi router, mobile carrier, VPN, iOS software or the iPhone’s network hardware. Test another network and check for iOS or carrier updates. If connection problems continue across different networks after a reset, contact your carrier or an Apple service provider.