How to Factory Reset iPhone With or Without Passcode

Samuel Spenser Published on July 04, 2025iOS Tips3-min reading

This article discusses how to perform a factory reset on an iPhone in various situations. That is an essential action for iOS users. It is a straightforward solution to troubleshoot software glitches, prepare your device for a new owner or protect your private information. However, you need to pick the right method to complete the job. Otherwise, you cannot successfully reset your device. If you are ready, let’s start the journey.

In this article:

Part 1: What Factory Reset iPhone Means
Part 2: Before Factory Reset iPhone
Part 3: Ultimate Option to Factory Reset iPhone
Part 4: How to Factory Reset iPhone in Settings
Part 5: How to Factory Reset iPhone on Security Lockout
Part 6: How to Factory Reset iPhone via Find My
Part 7: How to Factory Reset iPhone with iTunes/Finder

Part 1: What Factory Reset iPhone Means

As its name suggests, a factory reset on an iPhone restores the device to its factory status. What happens if you factory reset your iPhone? All your data will be erased, and changed settings will be removed. It can erase your photos, videos, accounts, emails, contacts, call logs, SMS, iMessage, and more. After the factory reset, your iPhone will restart to the Hello screen.

Part 2: Before Factory Reset iPhone

As mentioned previously, factory resetting your iPhone will erase all data on your device. Therefore, you’d better back up your iPhone with iCloud or to your computer to avoid data loss. Plus, you’d better turn off Find My and unpair your Apple Watch before the process.

How to Back up iPhone to iCloud

Step 1

Connect your iPhone to a stable internet connection.

Step 2

Open the Settings app and tap on your profile.

Step 3

Go to the iCloud tab and tap iCloud Backup.

Step 4

Tap the Back Up Now button to back up your iPhone.

How to Back up iPhone to Computer

Step 1

Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable.

Step 2

Run iTunes on Windows and macOS Mojave or earlier. Run Finder on macOS Catalina or later.

Step 3

Click the Phone button in iTunes and go to Summary.

Click your iPhone name and head to General in Finder.

Step 4

Select This Computer under the Backups section.

Select Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac in Finder.

Step 5

Finally, click the Back Up Now button.

Note: If you want to protect your iPhone backup, check the box next to Encrypt local backup and leave a password.

How to Turn off Find My iPhone

Step 1

Run your Settings app and tap on your profile.

Step 2

Go to the Find My tab and tap Find My iPhone.

Step 3

Toggle off Find My iPhone.

Step 4

When prompted, enter your Apple ID password to turn off Find My iPhone.

How to Unpair Apple Watch from iPhone

Step 1

Start the Apple Watch app on your iPhone before factory resetting it.

Step 2

Go to the My Watch tab and tap All Watches.

Step 3

Tap the Info button next to your watch.

Step 4

Scroll down and tap the Unpair Apple Watch button.

Step 5

Hit Unpair [your Apple Watch name]. For GPS+ Cellular models, remove your cellular plan.

Step 6

Finally, type your Apple ID password and hit Unpair again.

Part 3: Ultimate Option to Factory Reset iPhone

imyPass iPassGo is a simple way to factory reset an iPhone without an Apple ID password. It can bypass your iPhone passcode and Apple ID password when factory resetting your device. Moreover, the user-friendly interface makes navigation easy, even for beginners.

imyPass iPassGo

4,000,000+ Downloads

Factory reset an iPhone in three easy steps.

Don’t require your iPhone passcode or Apple ID password.

Available in various situations including when your iPhone is disabled.

Compatible with a wide range of iPhone and iPad models.

Free Download Free Download

How to Factory Reset Your iPhone Without a Password

Step 1

Link your iPhone and computer
Launch the best iPhone factory reset tool after you install it on your PC. There is another version for Mac. Choose the Wipe Passcode mode. Link your iPhone to your PC with a Lightning cable. If you link the two devices for the first time, tap Trust on your iPhone to trust your PC.

Step 2

Check your device information
Click the Start button to proceed. Once your device information is loaded, check each entry. Click Start to download the firmware.

Step 3

Factory reset iPhone
After downloading, click the Unlock button to continue. Read the alert and confirm the unlocking. Finally, enter 0000 to ensure the process. When it is done, close the software and disconnect your iPhone. Now, your iPhone should boot in the Hello screen.

Part 4: How to Factory Reset iPhone in Settings

The easiest method to factory reset an iPhone without iTunes or a computer is the Settings app. This method requires your iPhone passcode. Moreover, you are asked to provide your Apple ID password if Find My iPhone is enabled.

Step 1

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2

Go to the General tab and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone or Reset on old versions of iOS.

Step 3

Choose Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 4

Check the data types to remove and hit Continue.

Step 5

Enter your iPhone passcode to confirm the action.

Step 6

If Find My iPhone is enabled, input your Apple ID password to begin the factory resetting.

Part 5: How to Factory Reset iPhone on Security Lockout

Can you factory reset a locked iPhone? The answer is yes if you have updated software on your device. Since iOS 15.2, Apple introduced the Erase iPhone option on the Security Lockout screen. It enables you to factory reset your iPhone or iPad using your Apple ID password. This method doesn’t require any extra software or hardware.

