How to Factory Reset iPhone without Apple ID Password

Hello, I have an old iPhone and I want to sell it to one of my friends. However, there are still important files on the iPhone. I cannot wipe them out as I forgot the Apple ID passcode. Do you know if there are any solutions to factory resetting an iPhone without an Apple ID passcode?

For many iPhone/iPad/iPod touch users, factory resetting an iOS device is not a rare operation whenever they need to wipe out all the content and data. Before factory resetting an iOS device, you will need to enter the screen lock passcode and the Apple ID passcode to confirm that you are the device owner.

But what if users forgot the screen lock passcode or Apple ID passcode? If you have already encountered this situation, this post will help you. Here we will talk about how to factory reset iPhone without Apple ID password. Read it on and learn.

Part 1. Apple ID & Activation Lock

Before we dive into the solutions, it's crucial to understand why this process can be challenging. Apple's "Find My iPhone" feature, coupled with Activation Lock, is a powerful security measure designed to prevent unauthorized access and theft. When "Find My iPhone" is enabled, your iPhone is linked to your Apple ID. A factory reset without disabling "Find My iPhone" will typically lead to the Activation Lock screen, demanding the linked Apple ID and password to activate the device. This is precisely the hurdle we aim to bypass, legitimately.

Part 2. How to Factory Reset iPhone Without Apple ID Password

Your particular situation will determine the best course of action for you. Are you the original owner who forgot the password? Did you purchase a used iPhone? Is the device disabled? We'll cover solutions for each.

Method 1. Using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker - Factory Reset iPhone in One Click

TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will be the best choice when it comes to factory resetting iPhone without Apple ID password. It is a multifunctional iOS unlocking that helps remove Apple ID, remove MDM restriction, remove Screen Time passcode, and unlock iOS device screen passcode.

In cases like forgettings iPhone screen lock passcode, iPhone is disabled, iPhone screen is broken, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker can also perform perfectly. What’s more, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is now fully compatible with the latest iOS 18 version and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Now, let’s see how to remove Apple ID from your iPhone by using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

Step 1Connect iPhone to the computer

To begin with, please connect your iPhone to the computer. Click on the Unlock Apple ID option on the main interface of TunesKit iPhone Unlocker. When TunesKit iPhone Unlocker detects your iPhone, click on the Start button.

Step 2Dual Confirmation

If you have enabled the Find My iPhone feature, here you will need to confirm that there is a screen lock set up on the iPhone, and the two-factor authentication is enabled on your iPhone. If the Find My iPhone feature is disabled on your iPhone, you can navigate to Step 4 straightly.

Step 3Download Firmware Package

Confirm that all the on-screen information is corresponding to your iPhone. When there is nothing wrong, click on the Download button.

Step 4Remove Apple ID from iPhone without Passcode

TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to unlock the Apple ID from your iPhone. If you have previously enabled the Find My iPhone on your iPhone, all the iPhone content and data will be erased. Please set up your iPhone again after unlocking.

Method 2. Using Recovery Mode via iTunes

This method is an official Apple solution that allows you to restore your iPhone to factory settings, effectively erasing all data and settings. It is particularly useful if your iPhone is disabled or you can't access settings, and "Find My iPhone" is already turned off. If "Find My iPhone" is on, this method will lead to Activation Lock, requiring the Apple ID password.

When to Use This Method:

• You are the original owner and "Find My iPhone" is already disabled.
• Your iPhone is disabled or locked due to too many incorrect passcode attempts.
• You want to erase your iPhone but don't know the screen passcode.

For iPhone 8 or later models: Press the Volume Up button and release it quickly. Press the Volume Down button and release it quickly. Then, press and keep holding the Side button until the Recovery mode screen appears on your iPhone screen.
For iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and keep holding both the Volume Down and Top buttons. When you can see the Recovery mode screen, release both the buttons.
For iPhone 6 and earlier models: Keep holding both the Home and Side buttons. When the iPhone Recovery mode appears on the screen, release them.

When your iPhone is in Recovery mode successfully, iTunes will ask you if you need to update or restore your iPhone. Click on the Restore option and iTunes will start to factory reset your iPhone without entering the Apple ID password.

Method 3. Factory Reset via Settings

This is the standard factory reset option built into iOS, but it typically requires you to know the Apple ID password. However, if "Find My iPhone" is already disabled on the device, you might only need the screen passcode.

When to Use This Method:

• You know your iPhone's screen passcode.
• "Find My iPhone" is currently disabled on the device.

Step 1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General.
Step 2. Scroll down and tap on "Transfer or Reset iPhone."
Step 3. Tap "Erase All Content and Settings."
Step 4. You'll be prompted to confirm. Tap "Continue" or "Erase iPhone." You will need to enter your screen passcode. If you have a Screen Time passcode set up, you might also need to enter that. The Apple ID password won't be requested if "Find My iPhone" is turned off.

Part 3. How to Reset Apple ID Password

If you are the original owner of the iPhone but simply forgot your Apple ID password, the most straightforward (and free) method is to reset your Apple ID password through Apple's official iforgot.apple.com website. Once you have a new password, you can then factory reset your iPhone through the Settings app (Method 3).

Step 1. Open a web browser on any computer or device and navigate to iforgot.apple.com.
Step 2. Type in your Apple ID (which is usually your email address) and click "Continue."

Step 3. Apple will guide you through the process, which may involve:
▪ Getting a verification code on a device or phone number you trust.
▪ Answering security questions you set up previously.
▪ If you have two-factor authentication enabled, use a recovery key.

Step 4. Once your identity is verified, you will be prompted to create a new Apple ID password. Choose a strong, unique password.

Part 4. Conclusion

That’s all about how to factory reset iPhone without Apple ID password. If you forgot the Apple ID password or lost it, resetting the Apple ID should always be the first step. If you still cannot factory reset your iPhone as the restriction of Apple ID, please feel free to leave a comment below. Also, you can try using other features of TunesKit iPhone Unlocker if you encounter other unlocking issues.