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A forgotten iPhone passcode is cleared by erasing the iPhone, which can be done from the lock screen with the Apple Account password, from a computer with recovery mode, or remotely through Find Devices at icloud.com. Erasing removes the passcode and all data. After the erase, Activation Lock asks for the Apple Account that was signed in, so the account password is needed to finish the reset. A phone that is erased and free of Activation Lock is ready for Sell iPhone for Cash.
- Lock-screen erase: iOS 15.2 and later, after several wrong attempts; needs the Apple Account password and a network connection.
- Recovery mode: a Mac with Finder, or a Windows PC with the Apple Devices app or iTunes.
- Find Devices: icloud.com/find erases the phone remotely.
- After any erase: Activation Lock asks for the Apple Account password.
How do I erase an iPhone without the passcode?
Erase an iPhone without the passcode in one of 3 ways, depending on what is available:
| Method | Needs | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Lock-screen erase | iOS 15.2 or later, Wi-Fi or cellular, the Apple Account password | The phone is in hand and online |
| Recovery mode | A Mac or Windows PC and a cable | The phone is offline or runs older iOS |
| Find Devices at icloud.com | Find My turned on, the Apple Account password | The phone is online but not in hand |
The lock-screen erase takes 5 steps:
- Enter wrong passcodes until the iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout screen appears.
- Tap Forgot Passcode? at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Start iPhone Reset, or Erase iPhone on iOS 15.2 to iOS 16.
- Enter the Apple Account password to sign out.
- Tap Erase iPhone again to delete all content and settings.
How does recovery mode work?
Recovery mode works by putting the iPhone into a state where a computer can reinstall iOS and erase the phone without the passcode. The process takes 5 steps:
- Turn off the iPhone and connect it to a Mac or Windows PC with a cable.
- Open Finder on a Mac, or the Apple Devices app or iTunes on Windows.
- Hold the button for the model until the recovery mode screen appears.
- Choose Restore when the computer shows the Restore or Update prompt.
- Wait for the computer to download iOS and restore the phone.
When the download takes more than 15 minutes, the iPhone leaves recovery mode; repeat the button steps. How to Put an iPhone in Recovery Mode (Every Model) lists the buttons for each model.
What if Activation Lock appears afterwards?
Activation Lock appears after an erase when the iPhone was still linked to an Apple Account with Find My on. The setup screen asks for that account's email and password. The table lists the ways to clear it.
| Situation | How to clear Activation Lock |
|---|---|
| You know the Apple Account password | Enter it on the Activation Lock screen |
| You forgot the Apple Account password | Reset it at iforgot.apple.com, then enter the new password |
| The phone is linked to another person's account | Ask that person to remove it at icloud.com/find |
| You are the original owner with proof of purchase | Submit an Activation Lock support request to Apple |
An iPhone that stays Activation Locked cannot be sold for its working value. How to Turn Off Find My iPhone Before Selling covers the account step.
Can I reset the passcode without erasing?
A passcode can be reset without erasing only in one case: on iOS 17 and later, within 72 hours of changing it, the previous passcode can be used. On the iPhone Unavailable screen, tap Forgot Passcode?, choose Enter Previous Passcode and set a new one. In every other case, the only way to remove a forgotten passcode is to erase the iPhone, and data not in a backup is lost.
Will I lose my data?
Erasing the iPhone deletes all data on it, so only data in an iCloud backup, a computer backup or iCloud sync services remains. Check the latest backup at icloud.com or in the Apple Account's device list before erasing. Photos in iCloud Photos, messages in Messages in iCloud, contacts and notes synced to iCloud are restored when the account signs in on another device.
How many wrong attempts lock the iPhone?
An iPhone shows a lockout timer after several wrong passcodes in a row, starting with 1 minute and increasing with each further mistake. After a series of wrong attempts, the phone shows iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout, and the Forgot Passcode? option appears on iOS 15.2 and later. When Erase Data is turned on in Face ID & Passcode settings, the phone erases itself after 10 wrong attempts.
Does a forgotten passcode lower the sale price?
A forgotten passcode does not lower the sale price once the phone is erased and Activation Lock is removed. The offer depends on model, storage, carrier lock status and condition. A phone that cannot be erased, or that stays Activation Locked, cannot be tested and cannot be bought at a working price. How Much Is an iCloud-Locked iPhone Worth? explains locked phones.
How do I erase with Find Devices?
Erase with Find Devices in 5 steps:
- Sign in at icloud.com/find with the Apple Account.
- Select the iPhone from All Devices.
- Choose Erase This Device and confirm.
- Wait until the phone connects to the internet and completes the erase.
- Choose Remove This Device to remove it from the account and turn off Activation Lock.
Removing the device from the account after the erase is the step that frees the phone for a buyer. How to Remove an iPhone From Your Apple Account Before You Sell covers that step.
Which iOS versions show the lock-screen erase?
The lock-screen erase option appears on iOS 15.2 and later. iOS 17 renamed the option to Forgot Passcode? and Start iPhone Reset, and added the 72-hour previous passcode option. Phones on iOS 15.1 or earlier require recovery mode or Find Devices. Every iPhone bought by most buybacks, iPhone 11 and later plus iPhone SE 2nd generation and later, supports iOS 15.2 or newer.
What if I bought the iPhone used and do not know the passcode?
