[Comprehensive Guide] How to Factory Restore a Locked iPhone?

When your iPhone is locked and cannot be unlocked, performing a factory reset is an effective method to help you erase all data and reset the device. How do you wipe a locked iPhone? This article will explain how to factory restore a locked iPhone, providing several methods to restore your device to factory settings, whether you've forgotten the password or are facing a screen lock issue.

Part 1. How to Factory Restore a Locked iPhone via iPhone Unlocker

The most trusted and reliable method to reset an iPhone without a password is to use a professional iOS unlocking tool, such as the iPhone Unlocker. It can help you easily remove the iPhone lock screen password and perform a factory reset without the need for iTunes.

Key features of iPhone Unlocker:

• Perform a factory reset on a locked iPhone without the passcode.
• Quickly reset your Apple ID password without the original password.
• Recover or remove the Screen Time passcode without losing any data.
• Quickly remove MDM (Mobile Device Management) from your iPhone or iPad.
• Clear iTunes backup encryption settings from your iPhone or iPad with just one click.
• Support almost all iPhone models, including the latest iPhone 16/15/14, etc (iOS 18 supported).

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Free Download for Mac

Here is how to wipe iPhone when locked using iPhone Unlocker:

Part 2. How to Wipe a Locked iPhone Using iTunes

If you prefer not to use third-party software to unlock your iPhone, iTunes is another option for erasing your iPhone, including the passcode. To reset a locked iPhone using iTunes, you'll first need to put the device into recovery mode.

Here is how to wipe a locked iPhone using iTunes:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a computer you've previously synced with using a USB cable, and open iTunes.

Step 2. Depending on your iPhone model, follow the steps below to enter recovery mode:

• iPhone 8 and later: Press and release the "Volume Up" button, then press and release the "Volume Down" button. Finally, press and hold the "Side" button until the recovery mode screen appears.
• iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold both the "Power" button and the "Volume Down" button until the recovery mode screen appears.
• iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold both the "Power" button and the "Home" button until the recovery mode screen appears.

Step 3. Once your iPhone enters recovery mode, iTunes will automatically prompt you with options to restore or update. Select "Restore" to begin the factory reset process.

Part 3. How to Clear a Locked iPhone with iCloud

If you have enabled "Find My iPhone" on your locked iPhone, you can remotely restore it to factory settings through iCloud.

Here is how to wipe iPhone when locked with iCloud:

Step 1. Open a browser on your computer or another device and go to the iCloud website. Log in with your Apple ID.

Step 2. Once you're on the main screen, click on "Find My iPhone".

Step 3. In the device list, select the locked iPhone and click "Erase iPhone" to restore it to factory settings. Once completed, all data on the iPhone will be erased, and the lock screen passcode will be removed.

Part 4. How to Factory Reset a Password Locked iPhone Without Computer

For iOS 15.2 and later, Apple introduced a new security feature that allows users to restore their iPhone to factory settings directly from the lock screen without a computer, but a Wi-Fi or cellular network connection is required.

Here is how to clear a locked iPhone without a computer:

Step 1. Enter the wrong lock screen passcode several times until the "Security Lockout" message appears.

Step 2. On the lock screen, tap the "Erase iPhone" option and confirm the action.

Step 3. Enter the Apple ID password associated with the iPhone. The device will begin erasing all data and restoring to factory settings.

Takeaway

That's all about how to factory restore a locked iPhone. Among these methods, the iPhone Unlocker is a professional and convenient tool, ideal for users who want to quickly and securely restore their device to factory settings. It requires no complicated steps and can easily unlock the device even if you've forgotten the password or the device is unresponsive.

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