If you’ve tried to erase your iPhone, you’ve probably noticed that it asks for the Apple ID password to proceed. But what happens if you don’t have the Apple ID password? This situation can happen if you’ve forgotten your password, or if you’ve acquired a second-hand iPhone that’s still signed into the previous owner’s Apple ID.
Ideally, you’d reset the Apple ID password or contact the previous owner for help. However, if neither option is available and you still need to perform a factory reset, this guide will walk you through how to reset your iPhone without the Apple ID password.
A Computer: To reset an iPhone without the Apple ID password, you’ll need a computer—either a Mac or a Windows PC. By connecting your iPhone to a computer, you can access recovery mode to initiate a factory reset, bypassing the need for an Apple ID password.
An iPhone Management Tool: Simply connecting your iPhone to a computer won’t automatically reset it. You’ll need an Apple tool like iTunes, Apple Devices, or Finder, or you can use a third-party option like iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer. These tools enable you to reset your iPhone to factory settings without entering the Apple ID password.
Device Unlock Passcode: Resetting an iPhone without entering the Apple ID password can trigger Activation Lock. To remove this, you may need the device’s unlock passcode.
Apple offers tools like iTunes, Apple Devices, and Finder, allowing you to factory reset your iPhone from a computer without needing the Apple ID password.
1. Connect Your iPhone: Use a compatible USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Enter Recovery Mode: On your iPhone, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then do the same with the Volume Down button. Afterward, hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.
3. Open the Software: On a Windows computer, open iTunes or Apple Devices. If you’re using a Mac, open Finder.
4. Select Restore: The software will immediately detect that your iPhone is in recovery mode and prompt you that you need to update or restore it. Choose Restore to proceed.
5. Follow the Instructions: Complete the on-screen steps to start the reset process. This will restore your iPhone to factory settings without requiring the Apple ID password.
If you’re having trouble with official tools, a third-party tool like iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer can help you reset your iPhone without the Apple ID password. Here is how to use it:
1. Download and Install: Start by downloading and installing iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer on your Windows PC or Mac, then open the program.
2. Connect Your iPhone: Use a compatible USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer, then put your iPhone into recovery mode.
3. Select Unlock Lock Screen: On iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer, select Unlock Lock Screen from the options.
4. Recognize Your iPhone: Click Start and then Next. The software will automatically recognize your iPhone.
5. Download Firmware: Click Download to get the necessary firmware for resetting your device.
6. Begin Factory Reset: Once downloaded, click Unlock to start the process.
7. Complete Reset: When the software displays a success message, your iPhone has been reset to factory settings.
Once your iPhone is reset, it will function like a new device, requiring setup before it can be used again. During setup, you may see the “iPhone Locked to Owner” screen, asking for the previous Apple ID and password. This screen appears due to Apple’s Activation Lock feature, which prevents unauthorized access after a factory reset. Activation Lock is triggered when the Apple ID password isn’t entered to disable Find My iPhone prior to resetting.
To bypass this lock, you can select Unlock with Passcode (if available) on the screen, then enter the device passcode to remove the lock and complete setup.
However, if Unlock with Passcode isn’t an option, removing the activation lock becomes more challenging. In this case, you may need to contact Apple Support and provide valid proof of ownership to regain access. If Apple Support cannot assist, you can try an iCloud Activation Lock removal tool like iSumsoft iLock Refixer. Simply install and run the program on your computer, then choose the Bypass ID option to bypass the lock.
Note that this approach is temporary—each time you restart or reset your iPhone, the activation lock will reappear, requiring you to bypass it again.
Due to the Activation Lock feature, the iPhone asks for the Apple ID password when you erase and reset it. If you don’t have the password, you can still reset your iPhone from a computer using tools like iTunes, Apple Devices, Finder, or a trusted third-party option like iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer. However, after the factory reset, you’ll still need to address the activation lock screen before being able to use your device again. If you know the screen passcode, you may be able to remove the activation lock without any trouble; if not, contacting Apple Support or using an activation lock removal tool may be necessary. Be aware that resetting an iPhone with Find My enabled and without the Apple ID password involves some risk, so proceed cautiously.
