How to factory reset an iphone without unlocking it

Another little tidbit in iOS 15.2 is that Apple has finally added the ability to erase and reset a locked iPhone or iPad, without first needing to connect it to a PC or Mac. This new feature is thanks to a new capability when the iOS device is in Security Lockout mode, after too many failed passcode attempts.

Of course, when an iPhone is unlocked, resetting it to factory stock software is incredibly simple. It just takes a couple of taps in the Settings app to Erase All Contents and Settings.

However, up to now, doing the same when the device is in a locked state has required the use of a computer. This meant if you forgot your iPhone passcode, you would have to put your iPhone into DFU recovery mode and then connect to a PC or Mac to restore via the classic iTunes process.

In 2021, this represents a pretty antiquated ordeal. iOS 15.2 finally introduces a modern solution.

As long as the locked iPhone or iPad in question has an active network connection, you can now erase the device from the lock screen (assuming it is running iOS 15.2 or later).

After a couple of failed password attempts, an ‘Erase iPhone’ option will appear at the bottom of the screen. Simply tap on that, confirm you want to erase the device, and then enter your Apple ID password to deregister your account. The device will then reset itself, fully erasing all user data, and starting from fresh.

If the device cannot connect to Wi-Fi or cellular, then the Apple ID authorization step will fail and the device will not be able to be erased. In that case, you will still have to resort to the traditional DFU->PC method.

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Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS)

• Simple operations to unlock iPhone or iPad without passcode.
• Factory reset any iDevice whose passcode is unknown.
• Compatible with all iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and the latest iOS version fully!
  
• Instructions provided for step-by-step guidance.

Quickly Factory Reset iPhone without Passcode [Step-by-Step]

"I want to factory reset iPhone without passcode. Any help? Thanks!"

Forgot the password on your iPhone 12, or any other iPhone model? Want to know how to reset iPhone without password? Don't worry! I will show you the solutions. But before you are going to perform a factory reset without a password, I want to let you know more about the background information.

Reasons to factory reset your iPhone.

• You may want to erase all your details from the iPhone before selling it or transferring it to another user. In this case, you can directly go to the Tips part in this article.
• A factory reset is an essential troubleshooting technique for fixing some iPhone errors, a white screen of death, recovery mode, or a phone which is misbehaving in any way.
• It is a must to erase all settings and content on iPhone before restoring data from an iCloud backup.
• When your phone's screen is already locked, restore your iPhone by iTunes, or unlock it with Dr.Fone. Then your iPhone will be unlocked, but both will cause data loss.
• If you just forgot the password, you can also learn how to reset iPhone password easily before the factory reset it.

Now you have more background knowledge, we hope you are in a better position to decide how best to proceed if you need to know how to factory reset an iPhone without a password.

• Solution One: Reset iPhone without passcode using Dr.Fone
• Solution Two: Factory reset iPhone without a passcode via iTunes
• Solution Three: How to erase iPhone without password via Settings
• Tips: Permanently erase your iPhone (100% not recoverable)

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Solution One: Factory reset iPhone without passcode using Dr.Fone

If Solutions One and Two do not work for you and you may only want to reboot a stuck iPhone, locked iPhone, and more, you should try to use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock. This tool just functions perfectly to factory reset your iPhone or any other iPhone model without a passcode. It can also help to remove screen lock, mobile device management (MDM), or activation lock.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock

Factory Reset iPhone (iPhone 13 included) without password in 10 minutes!

• Work for all models of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
• Get into your iPhone when you have forgotten the passcode.
• Unlock an iPhone disabled due to incorrect passcode inputs.
• Fully Compatible with the latest iOS version.

4,624,541 people have downloaded it

To use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock to hard reset a locked iPhone, you need to follow the steps below.

Step 1: Use the link above to download, then install Dr.Fone on your computer. Launch Dr.Fone and then select Screen Unlock.

Step 2: Power on your iPhone (even if it is in a locked state). Use the original data cable to connect your iPhone to the PC. If iTunes launches automatically, close it.

Step 3: When you connect the locked iPhone, click Unlock iOS Screen to begin the factory reset operations.

Step 4: Dr.Fone will display a screen asking you to activate the DFU mode. Proceed by following the on-screen instructions based on your device model.

Step 5: Then select your iPhone's model and other information, and click "Start".

Step 6: After the firmware is downloaded, click Unlock Now.

Since this process will wipe your iPhone data, Dr.Fone will ask you to confirm the operation.

Step 7: When the process is complete, all data on the phone and the screen lock are removed.

You can celebrate, everything is complete!

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Moreover, you can explore and learn more about Dr.Fone from the Wondershare Video Community.

Solution Two: How to factory reset iPhone without password via iTunes

Please pay attention to Step 1.

Also, please note, that works if and only if you have synced your iPhone using iTunes in the past. If you have synced using iTunes before, you will not be asked again for your passcode.

Step 1. Back up your iPhone because a factory reset will erase all the data.

Step 2. Connect your phone to your computer with the USB cable and launch iTunes.

Step 3. Click on "Restore iPhone".

If you have synced before, this is a good way to reset your iPhone without a passcode.

Step 4. From the iTunes dialogue box, click "Restore".

Step 5. In the iPhone Software Update window, click "Next".

Step 6. On the next window, click "Agree" to accept the license terms and to continue.

Step 7. Be patient while iTunes downloads iOS and restores your iPhone.

This method has worked many times for many users. However, the big cost is that you will have lost ALL your data. All your contacts, photographs, messages, music, podcasts, notes, etc., will have gone. There is a simpler, better way which we will introduce you to further down. For the moment, we will stick with what Apple has to offer you.

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Solution Three: How to reset iPhone without password via Settings

It might seem silly to mention, but this will, of course, only work if you have previously done an iCloud backup in the past. Not so obvious, but it will also only work if you have 'Find my iPhone' enabled to allow Apple to identify your phone and you as the correct user.

Step 1. Go to Settings > General > Reset, then tap “Erase All Content and Settings.”

Step 2. When you are restarting your iPhone, you will be greeted by the classic “Hello” screen and need to go through a few steps just as if the phone was brand new.

Step 3. When you are presented with the "Apps Data" screen, tap "Restore from iCloud Backup". Then “Choose Backup”, and proceed as necessary.

It might seem silly to mention, but this will, of course, only work if you have previously done an iCloud backup in the past. Not so obvious, but it will also only work if you have 'Find my iPhone' enabled to allow Apple to identify your phone and you as the correct user.

Tips: Permanently erase your iPhone (100% not recoverable)

There is a way to permanently erase your iPhone. Some users perform a factory reset to remove all their private information. One obvious time when this is a very good idea is when you sell your phone. As you probably know, from all the forensic detective programs on TV, it is not so easy to completely delete all data. It can be recovered, quite often, quite easily. In this case, if you do not know the password, then you can use Dr.Fone - Data Eraser (iOS) to permanently wipe all data on iPhone 13, 12, 11, XS (Max), or any other iPhone model. Any new person who acquires your phone will not be able to recover your private information.

For full details on how to make your personal data safe, and erase iPhone data forever, you can read this article, "How to Erase All Content and Settings on iPhone."

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