How to reset an iPhone without knowing your password
- You can reset an iPhone by putting it into recovery mode or erasing it via Find My.
- If the iPhone's password is unknown, or it's been disabled, you'll need to reset it to use it.
- Once you've reset your iPhone, you can use an iCloud backup to restore its data.
iPhones are notoriously difficult to break into. If you have a unique passcode set up, it's almost impossible for someone to get in without your permission.
But this also works the other way around. If you need to open an iPhone but don't have the password, or it's disabled, your only option to unlock it is to do a factory reset.
Luckily, there are two ways to reset an iPhone without the password so you can access it.
How to reset an iPhone using Finder or iTunes
You can use a computer to access recovery mode and reset your iPhone to get in without the password. If you have a Mac you'll be using Finder, and if it's a PC you'll be using iTunes — which you need to download first.
1. Turn the iPhone off. The exact way to do this will depend on what kind of iPhone you have:
iPhone model | How to turn off |
iPhone 13, iPhone 12s, iPhone 11s, iPhone X/XR/XS, iPhone 8s, and iPhone SE (second generation) | Press and hold the Lock and Volume Down buttons until the power slider appears on screen, then swipe it. |
iPhone SE (first generation), iPhone 7 Plus, and earlier | Press and hold the Lock button until the power slider appears on screen, then swipe it. |
2. Once your iPhone is off, plug it into your computer and put it into recovery mode. To do this, you'll need to press a certain combination of buttons:
iPhone model | Buttons to press for recovery mode |
iPhone 13, iPhone 12s, iPhone 11s, iPhone X/XR/XS, iPhone 8s, and iPhone SE (second and third generations) | Press and hold the side button. |
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus | Press and hold the Volume Down button. |
iPhone SE (first generation), iPhone 6S, and earlier | Press and hold the Home button. |
3. Keep holding the button and connect the phone to your laptop. Keep holding the button until the recovery mode screen appears. It'll have a picture of a laptop with a charging cable.
4. Once ready, open Finder or iTunes and open the iPhone menu. If you're using Finder, click your iPhone's name in the left sidebar. In iTunes, click the iPhone icon in the upper-left corner.
5. You'll be shown a message saying that the iPhone has a "problem" and needs to be updated or restored. Select Restore.
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6. Keep your iPhone connected to the computer as it resets and restores the iPhone. Time can vary, so be patient.
Once the process finishes, turn your iPhone on and set it up like a new device. When you're asked if you'd like to restore data from a backup, feel free to sign into iCloud and do so.
How to reset an iPhone using Find My
If you have an Apple ID account, your iPhone is probably connected to Find My, Apple's global device tracking network. This service also lets you reset and erase your iPhone without having the password for it.
1. On a computer, go to iCloud's website and log into your account.
2. In the main menu, click Find iPhone.
Apple; William Antonelli/Insider
3. You'll be given a map of all your devices. Click All Devices at the top and then select your iPhone.
4. In the pop-up menu that appears, click Erase iPhone.
Apple; William Antonelli/Insider
5. Enter your Apple ID password to erase your iPhone. You may be prompted to answer a security question if you aren't using a trusted browser.
As long as your iPhone is on and connected to the internet, it'll be reset immediately.