How to Reset a Locked iPhone: A Beginner-Friendly Guide
How to Reset a Locked iPhone: A Beginner-Friendly Guide
While your photos and messages may be waiting for you, the lock screen is preventing you from reaching everything.
Things happen, and the iPhone can end up locked for any number of reasons. Maybe you forgot that old passcode you rarely used. Maybe your iPhone is now unavailable because you entered too many incorrect codes. Maybe you’ve bought a used iPhone and realized it’s still connected to the previous owner’s iCloud.
When searching for how to reset a locked iPhone, there is some key terminology to understand before you proceed. Resetting an iPhone means erasing everything on your device. While resetting an iPhone removes some of the security mechanisms, there are others that are linked to your Apple ID and cannot be removed, like Activation Lock.
To avoid using shady websites or tools, you’ll want to ensure you understand the reason the iPhone is locked. Round out your understanding with your knowledge of the Apple ID and whether you’ve backed up your data.
Now that we understand what resetting a locked iPhone means, let’s review how to reset a locked iPhone.
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What Does It Mean to Reset a Locked iPhone?
To reset a locked iPhone, you have to remove the passcode and erase everything on your iPhone. This is done when your iPhone is locked or has become ‘unavailable’.
It is helpful to spot the differences between unlocking and resetting an iPhone. When a user resets their iPhone, they fully erase all data and settings. Unlocking would suggest gaining access back to the iPhone without erasing anything.
Here is a scenario. You have an old iPhone that you haven’t used in a few months. Before you were using Face ID, but after you restart the phone it now asks for the passcode. Unfortunately, you have no idea what the passcode is and cannot guess because you know that is not good practice. In some cases, you may end up having to erase the iPhone and reset it.
However, if you do have a recent backup, you can restore most of your information after you complete the setup. Of course, any data stored on the device with no backup would be completely lost.
There is another lock known as Activation Lock. If an iPhone is connected to someone’s Apple ID through Find My, erasing the device will not ultimately remove this protection.
To reset an iPhone, first determine what type of lock you have. This one step can save a lot of hassle and frustration.
There are many reasons an iPhone can become locked, and knowing what reason you may be dealing with can help you find the best way to proceed.
Forgetting Your Passcode
Likely, this is the most typical reason someone’s iPhone is locked.
Many users unlock their phone with Face ID or Touch ID and rarely manually enter their passcode. This is usually the most common reason why someone is locked out of their phone.
For example: After automatically installing an update for your phone, you have to input your passcode. After a couple of minutes of recalling your passcode, you remember that you haven’t entered the passcode in weeks.
Why it matters: There is a time limit on guesses. You need to backup your data because if you need to reset the phone, you will lose your data forever.
Too Many Incorrect Passcode Attempts
Repeated guessing of your passcode temporarily renders your iPhone unusable.
For example: If you can remember a little of the passcode, you try to guess some combinations, but after a few iterations, you get a security-related lockout.
Why it matters: Repeated guesses will not recover your phone and will make the situation worse.
Depending on your iPhone and iOS version, you will see the message “iPhone Unavailable” instead of the more common “iPhone Disabled” message.
For example: You try to put in your passcode a couple of times and you can’t access your lock screen.
Why it matters: The wording may be confusing, but you can’t access your phone until you enter the correct passcode.
Activation Lock
This is not the same issue as an undefined passcode. This is intended to secure your device if Find My and your Apple ID are set up.
For example: You buy a used iPhone, you set it up, and you have to enter the previous owner’s Apple ID information.
Why it matters: A factory reset doesn’t remove Activation Lock. The rightful owner must remove the device from their account to clear Activation Lock.
Forgotten Apple Account Password
You might remember the screen passcode for your iPhone, but you may be locked out from completing the setup or accessing other Apple services because you forgot your Apple Account password.
Example: Once you reset the iPhone, you are prompted to log into the Apple Account that was hooked up to the device.
Why it matters: Account recovery and device reset are two separate entities. Randomly trying to guess passwords will not clear the security requirements for ownership.
A Used iPhone Is Still Linked to Someone Else
Buying an iPhone secondhand can pose trouble if the previous owner didn’t properly erase the device from their account.
Example: The seller claims the device was erased, but during the setup you see that the device is still prompting you for the previous owner’s login information.
Why it matters: It’s not a tech problem. It’s an ownership problem, and the previous owner must resolve it.
Best Ways to Reset a Locked iPhone
Take a moment to calm yourself and identify the situation. It is overall safer to use Apple’s built in recovery photo than to install and use third party software that claims to bypass the security.
1. Look to see if there is a Reset Option on the Screen
Depending on the model and the iOS version you have, the lock screen might have an option such as ‘Forgot Passcode?’ or ‘Erase iPhone’.
