Erase All Content and Settings

A feature that securely erases all data and settings from a device, returning it to factory condition. For ADE devices, enrollment can optionally be preserved.

What to Know

Erase All Content and Settings provides a fast, secure method to completely wipe an iOS or iPadOS device without requiring a computer, cables, or iTunes/Finder. Unlike factory reset via Recovery Mode, this feature preserves the installed OS version and can optionally preserve eSIM and Apple Watch pairings, making it ideal for re-deploying devices to new users without downgrading or losing cellular service. The process uses hardware encryption to instantly destroy encryption keys, ensuring data is irrecoverable even if the storage chips are physically extracted.

Common Scenarios

Enterprise IT: Corporate IT uses Erase All Content and Settings when reassigning company iPhones to new employees, ensuring the previous user’s data is completely removed while keeping the device on the approved iOS version. It’s faster than using a computer-based restore and can be initiated remotely via MDM.

MSP: MSPs use this feature to prepare client iPads for new deployments or to resolve severe software issues without requiring physical device access. The ability to trigger this remotely via MDM means devices can be wiped and prepared for re-enrollment even when users are off-site.

Education: Schools use Erase All Content and Settings at the end of each semester to wipe student iPads before redistributing them to new students. This ensures data privacy while allowing IT to quickly turn around large numbers of devices without connecting each to a computer.

In Addigy

Addigy supports remote initiation of Erase All Content and Settings via the MDM Erase Device command. Administrators can trigger this action from the Addigy dashboard, and when combined with Addigy’s Return to Service feature, devices automatically re-enroll after the erase completes, ensuring they’re immediately ready for the next user with all policies and apps pre-configured.