How to Factory Reset a Locked iPhone

You can factory reset a locked iPhone by using recovery mode on a computer or by erasing the iPhone through Find My. The reset removes the forgotten passcode and all data, but it does not remove Activation Lock or the Apple ID tied to the device.

Use these steps only for an iPhone you own or are authorized to manage.

Can you factory reset a locked iPhone?

Yes, you can factory reset a locked iPhone when you have forgotten the screen passcode or the display says “iPhone Unavailable” or “Security Lockout.” Erasing the iPhone removes its passcode, settings, apps, and locally stored data.

A factory reset does not bypass Activation Lock. Activation Lock is an anti-theft feature that connects an iPhone to the Apple ID used with Find My. If the iPhone belongs to someone else or remains connected to another person’s Apple ID, resetting it will not make it available for you to activate.

• Forgotten passcode or unavailable screen: A factory reset can erase the passcode so the owner can set up the iPhone again.
• Activation Lock: The Apple ID and password previously used on the iPhone will still be required after the reset.

What do you need before factory resetting a locked iPhone?

Before you factory reset a locked iPhone, gather the equipment and account information needed to complete the process.

• A Mac or Windows computer for the recovery-mode method, or another Apple device for the Find My method.
• A compatible USB or Lightning cable that can transfer data, not only charge the iPhone.
• The Apple ID and password associated with the locked iPhone.
• Access to a trusted device, trusted phone number, recovery contact, or recovery key if account verification is required.
• A recent iCloud or computer backup, if you want to restore your data afterward.

Factory resetting deletes the data currently stored on the iPhone. Data can be restored only if it was previously backed up or synced to an account. Keep the iPhone connected to power when possible.

How do you factory reset a locked iPhone with recovery mode?

Recovery mode lets Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes reinstall iOS when you cannot enter the iPhone passcode. The correct computer app depends on the computer and its software version.

1. Turn off the locked iPhone. If it is already connected to the computer, disconnect it first.
2. Open Finder on a Mac, or open Apple Devices or iTunes on a Windows computer.
3. Connect the cable to the computer, but do not connect it to the iPhone yet.
4. Press and hold the correct button while connecting the cable to the iPhone. For iPhone 8, iPhone SE second generation or later, and newer models, hold the side button. For iPhone 7 models, hold the volume-down button. For iPhone 6s, iPhone SE first generation, and older models, hold the Home button.
5. Keep holding the button past the Apple logo. Release it only when the recovery-mode screen appears, showing a cable and computer.
6. Select the iPhone when it appears in Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes.
7. When the computer offers Restore or Update, choose Restore. Restore erases the iPhone and installs a fresh copy of iOS; Update attempts to reinstall iOS without performing the required passcode reset.
8. Wait for the download and restore to finish. If the download takes long enough for the iPhone to leave recovery mode, let the download finish, then repeat the button and connection steps.
9. Leave the iPhone connected until it restarts and displays the setup screen.

If the computer does not recognize the iPhone, try another compatible cable or USB port. Also confirm that Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes is up to date.

How do you erase a locked iPhone with Find My?

Find My can remotely erase a locked iPhone if Find My was enabled before the lockout and the iPhone is associated with your Apple ID. The erase begins when the iPhone is online; if it is offline, the command remains pending until it connects.

1. On another Apple device, open the Find My app and select Devices. Alternatively, open {site}, sign in, and select Find My.
2. Select the locked iPhone from the device list.
3. Choose Erase This Device or Erase iPhone, depending on what the screen shows.
4. Review the warning and confirm the erase. Enter the Apple ID password or verification information if requested.
5. Wait for the locked iPhone to connect and erase. Do not remove the device from your account if you plan to reactivate and continue using it yourself.

This method is unavailable if Find My was not enabled, the iPhone is not listed in your account, or you cannot sign in to the associated Apple ID. Use recovery mode in those cases.

How do you reactivate an iPhone after the factory reset?

After the factory reset, the iPhone displays the setup assistant. Connect it to Wi-Fi or a cellular network, choose a language and region, and follow the prompts.

If Activation Lock appears, enter the Apple ID and password that were used to activate the iPhone before it was erased. A different Apple ID cannot clear that connection.

During setup, choose an available iCloud or computer backup to restore apps, settings, and data. If no backup exists, set up the iPhone as new. Create a new screen passcode when prompted and complete Face ID or Touch ID setup if the model supports it.

What should you do if the iPhone still will not unlock or activate?

If recovery mode fails repeatedly, update the computer software, change the cable or USB port, and try the restore again. A damaged cable, unreliable connection, or interrupted software download can prevent completion.

If the iPhone requests an Apple ID you do not recognize, the device is Activation Locked. Ask the previous owner to remove the iPhone from that person’s account. Do not attempt to bypass Activation Lock.

Contact Apple Support if you own the iPhone but cannot recover the associated account, the restore produces an error, or Activation Lock remains after you enter the correct credentials. Apple may request proof of ownership showing the device and its serial number or IMEI. Approval is not guaranteed if the documents do not establish ownership.

How can you avoid getting locked out of an iPhone again?

After you regain access, take a few minutes to make account recovery easier without weakening the iPhone’s security.

• Choose a passcode you can remember but other people cannot easily guess.
• Enable Face ID or Touch ID, while remembering that the passcode is still required in some situations.
• Keep the trusted phone numbers on your Apple ID current.
• Add an account recovery contact or safely store your recovery key if you use one.
• Turn on regular iCloud backups or make encrypted backups to a computer.
• Record the Apple ID used on the iPhone in a secure password manager.