1. Enter Your Apple Account Password
If prompted with the option, follow the on-screen instructions. You may need to enter your Apple Account password.
Why it works: This is Apple’s approved method to resolve some forgotten passcode situations.
Example: You can reset the screen passcode if you remember your Apple Account password.
Mistake to avoid: Avoid entering passcodes randomly.
2. Confirm Your Apple Account Information
Prior to erasing your device, make sure you have the email address and the password related to your Apple Account.
Why it works: After the reset, you will have to go through the account setup once more, so you may have to input account information.
Example: You successfully erase the iPhone, however, during the account activation, you end up being stuck on the activation screen because you do not have account details.
Mistake to avoid: Thinking of the screen passcode and the account password as one and the same.
3. Confirm Your Backup
This is the most crucial step preceding any irrevocable action.
Resetting an iPhone erases all the photos, messages, applications, and settings among other data and information stored in the device. Backing up your data and info may be of great help in the future.
Why it works: Backing up your data ensures that you have a means of getting the info once the device has been cleared.
Example: You have months of family photos on your iPhone but ensure it is regularly backed up. Should you need to reset it, you may be able to restore these images during setup.
Mistake to avoid: Thinking you will automatically get your files back just by signing into your Apple Account.
4. Use Recovery Mode with a Computer
As an alternative, if you cannot get your iPhone to display the on-screen reset, you can try to use recovery mode on your Mac or Windows PC.
This will require your iPhone and a computer. The key combination used to enter recovery mode will differ based on your specific iPhone model.
On a Mac, you will use Finder. On Windows, you will use Apple’s new software to control Apple devices.
Why it works: This is meant for situations where you don’t have normal control of your iPhone.
Example: Your iPhone gets stuck on an “unavailable” message. You cannot erase it. In recovery mode, you may be able to restore it.
Mistake to avoid: Using instructions for another model.
5. Use Apple’s Restore Process Instead of a Passcode Bypass
When you enter recovery mode, think of this as erasing and restoring your iPhone, as opposed to bypassing the passcode.
Why it works: Apple’s restore process doesn’t just delete the content. It also resets the software and erases all the data on your iPhone.
Mistake to avoid: Don’t fall for claims from software that say they can break every iPhone security feature after providing the proper credentials.
6. Don’t interrupt the Restore
If you begin the iPhone Restore process, don’t disconnect from the computer. The computer may need to download some software, erase and reinstall the operating system. You may need to wait for the software to finish downloading depending on the internet speed. If you interrupt the process, you’ll have to start the restore process again.
7. Know What Activation Lock Is
In most cases, don’t attempt to bypass the security feature that protects ownership on an iPhone that doesn’t belong to you.
Why it works: Activation Lock is designed to stop people from using an iPhone that was lost or stolen.
Example: Before buying an iPhone from someone, check to see if Activation Lock is enabled.
Mistake to avoid: Don’t pay someone to unlock Activation Lock that you bought secondhand. A legitimate reset does not change ownership.
8. Make Sure to Think About Your Data Before Erasing
If you have important data, don’t rush to erase the iPhone.
Think about whether your photos, contacts, texts and other files are synced or backed up.
Here’s why: once local data is erased, there’s no way to get back files that were not backed up.
Here’s an example: you have some important travel photos on your device and are not sure if they are backed up. It is not safe to erase the device without first checking.
Here’s a common mistake: thinking that a reset will keep all your data.
9. Contact Apple Support When You Are Not Sure
Many times, the situation is not clear. You are not sure if you are dealing with a forgotten passcode, Activation Lock, an account issue, or a hardware problem.
In that case, contacting Apple Support is the better option than trying to fix it with random software.
Here’s why: different security problems result in different recovery processes.
Here’s an example: you have erased a used iPhone, and it is still not activating. Instead of dealing with an “unlocking” service whose legitimacy is unknown, determine the device’s ownership and the status of the account through official channels.
Here’s a mistake to avoid: Treating all locked iPhones as if they have the same problem.
Before You Reset: A Quick Checklist
Before starting the reset, keep in mind:
A reset can erase the data on your iPhone.
Check your latest backups first.
Your screen passcode is different from your Apple Account password.
A reset does not remove Activation Lock.
Used iPhones must be removed from the previous owner’s account.
Avoid third-party unlocking services.
Use Apple’s recovery process when normal access is not available.
The easiest way to approach a locked iPhone is to treat the situation as a security situation and data recovery concern rather than finding work arounds.
Expert Tips
Some of the less obvious steps can create a bit of a bottleneck in the recovery process and are often missed when people are just trying to get their phone working again.
