How to Factory Reset iPhone Without Apple ID

If you’re locked out of your iPhone because you forgot your Apple ID password, or you bought a used device that’s still tied to someone else’s account, a factory reset can seem impossible. This guide walks you through the legitimate methods to erase and reset an iPhone without entering the Apple ID password, using tools that Apple provides for exactly these situations. You’ll learn what to prepare, the step-by-step process for each method, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

What You’ll Need

A computer (Mac or Windows PC) with the latest version of iTunes installed, or a Mac running macOS Catalina or later (which uses Finder).
The USB cable that came with your iPhone (or a compatible cable).
If you’re resetting someone else’s phone, you’ll need their permission and, ideally, proof of purchase.
For the “Erase iPhone” method via iCloud, you need access to the iCloud account that is linked to the device (if you’re the owner).
Your iPhone should have at least 20% battery, or be plugged into power during the process.

Step-by-Step

There are three main routes to factory reset an iPhone without the Apple ID password. Choose the one that fits your situation.

Method 1: Using Recovery Mode (Works when you don’t know the Apple ID password)

Back up your data (if possible). If you can still use the phone, back it up to iCloud or a computer. This step is optional but highly recommended, as a factory reset erases everything.
Turn off your iPhone. Press and hold the Side (or Top) button and drag the slider to power off. If the phone is unresponsive, skip to step 4.
Connect your iPhone to your computer. Use the USB cable to plug it into your Mac or PC. If you have a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder. If you have a PC or an older Mac, open iTunes.
Enter Recovery Mode. The button combination depends on your iPhone model:
- iPhone 8 or later (including SE 2nd gen and later): Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen (a computer icon with a cable).
- iPhone 7, 7 Plus, and iPod touch (7th gen): Press and hold the Side (or Top) button and the Volume Down button at the same time until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
- iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad with Home button: Press and hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button simultaneously until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
When you see the Recovery Mode screen, release the buttons. On your computer, a pop-up will appear saying “There is a problem with the iPhone that requires it to be updated or restored.”
Click “Restore”. This will download the latest iOS software and install it on your iPhone. This process erases all data and settings, and removes the Apple ID lock. Wait for the download and installation to complete. Do not unplug the iPhone during this time.
Set up your iPhone as new. After the restore finishes, your iPhone will restart and show the “Hello” screen. You can now set it up as a new device, and you won’t be asked for the previous Apple ID password.

Method 2: Using iCloud “Find My iPhone” (For the owner, if you know the iCloud password but not the device passcode)

Go to iCloud.com from any browser. Sign in with the Apple ID that is linked to the iPhone.
Click “Find iPhone”. You may be asked to enter your Apple ID password again.
Click “All Devices” at the top and select the iPhone you want to reset.
Click “Erase iPhone”. This will remotely wipe the device. If the iPhone is offline, the erase will start the next time it connects to the internet.
After the erase, click “Remove from Account”. This step is crucial – it removes the Activation Lock, so the next person (or you) can set up the phone without the Apple ID.
On the iPhone, wait for the erase to complete. It will restart and show the “Hello” screen, ready to be set up as new.

Method 3: Using “Erase iPhone” in Settings (If you know the device passcode but forgot the Apple ID password)

Open Settings on your iPhone. Go to “General” > “Transfer or Reset iPhone”.
Tap “Erase All Content and Settings”. You will be asked for your device passcode.
If prompted for the Apple ID password, tap “Forgot Password?” and follow the on-screen instructions to reset it. If you can’t reset it, you’ll need to use Method 1 or 2.
Confirm that you want to erase. The iPhone will erase itself and restart as new. This method also removes the Apple ID from the device.

