How to Restore iPhone Without Computer [iOS 26 Supported]

Is your iPhone disabled, glitching, or are you simply preparing to sell it? A common misconception is that you need a PC or Mac with iTunes to wipe an iPhone. This is no longer true.

Thanks to modern iOS updates, you can restore your iPhone to factory settings entirely on the device itself—no cables or computers required. In this guide, we will walk you through the 3 official ways to restore an iPhone without a computer, plus a professional solution if you are stuck without an Apple ID or Wi-Fi.

1. Restore vs Hard Reset vs Factory Reset: What Are the Differences?

Before get started, I'd like to explain some terms that many users may get confused. Look at the table below.

Term	What It Means	Delete Data?	Notes
Restore	Restore = Erase, also means factory reset. Your iPhone will be returned to the state it was in when you first took it out of the box.	Yes. A factory reset will permanently delete all data, photos, messages, and settings.	If you have a backup, you can restore your data from iCloud after the reset. Otherwise, your data will be lost forever.
Hard Reset	Hard Reset = Force Restart. It reboots the phone to fix minor glitches.	No. It does NOT delete data.	/
Factory Reset	Factory Reset = Restore. It wipes everything.	Yes. It deletes ALL data.	/

2. 3 Methods to Restore iPhone Without Computer

If you're wondering how can I restore my iPhone without a computer, you can learn three useful methods here to do that with ease.

Method 1: Restore iPhone via Security Lockout (Best for Locked iPhones)

If you are reading this because you forgot your passcode and your iPhone is disabled ("iPhone Unavailable"), this is the gold standard method introduced by Apple. You do not need a computer; you can erase the phone directly from the lock screen. Here is how to do it.

Step 1: Attempt to enter your passcode incorrectly until your iPhone screen goes black and displays the message "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout". You will see a timer (e.g., "try again in 1 minute").

Step 2: Look at the bottom right corner of the screen. Tap the button labeled Erase iPhone.

Step 3: A confirmation screen will appear warning you that all content and settings will be lost. Tap Erase iPhone again to confirm.

Step 4: Enter your Apple ID password to sign out of iCloud and disable Activation Lock.

Step 5: The Apple logo will appear with a progress bar. Once finished, your iPhone will restart and greet you with the "Hello" screen.

Method 2: Reset iPhone via Settings (Best for Accessible iPhones)

If you can still unlock your iPhone and navigate the menus (e.g., you are selling the phone or fixing a slow system), this is the standard "no computer" method. Here are the specific steps to conduct it.

Step 1: Navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone, and then select the General option.

Step 2: Then, scroll down the screen and tap the Reset button (For iOS 14 and earlier) or Transfer or Reset iPhone button (For iOS 15 and later).

Step 3: Next, choose Erase All Content and Settings, and type your passcode.

Step 4:After that, tap Erase iPhone to confirm your restoration. The device will wipe itself and reboot in factory mode.

Method 3: Erase iPhone via iCloud (Remote Wipe)

If your iPhone is lost, stolen, or the touchscreen is broken and you can't tap the buttons in Method 1 or 2, you can use iCloud's remote wipe feature. You can do this from a friend's phone or a library computer. The step-by-step steps are listed in the following.

Step 1: Go to icloud.com with a browser on a mobile phone that can work properly.

Step 2: Log in with the same Apple ID used on the locked iPhone. Navigate to Find iPhone tab and click on it.

Step 3: Tap on All Devices and select your iPhone from the list.

Step 4: Choose Erase iPhone to restore iPhone without computer. Follow the prompts. The command will be sent to your iPhone immediately (if it is online) or as soon as it connects to the internet.

3. Alternative Method to Restore iPhone Without WiFi or Apple ID

The three methods above have strict requirements. They fail if:

• ❌ You forgot your Apple ID password.
• ❌ Your locked iPhone is not connected to Wi-Fi.
• ❌ You are running an old version of iOS.
• ❌ Your screen is broken and won't register touches.

If you are stuck in one of these scenarios, you cannot restore the iPhone without external help. This is where a professional tool like TunesKit iPhone Unlocker becomes essential. It is designed to bypass the limitations of standard Apple methods.

Unlike iTunes, which is often slow and prone to "Error 4013", TunesKit is built for one purpose: Factory Resetting devices that refuse to be reset.

Here is how to restore iPhone using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker in 4 steps.

Step 1Connect Your Device

Download and launch TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your computer. Connect your iPhone via USB cable. Select the mode "Unlock iOS Screen" and click Start.

Step 2Set iPhone into DFU/Recovery Mode

Follow the onscreen instruction to put your iPhone into DFU/Recovery mode. This allows the software to communicate with the device even if it is locked. Then tap on the Next button.

Step 3Download Firmware Package

The software will automatically detect your iPhone model (e.g., iPhone 15 Pro). Make sure that there is nothing wrong with the device information shown on the screen. This ensures a clean, safe restore. Then click the Download button to download the correct iOS firmware package.

Step 4Reset iPhone without Passcode

Once the firmware is downloaded, click "Unlock". TunesKit will wipe the device, remove the passcode, and install a fresh version of iOS. Your iPhone will restart as a brand-new device.

4. Which Method Should You Choose?

Not sure which path to take? Use this quick comparison table to find your match.

Feature	Security Lockout	Settings	iCloud Find My	TunesKit iPhone Unlocker
Best For	Forgot Passcode (iOS 15.2+)	Preparing to Sell	Lost/Stolen Phones	No Wi-Fi / No Apple ID
Computer Needed?	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes
Requires Apple ID?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No
Keeps Data?	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Works Offline?	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes

5. FAQs About iPhone Restore

6. The Bottom Line

Restoring an iPhone without a computer is easier than ever in 2025, provided you have your Apple ID password and an internet connection.

• Can access settings? Use Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
• Locked out? Use the "Erase iPhone" button on the bottom of the lock screen.
• Stuck/Offline? If the wireless methods fail, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is your reliable safety net to force a reset and get your phone working again.

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