Resetting to Factory Settings... Does this wipe my data?

I have a second generation iPod Touch (8 GB). It isn't the run with the volume bar at the side, but it is the one that shipped with the expanded software package that Apple preloaded after the original iPod Touch units were released (I bought February 08).
Here's my question: I no longer need/use it as I have an iPhone. I am thinking of donating/selling it, and I want to know if I restore it to factory settings in iTunes, will that safely erase all my data, and make it unrecoverable to anyone who gets it? Or is there something else I need to do to protect my information/privacy? Also, would someone be able to use that iPod and get into my iTunes account via the serial number?
Thanks so much!!
--J

It's best to use Settings -> General -> Reset All Content and Settings.
This feature resets all settings to their defaults and removes all your information and media on your iPod touch by overwriting the data stored on iPod touch.
Important: You can’t use iPod touch while data is being overwritten. This can take up to four hours or more, depending on the model and storage capacity of your iPod touch, so you should have it connected to a charger.

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OSX Mtn. Lion/ Reset to factory settings/ secure HD wipe?

All-
I have a late-2011 MacBook Pro i7, 2.5GhZ that has, through terrible file management on my part, become so cluttered and disorganized to the point where I would literally need to spend upwards of 36 hours to organize, clean, re-file, re-organize, and what not my file libraries.
Specifically, as a DJ/Music producer, my sample libraries are -terribly- organized (read: not organized at all). I tried to work through it all day today but I've literally managed to get through maybe 150 files, which does not even scratch the surface of the files that start with the letter "A" on my Macbook Pro- see what I mean?
Anyhow, I recently upgraded to Mtn Lion, and love it, and I bought my computer with Snow Leopard on it, so, a restore to factory settings I think would wipe my OS back to Snow Leopard, which I really don't want to do...
I'm wondering if, since I back up my hard drive with Time Machine constantly, if it would just be worth it to wipe the hard drive completely clean and start over with a clean, empty MBP with just OSX Mtn. Lion on it, and go from there, and select files that I want from my external hard drive as needed to build up my file libraries again.
I just want it all to be neat and organized, and I've been unable to (read: too lazy to) keep up with it so far, and now, it's beyond manageable for me to re-organize everything. (Unless someone has tips to make this a more manageable process?)
How would I go about doing this and/or does this sound like a feasible plan?
Thanks-
Andy

Yes you certainly can Erase and Install 10.8, (no need for 10.6 or 10.7)
I suggest you transfer the contents of your users folders (music, pictures, documents etc) to a external storage drive (not just TimeMachine) and disconnect, it's only these files you will be returning into the same named account later, so no TimeMachine restores and thus no corrupts.
You need to export bookmarks, email addresses, serial keys or any other information (addressbook) that are locked into programs as well. Make a note of your programs installed. Disconnect all drives.
Write down your AppleID and password.
Hook your Mac to the Ethernet cable to your router or modem, if the modem, then power it off/30 sec/on.
This process is going to take hours, so prepare yourself.
Next your going to hold the Command r keys down and boot the computer into Recovery HD, select Disk Utility and on the left side, click on Macintosh HD partition then click on the Erase tab and there should be a slider, use the middle secure erase option. And click Apply, this will zero the entire Macintosh HD partition and map off any failing sectors. Drive makers advise this whenever a OS is reinstalled.
Once this is completed, quit and then click the OS X installer and proceed with that step.
When that's finished you can reboot the machine and it's a brand new one, use the same setup name as before (important)
Software Update check just in case.
Now you won't have the free iLife that carried over from the 10.6 install, however you can use Pacifist from CharlesSoft to extract it from the black or purple (not white) 10.6 disks, or you can but it anew at AppStore.
If you have any purchases at AppsSore, hold down the option key and click on Purchases to reinstall.
You should also install as much as your third party software at this time as possible for best performance on hard drives.
Last you hook up the external storage drive and go cherry picking for what you want and leave what you don't want.
Tip: Use Activity Monitor to keep your boot drive (ideally) below 50%, never more than 80% filled.
Now once you have this "perfect" new Install, you can preserve it by using a blank external powered drive and Carbon Copy Cloner, default settings are fine for the first clone. Later you have to adjust for a "pure clone" every time it's updated.
This way if you ever have to do this painful process of resinstall, you can hold the option key down and simply boot off the clone and reverse clone!! No effort on your part required, it will take a few hours and copy everything over like new again.
Most commonly used backup methods
Good luck
note: what I do is I option boot from my clone, grab a copy of the latest files onto the clone, then erase the internal drive and reverse clone everything on.
What's good abou this, the software does all the work, the drive is bootable, and it optimizes and defragments the files too, so it's zippy.
When a hard drive gets more than 50% filled, it slows down depending what's written on the slower part of the drive, say a new OS X update or program for instance.

