How to Reset a Forgotten iPhone Passcode?

You can restore an iPhone you can’t unlock by using Erase iPhone, iCloud Find Devices, or recovery mode; your Apple ID and a backup protect data.

Locked out of your phone? This guide gives you clear paths to wipe the device, sign back in, and get your stuff back. You’ll see what works on each model, how to do it without a computer, and what to try when errors pop up. No fluff—just steps that match Apple’s playbook.

Reset An iPhone When You Forgot The Passcode: Quick Paths

There are three reliable routes. Pick the one that matches your situation and how fast you need to get back in.

Method	Best For	What You Need
Erase iPhone on the Lock Screen	Recent iOS with “Security Lockout” showing	Apple ID and password; Wi-Fi or cellular
Erase via iCloud on the Web	Device online and Find My was on	Any browser; Apple ID sign-in
Recovery Mode with a Computer	Stuck, offline, or no Erase button	Mac with Finder or PC with Apple Devices/iTunes and a cable

All three erase the phone. Afterward you can restore a backup and sign back in. Activation Lock keeps thieves from using a wiped phone, so you’ll need the same Apple ID that was on it.

Before You Start: Quick Checks That Save Time

Charge the phone and your computer. A low battery can interrupt a restore.
Find your Apple ID and password. You’ll need them to activate after the wipe.
Know your backup plan. iCloud or a computer backup lets you put data back during setup.
Confirm two-factor access. Make sure you can get codes by SMS or another Apple device.
Have a strong network. Wired internet or stable Wi-Fi avoids download timeouts.

Method 1: Use “Erase iPhone” From The Lock Screen

When you enter the wrong code too many times, the screen shows “Security Lockout.” On supported versions you’ll see an Erase option. This lets you wipe the phone without a computer and sign in again with your Apple ID.

What Makes This Option Appear

You’re connected to a network.
Your Apple ID is known to the device.
Software is new enough to show the Erase prompt.

Steps

On the “Security Lockout” screen, tap Erase iPhone or Forgot Passcode?.
Enter your Apple ID password. The phone begins a full erase.
After the wipe, follow setup. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup, Restore from Mac or PC, or set up fresh.

If you don’t see Erase, your device may be offline, the software may be older, or restrictions might hide the option. In that case, use iCloud on the web or recovery mode below.

Learn the exact requirements and screens in Apple’s guide to the Security Lockout erase flow.

Method 2: Wipe With iCloud “Find Devices”

If Find My was enabled and the phone is online, you can erase it remotely in a browser. This also helps when the device isn’t with you.

Steps On The Web

On another device, open Find Devices on iCloud.com and sign in.
Select your iPhone, pick Erase iPhone, and confirm.
Once the erase finishes, power on the phone and go through setup. Sign in with the same Apple ID to clear Activation Lock.

If the phone is offline, the erase runs the next time it connects. If you plan to sell or give it away later, leave it on your account until the wipe completes.

Method 3: Restore With Recovery Mode On A Computer

This path works when the device won’t show the Erase button, won’t go online, or you see restore errors. You’ll connect to a Mac or a Windows PC and reinstall the software.

What You Need

Mac with Finder or a PC with the Apple Devices app (or iTunes on older systems).
A compatible cable for your model.

Enter Recovery Mode

Turn the phone off. Then connect it to the computer and follow the button sequence for your model until the recovery screen appears:

Face ID models: Press volume up, press volume down, then hold the side button until you see the cable-to-computer screen.
iPhone 8 or later with Touch ID: Same sequence as Face ID models.
iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: Hold the side (or top) button and volume down together.
iPhone 6s and earlier: Hold the side (or top) button and Home together.

Restore In Finder Or Apple Devices

Open Finder on Mac, or Apple Devices/iTunes on PC.
Select your iPhone. Choose Restore to download software and erase the device.
Afterward, set it up and pick your backup source.

If the restore screen keeps returning, repeat the recovery steps and try again. Wired internet and a different cable fix many problems.

What You’ll Get Back After A Reset

All resets here remove data on the device. Your info returns only if a backup exists. During setup you can pull from iCloud or from a computer. If no backup exists, you’ll sign in and start fresh with iCloud content that resyncs, such as contacts, calendars, Safari data, and photos stored in iCloud Photos. Items that never synced and were not backed up—like app data stored only on the device—won’t return.

