To reset an iPhone when the passcode is forgotten, erase it via recovery mode or Find My, then restore from a backup and sign in again.
Locked out? This guide shows clear, safe ways to wipe the device, reinstall iOS, and get back in with your data intact from a backup. You’ll see quick picks early, then detailed steps for every model. Links to Apple’s own guidance are included where it matters.
Quick Choices: Pick The Fastest Working Path
The method that fits you depends on what you still control: a Mac or Windows PC, your Apple ID, and whether Find My is on. Start with this table, then jump to the right section.
| Scenario | Best Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Forgot passcode with a computer nearby | Recovery mode erase with Finder or iTunes | Reinstalls iOS and removes the passcode; needs cable and internet |
| Forgot passcode with no computer | Erase from another device with the Find My app | Device must be online; Apple ID sign-in required |
| Lost the phone, want it wiped | Erase from iCloud.com | Stops access to your data; Activation Lock stays on |
| Just changed the passcode and forgot it | “Forgot Passcode?” or “Erase iPhone” on the lock screen (when offered) | Appears only in certain cases; not shown on every device |
| Recovery mode fails or shows errors | Try DFU restore | Deeper reinstall that can clear stubborn firmware issues |
| Second-hand device asks for the previous owner’s Apple ID | Contact the seller to remove the device from their Apple account | Activation Lock prevents setup without the original owner |
| Hardware buttons broken | Use Find My to erase, or connect to a computer and start from power-off | A shop can help with button faults if needed |
| No backup available | Proceed with erase, then start fresh | Photos/messages not in backups are lost |
How To Reset iPhone If Password Is Forgotten: Full Steps
Here’s the complete walkthrough that matches the table above. This section gives exact button sequences, the screens you’ll see, and what to click in Finder or iTunes. If you need a fast recap, here’s how to reset iphone if password is forgotten in practice: pick recovery mode, erase, then restore and sign in.
Method 1: Erase With Recovery Mode On A Computer
This is the most reliable path when you have a cable and a Mac or Windows PC. It removes the passcode and installs the latest iOS. Afterward, you can restore a backup from iCloud or a computer.
- Turn the iPhone off. Let it power down fully.
- Connect to the computer with a USB-to-Lightning or USB-C cable.
- Enter recovery mode with the model-specific combo listed later in this guide. Keep holding the final button until the recovery screen appears.
- On a Mac (macOS Catalina or later), open Finder. On Windows or older macOS, open iTunes.
- When a dialog appears for the device, choose Restore. This downloads iOS and erases the phone.
- When setup begins on the phone, choose Restore from iCloud Backup or Restore from Mac/PC, then sign in and pick your backup.
Apple’s official guide for this process—covering every button layout and the restore dialog—is here: forgot iPhone passcode instructions.
Method 2: Erase From Find My (No Computer)
If Find My is on and the phone is online, you can wipe it remotely. This is handy when traveling or when you can’t reach a computer.
- On another Apple device, open the Find My app. Or go to iCloud.com in a browser.
- Pick Devices → select your iPhone → tap Erase This Device.
- Follow the prompts to confirm. The phone erases on its next connection to the internet.
- After erase completes, turn the phone on and follow setup. Sign in with your Apple ID to clear Activation Lock, then restore a backup.
Method 3: Use The Lock-Screen Option When Offered
On some devices you’ll see “Erase iPhone” or “Forgot Passcode?” after several failed attempts. If it appears, you can erase right there, then sign in with your Apple ID and set a new passcode. This option doesn’t show up for every case, so don’t wait for it if you can use recovery mode or Find My immediately.
Method 4: Try DFU Restore If Recovery Mode Fails
DFU is a deeper restore. Use it if recovery mode keeps throwing errors or the phone is stuck in a boot loop. The button presses are similar but the timing is stricter. After DFU completes, set up the device and restore your backup.
What You Need Before You Start
Two things make the reset painless: a recent backup and your Apple ID credentials. With those in place, the process is quick and your photos, messages, and settings come back during setup.
- Backups: iCloud backups run daily when charging and on Wi-Fi. Computer backups work through Finder or iTunes. If you don’t have one, you can still erase and start fresh.