HT202696 Trying to reset to factory settings it says could not find installation information for this machine contact Apple care

Trying to to reset to factory settings to set up the installation it says could not find installation information for this machine contact Apple care. What does this mean

Try another internet connection.

I need to set my computers to their original factory settings, which will wipe out my photoshop software, I can I do this without loosing my licensing when I reinstall photoshop

n Sept. 2013 our high school purchased adobe photoshopCS6 and 32 license. I am having software issues not with your product, but another product I am trying to install. In order to install this software, I have to restore windows 7 operating system to its factory settings, which will wipe out the photo shop software installed. I need to do this, but I want to make sure there will not be a licensing issue when I reinstall photo shop. The order number was 138097298, end user purchase order number 140405, end user organization Fresno County Office Education, agreement number 4400363765, windows Lic.SN 1330-1056-0522-7265-0134-9860, end user ID 20644173 Fresno County Office Education. Please let me know what I have to do, to not to have a licensing issue. Thanks for your assistance. My name is Robert Pendergrass, Computer Instructor, Mendota High School, phone 559-655-1993, e-mail: [email protected]

n Sept. 2013 our high school purchased adobe photoshopCS6 and 32 license. I am having software issues not with your product, but another product I am trying to install. In order to install this software, I have to restore windows 7 operating system to its factory settings, which will wipe out the photo shop software installed. I need to do this, but I want to make sure there will not be a licensing issue when I reinstall photo shop. The order number was 138097298, end user purchase order number 140405, end user organization Fresno County Office Education, agreement number 4400363765, windows Lic.SN 1330-1056-0522-7265-0134-9860, end user ID 20644173 Fresno County Office Education. Please let me know what I have to do, to not to have a licensing issue. Thanks for your assistance. My name is Robert Pendergrass, Computer Instructor, Mendota High School, phone 559-655-1993, e-mail: [email protected]

HT201263 My phone screen is cracked and my LCD is broken. I need to reset to factory settings before I discard it, how can I do this?

My phone screen is cracked and my LCD is broken. I need to reset to factory settings before I discard it, how can I do this? I was able to get it into recovery mode, I unconnected it from my Find my iPhone (i couldn't erase that way because I can't connect to WIFI with the screen not working). I clicked restore iPhone from iTunes, but it's been sitting on "Contacting the iPhone software update server..." for over 40 minutes. Should I restart this process or is it supposed to take a really long time? Thanks!

My phone LCD is broken and I need to reset to factory settings before I discard it like how you did earlier but how do you got into recovery mode to unconnected it from your Find My iPhone as I can't connect to WIFI with the screen not working?

Hi, I have an ipod classic that was synch to itunes on my laptop. Laptop got a virus, so I reset to factory settings. Downloaded itunes, it recognises my ipod, but does not synch

Hi, I have an ipod classic that was sync to itunes on my laptop. Laptop got a virus, so I reset to factory settings. Downloaded itunes, it recognises my ipod, but does not sync. Not sure how to now sync itunes and ipod

Restart your computer and attempt to restore again.

