How to Factory Reset iPhone Without Passcode [2026 Updated]

Forgetting the iPhone passcode would be a knotty problem, especially given as high-level security of the iOS system. Whether you've forgotten the passcode, bought a second-hand iPhone, or simply want to factory reset your device before selling it, erasing your iPhone is a common solution. Therefore, I will show you some effective ways about how to factory reset iPhone without passcodes in this post. Read it on.

Can You Factory Reset an iPhone Without a Passcode?

Yes, you can factory reset an iPhone without knowing its screen passcode. If your iPhone runs iOS 15.2 or later, you may be able to erase it directly from the lock screen using Forgot Passcode? or Erase iPhone. You can also erase it remotely through Find My if you have access to the linked Apple Account.

If these options aren't available, use Recovery Mode with Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes. Alternatively, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker provides a guided way to remove the screen passcode and reset compatible iPhones. Here is the comparison table.

Method	Computer Required?	Best For
Forgot Passcode? / Erase iPhone	NO	iOS 15.2 or later with account access
Find My App	NO	Another Apple device using the same account
iCloud Find Devices	NO	Remote reset through a browser
Apple Devices/Finder/iTunes	YES	iPhone unavailable or no lock-screen erase option
TunesKit iPhone Unlocker	YES	Users who prefer guided passcode removal

Video Guide: How to Factory Reset iPhone Without Passcode

How to Factory Reset iPhone Without Passcode [No Computer]

Need to reset your iPhone but don't have access to a computer? No worries - Apple offers convenient built-in solutions that let you reset your iPhone without a passcode or computer. Below are two effective methods to get the job done. Note that both are required Apple Account and password as a verification.

Way 1. Wipe iPhone via iOS Feature

You can factory reset iPhone without passcode and computer, as long as your iPhone is now running iOS 15.2 or the later iOS versions which allows a direct data erasure on locked iPhone screen. Also, the Apple Account password is necessary.

• Step 1. On the locked iPhone, enter incorrect passcodes until the iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout screen appears.
• Step 2. On iOS 17 or later, tap Forgot Passcode? and select Start iPhone Reset. On iOS 15.2–16, tap Erase iPhone if the option appears.
• Step 3. Select Start iPhone Reset if prompted. Enter your Apple Account password to wipe and reset your iPhone.
• Step 4. After a few minutes, your iPhone will be completely reset. Once it's done, you can set it up as new.
• 

Way 2. Factory Reset iPhone via Find My App

If you have another iPhone or iPad signed in to the same Apple Account, you can use the Find My app to erase your locked iPhone remotely. This method is useful when you cannot access the locked iPhone's Settings but it is previously enabled the Find My feature.

• Step 1. Open the Find My app on your iPad.
• Step 2. Select the Devices tab located at the bottom of the screen. Locate and tap the device you wish to erase from your list of associated hardware.
• Step 3. Scroll down and select the Erase option.
• Step 4. Tap Continue and follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the erasure.
• 

Way 3. Erase iPhone via iCloud

Don't have another Apple device? You can also use iCloud Find Devices to reset your iPhone from a browser on a phone, tablet, or computer. You must be able to access the Apple Account associated with the locked iPhone, and Find My must have been enabled beforehand.

• Step 1. Launch a browser and navigate to iCloud.com.
• Step 2. When you log in to the iCloud successfully, click on the Find My iPhone option.
• Step 3. Tap on the All Devices list and select the iPhone that would be reset.
• Step 4. Tap on the Erase option and follow the instruction to reset your iPhone.
• 

Once the iPhone is online, the remote erase can begin. You can set up the device again and restore a backup if available.

How to Factory Reset iPhone Without Passcode [Computer Required]

The Apple Account password and a stable network are necessary conditions when you try to use the above methods to factory reset your iPhone without passcode. But what to do if you don't have them? Don't worry. There are 2 effective ways to factory reset your iPhone via computer even if you forgot your Apple Account password or iPhone has no network.

Way 1. Erase iPhone via Apple Devices/iTunes/Finder

If you cannot reset your iPhone through the lock screen or Find My, Recovery Mode is one of the most reliable alternatives. It allows you to erase and restore a locked iPhone using a Mac or Windows PC, even if the iPhone has never been synced with that computer.

