Intend to erase your iPhone but can't remember the passcode? Explore this step-by-step guide to remove the passcode and wipe your iPhone clean safely!
It has been made easier to erase a locked iPhone without passcode and reset it as new.
If you've bought a second-hand iPhone or forgotten your passcode, erasing your iPhone is the most reliable way to remove the passcode and reset it for new use. In this guide, we'll show you how to erase iPhone without password in 5 different ways. When you wipe iPhone clean without passcode, it's reset to factory settings and all your personal data will be removed completely.
While it can be frustrating to erase an iPhone without a passcode, these solutions offer effective options. For a faster method, iPhone Unlocker is a great tool that removes all types of iOS passcodes and lets you reset a locked iPhone without passcode or Apple ID in just a few clicks.
Erasing an iPhone deletes all passcodes and all personal content, and settings. If you've forgotten your iPhone passcode, it's the fastest way to unlock your iPhone without passcode. Keep in mind this process is irreversible, so ensure you have a backup in iCloud or on your computer to restore your data after you wipe your iPhone passcode successfully.
If you're planning to sell an old iPhone but can't remember the passcode, the following methods will also help you erase all data without iPhone passcode, protecting your privacy.
The first way to wipe an iPhone without passcode works on iOS 15.2 and newer versions. After entering wrong passcode more than five times, an Erase iPhone option will appear on the iPhone Unavailable lock screen, allowing you to directly erase the iPhone without passcode or computer by verifying your Apple ID.
Ensure the device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Here's a guide on how to wipe an iPhone without passcode via Erase iPhone from the lock screen:
Once done, the erased iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen, allowing you to set it up again for new start or trade it in as a used phone. If necessary, restore your data from a recent iPhone backup.
In iOS 17 and later, Apple has replaced the Erase iPhone feature with the Forgot Passcode option. This appears on the lock screen after several failed passcode attempts. To remove the passcode from your iPhone and wipe it clean, simply tap on Forgot Passcode button and enter the associated Apple ID password to erase your iPhone wirelessly:
If your iPhone is unavailable with no Erase iPhone option or running a version earlier than iOS 15.2, try using the methods below to reset iPhone without passcode or Apple ID using a computer through iTunes or third-party passcode-removing tools for iOS.
Whether you want to reset your iPhone due to a forgotten 4-digit or 6-digit passcode, Apple ID, Screen Time lock, or iCloud activation code, the iPhone Unlocker tool can effortlessly remove all types of passcodes from your iPhone or iPad. With this all-in-one iOS unlocking solution, you can easily erase your iPhone without a passcode and regain access. Once the passcode is removed, you'll be able to set up a new one to protect your private data.
To unlock an iPhone without a passcode, you'll need a USB cable to connect your device to computer. Here's how to reset an iPhone without password or Apple ID, compatible with iOS 18/17 and all earlier versions:
Step 1. Open iPhone Unlocker on computer and choose Wipe Passcode mode.
Step 2. Use a USB cable to connect the iPhone you want to erase. TIP: If the iOS device is not recognized, follow the onscreen instructions to force it into Recovery Mode.
Step 3. Confirm the device information and click Start button to proceed.
An appropriate iOS package will be downloaded for your iPhone to erase the passcode you forgot.
Step 4. Enter 0000 in the pop-up dialog box and hit Unlock button to initiate iPhone resetting.
Note that removing passcode will reset your iPhone to factory settings and erase all current data, ensuring you can set it up again for new use or sell it with everything wiped clean.
iTunes is another quick way to factory reset your iPhone and erase the passcode. If you have been backing up your iPhone with iTunes regularly, try restoring your data from an earlier backup once the forgotten passcode is erased from your iPhone successfully.
1. Run iTunes or Finder on your computer.
2. Turn off the iPhone. Depending on which iOS model you're using, the steps vary:
3. Connect your iPhone to computer in its Recovery Mode.
4. Reset iPhone with computer.
It takes some time to reset your iPhone and delete everything. Keep it connected until the erasure is complete. If necessary, set up your iPhone and restore important data from a recent backup when the initial Hello screen appears.
Another optional way to wipe your iPhone and erase the passcode is using Find My on iCloud.com. If you've enabled Find My on your iPhone before it's locked, lost or stolen, you may visit iCloud.com to reset your iPhone without passcode or computer remotely. To proceed, this method requires your Apple ID and password and make sure the locked iOS device has an active Wi-Fi or cellular network.
By following these steps, you should be able to wirelessly wipe an iPhone without passcode via iCloud. If your iPhone is offline, the remote erase begins the next time it's connected to a network.
This will reset your iPhone even if you've forgotten the passcode. All data and settings on your iPhone will be wiped out completely.
With the outlined solutions above, it's easy to wipe your iPhone even without a password. If you do remember your passcode, here's how to erase an iPhone in Settings:
Once you erase the locked iPhone successfully, go through the setup steps to use it as new. If possible, restore your iPhone data from a backup in iCloud, iTunes or Finder to prevent data loss. Alternatively, you can skip the setup if you plan to sell, trade in, or give away the iPhone after resetting.
FAQs on How to Erase iPhone