Ideally, you’d reset the Apple ID password or contact the previous owner for help. However, if neither option is available and you still need to perform a factory reset, this guide will walk you through how to reset your iPhone without the Apple ID password.
What You’ll Need
A Computer: To reset an iPhone without the Apple ID password, you’ll need a computer—either a Mac or a Windows PC. By connecting your iPhone to a computer, you can access recovery mode to initiate a factory reset, bypassing the need for an Apple ID password.
An iPhone Management Tool: Simply connecting your iPhone to a computer won’t automatically reset it. You’ll need an Apple tool like iTunes, Apple Devices, or Finder, or you can use a third-party option like iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer. These tools enable you to reset your iPhone to factory settings without entering the Apple ID password.
Device Unlock Passcode: Resetting an iPhone without entering the Apple ID password can trigger Activation Lock. To remove this, you may need the device’s unlock passcode.
Method 1: Factory Reset iPhone Using Apple’s Official Tools
Apple offers tools like iTunes, Apple Devices, and Finder, allowing you to factory reset your iPhone from a computer without needing the Apple ID password.
1. Connect Your iPhone: Use a compatible USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Enter Recovery Mode: On your iPhone, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then do the same with the Volume Down button. Afterward, hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.
3. Open the Software: On a Windows computer, open iTunes or Apple Devices. If you’re using a Mac, open Finder.
4. Select Restore: The software will immediately detect that your iPhone is in recovery mode and prompt you that you need to update or restore it. Choose Restore to proceed.
5. Follow the Instructions: Complete the on-screen steps to start the reset process. This will restore your iPhone to factory settings without requiring the Apple ID password.
Method 2: Factory Reset iPhone with a Third-Party Tool
If you’re having trouble with official tools, a third-party tool like iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer can help you reset your iPhone without the Apple ID password. Here is how to use it:
1. Download and Install: Start by downloading and installing iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer on your Windows PC or Mac, then open the program.
2. Connect Your iPhone: Use a compatible USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer, then put your iPhone into recovery mode.
3. Select Unlock Lock Screen: On iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer, select Unlock Lock Screen from the options.
4. Recognize Your iPhone: Click Start and then Next. The software will automatically recognize your iPhone.
5. Download Firmware: Click Download to get the necessary firmware for resetting your device.
6. Begin Factory Reset: Once downloaded, click Unlock to start the process.
7. Complete Reset: When the software displays a success message, your iPhone has been reset to factory settings.
What to Do Next After Resetting Your iPhone without Apple ID
Once your iPhone is reset, it will function like a new device, requiring setup before it can be used again. During setup, you may see the “iPhone Locked to Owner” screen, asking for the previous Apple ID and password. This screen appears due to Apple’s Activation Lock feature, which prevents unauthorized access after a factory reset. Activation Lock is triggered when the Apple ID password isn’t entered to disable Find My iPhone prior to resetting.
To bypass this lock, you can select Unlock with Passcode (if available) on the screen, then enter the device passcode to remove the lock and complete setup.
However, if Unlock with Passcode isn’t an option, removing the activation lock becomes more challenging. In this case, you may need to contact Apple Support and provide valid proof of ownership to regain access. If Apple Support cannot assist, you can try an iCloud Activation Lock removal tool like iSumsoft iLock Refixer. Simply install and run the program on your computer, then choose the Bypass ID option to bypass the lock.
Note that this approach is temporary—each time you restart or reset your iPhone, the activation lock will reappear, requiring you to bypass it again.
Conclusion
Due to the Activation Lock feature, the iPhone asks for the Apple ID password when you erase and reset it. If you don’t have the password, you can still reset your iPhone from a computer using tools like iTunes, Apple Devices, Finder, or a trusted third-party option like iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer. However, after the factory reset, you’ll still need to address the activation lock screen before being able to use your device again. If you know the screen passcode, you may be able to remove the activation lock without any trouble; if not, contacting Apple Support or using an activation lock removal tool may be necessary. Be aware that resetting an iPhone with Find My enabled and without the Apple ID password involves some risk, so proceed cautiously.
