How to Reset iPhone Without Passcode? 5 Effective Methods

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 reset your device before selling it, erasing your iPhone is a common solution. Therefore, I will show you some effective ways about how to reset iPhone without passcodes in this post. Read it on.

Part 1. Can You Reset An iPhone Without The Passcode

The good news is, yes, you absolutely can reset an iPhone without knowing the passcode.

However, most reset methods will erase all data on the device. But with a recent iCloud or iTunes backup, you can restore photos, contacts, and other information easily.

Also, resetting your iPhone doesn't remove the Apple ID tied to it if you've turned on Find My iPhone. To finish setup after the reset, you'll still need the original Apple ID and password to remove the Activation Lock. Forgot Apple ID and password? Then it often requires proof of ownership to Apple or use a professional iPhone unlocking tool to bypass the lock.

Video Guide: How to Reset iPhone Without Passcode

Part 2. How to Reset iPhone Without Passcode and 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 ID and password as a verification.

Way 1. How to Reset iPhone Without Passcode and Computer via iCloud

iCloud comes in handy not just when your need to backup your iPhone but also for remotely managing your iPhone. If you want to reset your iPhone without using a computer, iCloud would be the first choice of you, provided Find My iPhone is enabled and you know the Apple ID credentials linked to the device.

Here are the steps for how to do it.

Step 1: Launch a browser and navigate to iCloud.com. Or you can turn on the Find My iPhone app on another iOS device.
Step 2: When you log in to the iCloud successfully, click on the Find My iPhone option.
Step 3: Click on the All Devices list and select the iPhone that would be reset.
Step 4: Click on the Erase iPhone option and follow the instruction to reset your iPhone.

Method 2. How to Reset iPhone Without Passcode or Computer via iOS Feature

The good news is that even if you don't have another mobile device, you can 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 ID passcode is necessary.

Step 1: Put your iPhone into the disabled state by keep entering the wrong screen passcode.
Step 2: Stop entering until you see the Erase iPhone option on the bottom-right corner. Then, tap it.
Step 3: Enter the Apple ID passcode to reset your iPhone and tap Erase to confirm.
Step 4: Your iPhone will begin to wipe its data and factory reset. Once complete, you'll see the "Hello" screen, and you can set it up.

Part 3. How to Reset iPhone Without Passcode or Apple ID via TunesKit iPhone Unlocker

So, what to do if you've forgotten both your iPhone's screen passcode and the Apple ID password linked to it? Or maybe you've purchased a second-hand iPhone that's still tied to the previous owner's Apple ID? In these tricky situations, Apple's official solutions often fall short - they usually require at least one of those credentials.

A third-party tool will always make things much easier as it allows users to reset iPhone without passcode. If you don't know the Apple ID or screen passcode of your iPhone, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is one of the best iPhone unlocking tools to reset iPhone without Apple ID password and unlock iPhone without passcodes.

This tool is now fully compatible with iPhone/iPad/iPod and the latest iOS version. With the intuitive interface, though you know nothing about iPhone resetting, you can reset your iPhone without passcodes easily using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

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.

🌟 Choose the Remove iCloud Activation Lock mode, if the Find My iPhone is enabled and you can't remember the Apple ID password.

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

TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to reset your iPhone as soon as the downloading is finished. And all your iPhone data will be erased when the resetting is done.

Part 4. How to Reset iPhone with iTunes Without Passcode

Using iTunes (on Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) remains a classic, Apple-approved method for resetting iPhones without passcode. While this method requires a computer, it's reliable and works across various iPhone models and iOS versions. However, it might fail to restore iPhone sometimes, and only works when your Find My iPhone is off.

Depending on your situation, there are a few different approaches you can take. Let's walk through three common cases with step-by-step instructions on how to reset iPhone without passcode.

Case 1. You've Synced iPhone to Computer Before - Use Recovery Mode

If you've previously synced your iPhone with the computer you're using, resetting it through Recovery Mode via 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 and turn it off. Then put it into Recovery mode.
Step 2: Click on the device 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.

