Level 1

10 points

How to reinstall iOS on an iPhone without a computer or data loss

I previously found an article that described a process for reinstalling iOS on an iPhone without using a computer. The steps involved a specific sequence of button presses on the iPhone itself, which would initiate the iOS re-installation process. Once started, the iPhone would automatically reinstall iOS and then recover all data without any further user intervention.

I want to perform this process again but cannot find the original article. To be clear, I am looking to reinstall iOS without losing any data, not restore from a backup.

Can someone please provide the specific steps to reinstall iOS on an iPhone using only button presses on the device itself, without the need for a computer and without any data loss?

Thank you in advance for your help.

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Posted on Mar 12, 2024 10:20 AM

Top-ranking reply

FelipeV

Level 6

12,071 points

Posted on Mar 12, 2024 2:32 PM

Since you cannot "find" the article, it probably never existed to begin with and you mis-remembered as Idris has pointed out. Putting the phone in recovery mode will ERASE it and will require you to either:

1). Set up the phone as new and redownload all apps and reconfigure the settings. iCloud content will download automatically if you have synch enabled.

2). Restore the phone from backup.

This is the procedure. Believe me, if a procedure like the one you described existed, it would be documented here on ASC. I have done a search here and on the web and cannot find it.

If you find it, please post it here, and enlighten us.

View in context

Similar questions

25 replies

FelipeV

Level 6

12,071 points

Mar 12, 2024 3:14 PM in response to cminous

Take a screenshot of every screen with the apps, so as you do not forget which ones you have. Take a screenshot of settings on each apps. You can use this as a guide when reinstalling the apps.

I, myself find that I do not reinstall all my apps because it find that I do not use all of them.

Synch documents, notes, photos, etc with iCloud.

Allocate a lot of free time to do this.

It's my suggestion.

Mar 13, 2024 6:51 AM in response to cminous

cminous wrote:

Got it - - - - I have set some time tonight to begin the suggestions here, wish me luck.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/ouvffr/did_a_dfu_restore_but_didnt_lose_data/

This is the closest thing I found to a process that does not exist. Perhaps, what I am describing was lucky like this poster did, or some glitch, a fluke and not an expected or desired outcome or functionality.

Yup, that's the procedure I linked to yesterday, though I used Apple's article.

Best of luck!

cminous Author

Level 1

10 points

Mar 12, 2024 11:52 AM in response to FelipeV

This is not accurate, @FelipeV -

sorry, I have done it.

cminous Author

Level 1

10 points

Mar 12, 2024 12:07 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

I did not start this forum to argue with misinformation, if you are not familiar with my post, I am not sure why you keep writing.

cminous Author

Level 1

10 points

Mar 12, 2024 3:02 PM in response to Katana-San

I had no idea.

Mar 12, 2024 3:53 PM in response to cminous

cminous wrote:

it is a royal PITA to put everything back

It absolutely is.

Katana-San

Level 10

81,073 points

Mar 12, 2024 4:36 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Hello~ Most assuredly….

~Katana-San~

Mar 12, 2024 6:16 PM in response to cminous

And if you read it, it didn’t actually restore iOS. And this isn’t applicable to you, because you have a beta and you want to remove the beta.

Jun 19, 2024 10:27 AM in response to cminous

I once deleted files on iPhone 6s now I upgraded using iPhone 15 but it does not allow me when m re installing it

Mar 12, 2024 12:03 PM in response to cminous

I've been using iPhones since the iPhone 4. I also spent 20 years working for Verizon Wireless. And I've been participating here for twenty years. I've never heard of anything like what you're talking about.

Restoring iOS wipes the data. Full stop. You have to have backed up the data in order to restore it.

Now, if you had another iPhone, you could transfer everything to it using Quick Start. But it does require two phones.

Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How to reinstall iOS on an iPhone without a computer or data loss