A used iPhone bought without the passcode can be erased with recovery mode, but Activation Lock then asks for the previous owner's Apple Account. Contact the seller to remove the phone from their account at icloud.com/find. Without that removal, the phone cannot be set up. Bought a Used iPhone That Is Locked? What to Do explains the options.
How do I find my Apple Account email?
Find the Apple Account email on another signed-in Apple device in Settings > your name, in old emails from Apple such as purchase receipts, or with the account lookup at iforgot.apple.com, which accepts a first name, last name and email address. The email is needed to clear Activation Lock after the erase.
Does recovery mode work on a broken iPhone?
Recovery mode works on an iPhone with a cracked screen or failed Face ID, as long as the phone powers on, the buttons work and the charging port connects to a computer. A phone with a dead logic board or a failed port cannot enter recovery mode. Phones that cannot be erased can still be sold in some cases. How Much Is a Broken iPhone Worth? Fault-by-Fault Guide explains pricing by fault.
How long does the reset take?
The lock-screen erase usually takes 5–15 minutes. Recovery mode usually takes 15–45 minutes, mostly for the iOS download, which is several gigabytes. Find Devices erases the phone when it next connects to the internet. After any erase, setup and sign-out take another 5 minutes.
What should I do after the reset?
After the reset, complete 4 steps before shipping:
- Enter the Apple Account password at the Activation Lock screen, or remove the phone from the account at icloud.com/find.
- Stop at the Hello screen; setting up the phone again is not needed.
- Request a quote with the model, storage, carrier status and condition.
- Pack the phone and ship it within the quote's 14-day validity.
How to Factory Reset an iPhone Before Selling It confirms the final state the phone should be in.
Which reset method fits my situation?
The right reset method depends on 4 conditions. The table matches each situation to a method.
| Situation | Recommended method |
|---|---|
| Phone in hand, online, iOS 15.2 or later, account password known | Lock-screen erase |
| Phone in hand, offline or on older iOS | Recovery mode with a computer |
| Phone not in hand but online, Find My on | Find Devices at icloud.com |
| Passcode changed in the last 72 hours on iOS 17 or later | Enter Previous Passcode, with no erase |
| Account password unknown | Reset it at iforgot.apple.com first |
How do I reset a forgotten Apple Account password?
Reset a forgotten Apple Account password at iforgot.apple.com, or in Settings on another signed-in Apple device, in 4 steps:
- Enter the Apple Account email or phone number.
- Confirm the trusted phone number linked to the account.
- Approve the reset on a trusted device, or receive a code by text.
- Set a new password.
When no trusted device or number is available, Apple's account recovery process restores access after a waiting period that can last several days. The new password then clears Activation Lock on the erased iPhone. How to Sign Out of iCloud Without a Password covers account recovery.
Does a company or school iPhone reset the same way?
A company or school iPhone enrolled in device management resets the same way, but it can return to the organization's management after the erase when it is assigned in Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager. The organization's administrator must release the phone before it is sold. How to Check an iPhone for an MDM Profile explains how to confirm management status.
Can a buyback erase a passcode-locked iPhone for me?
A buyback can erase a passcode-locked iPhone during testing, but it cannot remove Activation Lock, because only the account owner or Apple can do that. Sellers who cannot complete the reset themselves can still request a quote and remove the phone from their account at icloud.com/find before shipping. That removal is the step that lets the phone pass inspection at a working-phone grade.
Is the reset different on an iPhone SE?
The reset is the same on an iPhone SE, except the recovery mode button steps use the side button and volume buttons on the SE 2nd and 3rd generation.
Frequently asked questions about a forgotten iPhone passcode
How do I reset my iPhone if I forgot the passcode?
Reset an iPhone with a forgotten passcode from the lock screen on iOS 15.2 and later by tapping Forgot Passcode? after several wrong attempts and entering the Apple Account password. Recovery mode on a Mac or Windows PC and Find Devices at icloud.com are the other 2 methods. Each method erases all data on the phone.
Can I sell an iPhone if I forgot the passcode?
An iPhone with a forgotten passcode can be sold after it is erased and removed from the Apple Account, which clears the passcode and Activation Lock. The offer then depends on model, storage, carrier status and condition. A phone that stays Activation Locked cannot be tested and is not bought at a working price.
Does recovery mode remove the passcode?
Recovery mode removes the passcode by restoring iOS and erasing the iPhone through a computer. It does not remove Activation Lock, so the setup screen asks for the Apple Account that was signed in. Enter that account's password, or remove the device from the account at icloud.com/find, to finish the reset.
Can I reset my iPhone passcode without losing data?
A passcode can be reset without losing data only on iOS 17 and later, within 72 hours of changing it, by entering the previous passcode on the iPhone Unavailable screen. In all other cases, the phone must be erased, and only data in an iCloud backup, a computer backup or iCloud sync services is kept.
What happens if I enter the wrong passcode too many times?
Repeated wrong passcodes cause lockout timers that increase in length, and then the iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout screen, which offers Forgot Passcode? on iOS 15.2 and later. When the Erase Data setting is on, the phone erases itself after 10 wrong attempts. Activation Lock stays on after either erase.
Sources and references
- Apple Support: if you forgot your iPhone passcode.
- Apple Support: reset your iPhone passcode with your previous passcode.
- Apple Support: Activation Lock for iPhone, and Activation Lock support requests.