How to Factory Reset iPhone without Apple ID Password

Forgetting your Apple ID password can feel like being locked out of your digital life, especially when you need to factory reset your iPhone. 

Whether you’re preparing to sell your device, troubleshooting persistent issues, or dealing with a second-hand phone, the Activation Lock tied to your Apple ID can be a major hurdle. But don’t worry! It’s absolutely possible to factory reset your iPhone without the current Apple ID password. This comprehensive guide details three reliable methods, ranging from the official Apple approach to third-party tools.

What is a Factory Reset and Why Would You Need One?

A factory reset restores your iPhone to its original factory settings, erasing all personal data, apps, photos, and settings in the process. It’s useful when you’re experiencing persistent issues with your iPhone, preparing to sell it, or if you’ve forgotten important passwords. While forgetting your Apple ID password might not prevent you from using your device for a while, it can become an obstacle when trying to erase data or make changes to iCloud settings.

If you find yourself in this situation, the good news is that there are ways to bypass this barrier and perform a factory reset without needing the Apple ID password. Here are the three most effective methods you can use:

Method 1: Reset Apple ID Password

If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID password, the first step is of course to reset it. By resetting your Apple ID password, you can regain full access to essential Apple services, and importantly, the ability to factory reset your iPhone.

If you’re using a trusted iPhone, resetting your Apple ID password is quick and hassle-free. You won’t need to verify your identity through your email or any additional recovery methods.

1. Open Settings and go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings, then tap Continue.
2. Enter your iPhone passcode when prompted.
3. When asked for the Apple ID password, tap Forgot Passcode.
4. Enter your iPhone passcode again.
5. You’ll now be prompted to enter a new password for your Apple ID.
6. Your Apple ID password is changed immediately. Tap Done.

7. Finally, enter your new Apple ID password, then tap Turn Off, and tap Erase iPhone to begin the factory reset.

Method 2: Factory Reset iPhone with iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer

If resetting your Apple ID password isn’t an option, using a reliable third-party tool is your next best option. iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer is a powerful solution that allows you to factory reset your iPhone without knowing the Apple ID password. 

1. Download and install iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable.
3. Launch iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer and choose Remove Apple ID.

4. Once your iPhone is detected, click Start to begin the process.

5. When prompted, enter 0000 and click Next.

6. Enter 0000 again to confirm and click Next once more.

7. Click Download to get the necessary firmware package for your iPhone.

8. Once the firmware is ready, click Remove. The software will then begin to factory reset your iPhone and remove the Apple ID from the device.

9. Once the process completes, a success message will appear. Your iPhone has now been reset to factory settings.

10. Set up your iPhone from scratch, and when you see the Activation Lock screen during the process, tap Unlock with Passcode. Then select Use Device Passcode and enter the passcode that was previously used to unlock the iPhone to bypass the Apple ID requirement.

11. You’ll now be able to proceed with the setup process and access the home screen without needing the Apple ID password.

Method 3: Factory Reset iPhone with iTunes/Finder

If you prefer not to use third-party software, you can factory reset your iPhone using iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on macOS). This method involves manually putting your device into recovery mode, which allows you to restore your iPhone to factory settings without needing your Apple ID password.

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Boot your iPhone into recovery mode.

• For iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.
• For iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down and Side buttons together until the recovery mode screen shows.
• For iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold both the Home and Top (or Side) buttons until the recovery screen appears.

3. Open iTunes on your Windows PC or Finder if you’re using a Mac.
4. When iTunes/Finder detects your iPhone and displays a dialog box containing update and restore options, select Restore.

5. Click Restore and Update to confirm, then follow the on-screen prompts to begin the process.
6. Once the restore process is complete, your iPhone will reboot, and you can then begin the setup process as if the device were new.
7. When you see the Activation Lock screen during the setup process, just choose to unlock it using the device password.

Conclusion

Forgetting your Apple ID password doesn’t mean you’re locked out of your iPhone forever. In this guide, we’ve covered three effective methods for factory resetting your iPhone without needing the Apple ID password. Whether you choose to reset your Apple ID password, use iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer, or perform a factory reset with iTunes, you can regain access to your device with ease.