How to factory reset iphone thats disabled

Another little tidbit in iOS 15.2 is that Apple has finally added the ability to erase and reset a locked iPhone or iPad, without first needing to connect it to a PC or Mac. This new feature is thanks to a new capability when the iOS device is in Security Lockout mode, after too many failed passcode attempts.

Of course, when an iPhone is unlocked, resetting it to factory stock software is incredibly simple. It just takes a couple of taps in the Settings app to Erase All Contents and Settings.

However, up to now, doing the same when the device is in a locked state has required the use of a computer. This meant if you forgot your iPhone passcode, you would have to put your iPhone into DFU recovery mode and then connect to a PC or Mac to restore via the classic iTunes process.

In 2021, this represents a pretty antiquated ordeal. iOS 15.2 finally introduces a modern solution.

As long as the locked iPhone or iPad in question has an active network connection, you can now erase the device from the lock screen (assuming it is running iOS 15.2 or later).

How to factory reset iphone thats disabled

After a couple of failed password attempts, an ‘Erase iPhone’ option will appear at the bottom of the screen. Simply tap on that, confirm you want to erase the device, and then enter your Apple ID password to deregister your account. The device will then reset itself, fully erasing all user data, and starting from fresh.

If the device cannot connect to Wi-Fi or cellular, then the Apple ID authorization step will fail and the device will not be able to be erased. In that case, you will still have to resort to the traditional DFU->PC method.

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How to factory reset iphone thats disabled


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If you've forgotten the passcode for your iPhone or iPad, you can erase and reset or restore the device using your Apple ID and password. This article explains how.

How to factory reset iphone thats disabled

‌iPhone‌ passcodes are usually six digits long, but they can still be forgotten, especially if the device hasn't been used for a while. If you find yourself in this predicament, you have the option to erase and reset it, after which you can restore the contents from a backup.

If you enter the wrong passcode several times on an ‌iPhone‌ running an iOS version earlier than iOS 15.2, your ‌iPhone‌ will disable itself for a time and you'll need to connect it to a computer and restore it from a backup.

If the ‌iPhone‌ is running iOS 15.2 or later, you won't need to connect it to a Mac or PC to reset it. Instead, you'll get an option to erase it when it's in Security Lockout mode, and you'll be able to restore from an iCloud backup.

The series of steps below outline the actions you need to take in both cases.

How to Reset a Locked iPhone Running iOS 15.2

The following steps assume your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ is running iOS 15.2 or iPadOS 15.2 or later, and is connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network. Note that if you restart your device when you see "Security Lockout" on the Lock Screen, you won't be able to reconnect to a Wi-Fi network until your device is unlocked.

  1. From your device's Lock Screen, try entering your passcode several times until it asks you to try again later. When you can, repeat this action until you see the Erase ‌iPhone‌/‌iPad‌ option in the bottom corner of the screen.
  2. Tap Erase iPhone/iPad, then tap Erase iPhone/iPad again to confirm.
    How to factory reset iphone thats disabled

  3. Enter your ‌Apple ID‌ password to sign out of your Apple account on the device.
  4. Tap Erase iPhone/iPad once again to permanently delete all of your data and settings.
  5. When the iOS device restarts, follow the onscreen instructions to set it up again, restore your data and settings from a backup, and set a new passcode.

How to Restore a Locked iPhone Running iOS 15.1 or Earlier

  1. First, put your ‌iPhone‌ into DFU recovery mode.
  2. Next, connect it to a PC or Mac using a Lightning cable.
  3. Select your ‌iPhone‌ in the Finder sidebar on Mac, or in iTunes on the PC that it's connected to.
  4. Choose Restore when you see the option to Restore or Update. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits the recovery mode screen, let the download finish, then turn off your ‌iPhone‌ and start again.
    How to factory reset iphone thats disabled

  5. Wait for the process to complete.
  6. Disconnect your ‌iPhone‌, then turn it on and set it up.

If you're planning on trading in an old ‌iPhone‌ for a new one, there are some steps you'll want to take beforehand to ensure it's de-linked from your accessories and accounts and that everything on it is erased.

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How do you hard factory reset an iPhone that's disabled?

Simply press and hold the Volume buttons and Home button at the same time. iPhone X, 8 & Newer: Press and hold the Volume up button, then the Volume Down button, and the side button at the same time. iPhone 7 / 7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down and the side button at the same time.

How do I get my iPhone out of Disabled mode without iTunes?

One way to unlock a disabled iPhone or iPad without computer is to use Apple's Find My iPhone service. It allows you to remotely perform actions on an iOS device. All you need to do is access either the website or the app on another device and you will be able to unlock the device.