- Apple ID and password: You’ll enter these to remove Activation Lock during setup. If you’ve forgotten the password, reset it at iforgot.apple.com on another device.
- A cable and internet: The restore downloads a full iOS image, so a stable connection helps.
Apple’s platform security doc explains why Activation Lock remains in place after an erase: it protects the device from reuse without the owner’s sign-in. A link to that reference is here: Activation Lock security.
Button Combos For Recovery Mode (All Models)
Use these exact presses from a powered-off state, while connected to the computer. Keep holding the final button until the recovery image appears.
| Model | Button Sequence | Screen Cue |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15/14/13/12/11/X/XS/XR | Press Volume Up once, then Volume Down once, then hold Side button | Cable-to-computer icon |
| iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen) | Press Volume Up, press Volume Down, then hold Side button | Cable-to-computer icon |
| iPhone 7/7 Plus | Hold Volume Down + Side button together | Cable-to-computer icon |
| iPhone 6s and earlier, iPhone SE (1st gen) | Hold Home + Top/Side button together | Cable-to-computer icon |
| Can’t power off or buttons flaky | Plug into computer, then try the combo for your model while connected | Recovery screen should still appear |
| Stuck in a loop after an update | Repeat the combo, then choose Restore in Finder/iTunes | Progress bar returns once restore starts |
| Recovery screen won’t show | Try DFU timing or a new cable/port | iTunes/Finder should detect a device needing restore |
What Erasing Actually Does
Erasing wipes all content and settings, removes the passcode, and reinstalls iOS. Your Apple ID lock stays in place until you sign in during setup. That’s by design. It stops anyone from reusing a wiped iPhone without the owner’s permission.
After the erase, you’ll be asked to pick one of these setup paths:
- Restore from iCloud Backup: Fast if you’ve backed up recently on Wi-Fi.
- Restore from Mac/PC: Good for large photo libraries and local encrypted backups.
- Transfer Directly from Another iPhone: Works during setup when both devices are nearby.
- Set Up as New iPhone: Clean slate when no backup exists.
Troubleshooting Common Roadblocks
Finder Or iTunes Won’t Download iOS
Quit and relaunch the app, switch USB ports, or try a different cable. A weak connection can break large downloads. If the download takes longer than 15 minutes, the phone may exit recovery; repeat the combo and click Restore again.
Errors During Restore
Update macOS or iTunes, reboot both devices, and try again. Persistent errors often clear after DFU restore. If the phone shows hardware faults, a repair visit may be needed.
Activation Lock After Erase
During setup, you’ll see a screen asking for the Apple ID and password previously used on the device. That’s Activation Lock doing its job. If the phone is yours but you can’t recall the password, reset it first, then continue. If the device came from someone else, they must remove it from their account or enter their credentials during setup.
Prevent Getting Locked Out Again
- Turn on automatic iCloud backups in Settings → your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup.
- Keep a local encrypted backup on a Mac or PC for faster full restores.
- Use a passcode you can recall, with Face ID or Touch ID switched on for daily unlocks.
- Store a copy of recovery keys for your Apple ID if you use Advanced Data Protection.
- Turn on Stolen Device Protection in iOS 17.3+ to add extra checks outside familiar locations.
Clear Clarifications
Will This Work Without My Apple ID?
The erase works, but setup will stop at Activation Lock until you sign in with the correct Apple ID. That’s non-negotiable and helps keep stolen phones useless to thieves.
Can A Shop Remove The Lock?
No. Shops can replace buttons and batteries, but they can’t clear Activation Lock. Only the signed-in owner can.
Does Ten Wrong Attempts Wipe The Phone?
Only if the Erase Data switch was turned on earlier in Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode. Many people don’t enable it. Even when it’s on, backups are still the safety net.
When friends ask how to reset iphone if password is forgotten, point them to recovery mode first; it works even when the screen says “iPhone Unavailable.” You now have clear paths that work today. Use recovery mode when a computer is handy, Find My when it’s not, and DFU if things get stubborn. With a backup and your Apple ID, you’re minutes from a clean setup.
Back up regularly.
Keep cables handy too.