Backup Sources At A Glance

iCloud Backup: Choose the latest dated copy during setup.
Computer Backup: Plug in to the same Mac or PC you used before and pick the local copy.

Common Errors And Fast Fixes

If the software download fails, the cable is loose, or you see an alert code, these quick moves solve most cases.

Error Or Message	Likely Cause	Quick Fix
Download timed out	Slow network or large firmware	Reconnect the phone and try again; use wired internet if possible
Can’t restore, unknown error	Outdated app or drivers	Update macOS, Apple Devices/iTunes, then retry
Restore screen repeats	Software didn’t install	Use recovery mode again and pick Restore once more
Erase option missing	Device offline or older system	Use iCloud web erase or a computer restore
Activation Lock after erase	Apple ID needed	Sign in with the same Apple ID that was on the phone

Still stuck? If buttons are broken or you keep looping, book service. Many alerts trace back to cables, hubs, or security software. Direct USB and a fresh download fix a large share of cases. Keep the cable firmly seated.

Extra Tools That Help

Passcode Reset Grace Window

If you changed your code within the last three days and forgot the new one, some versions let you enter the old code from the Lock Screen and sign back in. You can also expire that old code early in Settings once you regain access.

Find My Safeguards

Remote erases keep Activation Lock tied to your account, which deters theft. After a successful wipe and setup, you can remove the device from your list if you no longer use it. You’ll also get a confirmation email when a remote erase completes.

Stolen Device Protection

Stolen Device Protection adds biometric checks when changing sensitive settings away from familiar places. Turn it on once you’re back in the phone, since it blocks easy passcode-only attacks.

What Each Method Requires

Here’s a quick checklist so you can pick a path with fewer surprises.

Erase On The Lock Screen

Network access is needed so the erase can start.
Apple ID and password must be known to you.
The device needs software that shows the Erase button.

Erase In iCloud

Find My must have been turned on before the lockout.
The phone needs to come online to finish the wipe.
You’ll activate with the same Apple ID during setup.

Recovery Mode On A Computer

A Mac or PC with the right app and a cable.
Time for the firmware download; big files take a while.
Patience for a repeat attempt if the first try fails.

DFU Mode When Recovery Still Fails

Device Firmware Update mode goes a level deeper than standard recovery. It loads code that lets the computer reinstall the software even when the current system won’t boot. The button timing is stricter than recovery mode and varies by model, so expect a second try. If DFU still fails, service is the next step.

If You Can’t Recall Your Apple ID Or Two-Factor Code

Erasing works only when you can sign back in with the same Apple ID. If the password slips your mind, use a trusted Apple device to confirm the account email and start a reset in Settings. If you don’t have a trusted device or can’t get the six-digit code, begin account recovery in a browser and follow the prompts.

Two-factor prompts can arrive on any signed-in Apple device, or as an SMS to your trusted number. If that number is gone, add a new one on a device where you’re already signed in, or ask your carrier to restore the line. Once you can receive codes again, activation will complete on the erased phone and you can restore a backup. Skip third-party “unlock” tools; they can’t remove Activation Lock tied to your account and often lead to data loss or fraud.

Step-By-Step: Model Buttons Cheat Sheet

These button combos get you into recovery mode when a reset from the Lock Screen or iCloud isn’t an option.

Face ID Models

Press volume up, press volume down, then hold side until the recovery screen appears.

iPhone 8, SE (2nd/3rd Gen)

Press volume up, press volume down, then hold side.

iPhone 7 And 7 Plus

Hold the side (or top) button and volume down together until recovery appears.

iPhone 6s And Earlier

Hold the side (or top) button and Home together until recovery appears.

After The Wipe: Smooth Setup Tips

Pick the freshest backup with a date that matches when you last used the phone.
Stay on Wi-Fi during restore so app downloads finish faster.
Wait for Photos, Messages, and Mail to reindex after setup, as some items arrive later.
Turn on Stolen Device Protection and check trusted phone numbers for your Apple ID.
Create a new code you’ll recall, and set Face ID or Touch ID to reduce code entries.