Guide to Completely Erase Data on iPhone to Avoid Privacy Leak

With growing instances of data leak and misuse, there’s a fear of digital data on iPhone landing in wrong hands. Personal photos, messages, videos, contacts, or sensitive information such as bank details, shopping apps ID etc., are at risk when selling, trading off, recycling or donating your iOS device.

So what can you do to keep your old iPhone data away from strangers’ eyes and make it 100% unrecoverable?

One solution is the commonly used Apple’s recommendation — erase iPhone data by choosing ‘erase all content and settings’ on your device. However, with professional hackers and sophisticated software available, erasing data by this method doesn’t guarantee data privacy.

Experts suggest using trusted iPhone erasure software that is 100 % safe. The software can make iPhone data unrecoverable beyond the reach of any tool.

Let’s understand in detail how to permanently erase data on iPhone by these techniques.

Clean iPhone by using ‘Erase All Content and Settings’

To clear all data from iPhone use the’Erase All Content and Settings’ option in the settings of your iOS device. It is like factory resetting your iPhone.

All the app data, settings, passwords, photos, videos, contacts, documents, messages, Calendar, chats, music, audio files etc., gets deleted after factory reset from iPhone.

However, don’t forget to first take the backup of your iPhone data in iCloud or iTunes.

Steps to erase iPhone via Settings:

• Go to Settings.
• Navigate to General > Reset> Erase All Content and Settings.
• Click Erase Now in the dialog box. Enter Passcode and Apple ID password, when prompted.

This will erase iPhone data turning the device off. When you power on the iPhone, you will see all its data is deleted including, photos videos, apps, contacts etc.

Permanently wipe iPhone to 0% recovery – Secure & tested method

Although deleting data via ‘Erase All Content and Settings’ on iPhone will make your device as clean as new, but it is not enough. Your iPhone data after factory reset is still recoverable by hackers. Thus, to protect privacy and prevent data leak by any means, it is essential to erase iPhone with the help of a professional iOS eraser software .

You can find several iOS cleaner software online but here we recommend Stellar Toolkit for iPhone. The efficient software is the best way to wipe iOS device before you sell , recycle, or donate.

It removes your personal videos, pictures, contacts, notes, calendar, browsing history, call log, chats, messages, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other sensitive information saved on your iPhone. The secure DIY software supports the latest iOS 16 and below versions. You can erase all variants including iPhone 6, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone SE, iPhone 11, and above.

You can take the free trail and gage the software features and user-friendliness.

Step-by-step guide to erase iPhone data permanently:

Step 1: Download and launch Stellar Toolkit for iPhone on computer.

Step 2: Click on Erase Data module.

Step 3: On Erase iPhone Data screen, click **Next.
**

Step 4: As you see the Click Device to Select screen appears, connect your iPhone to computer.

Step 5: Select Erase.

Step 6: In the Erase Process box, select Yes.

Step 7: Data Erase Complete message box appears that asks for confirmation before erasing the data. Click OK.

Wrapping Up

After erasing complete iPhone data by using the secure iPhone eraser software by Stellar, there’s no need to worry about personal data leak. The software algorithms ensure that even the most advanced iOS data recovery tool cannot retrieve your information.

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FAQs

How do you permanently erase data so that it cannot be recovered from iPhone?

Use the best iPhone data eraser tool to permanently wipe iPhone data. This is a assure way to prevent data leak and protect privacy.

7 Ways to Fix iTunes Error 9

Summary: The iTunes error 9 appears when iPhone update through iTunes gets failed. It’s annoying as the error doesn’t let you use your device further. Learn 7 quick methods to fix iTunes error 9 and update the device without any issue.

Trying to get the new iOS on your iPhone but facing iTunes Error 9?

The iTunes error 9 usually occurs while updating your iPhone via iTunes. The error annoyingly neither lets you update the iPhone nor do any activity on your device. Thus, it urgently requires a fix so that you can work on your iPhone and also update the device.

In this post, we will share with you 7 best possible ways to fix iTunes Error 9. But before that let’s know what is causing the iTunes error on trying to update your iPhone.

Why does iTunes Error 9 occur?

It is difficult to determine the exact reason of your iTunes Error 9. But it may be due to any of the reasons given below :

• USB port or cable is damaged
• You have jailbroken your iPhone
• Corrupt network settings
• Security software prevents access to Apple server

How to fix iTunes error 9?

Since it is usually, regarded as a hardware issue, you should begin with hardware-related workarounds and later move to other software troubleshooting methods.

