Where it is
Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings. It asks for your passcode and then restarts the phone.
On the same Reset menu are several other options. This is the narrow one — it does not touch apps, photos, messages or any other settings.
What it clears
Saved Wi-Fi networks and their passwords, Bluetooth pairings, VPN configurations, APN and cellular settings, and any manual DNS entries. All of it is rebuilt from defaults.
The practical cost is that you will re-enter Wi-Fi passwords for the networks you use and re-pair Bluetooth accessories. Nothing else changes.
What it does not touch
Your apps, photos, messages, contacts, accounts and every non-network setting are untouched. It is not a factory reset and does not erase anything you would miss.
Passwords saved in Passwords are also unaffected — only Wi-Fi network passwords stored by the network stack are cleared.
When it is the right fix
Wi-Fi that connects but will not load pages, Bluetooth accessories that refuse to pair, cellular data that stopped after an update, an iPhone that will not join a network it used to, or CarPlay that disconnects.
These are usually stale configuration carried across an upgrade rather than a hardware fault, and rebuilding it resolves them. Our connectivity guide covers the other checks worth making.
eSIM is safe
A network reset does not delete your eSIM. The device re-registers with the network afterwards, which can take a few minutes and occasionally shows No Service in the meantime.
Do not delete the eSIM yourself hoping to fix things — on many carriers reissuing one requires contacting support. Our cellular guide covers mobile-specific problems.
Before you do it
Make sure you know the Wi-Fi passwords for the networks you rely on, particularly at home and at work. Being unable to rejoin your own network afterwards is the only real way this goes wrong.
If a network reset does not resolve the problem, the next steps are a carrier settings update (Settings → General → About, wait thirty seconds) and then a full restore. Our factory reset guide covers that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does resetting network settings delete my data?
No. It clears saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, VPN and cellular configuration only. Apps, photos and messages are untouched.
Will I lose my eSIM if I reset network settings?
No. The eSIM stays installed; the device simply re-registers with the network, which can take a few minutes.
When should I reset network settings?
When Wi-Fi connects but nothing loads, Bluetooth will not pair, or cellular data stopped working after an update.
Do I need my Wi-Fi passwords afterwards?
Yes. All saved networks are cleared, so make sure you know the passwords for the ones you rely on.