Is it possible to do an iOS clean install without iTunes (I've sold my old MacBook)

I have recently sold my MacBook & switched to going all-in on iOS for work/productivity & it works great, however:


My iPhone are starting to show signs of wear 'n' tear in the way that iOS reacts, at times, so I want to do a clean install which often solves it, but without a computer how am I going to clean install without iTunes?


I know I can do the "Reset settings & Data" but I really want to start with a complete fresh slate 🏻

iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 12.1, 128Gb

Posted on Nov 16, 2018 6:37 AM

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Posted on Nov 16, 2018 12:53 PM

For a “clean install”, you will need access to either a PC or Mac with the latest version of iTunes installed.


It is not possible to independently initiate a full reinstallation of iOS from your iDevice.

6 replies

Nov 28, 2018 1:12 PM in response to tonnyfromholsted

That shouldn’t happen. You should be able to restore the device using any computer running the latest version of iTunes.

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support


Before you connect your device to the friend’s computer, launch iTunes and go to iTunes>Preferences>Devices (Mac) or Edit>Preferences>Devices (Windows) and Check the box at the bottom of the window that says Prevent iPods, iPhones and iPads from automatically syncing. Click OK. Close iTunes. iTunes will not launch automatically when you connect your device.


Now you can connect your device and launch iTunes without syncing his content. After you Trust the computer, you can restore to factory settings using the instructions in the support article.

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Is it possible to do an iOS clean install without iTunes (I've sold my old MacBook)

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