Step 1

Repeatedly enter the wrong passcode until you see the iPhone Unavailable screen.

On iOS 17 and Above

Step 2

Tap the Forgot Passcode button at the bottom right corner.

Step 3

Choose Start iPhone Reset.

Step 4

Enter your Apple ID password to sign out your account.

Step 5

Finally, tap Erase iPhone to begin the factory reset on your device.

On iOS 15.2 or Later

Step 2

Tap the Erase iPhone button at the bottom.

Step 3

Read the notification and hit Erase iPhone again.

Step 4

Enter the associated Apple ID password to confirm your action.

Part 6: How to Factory Reset iPhone via Find My

Find My is the feature released by Apple for tracking Apple products through the associated Apple ID account. If you have enabled Find My iPhone on your device, you can reset your iPhone to factory settings on the web or a borrowed iPhone.

How to Reset iPhone to Factory Settings Online

Step 1

Go to www.icloud.com/find in a browser and sign in with your Apple ID and password.

Step 2

Pull down the All Devices option and choose your iPhone.

Step 3

Click the Erase This Device button.

Step 4

Provide your phone number and click Continue.

Step 5

Finally, enter your Apple ID password again and click Erase.

How to Reset iPhone to Factory Settings on a Borrowed iPhone

Step 1

Open the Find My app on the borrowed iPhone.

Tip: You can download it from the App Store for free.

Step 2

Go to the Devices tab from the bottom.

Step 3

Choose your iPhone from the list.

Tip: If you cannot find your iPhone, tap the + button next to Devices. Choose Add AirTag or Add New Item to detect your iPhone. Next, input the associated Apple ID and password to add your device.

Step 4

Tap the toolbar at the bottom and swipe upward to expand the entire toolbar.

Step 5

Tap Erase This Device. Then, read the alert and tap Continue.

Step 6

Add your phone number or ignore it. Tap Erase to proceed.

Step 7

Finally, enter your Apple ID password and hit Erase.

Part 7: How to Factory Reset iPhone with iTunes/Finder

Another method to factory reset an iPhone 13/12/11 or other models without a passcode is to use iTunes or Finder. This method requires a computer and a USB cable. If you have turned on Find My iPhone, you still need to provide your Apple ID password when setting up your iPhone after a factory reset.

How to Factory Reset a Disabled iPhone

Step 1

Connect your iPhone to your computer with a compatible cable.

Step 2

Open the latest version of iTunes or Apple Devices on Windows.

On macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes.

Step 3

Toggle off Find My iPhone.

On an iPhone 8 or Later

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.

Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.

Long-press the Side button.

Release the button until you see the connect-to-computer screen.

On an iPhone 7/7 Plus

Hold the Volume Down + Side buttons at the same time.

Let the buttons go when the connect-to-computer screen appears.

On an iPhone 6s or Earlier

Hold the Home + Sleep/Wake buttons together.

When the connect-to-computer screen pops up, release the buttons.

Step 4

Once iTunes, Apple Devices, or Finder detects your iPhone in Recovery Mode, a pop-up dialog will appear.

Step 5

Click the Restore button on the dialog and follow the onscreen instructions to begin factory resetting your iPhone without a password.

Note: If it takes more than 15 minutes and your iPhone exits the connect-to-computer screen, repeat the steps above to try again.

How to Factory Reset an Accessible iPhone

Step 1

Open the latest version of iTunes and Finder, depending on your computer operating system.

Step 2

Hook up your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable. If a message asks for your iPhone passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the onscreen prompts.

Step 3

Once iTunes detects your iPhone, click the Phone button at the top left corner.

In Finder, click your iPhone name on the sidebar.

Tip: If iTunes or Finder cannot detect your iPhone, you still need to put your device in Recovery Mode.

Step 4

Go to the Summary tab in iTunes or the General tab in Finder.

Step 5

Click the Restore iPhone button.

Step 6

If Find My iPhone is enabled on your device, type your Apple ID password to sign it out.

Step 7

At last, click the Restore button again to confirm your action.

Note: After factory resetting your iPhone, iTunes or Finder will install the latest version of iOS on your device. If you choose to restore iPhone from computer backup, maybe you need to enter iTunes Backup password.

Conclusion

This article listed five methods for resetting an iPhone to the factory settings in various situations. iTunes/Finder allows you to restore an iPhone to factory status with a computer in Recovery Mode or standard mode. Find My enables you to complete the job remotely. There is an option to perform a factory reset if your iPhone is not in your hand. If your device is still accessible, the Settings app lets you erase everything on your iPhone. Even if you forgot your iPhone passcode, you can erase it on the Security Lockout screen after updating to the latest version of iOS. imyPass iPassGo is available for any iPhone. Other questions? Please write them down below.

Samuel Spenser

Samuel Spenser, a senior editor from imyPass, is an expert on password unlocking and recovery. He has more than 3-year experience in writing tutorials about password recovery for Windows.