After a reset to factory settings iPad, does not activate Incrrect Apple ID or Password although it right, please help

After a reset to factory settings iPad, does not activate Incrrect Apple ID or Password although it right, please help

You have to enter the Apple ID and password. You are running into the Activation Lock
iCloud: Find My iPhone Activation Lock in iOS 7
Is there a way to find my Apple ID Name if I can't remember it?
Yes. Visit My Apple ID and click Find your Apple ID. See Finding your Apple ID if you'd like more information.
How do I change or recover a forgotten Apple ID Password?
If you've forgotten your Apple ID Password or want to change it, go to My Apple ID and follow the instructions. SeeChanging your Apple ID password if you'd like more information.

HT201269 Following these steps, has anyone run into the problem of losing the 4s data ability? My phone no longer acknowledges my data plan. I have to reset to factory settings to get it back, but then I also lose all the first gen backup transfer info.

Long story short, I'm trying to progress from my first gen iPhone to my iPhone 4s. I sync my first gen as directed to create a backup, and then restore my 4s to the first gen backup. However, once this is done (and it does successfully transfer my first gen phone apps, photos, texts, calendar, etc-etc to my 4s), my 4s phone no longer has 4g data like it did prior to syncing - it doesn't recognize my data plan at all. The only way I can access the internet is through my wi-fi. So then I have to reset to factory settings and re-plus my personal settings into the 4s but then I lose everything from the first gen transfer. Any thoughts and/or recommendations/suggestions? Many thanks.

Long story short, I'm trying to progress from my first gen iPhone to my iPhone 4s. I sync my first gen as directed to create a backup, and then restore my 4s to the first gen backup. However, once this is done (and it does successfully transfer my first gen phone apps, photos, texts, calendar, etc-etc to my 4s), my 4s phone no longer has 4g data like it did prior to syncing - it doesn't recognize my data plan at all. The only way I can access the internet is through my wi-fi. So then I have to reset to factory settings and re-plus my personal settings into the 4s but then I lose everything from the first gen transfer. Any thoughts and/or recommendations/suggestions? Many thanks.

TS4006 I need to erase my ipad and reset to factory settings in order to sell it but it won't do it

I need to erase my ipad and reset to factory settings in order to sell it but it won't allow me to do it and it keeps coming up with a passcode that it won't take either how do I get around this ?

What to do before selling or giving away your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5661
iCloud: Find My iPhone Activation Lock in iOS 7
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5818
How can I unlock my iPad if I forgot the passcode?
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ipad/ipad-troubleshooting-repair-faq/ipad- how-to-unlock-open-forgot-code-passcode-password-login.html
iOS: Device disabled after entering wrong passcode
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1212
How can I unlock my iPad if I forgot the passcode?
http://tinyurl.com/7ndy8tb
How to Reset a Forgotten Password for an iOS Device
http://www.wikihow.com/Reset-a-Forgotten-Password-for-an-iOS-Device
Using iPhone/iPad Recovery Mode
http://ipod.about.com/od/iphonetroubleshooting/a/Iphone-Recovery-Mode.htm
Saw this solution on another post about an iPad in a school environment. Might work on your iPad so you won't lose everything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
‘iPad is disabled’ fix without resetting using iTunes
Today I met my match with an iPad that had a passcode entered too many times, resulting in it displaying the message ‘iPad is disabled – Connect to iTunes’. This was a student iPad and since they use Notability for most of their work there was a chance that her files were not all backed up to the cloud. I really wanted to just re-activate the iPad instead of totally resetting it back to our default image.
I reached out to my PLN on Twitter and had some help from a few people through retweets and a couple of clarification tweets. I love that so many are willing to help out so quickly. Through this I also learned that I look like Lt. Riker from Star Trek (thanks @FillineMachine).
Through some trial and error (and a little sheer luck), I was able to reactivate the iPad without loosing any data. Note, this will only work on the computer it last synced with. Here’s how:
1. Configurator is useless in reactivating a locked iPad. You will only be able to completely reformat the iPad using Configurator. If that’s ok with you, go for it – otherwise don’t waste your time trying to figure it out.
2. Open iTunes with the iPad disconnected.
3. Connect the iPad to the computer and wait for it to show up in the devices section in iTunes.
4. Click on the iPad name when it appears and you will be given the option to restore a backup or setup as a new iPad (since it is locked).
5. Click ‘Setup as new iPad’ and then click restore.
6. The iPad will start backing up before it does the full restore and sync. CANCEL THE BACKUP IMMEDIATELY. You do this by clicking the small x in the status window in iTunes.
7. When the backup cancels, it immediately starts syncing – cancel this as well using the same small x in the iTunes status window.
8. The first stage in the restore process unlocks the iPad, you are basically just cancelling out the restore process as soon as it reactivates the iPad.
If done correctly, you will experience no data loss and the result will be a reactivated iPad. I have now tried this with about 5 iPads that were locked identically by students and each time it worked like a charm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Try it and good luck. You have nothing more to lose if it doesn't work for you.
 Cheers, Tom