Going by the order, try below methods to fix iTunes Error 9

1. Check USB cable & port
2. Restore iPhone with iTunes on another computer
3. Force your device to restart
4. Check Anti-Virus & Firewall on your computer
5. Update iTunes to the latest version
6. Use Recovery Mode to Fix iTunes Error 9
7. Choose to update iPhone wirelessly

Solution 1: Check USB cable and port

Make sure your iPhone USB cable and port are properly connected and working fine. Do the below checks and fix:

• USB cable is not loosely connected to the computer
• You are using the USB cable that you got with your iPhone or another certified cable
• The USB port is not damaged. Try by shifting to another USB port

Solution 2: Restore iPhone with iTunes on another computer

iTunes error 9 is generally regarded as a hardware-related problem. Sometimes it is difficult to detect the issue. The easier way out is to restore iPhone using iTunes on another computer or laptop. If still the error persists, move on to the other workarounds.

Solution 3: Force restart your device

Apple suggests trying once force a restart of iPhone to fix iTunes error 9.

iPhone X, iPhone 8, & iPhone 8 Plus users: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus users: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo.

Solution 4: Check Anti-Virus & Firewall on your computer

Antivirus or Firewalls in your computer may prevent iTunes to connect with Apple server.  Check the security software settings, and tweak them if required to allow iTunes to access the network servers.

Solution 5: Update iTunes to the latest version

Updates usually bring in new features, fix existing bugs and make the application smarter. If the iTunes error 9 is due to outdated iTunes, installing the latest version may help to fix the error.

How to update iTunes to the latest version?

For Windows users: Launch iTunes on PC. On the menu bar, click Help > Check for Updates and follow the given instructions

For Mac users: Launch iTunes on Mac. On Menu bar go to iTunes > Check for Updates and follow the on-screen instructions.

After updating iTunes, reboot your computer and check if the iTunes error 9 is fixed.

Solution 6: Use Recovery Mode to fix iTunes Error 9

iPhone in Recovery Mode

All the above methods fail to fix iTunes error 9? As last resort choose Recovery Mode to restore iPhone in iTunes. Choosing this option means you will lose all your iPhone data. Thus, first take backup in iCloud or iTunes before applying this fix.

How to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode? (For iPhone 8, 8 Plus, & X users)

• Update your iTunes
• Press and release the Volume Up button and then the Volume Down button
• Press and hold the Side button till connect to iTunes screen appears
• Once the iPhone is in Recovery Mode, connect your computer with iPhone via USB cable. You will see the white Apple logo screen.
• When iTunes asks you to update or restore, click Update to reinstall iOS

Lost iPhone data after restoring iPhone in iTunes via Recovery Mode?

Losing iPhone data after update through Recovery mode is a panicky situation. It gets even more serious if you are unable to restore from iCloud or iTunes backup. In such situation, Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone comes as big relief**.** The software restores complete iPhone information from iPhone, iCloud and iTunes.

Stellar iPhone data recovery software quickly and safely restores all iPhone data including photos, videos, music, contacts, messages, Safari bookmarks, etc. It also recovers the lost WhatsApp, WeChat, Line, Viber, Tango, and Kik messages. The software is extremely easy to use. Simply launch it on your Mac or PC, connect your iPhone to the computer and follow the on-screen instructions.

 

Solution 7: Choose to update iPhone wirelessly

Select Software Update in Settings on iPhone

Alternatively update iPhone wirelessly, without using iTunes.  Make sure you have a continuous Internet connection. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap on Download and Install.

Conclusion

Although iTunes Error 9 rarely occurs but is a frustrating situation as you are unable to do any other activity on your device.

You can sometimes easily fix the Error 9 by doing a simple check if your USB cable, port connection, and firewall settings are appropriate. Restarting the device and updating iTunes to the latest version can also resolve Error 9. As a last resort, update iOS in iTunes through Recovery Mode. Nevertheless, you can also choose to bypass iTunes and update your device wirelessly.

One of the above methods is surely going to help you out. Also do not forget to share with us in the comment box below, which of these methods helped you to fix iTunes Error 9.

How To Recover Whatsapp Chat History From iPhone

Summary: Losing the WhatsApp chat history from iPhone can be annoying. It may contain important details, photos, videos, and audio recordings. This post brings easy and quick methods to recover lost or deleted WhatsApp chat on iPhone using Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

With social media engulfing our lives, it becomes all the more important to keep track of people close to us through various social media apps, not only personally but professionally as well.

