How to Factory Reset an iPhone When Locked (All Methods)

A forgotten passcode, an "iPhone Unavailable" screen, or a second-hand phone stuck on "Locked to Owner" all leave you locked out with no way back in. A factory reset is often the only way to clear that lock. We walked through all four methods on a locked iPhone, so we can explain each one in the order to try it and flag where Activation Lock still stands in your way.

Pick the method that fits your situation, follow the steps, and read the warnings first.

Why Is Your iPhone Locked? (Passcode Lock vs Activation Lock)

Before you erase anything, work out which lock you are facing. The fix depends on it.

Forgotten passcode / "iPhone Unavailable" screen

This is the everyday lockout. You entered the wrong passcode too many times, and the screen now reads "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout." After repeated wrong attempts, a "Forgot Passcode?" option appears at the bottom of the Lock Screen. Your data is still there, but without the passcode the only way in is to erase the device.

Activation Lock / "Locked to Owner" (second-hand devices)

Activation Lock is the one that trips people up. When Find My is on, the iPhone ties itself to an Apple Account, and a "Locked to Owner" message means it still belongs to a previous owner. You can erase the device, but you cannot reactivate it without the original Apple ID and password. A second-hand "Locked to Owner" device should go back to the seller, or they can remove it from their account at Find My on iCloud.com.

Before You Start: What a Factory Reset Does and What You'll Need

What a factory reset erases (and how to recover data afterward)

A factory reset wipes the iPhone clean. Photos, messages, apps, settings, and accounts all go. If you have an iCloud or computer backup, you can restore everything during setup. If you do not, the data is gone, so weigh the data loss against getting back in.

After the reset, you can recover data from your iPhone after a reset from a backup, or with recovery software if you saved nothing. Restoring from a recent backup is the cleanest route.

What you'll need (computer, cable, Apple ID / iCloud access)

What you need depends on the method:

• A Mac or Windows PC with a cable, for Recovery Mode.
• Your Apple ID and password, to finish setup either way.
• A web browser and Apple Account sign-in, for the remote erase.

Two methods need no computer, so you are not stuck if you only have the phone.

Method 1: Erase iPhone Directly from the Lock Screen (iOS 15.2+)

The simplest method needs no computer. The "Erase iPhone" option on the Lock Screen requires iOS 15.2 or later, and it wipes the phone using your Apple ID alone.

1. Enter the wrong passcode until the "iPhone Unavailable" screen appears with a timer.
2. Keep trying until "Erase iPhone" or "Forgot Passcode?" shows in the corner, then tap it.
3. Tap "Start iPhone Reset," then enter your Apple ID password to sign out.
4. Tap "Erase iPhone" to confirm. The phone wipes and restarts at the Hello screen.

If you are on iOS 17 or later, Apple's Passcode Reset feature gives you a second chance. For 72 hours after you last changed your passcode, you can tap "Forgot Passcode?" then "Enter Previous Passcode" to unlock with your old passcode and skip the wipe.

Method 2: Factory Reset Using Recovery Mode and a Computer (iTunes/Finder)

Recovery Mode is the fallback when the Lock Screen erase is not available, or when the phone is too old for iOS 15.2. It works on any model and any iOS version, but it needs a computer. This method handles the most stubborn lockouts, and Apple documents it in Apple's official recovery guide.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone and open Finder or iTunes

Connect the iPhone to your computer with a cable. On a Mac, open Finder. On Windows 10 and later, open the Apple Devices app, which now replaces iTunes.

Step 2: Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode (by model)

The button combination depends on your model. Hold the buttons until the "Connect to computer" screen appears; releasing too early just restarts the phone.

Step 3: Choose Restore and erase the device

When the "Connect to computer" screen shows, your computer offers Restore or Update. Choose Restore to erase the iPhone and reinstall iOS. The software download can take more than 15 minutes; if it exceeds 15 minutes, the iPhone drops out of Recovery Mode, so re-enter Recovery Mode and start again.

Step 4: Set up your iPhone (restore from backup or start fresh)

When the restore finishes, the phone reboots to the Hello screen. Follow the prompts, restoring from an iCloud or computer backup or starting fresh. If Find My was on, you will need the original Apple ID and password here before setup continues.

Method 3: Erase Remotely with Find My / iCloud (No Computer)

If you know the Apple ID on the phone but cannot get past the Lock Screen, you can erase it remotely from any browser. No computer software and no unlocking required.

1. On any device, go to iCloud.com/find and sign in with the Apple Account used on the locked iPhone.
2. Click All Devices and select the locked iPhone.
3. Click Erase iPhone and confirm.

The phone wipes the next time it connects to the internet. As always, Activation Lock stays in place, so you will sign in with that same Apple ID when you set the device up again.

Method 4: Reset a Locked iPhone Without the Apple ID Password

This is where expectations need a reality check. You can erase a locked iPhone without the Apple ID password using Recovery Mode, but erasing and reactivating differ. If Find My was on, Activation Lock protects the phone, and you still need the original Apple ID password before it works again. There is no honest way around that on a current iPhone.

Removing Activation Lock through Apple's support process

The legitimate routes all run through the account owner. If the device is yours, sign in at iCloud.com/find, select it, and click "Remove This Device." If you forgot the Apple ID password, reset your Apple ID password first. If you bought the phone and cannot reach the seller, you can open an Activation Lock support request with Apple, but only with valid proof of purchase.

What third-party unlock tools can (and can't) do

You will see tools that advertise screen-lock or Apple ID removal. Used honestly, some help you enter and exit Recovery Mode or recover data, and our reviews of ReiBoot (enter/exit Recovery Mode), iMyFone LockWiper (remove a locked screen / Apple ID), and Dr.Fone (unlock/repair toolkit) cover what each one actually does. What none can do is bypass Activation Lock on a modern, iCloud-locked iPhone. Treat any product promising a full bypass with suspicion.

Troubleshooting: When the Reset Won't Work

A few snags come up often. If Recovery Mode will not start, you likely released the buttons too soon, so try the model combination again and hold until the "Connect to computer" screen appears. If the restore stalls or the phone keeps leaving Recovery Mode, swap to a different cable or port. If setup refuses to continue after the erase, the phone is asking for the original Apple ID, which points you back to Method 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Getting locked out feels daunting, but one of these four methods will get you back in. Try the Lock Screen erase first if you are on iOS 15.2 or later, fall back to Recovery Mode for stubborn cases, and use Find My for a remote wipe when you only have the phone. Just remember the one rule: a factory reset clears the passcode, but Activation Lock still needs the original Apple ID, so settle that first.

About The Author

Katya Seryabkina

Ukrainian born, and a self-taught computer security expert. I started hacking when I was 14 and can write code in 5 languages, but have no formal technical education. The edge of technology is what keeps me interested. I cover cell phone tracking, spy apps, cybersecurity, the dark web, and certain gadgets for The High Tech Society.