IPhone 5 asks to reset to factory settings when I synchronize.

The iPhone "button" no longer appears i iTunes making it impossible to sync through wifi. When I then hook up my iPhone 5 to my Mac it says that it can't charge with the present hardware and asks to reset to factory settings. I thought that might solve the problem so I did it but it keeps having the problem. And then when it does synchronize it doesn't sync everything. Unhooking and trying again prompts the same problem and I have to start all over.
This problem came overnight. Any thoughts anyone?

there would be ways but they would be slightly illegal. this is because your apple and icloud ID is what wirelessly stores your music apps etc.
otherwise everybody would do that and only one person would bave to buy apps and the whole world could get them.
the only option would be to record the songs being played on a camera and record them back to an iPod.
but for your own well-being and my own morale please don't do that!

Wifi just stopped working on an iPhone 4S, iOS 8.1.3. Have reset to factory settings and restored, still no wifi.

Wifi just stopped working on an iPhone 4S, iOS 8.1.3. Have reset to factory settings and restored, still no wifi. Will next release of iOS address this problem?

Hey there kevin8!
I have an article for you that can help you continue to troubleshoot this issue with the Wi-Fi on your iPhone. The article can be found right here:
iOS: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1398
Hopefully that will help resolve your issue. Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!
Cheers,
Braden

IPhone 4s update was interrupted and message said phone had to be reset to factory settings. Lost all photos from phone in process of transferring to pc. Copy of my backup overroad that phone and all the old data and photos are gone.

My boyfriend and I share an iTunes account. I just tried to update his phone and during the update an error message occurred saying that his phone had to be reset to factory settings. It said it was an un setup phone and needed plugged in to iTunes. With no other choice, we had to select reset to factory settings. Now, my phone backup through iCloud downloaded onto his and all of his contacts and photos were overridden by mine. His photos were in process of transferring from the phone to the pc while this occurred and over 900 of them were complete when this happened. They don't show up on the pc now either since the sycn wasn't finished. Is there a way to get them back? When we plug his phone in now it shows my name instead of his so I'm not sure how to get to an old version of his backups even.

Error -1 indicates a hardware issue with the device.
Read here > http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3694
The device should still have warranty but unfortunately any service needs to be done in the US.
Warranty check > https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do
Is it possible for you to send the device home and have a family member take it to the Apple Store?

