How to factory reset an iPhone without passcode

Forgot iPhone passcode? Wrong passcode has been infinitely entered? Read on to know how to reset iPhone without knowing the password.

Apple has provided a feature to block anyone to access the iPhone once the passcode is set up, however, it's not necessarily a once-and-for-all measure. Apple still includes the options for the moments when you've forgotten the password—reset iPhone without passcode, as long as you're willing to delete all your data and settings.

Now you're locked out of your device. The fact remains: all data will be unquestionably erased while factory resetting iPhone. It's impossible to maintain it.

Despite the data loss, you probably want to remedy the situation as quickly as possible. Luckily, it's easy to reset an iPhone without passcode, so long as you know any method of factory reset - iTunes or Finder, iCloud Find My iPhone feature and third-party tool.

Here's how to reset iPhone without a passcode to regain access, which deletes all your data.

Why it's a must to reset iPhone when you lose or forget the passcode

Apple brings two security barriers including passcode protection and facial recognition, meant to keep the device safe from hacking. Ironically, FBI was banned to break into a locked iPhone a few years back.

If you've been following along, you will know how Apple puts this security measure into action. If you enter the passcode in its wrong forms, the Lock screen will disappear, only giving you "iPhone unavailable" alert with the timeout from 1 minute to 60 minutes. In case you keep failing to access iPhone, the device will be disabled forever.

The only option left, whenever you forget the password, is to reset iPhone, deleting content and settings.

How to reset iPhone without passcode - 4 methods

Refer to step-by-step guide provided underneath to reset iPhone without passcode.

A Note: Wisely, you should back up your device to either a computer or the iCloud account it links to, so you can restore any data after erasing the device. If you don't have any backup, there's no chance of accessing the iPhone without deleting all data stored on it.

Method 1: How to reset iPhone via iTunes

The first method is painless. You need to prepare your iPhone that has been plugged into computer and synced with iTunes. The reset is possible and won't ask for the passcode, but will wipe out all your data from iPhone.

1. Update iTunes to its latest version, and then open it.

2. Connect iPhone to computer with the supplied USB cable.

3. Click device icon on the upper-left corner of iTunes window.

4. From left sidebar, choose Summary.

5. Now, click Restore iPhone.

6. When asked whether to back up or not before reset, click Back Up. Then iTunes restores iPhone and erases data and lock screen.

7. After your iPhone reboots, follow the prompts to restore your data you've backed up previously.

Method 2: Enter recovery mode and reset iPhone without passcode

There can be a scenario where you never sync the iPhone with your computer and you can't find its icon displaying on the iTunes window. The reset seems impossible? It never was meant to be.

You just need to put your iPhone to recovery mode and use your computer to factory reset iPhone without a passcode using iTunes. The complete reset would render all information deleted, but if you have an iPhone backup, you can certainly restore data to the device.

1. Get your iPhone, computer, iTunes or Finder, USB cable ready

Obviously, the process has to work by a computer. Make sure iTunes is installed on your earlier Mac or PC. You also need your locked iPhone and the USB cable that comes with the device.

2. Turn off iPhone and initiate recovery mode

Depending on your device model, the button combinations that are used to shut down iPhone and start recovery mode are different.

On iPhone X or newer, SE (2nd gen), 8, 8 Plus: Press and hold Side button and either Volume button until power off slider appears. Drag the slider to right to power off the phone. Then press Side button and keep holding on it, and connect the phone to computer. Then you should see the recovery mode screen.

On iPhone 7, 7 Plus: Press and hold down the Side button until the screen displays power off slider. Slide it to shut it off. Then, plug your iPhone to the computer while pressing the Volume Down button. Keep holding the Volume Down button and with a few seconds, the phone is in the recovery mode with the Connect to laptop or Connect to iTunes symbol displaying on the screen.

On iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold the Side button to trigger the shutdown mechanism. Use the power off slider to turn off the phone. The press the Home button and attach the device with your computer. Don't let go the Home button until you see the Recovery mode screen.

3. Erase iPhone and restore data from backup

When iTunes or Finder detects your phone in recovery mode, it should open automatically. If not, launch the app manually. Afterwards, it should give you a message with the option for "Restore" and "Update". Choose Restore to reset iPhone without password.

When the restore process comes to an end, you can access your iPhone and restore the backup. The current data erased in the process of factory reset will be downloaded onto your phone.

Method 3: How to erase your iPhone through a third-party application

Don't want to fiddle with iTunes for a factory reset? Take it easy, you can still access your phone by applying iPhone Unlocker. The software is built with brilliant features to reset an iPhone, as well as any other iOS device, without a passcode needed.

Reset an iPhone without entering passcode in a few minutes:

This will delete setting and content from your phone. Photos, contacts, notes, text messages and anything in the flash memory are gone.

• Download the utility by clicking the Download Now tab above, and get it installed.
• Fire up the program and choose Wipe Passcode. Click Start button.
• Plug your iPhone into computer. When it's recognized, choose or confirm the device information of it.
• Press Start button to let the software download iOS firmware.
• When done, confirm to know that the process will wipes your data. Go ahead to enter "0000" in the box.
• Click Unlock button. The existing data and screen lock is now removed.

How to reset an iPhone without a passcode using Find My iPhone

• Make sure Find My iPhone is enabled beforehand. Now learn how to reset iPhone without passcode and computer.
• Use the browser to enter iCloud Find My iPhone site on your computer or any phone.
• Sign in your Apple credentials with Apple ID and password. Here the password is not the iPhone screen lock you forgot to access the device.



• At the top, click All Devices and choose your iPhone from the expanded list.



• Click Erase iPhone, and then click Erase again to continue.



• Let your iPhone resets itself and wait until it's finished.
• You can afterwards access iPhone and set it up - set your language and country, join Wi-Fi network, create new passcode and restore iPhone with all of data you have backed up most recently.

If you have your iPhone backed up to iCloud or computer, it's easy to restore the backed-up data after you access the phone again. The initial setup process gives you options in the Apps & Data screen: Restore from iCloud Backup, Restore from Mac or PC. If you don't have backup in place, all your files should be gone for good and there's no way to restore them backup - but now, at the very least, you have access to your iPhone without passcode by doing a factory reset.

The bottom line

See, a factory reset of iPhone without a password is a wise route when the device is disabled or you forgot your passcode. It helps you get into the phone again, though it deletes your settings and data.

The normal way of resetting an iPhone is through Settings app: General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. The process requires you to enter the correct iPhone passcode. It comes in handy when you need to wipe the data before giving away or selling the device, or restoring from a previous iCloud backup. It can also save your phone's life if it's malfunctioning or suffering from errors.