1. Don’t Forget to Check Your Apple Account
People tend to get so focused on the forgotten screen password that they forget about the Apple account associated with the device.
Example: You successfully erase an old iPhone, however you get stuck during setup because you can’t provide the account password.
Where people fail: They erase and only then realize that they can’t access the account.
2. Don’t Assume A Factory Reset Eliminates Activation Lock
A factory reset and Activation Lock are two distinct things.
Example: After purchasing a used iPhone and performing an erase, you are presented with a request for the previous owner’s account throughout the setup.
Where people fail: They erase the phone and think that everything will be cleared including the security measures.
It’s not. The real owner of the phone has to remove the device from their account.
3. Check Your Backup
A reset should not be considered a normal troubleshooting step. It is a step that can be used to completely wipe the device.
Why it helps: Understanding the backup system helps you form an accurate expectation of recovery.
Example: Photos of your family are the only copies of those photos. Losing your family photos would be heartbreaking. Before deletion, check the backup status.
Where people fail: They think, irrationally, that everything will restore, as long as they sign back into their account.
4. ID the Exact iPhone Model
Different iPhone models have slightly adjusting recovery mode instructions.
Why it helps: If you use recovery mode instructions for the wrong model, you will likely be stuck in the dark when the screen you’re expecting does not appear.
Example: Someone uses recovery mode instructions for an iPhone with a Home button, even though their device does not have a Home button.
Where people fail: They look for a general recovery mode guide and use it without figuring out the correct model ID.
5. Be Warned About “Unlock Without Password”
It can get tempting to use the service of a website that says they can unlock your iPhone instantly.
Rational thinking is important here.
Why it helps: Not all services are equal, and some can put your privacy and security at risk.
Example: A website says they can unlock your iPhone remotely, and bypass both the screen passcode and Activation Lock, for a price. Use Apple’s recovery tools, or resolve the issue with the owner of the account.
Where people fail: They assume that paid unlocking services are more effective than Apple’s recovery tools.
The simplest plan is often the safest. Recognize the lock, protect your data if possible, and use the recovery with Apple’s approved methodology.
9 Common Mistakes People Make When Resetting a Locked iPhone
There are a variety of ways to accidentally overcomplicate the recovery process.
Guessing the Passcode
It’s tempting to guess, but it’s not worth the hassle.
Correct Approach: When you begin to guess, use an approved recovery method.
Erasing the Phone Without Checking Backups
Erasing data also erases the data that you’ve backed up.
Correct Approach: Be sure to check your available backups if using an erase.
Forgetting Apple ID & Password
You may think that you’ve unlocked the phone, but you’ll actually still be locked out.
Correct Approach: Be sure to have your Apple ID and password to access associated iPhone.
Thinking an Activation Lock Is the Same As a Screen Lock
Just because you may have removed the Activation Lock doesn’t mean you can use the phone without the lock.
Correct Approach: Have the true owner of the phone remove it from their account.
Using a Doubtful Third Party Method
Theseploy a recovery method can create significant issues with your information and privacy.
Correct Approach: Only use an approved recovery method.
Following the Wrong Restoration Instructions
Given the wide range of models, not all methods are applicable to all devices.
Correct Approach: Verify your Restore model.
Removing the Phone During Restoration
You may think you can do other tasks – better to keep it connected.
Correct Approach: Leave it connected to finish the Restoration.
Assuming you can unlock all locked iPhones without losing data
Forgetting your passcode means erasing your phone.
Pros
Consequences of resetting the iPhone must first be understood, and backup restoration must be evaluated.
Cons
Data is lost and cannot be recovered.
Many steps are tedious and time-consuming.
A lot of data and information cannot be backed up.
Locking the device is essentially protecting ownership.
Resetting your phone erases all of your settings and app data.
A backup of all of your data is required.
Having your phone reset doesn’t change your Apple ID and security.
The device protection system is still active.
There are correct steps to take and other steps that cause problems to occur. Restoration cannot be interrupted, and the proper steps cannot be skipped or substituted. Issues could cause you to have to start work all over again.
Resetting may be necessary, but it should never be your first action. If you have irreplaceable data that is not backed up, you could potentially lose it permanently if you execute a reset.
Resetting is not a way around securing your device with Apple’s security measures. It is, however, an erase and recover process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Resetting a Locked iPhone
Can I reset a locked iPhone without a computer?
In some cases, a device can be reset if it is locked and does not have a computer to assist. This option is dependent on your device and the iOS version. Typically, if this option is available, you will be prompted to enter your Apple Account information and will require an internet connection. If this option is not available, then you will be required to have a Mac or Windows PC during the recovery process. The options available to you are dependent on your device and iOS version.
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