Common Mistakes

Not backing up first. A factory reset permanently deletes all photos, contacts, messages, and apps. If you don’t have a backup, that data is gone.
Using the wrong button combination for Recovery Mode. Each iPhone model has a different combination. Pressing the wrong buttons can cause the phone to boot normally or enter a different state.
Unplugging the iPhone during a restore. This can “brick” the device, leaving it stuck in a loop. Always wait for the progress bar to finish.
Forgetting to remove the device from iCloud after erasing via iCloud. If you don’t click “Remove from Account”, the Activation Lock stays on, and the phone is useless to anyone else.
Assuming Recovery Mode always works. If Find My iPhone is enabled and the device is still linked to an Apple ID, Recovery Mode will ask for that password after the restore. The only way around this is to use iCloud to erase first, or to have the original owner remove the device from their account.

Tips

Check the Activation Lock status before you start. If you bought a used iPhone, ask the seller to sign out of iCloud and erase the phone in front of you. If they can’t, the phone may be stolen or still under a payment plan.
Use a reliable computer with a stable internet connection. The restore process downloads a large file (several GB). A flaky connection can cause the download to fail.
Keep your iPhone plugged in during the entire process. A dead battery mid-restore is a nightmare.
If you’re resetting for resale, sign out of iCloud and disable Find My iPhone first. This ensures the next owner won’t have any issues.
Forgot your Apple ID password but still have access to your email? Try resetting it at iforgot.apple.com before resorting to a full reset. It’s much easier.

Troubleshooting

“iPhone is disabled” or “Security Lockout” appears. This happens after too many failed passcode attempts. If you see this, Recovery Mode is your only option. Follow Method 1. If the phone is disabled for hours or days, you’ll need to wait until the lockout period ends before you can use Recovery Mode (or you can put it in Recovery Mode immediately – the lockout doesn’t block that).

Recovery Mode restore fails with error 4013 or 9. These errors usually mean a connection problem or a hardware issue. Try a different USB cable, a different USB port, or restart your computer. If the error persists, the iPhone may have a hardware fault, and you may need to contact Apple Support.

After restore, it still asks for the Apple ID password. This is Activation Lock. The only way to bypass it is to enter the correct Apple ID password, or to have the original owner remove the device from their iCloud account. If you are the owner and you’ve forgotten the password, go to iforgot.apple.com to reset it. If you bought the phone secondhand and the seller won’t help, the phone is likely stolen or lost – return it to Apple or the carrier.

iCloud erase says “Unable to Erase”. This usually means the device is offline. Keep it powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or cellular. If it’s been off for a while, turn it on and wait for it to connect. The erase will start automatically.

iTunes/Finder doesn’t recognize the iPhone in Recovery Mode. Try updating iTunes to the latest version, or if you’re on a Mac, make sure Finder is up to date. Also, try a different cable or USB port. On Windows, you may need to install Apple’s Mobile Device Support drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I factory reset an iPhone without a computer?
A: If you know the device passcode, you can go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. If you don’t know the passcode, you need a computer to enter Recovery Mode.

Q: Will a factory reset remove the Apple ID from the phone?
A: Yes, a factory reset erases the Apple ID and its associated data from the device. However, if Activation Lock is enabled, the phone will still ask for the Apple ID password during setup. To fully remove it, you must erase via iCloud and then click “Remove from Account”.

Q: What is Activation Lock and why does it block me?
A: Activation Lock is a security feature that ties your iPhone to your Apple ID. It prevents anyone else from using your phone if it’s lost or stolen. To bypass it, you need the original Apple ID password, or the owner must remove the device from their iCloud account.

Q: I bought a used iPhone and it’s locked to the previous owner’s Apple ID. What can I do?
A: Contact the previous owner and ask them to sign out of iCloud and erase the phone. If they can’t or won’t, the phone is likely stolen or still under a payment plan. You should return it to the seller and get your money back.

Q: Will resetting my iPhone delete my iCloud photos?
A: No. If you have iCloud Photos enabled, your photos are stored in the cloud and will reappear when you sign back in with your Apple ID. However, if you never backed up, they will be lost.

Q: Is it legal to reset an iPhone that isn’t mine?
A: Only if you have the owner’s permission. Resetting a stolen phone is illegal and unethical. Always ensure you have the right to reset the device.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →