If you need to factory reset an iPhone but do not know its device passcode, you generally cannot use the normal Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings workflow. Instead, use Apple’s forgotten-passcode recovery process.
Reset Without the Device Passcode From the Lock Screen
On supported software, a locked iPhone can offer Forgot Passcode? on the iPhone Unavailable/Security Lockout screen. Apple says the on-device reset requires a network connection, Find My to have been enabled, and the Apple Account password associated with the device.
- From the Lock Screen, enter the wrong device passcode until the unavailable/lockout screen appears.
- Tap Forgot Passcode? when it becomes available.
- Choose the option to start the device reset.
- Enter the associated Apple Account password.
- Confirm the erase.
- Set the iPhone up again after it restarts and restore a backup if available.
What Gets Erased?
A factory reset removes the data and settings stored on the iPhone. If you have an iCloud or computer backup, you can restore compatible data during setup. Do not start a reset expecting it to recover data that exists only on the locked device.
What If You Cannot Reset From the Lock Screen?
Use a Mac or Windows PC to place the iPhone in recovery mode and restore it. For iPhone 8 and later, connect it to the computer, press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the recovery-mode screen appears. Finder on a Mac or Apple Devices on Windows can then restore the iPhone.
Does a Factory Reset Remove Activation Lock?
Do not confuse the device passcode with the Apple Account password. Erasing an iPhone does not provide a legitimate way around Activation Lock. Apple Account credentials can still be required to activate or remove the device from the owner’s account.
Summary
If the device passcode is forgotten, use Apple’s lockout-screen reset when eligible or restore the iPhone with a computer. Both routes erase the device. They do not bypass Activation Lock.
Matthew Roberts created this site to help his friends and family with questions that they might have about how to change the settings on their iPhones. It now serves as an archive of iPhone how-to guides to help anyone that stumbles upon this website.