Case 2. You Never Connect iPhone to the Computer - Use DFU 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 DFU Mode (Device Firmware Update). This allows iTunes or Finder to bypass trust requirements and reset iPhone without passcode.

Here's how to reset iPhone with iTunes without passcode under DFU mode:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to computer. Then, put your iPhone into DFU mode (use the guide below based on your iPhone model.)

• iPhone 8 and later: Press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button and wait the screen goes black. Keep holding Side, while press and hold Volume Down for 5 seconds. Release Side, but keep holding Volume Down for another 5-10 seconds.
• iPhone 7 / 7 Plus: Hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons for 8 seconds. Then release the Side button and keep holding Volume Down for 5 more seconds.
• iPhone 6s and earlier: Hold both the Home and Side (or Top) buttons for 8 seconds. Then release the Side button and continue holding Home for another 5 seconds.

Step 2: Once iTunes/Finder detect an iPhone, a pop-up will ask if you want to "Update" or "Restore" the device.
Step 3: Choose "Restore." This will erase your iPhone and install the latest compatible iOS version. iTunes/Finder will download the firmware, which may take some time.
Step 4: After the restore is complete, your iPhone will restart, and you can set it up from scratch. And this is all about how to reset iPhone without passcode via iTunes.

Case 3. What If iTunes Doesn't Detect Your iPhone?

If iTunes or Finder fails to recognize your iPhone, even in Recovery or DFU Mode, here are some things to try:

• Check USB cable and port: Use a genuine Apple cable and try different USB ports. Avoid USB hubs.
• Update iTunes/macOS: Make sure you're running the latest version of iTunes (on PC) or macOS (on Mac).
• Try another computer: Sometimes the issue lies with your system. Use a different computer to eliminate hardware conflicts.
• Disable antivirus/firewall software: Security programs can interfere with iTunes' ability to detect your device.

Part 5. Bonus Tip: How to Reset iPhone Passcode Without Losing Data

As mentioned throughout this guide, resetting an iPhone without the passcode usually erases all data.

But starting with iOS 17, Apple introduced a helpful new feature that might just save your data in some situations: the "Forgot Passcode?" option. This feature allows you to enter your previous passcode to reset the new one - without wiping your iPhone. However, the option only appears if the previous passcode is still valid within that 72-hour window.

If the "Forgot Passcode?" option doesn't appear or the 72-hour window has passed, the best alternative is to reset your iPhone, then recover from a recent backup - either from iCloud or from iTunes/Finder on your computer. This is the closest you can get to resetting iPhone without passcode and avoid losing data.

How to Recover Data from iTunes/Finder Backup After Reset

Here's how to reset iPhone passcode without losing data by recovering from iTunes/Finder backup:

Step 1: After your iPhone has been reset and you see the “Hello” screen, begin the setup process until you reach the "Apps & Data" screen. Choose "Don't transfer Apps & Data" or "Set up as new iPhone" for now.
Step 2: Connect your iPhone to the computer where your backup is stored.
Step 3: Open iTunes (PC) or Finder (Mac) and select your iPhone. In iTunes, go to "Summary," or in Finder, click "General."
Step 4: Click "Restore Backup" and choose the backup you want based on date and size.
Step 5: Click Restore and wait for the process to complete.

How to Restore from iCloud Backup After Reset

Here's how to reset iPhone without passcode and avoid losing data via iCloud backup:

Step 1: After the factory reset, proceed with the initial setup steps until you reach the "Apps & Data" screen.
Step 2: Select "Restore from iCloud Backup."
Step 3: Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
Step 4: Choose the most recent or relevant backup from the list.
Step 5: Your iPhone will begin downloading your apps, settings, and data. Stay connected to Wi-Fi throughout the process.

Part 6. FAQs on Resetting iPhone Without Passcode

Part 7. 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 ID - TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is your best bet. It offers a fast, reliable, and beginner-friendly solution to bypass even the toughest iPhone lock scenarios.

👉 Click "Try It Free" now to begin resetting iPhone without passcode or Apple ID in just minutes!