Why wouldn't my iPod Have a reset option to reset to factory settings I believe I received a display iPod it came with games you can't play if you click on them it says for demonstration only and I can not download any apps or games wth do I do

i bought this 3 months ago didn't open it or anything I know big idiot but it was for my daughters bday today she opens it and stuck to the back of it was a yellow sticker saying display model. What..... Ok so we charge it she can't wait to download her little grs and play and nope it won't let me download any apps or games so I tried to sync it with her brothers and no it won't so I google it to find out how to reset to factory settings looked so easy should have known I go to settings then general and yep no reset option so I try the iTunes thing with the laptop nope didn't work I am ready to try the hammer you know where you continually beat the darn thing till you feel better ugh please any suggestions would be so appreciated

You should be able to force it into recovery mode and restore it. Provided, that is, that it's not also activation locked. If there's an iCloud account set up on it with Find my iPod enabled, you're pretty much hosed.
You may want to try contacting Amazon to see if you can return it. Was it actually sold by Amazon, or by a 3rd party? Amazon is getting to be as bad as eBay any more with all the 3rd party sellers.
Amazon is NOT an authorized source for any Apple products. What you got was, as you have already figured out, a demo model. It was probably either liquidated along with the rest of the inventory from a brick and mortar retailer that went bust or possibly even stolen.

My Windows 7 laptop had to be reset to factory settings and iTunes was wiped. I have all my songs and playlists on my iPod. Is there anyway to transfer the songs back over, but storing the number of plays I have and carrying across my playlists too?

My laptop had a few problems and it had to be reset to factory settings. Meaning my iTunes was wiped clean and I had to reinstall it. My previous iTunes (and current iPod nano) has 13 playlists, over 2000 songs and a record of plays going back 2 years (which i would like back since a lot of my playlists are play based).
I've followed guides online, and i've managed to get my songs from my iPod to my computer and thus onto iTunes again. But neither the play count, nor the playlists are transferring with these methods.
Considering when I first bought this laptop I had to redo all my playlists and I KNOW how time consuming and bloody annoying it was I'd rather not do it again.
Is there anyone that can give me a step by step guide of how to do this?
I would GREATLY appreciate this, as at current i'm refusing to sync my iPod again as I am so desperate to cling onto the playlists and plays I have, which means no new songs...
Please help if you can.

The Ipod works fine.
Battery charges regularly with the occasional glitch.
Running iTunes 11.1.1.11
I figured a Nano would probably connect in a simpler way than the touch, but only have a couple computers and cables to test.
I've reinstalled iTunes, but not the full suite, and not all traces. I will attempt this, but I suspect its related to my touch. I was able to connect other iphones to my itunes without issue, using the same cable.

IPod Classic (7th Generation) won't reset to factory settings...

Hi, I have a Apple iPod classic 160 GB Black (7th Generation). I had tried to sync it to my MacBook Pro, which the iPod was set up with, will not show up in iTunes. I will get an error message "The iPod "iPod" could not be restored because it could not be found." Then I'll get another error message "iTunes cannot read the contents of the iPod " Chris' Classic 160 iPod." Go to the Summary tab in iPod preferences and click Restore to restore this iPod to factory settings." When I go to "About this iPod" it shows that there are no songs, movies, photos, podcasts or contacts. There are four games loaded on the iPod. But, it shows 41.5 GB used and 107 GB free.
This is what I have done up to this point:
Disconnect and reconnect your iPod to iTunes, and then attempt to restore or update the iPod again. Also, I've tried other USB cords.
Restart your computer and then attempt to restore or update the iPod again.
Try connecting your iPod to a different USB port, and then attempt to restore or update the iPod again. Connecting to a USB 2.0 port is recommended. For Windows computers, refer to Identifying USB 2.0 ports on your computer for instructions.
Remove any USB devices not manufactured by Apple that you have connected to your computer (it is not necessary to remove your keyboard or mouse). Then, attempt to restore or update the iPod again.
Update to the latest version of iTunes, and then attempt to restore or update the iPod again.
How do I clear out that 41.5 GB from the iPod? What can I do to reset the factory settings on the iPod?

Do the iPod disk diagnostic on your iPod, as in this excellent earlier post by tt2.
It wont fix your problem, but help us in troubleshooting.
then, Use Disk Utility->FirstAid->Repair ( may take 30 minutes )
Failing that Disk Utility -> Erase
This will reformat the iPod ( try using FAT32, instaed of HFS+) may take 4 hours.

Resetting to Factory Settings... Does this wipe my data?

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