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How to Factory Reset an iPhone without Apple ID Password

Need to factory reset an iPhone but have no idea about the Apple ID and password? Follow this guide and you'll find how to restore your iPhone to factory settings without the Apple ID password.

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Pauline Larson
Updated on Nov 15, 2022

Even when you don't know about the Apple ID password to your iPhone, you can still factory reset the device effortlessly.

You may factory reset your iPhone to delete the data for speeding it up, or to sell or give it away. It is simple to perform a factory reset in your iPhone when the Apple ID and password are known. While it can be a bit challenging if you forgot your Apple ID password. So, is it possible to factory reset an iPhone without an Apple ID password?

The answer is yes, and you can do it easily. In this article, we will show you simple and effective methods to factory reset iPhone without Apple ID password in details, including using Recovery Mode and a great third-party tool - iPhone Unlocker. And ways of resetting your iPhone if you have the Apple ID password are also elaborated below.

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Why Do You Need to Factory Reset Your iPhone?

Factory reset on an iPhone plays a key role in some parts of our lives. For instance, before you trade in your iPhone, it's essential to reset your iPhone as it can erase all the data and consequently protect your privacy; or if you purchased a second-hand one with outdated data, you may want to reset the iPhone without the Apple ID password for customizing it as you want.

Get your iPhone a factory reset can also tackle some issues like removing technical glitches on the iPhone, accelerating a slow iPhone, or erasing the forgotten lock screen passcode.

Means of how to factory reset an iPhone when you don't know the Apple ID password differs from those when you do. Read on to get more instructions on resetting your iPhone with or without the Apple ID password.

Tip: If you decide that a reset is required, you should back up your important data first. Data deleted during the reset procedure will be preserved if you back up in prior.

How to Factory Reset an iPhone if You don't Have the Apple ID Password

The methods discussed below revolve around using Recovery Mode and a reliable tool iPhone Unlocker. Note that you can take these 2 approaches to factory reset your iPhone without the Apple ID password, no matter whether Find My iPhone is turned on in your iPhone.

Factory Reset iPhone without Apple ID Password by Recovery Mode

Using Recovery Mode to factory reset your iPhone without the Apple ID password, you have to prepare a PC functioning in Windows 10 or newer system with the most recent version of iTunes; a Mac in macOS 10.15 or later with the latest Finder can work the same way.

Factory reset your iPhone without the Apple ID password using iTunes by following these steps:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC with a lightning cable, and launch Finder or iTunes.

Step 2: Once connected, complete one of the three procedures to make your iPhone into Recovery Mode for the factory reset without using Apple ID and password, which varies according to the models:

  • If you have an iPhone 8 or later model, quickly press and release Volume up button and Volume down button in a row, then hold on to the Side button until you get the Recovery Mode screen.
  • If you have an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, long-press both the Side button and the Volume down button until the Recovery Mode screen shows up.
  • If you have an iPhone 6s or earlier model, keep pressing the Side button and the Home button at the same time, loose the grip when you see the Recovery Mode screen.

Your iPhone should get a Recovery Mode screen like this before being reset without Apple ID and password by iTunes.

Step 3: Select the "Restore" option to go on with the iPhone factory reset process without the Apple ID and password.

Click "Restore" before resetting your iPhone without the Apple ID password.

Step 4: Select the "Restore and Update" option. And iTunes will begin to perform a factory reset on your iPhone without asking you about the Apple ID password.

Hit "Restore and Update" lastly to factory reset your iPhone.

When your iPhone finishes the factory reset, you could start the iPhone from scratch, or recover your data from the backup you made before.  

Factory Reset iPhone without Apple ID Password by iPhone Unlocker

iPhone Unlocker would make it a breeze for you to factory reset your iPhone without Apple ID Password, thanks to its easiness of solving multiple kinds of passcode problems as well as its clear intuitive interface.

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Unlike using Recovery Mode, there is no limitations to the computer system or iTunes version when you use this app to perform an iPhone factory reset without the Apple ID password. Additionally, it is compatible with all the iPhone models, and it can succeed up to 99% of the time.

Here's how to use the app to do a factory reset on your iPhone when you don't know about the Apple ID password:

1. Launch the app on your Mac or PC. Select "Wipe Passcode" to proceed the iPhone factory reset without the Apple ID and password. Click "Start" in the next screen.

Link your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. Follow the tips in "Device connected but not recognized" to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode and make it detected.

2. Verify the information of your iPhone next. Click "Start" to move on.

An iOS software corresponding to your iPhone will start to download.

3. When the download is done, enter "0000" as required to confirm about the factory reset without using the Apple ID password. Click "Unlock."

A factory reset on your iPhone will be triggered then, no need of entering an Apple ID password. You will get a brand-new iPhone when the reset is over.

Tip: The speed of your computer Internet decides how much how long the reset process would take to finish.

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How to Factory Reset an iPhone if You Have the Apple ID Password

You may also be curious about how to factory reset an iPhone when you have the Apple ID and password in hand. Here we'll outline two ways to do it, which are by Settings and Erase iPhone.

When Knowing the Apple ID Password - Factory Reset iPhone via Settings

Using Settings is one of the easiest methods to factory resetting your iPhone if you know the Apple ID password, as computer is not needed in this way. Steps are as below:

  • Go to "Settings" in your iPhone.
  • Find "General" and tap on it.
  • Scroll down for "Transfer or Reset iPhone."
  • Select "Erase All Content and Settings."
  • Enter the lock screen passcode or Apple ID password as required, and confirm the reset.

Factory reset an iPhone with Apple ID password by Settings

When Knowing the Apple ID Password - Factory Reset iPhone via Erase iPhone Feature

Erase iPhone feature is another feasible method for performing an iPhone factory reset with the Apple ID password. It's a rather new function launch with the release of iOS 15.2.

Note: Only when your iPhone runs iOS 15.2 or later and connect to network can you use this option to restore your iPhone to factory settings.

1. Continuously enter the wrong passcode to your iPhone for several times, and you will see a screen of "iPhone Unavailable try again in 15 minutes" with the Erase iPhone option appearing in the bottom right. Tap it.

You'll see the Erase iPhone option after inputs of incorrect passcode.

2. Prompted with a message of confirming the factory reset, tap Erase iPhone again to go on.

Notice that all the data will be erased if you proceed the reset.

3. Sign out of your Apple ID by entering the password. Immediately, your iPhone will begin to reset itself automatically.

Enter your Apple ID password to factory reset your iPhone.

In a while, your iPhone will be fully reset. Feel free to start it over or select your recent backup to restore from in the following set-up screen.

Conclusion

After being introduced about the methods above, you may think it quite simple to factory reset your iPhone without the Apple ID password. And solutions we discussed above to resetting an iPhone when knowing the Apple ID password also come in handy to help you troubleshoot the related issues. Whenever you need to factory reset your iPhone, check this guide and you'll find the answer to your problem.

About Pauline Larson
Pauline Larson is a writer and journalist who has been well-experienced in technology industry for almost 10 years. She has posted various professional articles in different tech-related sites and magazines, as she is deeply fascinated with digital technology, especially with Apple's products.
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