Case 1. You've Synced iPhone to Computer Before

If you've previously synced your iPhone with the computer you're using, resetting it through Recovery Mode via Apple Devices, iTunes, or Finder is simple. Otherwise, you may need to unlock your iPhone and trust the computer; check Case 2 to explore the solution. Let's see the detailed guide for the how-to.

• Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a computer. Open Finder on a Mac, Apple Devices on a Windows PC, or iTunes on older Windows PC.
• Step 2. Click on the iPhone icon and navigate to the left menu. You will see a Summary tab here. Hit it.
• Step 3. Click on the Restore iPhone option and follow the instruction to reset your iPhone.
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Case 2. You Never Connect iPhone to the Computer - Use Recovery Mode

If your iPhone has never been connected to this computer - or if it's disabled or stuck on the lock screen - you'll need to use Recovery Mode. This allows iTunes or Finder to bypass trust requirements and reset iPhone without passcode.

• Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a computer and power off your locked iPhone. Open Finder on a Mac, Apple Devices on a Windows PC, or iTunes where applicable.
• Step 2. Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode. Once Apple Devices/iTunes/Finder detect an iPhone, a pop-up will ask if you want to "Update" or "Restore" the device.
• Step 3. Click on the Restore option and follow the instruction to reset your iPhone.
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Way 2. Factory Reset iPhone via TunesKit iPhone Unlocker

If you prefer a guided solution instead of manually restoring your iPhone through Finder or Apple Devices, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is another option. Its Unlock iOS Screen feature is designed to remove screen passcodes from compatible iPhones, including devices displaying iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout. The software guides you through device preparation, firmware downloading, and passcode removal.

Let's see how to use TunesKit iPhone Unlocker to factory reset an iPhone without passcode.

Step 1Connect iPhone to a Computer

To begin with, please connect your iPhone to a computer and then launch TunesKit iPhone Unlocker. When your iPhone is detected, click on the Unlock iOS Screen > Start button to the next step.

Step 2Put Your iPad into DFU Mode

Then, please follow the guide to put your iPhone into Recovery or DFU mode. When you put your iPhone into Recovery Mode successfully, click on the Next button.

Step 3Download Correct iOS Firmware

In this phase, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will download the firmware package. All you need to do is ensure that all the given information is corresponding to your iPhone. Click on the Download button when everything is ready to go.

Step 4Factory Reset Your iPhone Without Passcode or iTunes

Click the Unlock button. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to factory reset your iPhone. And all your iPhone data will be erased when the resetting is done.

Can You Factory Reset an iPhone Without the Apple Account Password?

Yes, you can erase an iPhone without knowing its screen passcode or entering the Apple Account password during the erase process by using Recovery Mode.

However, factory resetting an iPhone is not the same as removing Activation Lock. If Find My was enabled, Apple may require the previously linked Apple Account during setup, even after a successful factory reset.

If you've forgotten that password, try recovering it through Apple's account recovery service. If you purchased a used iPhone that is still linked to another person's account, ask the previous owner to remove it from Find My.

Can You Factory Reset an iPhone Without Losing Data?

A factory reset deletes the data stored on your iPhone. However, there are two situations where you may be able to avoid permanent data loss.

Option 1: Use Your Previous Passcode

If your iPhone runs iOS 17 or later and you changed the passcode within the last 72 hours, you may be able to regain access using the previous passcode.

On the iPhone Unavailable screen, tap Forgot Passcode?, choose Enter Previous Passcode if available, and follow the instructions to set a new passcode.

Option 2: Restore a Backup After Resetting

If you have already reset the iPhone, you can recover previously backed-up data through iCloud or a computer backup during the setup process. Keep in mind that data not included in an existing backup may be permanently lost.

FAQs on iPhone Factory Reset Without Passcode

The Bottom Line

This guide shows how to reset iPhone without passcode with several proven methods, like iCloud, iTunes/Finder, or iOS 15.2's built-in erase feature, covering most cases you might encounter.

But when all else fails - especially if you've forgotten both your screen passcode and Apple Account - TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is your best bet. It offers a fast, reliable, and beginner-friendly solution to bypass even the toughest iPhone lock.