Messaging apps such as WhatsApp gives you total access to chat and share data with your family, friends, and even with your business or work colleagues 24*7. Each day, billions of people all over the globe, chat and share videos, audio, photos, etc. over this one messaging app. Therefore, it contains information that is of great value.
But it is important to know that this app is not fail-safe. Sometimes due to some technical issues, WhatsApp chats and other valuable information gets erased from the phone and chances of recovery are slim. If you are an iPhone user, it is a common scenario that due to tech issues such as jail breaking or when you upgrade your iPhone, your data as well as your WhatsApp chats may get erased from the iPhone.

Losing the chat history which also contains your priceless photos, videos, and audio can be quite frustrating! Hence, recovery becomes imperative! So in order to help you recover the data lost from your iPhone including your WhatsApp chats, we suggest the following steps that can help restore your chat history.

Recover Deleted Messages from WhatsApp Chat iCloud Backup

1- First of all, make sure that you have created a backup of all your WhatsApp chats and data on iCloud. In order to check that, go to the WhatsApp settings and check it on the Chat Backup present in the Chats.
2- Next, uninstall the existing WhatsApp and then reinstall it again from the app store and log in with your number. When you log in, a dialogue box will appear asking you to backup the chats: click on the confirm button to proceed.

Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages Without Backup

1- Download and install iPhone Data Recovery Software  by Stellar on your computer and then register the product using the product key.

2- Now after connecting the iPhone, click on Recover from iPhone option. Select the file type you want to recover and click “Next”. The scan will initiate thereafter.

3- Select Only Show Deleted option on the top to focus only on the deleted data. Then select the conversations you want to save. Then click Save.

4- Choose the desired location on your computer where you want to save the files or you can save it directly to your iPhone. Then click OK.

After a wait of 5-10 minutes, the lost data will be saved within form of a HTML page which can be opened using any browser.

Restore Deleted WhatsApp Messages from iTunes Backup

If you have backed up your WhatsApp chats and files in the iTunes app of the iPhone, then you can easily get back all your chats and files easily from it by following the below steps—

1- Open the iTunes app on your computer and then connect your iPhone into it. Next, click on the iPhone icon and then select restore backup. Then select the backup file that contains the WhatsApp messages and then select the recover option.

If you face any difficulty to recover your data from iTunes backup then use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to recover lost or deleted Contacts, Call history, Voice Memo, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Calendar, Safari Bookmarks from iOS device iTunes backup file.

Restore Deleted WhatsApp Messages from iCloud Backup

Just like iTunes, you can even back up your files and WhatsApp chats on iCloud present in your iPhone. However, before getting started, make sure that the data and chats are securely backed up in the app from which you have to recover.
1- The first step contains erasing of all the content and settings present in the iPhone. This can be done by going to the general setting present in the iPhone.
2- A setup screen will be displayed. Follow the steps to get to the apps and data, then select on restore from iCloud backup from it.
3- Select the files and data that you wish to backup and then click on the restore button and let the system restore all the backed up data into your phone.

If you face any difficulty to recover your data from iCloud backup then use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to recover lost or deleted Contacts, Call history, Voice Memo, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Calendar, Safari Bookmarks from iOS device iCloud backup file.

Conclusion

Losing chats and other data from WhatsApp may lead to a situation of despair. Therefore, to ease you off your worries, the above simple steps will help restore all your chats as well as your lost photos, audio, and videos from your iPhone.

How to Reset iPhone without Losing Data?

Summary: Sometimes, resetting an iPhone is essential to fix minor issues like iPhone crashing, freezing, or getting stuck at the Apple logo. But the iPhone reset process can delete important data and settings on your device. Read this post to learn smart ways to reset your iPhone without data loss. Moreover, you can also download this quick tool to reset your iPhone without losing data.

“Yesterday, my iPhone stopped working suddenly. I have been trying multiple ways to fix it since then; even tried the force reboot method. Should I simply reset my iPhone? How do I do it without losing my device data?”

Resetting an iPhone can sometimes become a necessity, whether due to sudden freezing up of your device, software glitches, or slow performance. Often, when your iPhone gets stuck on the Apple logo or suddenly crashes, you can reset your iPhone to fix this minor issue.

A factory reset is also necessary if you want to sell your iPhone and want to start fresh. When resetting your iPhone, it will become an empty slate with no pictures, contacts, videos, downloaded applications, playlists, or anything else. An iPhone reset restores your iPhone to its initial configuration and original factory settings.

However, be careful with this method as resetting your iPhone deletes all files & settings on the device.  For those looking to reset iPhone without losing their precious data, this blog is the answer. Let’s read on to find some simple ways to do so while keeping our data intact.

How to reset your iPhone without Losing Data?

