How to restore locked iphone to factory settings

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).

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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• You can reset an iPhone by putting it into recovery mode or erasing it via Find My.
• If the iPhone's password is unknown, or it's been disabled, you'll need to reset it to use it.
• Once you've reset your iPhone, you can use an iCloud backup to restore its data.

iPhones are notoriously difficult to break into. If you have a unique passcode set up, it's almost impossible for someone to get in without your permission.

But this also works the other way around. If you need to open an iPhone but don't have the password, or it's disabled, your only option to unlock it is to do a factory reset.

Luckily, there are two ways to reset an iPhone without the password so you can access it.

How to reset an iPhone using Finder or iTunes

You can use a computer to access recovery mode and reset your iPhone to get in without the password. If you have a Mac you'll be using Finder, and if it's a PC you'll be using iTunes — which you need to download first.

1. Turn the iPhone off. The exact way to do this will depend on what kind of iPhone you have:

2. Once your iPhone is off, plug it into your computer and put it into recovery mode. To do this, you'll need to press a certain combination of buttons:

3. Keep holding the button and connect the phone to your laptop. Keep holding the button until the recovery mode screen appears. It'll have a picture of a laptop with a charging cable.

4. Once ready, open Finder or iTunes and open the iPhone menu. If you're using Finder, click your iPhone's name in the left sidebar. In iTunes, click the iPhone icon in the upper-left corner.

5. You'll be shown a message saying that the iPhone has a "problem" and needs to be updated or restored. Select Restore.

6. Keep your iPhone connected to the computer as it resets and restores the iPhone. Time can vary, so be patient.

Once the process finishes, turn your iPhone on and set it up like a new device. When you're asked if you'd like to restore data from a backup, feel free to sign into iCloud and do so.

How to reset an iPhone using Find My

If you have an Apple ID account, your iPhone is probably connected to Find My, Apple's global device tracking network. This service also lets you reset and erase your iPhone without having the password for it.

1. On a computer, go to iCloud's website and log into your account.

2. In the main menu, click Find iPhone.

3. You'll be given a map of all your devices. Click All Devices at the top and then select your iPhone.

4. In the pop-up menu that appears, click Erase iPhone.

5. Enter your Apple ID password to erase your iPhone. You may be prompted to answer a security question if you aren't using a trusted browser.

As long as your iPhone is on and connected to the internet, it'll be reset immediately.

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