Before you start
- Your Apple Account email and password (needed to reactivate the iPhone after erasing)
- A Wi-Fi or mobile connection, or a computer and USB cable
Method 1 Erase from the lock screen (iOS 15.2 and later)
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Step 1: Trigger the lockout
Enter a wrong passcode until iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout appears. Make sure the iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
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Step 2: Tap Forgot Passcode?
Tap Forgot Passcode? at the bottom (on iOS 15.2–16 it’s Erase iPhone), then Start iPhone Reset.
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Step 3: Sign in
Enter your Apple Account password to sign out and confirm. The iPhone erases itself and restarts.
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Step 4: Set it up again
Follow the setup screens and choose Restore from iCloud Backup or your computer backup to get your data back.
Method 2 Erase with Find My on another device
This works only if Find My was turned on and the iPhone has an internet connection.
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Step 1: Go to iCloud Find My
On a computer or another phone, go to icloud.com/find and sign in with your Apple Account. Or open the Find My app on another Apple device.
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Step 2: Select the iPhone
Choose the locked iPhone from All Devices.
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Step 3: Erase it
Click Erase This Device and confirm. The iPhone erases the next time it’s online.
Method 3 Use recovery mode with a computer
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Step 1: Turn the iPhone off
Unplug the iPhone and power it off (hold the side button and a volume button, then slide to power off).
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Step 2: Enter recovery mode
Hold the correct button and plug the iPhone into a Mac or PC while holding it: side button for iPhone 8 and later; Volume down for iPhone 7; Home button for iPhone 6s and earlier. Keep holding until the recovery mode screen (a computer and cable) appears.
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Step 3: Open Finder or Apple Devices
On a Mac, open Finder and select the iPhone. On Windows, open the Apple Devices app (or iTunes).
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Step 4: Choose Restore
When asked to Update or Restore, choose Restore. The computer downloads iOS and erases the iPhone. If it takes over 15 minutes and the iPhone leaves recovery mode, repeat the steps.
After the reset: Activation Lock
When the iPhone restarts, it asks for the Apple Account that was used on it. This is Activation Lock, and it stops thieves using erased iPhones. Sign in with your Apple Account. If you’ve forgotten that password too, reset it at iforgot.apple.com first.
If you bought the iPhone second-hand and it’s locked to someone else’s account, only that person can remove it, or Apple can with your original proof of purchase.
Troubleshooting
There’s no Forgot Passcode? or Erase option
The iPhone needs iOS 15.2 or later and an internet connection, and it must have been signed in to an Apple Account. Otherwise use recovery mode with a computer.
The computer doesn’t see the iPhone
Use an Apple or certified cable plugged directly into the computer, update macOS or the Apple Devices app, and try another USB port.
Error during restore
Restart the computer, update its software, and repeat recovery mode. Errors often come from security software blocking Apple’s servers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reset an iPhone passcode without losing data?
Only with the 72-hour Enter Previous Passcode option on iOS 17+. Otherwise, data that isn’t backed up is lost when you erase.
Can Apple unlock my iPhone without erasing it?
No. Apple can’t bypass your passcode; this is what keeps your data private.
How many wrong attempts before the iPhone is disabled?
After 5 wrong attempts you get a short wait; after more attempts the waits get longer, and after 10 you’ll see the erase options (or the iPhone erases itself if you turned on Erase Data).
Do I need my Apple Account password?
Yes, for the lock-screen and Find My methods, and to pass Activation Lock after any reset.
Summary
On iOS 15.2 or later, tap Forgot Passcode? on the lockout screen and sign in with your Apple Account to erase the iPhone. Otherwise use icloud.com/find or recovery mode with a computer, then restore your backup.