Before starting, it’s crucial to back up your iPhone data to avoid losing important files and folders. You can back up your iPhone using iCloud, iTunes, or Finder on Mac or PC.

Next, follow the step-by-step instructions on resetting an iPhone using iPhone Settings, iPhone erasure software, and iTunes.

Method 1: Reset iPhone Without Losing Data via Settings

To reset iPhone without losing data, you need to use the ‘Reset’ feature in your iPhone. This feature has different options on how you would like to reset- whether through the ‘Reset All Settings’ or the ‘Reset Network Settings’ option.

The Reset All Settings option will remove or reset privacy settings, keyword dictionary, location settings, etc., to default. At the same time, Reset Network Settings will remove previously used networks and VPN settings. Resetting the Network Settings will turn off the cellular data roaming and remove previously used Wi-Fi settings of your iPhone.

Moreover, no data or media is deleted from iPhone when choosing the Reset All Settings or Reset Network Settings option.

Steps to Reset iPhone Using the ‘Reset All Settings’ option

• On the iPhone, navigate to Settings > General.
• Tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Click Reset options.

• Next, click the Reset All Settings option.
• Then enter the iPhone passcode.
• Now, click Reset All Settings. This process will take a couple of minutes to reset the privacy settings, keyword dictionary, location settings to default, but will keep the rest of your data fully secure.

Method 2: Reset iPhone via Stellar Toolkit for iPhone Tool

Sometimes, the ‘Reset All Settings’ option doesn’t solve your iPhone issue. In such a case, try resetting the iPhone with the help of trusted software. Stellar Toolkit for iPhone  is a secure and professional tool that can help you reset your iPhone to fix various iOS issues without losing data.

Also, you can also use Stellar Toolkit for iPhone to fix iOS related issues like- iPhone crashing, stuck at the Apple logo, etc.

This tool’s ‘Repair iPhone’ feature will first download the fresh copy of the iOS version present in your device from the official website. Then it will install the freshly downloaded iOS version on your iPhone after removing the existing one from your device. The software will reset your iPhone, making it seem new without removing or deleting your data.

Stellar Toolkit for iPhone is compatible with the latest iPhone 14, 13, 12, and below series and even all iPad versions, such as iPad Air, iPad Mini, and others.

 

Step-by-Step: How to reset iPhone with Stellar Toolkit for iPhone:

Step 1: Download Stellar Toolkit for iPhone on your Mac or Windows PC and connect your iPhone to the system using a USB cable.

Step 2:  Select Repair iPhone module from the launch screen of the software.

Step 3: On the Repair iPhone screen, click the Next button.

Step 4: Click on the iPhone icon.

Step 5: Click the Download button to download the latest iOS or iPadOS version of the firmware file. If you have already downloaded the firmware before, select Import.

Step 6: After downloading the firmware file, click the Repair button to start repairing.

Step 7: Once you receive the message —The repairing process of the selected iOS device is completed, click OK.

Restart your iPhone to see if the iOS issues are resolved.

Method 3: Reset iPhone Without Losing Data via Recovery Mode

To reset your iPhone, you can use iTunes or Finder app. You need to use Mac or Windows PC to access the recovery mode of your iPhone and reset the device. This method will erase all your device data, so take a backup of your iPhone before proceeding.

Steps to reset iPhone via Recovery

• Open iTunes on your Mac or Windows system.
• Connect your iPhone to the computer and then put your iPhone into Recovery Mode .
• Once your device has entered the Recovery Mode, a message ‘you’re in Recovery Mode’ will pop up. Click OK.

• Click on your iPhone when it appears in iTunes, then click Summary.
• Now, select the “Restore iPhone” option on the right pane.

• Click Restore to confirm. It might take a while for your iPhone to reset; don’t disconnect your device from the computer until the reset process is completed.

• Once the restore process is complete, set up your iPhone as new or restore it from a backup.

Conclusion

You can factory reset your iPhone without fearing data loss by trying different methods mentioned in this blog. Reset All Settings/ Reset Network Settings feature of iPhone can reset your device; however, it may not always work. You can even use iTunes to reset your iPhone, but you will lose all your device data.

Or use the ‘Repair iPhone’ feature of Stellar Toolkit for iPhone software to permanently reset your iPhone without losing data. This tool can repair iOS issues like iPhone crashing, Black Screen of Death, and iPhone stuck at the Apple logo.

Download the free trial version to evaluate the features of the software.

 

FAQs

How to remotely erase iPhone data?

If your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can protect your iPhone data from misuse by remotely erasing its data using the iCloud website.

How to restore or set up your iPhone after reset?

Use an iCloud backup to restore your iPhone after a factory reset.