You can factory reset an iPhone without the passcode using Recovery Mode on a computer, the Erase iPhone option in iCloud’s Find My, or the on-screen Erase iPhone link that appears after too many wrong passcode attempts. None of these routes erase the Apple ID tied to the phone. You will still need that Apple ID password to activate it again, so read the Activation Lock section below before you start.
Reset With Recovery Mode on a Computer
Connect the iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC with a cable. On a Mac, open Finder. On Windows, open iTunes or the Apple Devices app.
Force Recovery Mode on Face ID models by pressing Volume Up, then Volume Down, then holding the Side button. Home button models use Volume Down plus the Side or Top button.
Finder or iTunes detects the phone and offers to Restore. Choose Restore, not Update, since Update keeps the current passcode lock in place.
Erase Your iPhone Through iCloud’s Find My
This works if Find My was turned on before the phone got locked. Sign in at icloud.com/find from any browser, click All Devices, select the locked iPhone, then choose Erase iPhone.
The phone wipes remotely over WiFi or cellular data. Once it reboots, it lands on the same Activation Lock screen, asking for the Apple ID password used to erase it.
Use the Erase iPhone Option on the Lock Screen
On iOS 15.2 and later, entering the wrong passcode repeatedly triggers an “iPhone Unavailable” screen with rising wait times. After the final lockout, a small Erase iPhone link appears in the bottom corner.
Tapping it wipes the device locally, no computer needed. You still confirm with the Apple ID password before the reset finishes, which is Apple’s way of stopping thieves from wiping a phone to resell it.
What Happens After the Reset: Activation Lock
A factory reset through any of these three methods removes your data, apps, and the passcode itself. It does not remove Activation Lock, the anti-theft feature tied to the Apple ID last signed into Find My on that device.
Setup asks for that Apple ID and password before letting you use the phone again. If you own the device and remember the credentials, setup continues normally from there. For the full walkthrough on both the passcode and no-passcode paths, see this complete factory reset guide.
If You Do Not Know the Apple ID Password
Forgotten your own Apple ID password, not the passcode? Go to iforgot.apple.com and reset it through your recovery email or trusted phone number.
Buying or inheriting a locked used iPhone that is not yours? The previous owner needs to remove it from their account, either by signing out of Find My beforehand or by removing it remotely from their Apple ID. Apple will not bypass Activation Lock without proof of original purchase.
Once the phone activates under your own Apple ID, pull your data back with a backup instead of starting from zero. Here is how to restore an iPhone from backup after signing in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does erasing an iPhone without the passcode remove Activation Lock too?
No. Activation Lock stays tied to the Apple ID on the device regardless of which reset method you use. You need that Apple ID password to finish setup afterward.
Can I factory reset an iPhone without a computer or the passcode?
Yes, if Find My was enabled you can erase it from icloud.com/find on any browser, or use the on-screen Erase iPhone link after repeated failed passcode attempts on iOS 15.2 or later.
What if I do not know the Apple ID password after the reset?
Reset it yourself at iforgot.apple.com if the account is yours. If the phone belonged to someone else, ask them to remove it from their Apple ID or provide proof of purchase to Apple support.
