Having trouble connecting to the Wi-Fi, or your iPhone is acting up and not connecting to the internet, or the Bluetooth device you are trying to pair with. These are all signs of network-related problems that can be difficult to diagnose until you know the root cause. That is why resetting network settings is the easiest way to solve such problems. It sounds like a drastic step, but it does not touch your saved data. So, keep reading if you want to learn how to reset network settings on an iPhone.
How to Reset Network Settings on iPhone
There's only one straightforward method to reset network settings on your Apple iPhone, and it is through the Settings app. It clears your saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices and VPN settings to fix any issues with them. Follow these steps to do it yourself.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Here, tap on Reset and select Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your iPhone passcode if required.
- In the confirmation box, tap on Reset Network Settings.
The confirmation will restart your iPhone, completing the process. Now, all you will need to join your Wi-Fi networks again, and Bluetooth devices will need to be paired again
Note: If you own an iPhone running iOS 15 or older, you can simply head to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
What Happens When You Reset Network Settings on iPhone?
Now that you know how to reset network settings on an iPhone, it is worth understanding what sort of data it deletes and what it doesn't. That is because many people, including me, find it as intimidating as resetting an iPhone. But that's not the case.
So, here's a list of everything that gets deleted:
- All saved Wi-Fi networks and their passwords
- Bluetooth devices
- VPN configurations
- APN and cellular settings
- Any custom DNS settings
Now, let me show you what does not get deleted when you reset network settings:
- Photos and videos
- Apps and app data
- Messages and contacts
- Apple ID and iCloud settings
- Any other personal data
When Should You Reset Network Settings on iPhone?
Even though resetting network settings does not delete any personal files, it is still important to know when to reset network settings on your iPhone. It should be used as a last resort in some instances only. Here are a few reasons to reset network settings on your iPhone that I found fitting for this guide:
- Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting: If the iPhone drops a Wi-Fi connection repeatedly or fails to connect to a network it has joined before, a corrupted saved network profile is often the cause.
- Mobile data has stopped working: If cellular data suddenly stops working after an iOS update or SIM change, resetting network settings can restore the correct carrier configuration, especially on iPhone 14 and newer models that support eSIM only.
- Bluetooth is not pairing: If a previously paired device will not connect or the Bluetooth connection keeps dropping, resetting clears the pairing data and lets you start afresh. You can also try to switch off your iPhone and turn it on again to see if that helps.
- VPN is not working correctly: Misconfigured or leftover VPN profiles can sometimes cause connectivity issues across the board.
- iOS update broke connectivity: Network-related bugs after a major iOS update are common, especially if you have installed a developer beta not meant for everyday use. Resetting network settings is one of the first things worth trying before escalating to a full device reset.
Resetting network settings is an important troubleshooting step that not many people know about but can help fix some major connectivity issues on your iPhone. So, having this option is extremely helpful when you need it in a sticky situation. I hope you found this guide helpful and all the methods here were easy to understand and follow.
