How to Erase an iPhone without Passcode? - 4 Easy Ways

Clare Weaver
Last updated: Dec 27, 2023
Summary: This post will provide you with 4 effective ways to erase an iPhone without passcode. Keep reading!

What does "erase an iPhone" mean?

Erasing an iPhone means that all of your content and settings from your iPhone would be permanently removed.

This feature is extremely helpful when you are going to sell your iPhone, trade it in, give it away, etc., which gives you an easy and convenient way to protect your personal data. But don't forget to back up your important data first.

In this post, you will learn how to erase an iPhone without passcode in 4 different ways. Read on to learn more useful information.

Erase an iPhone without Passcode

How to Erase an iPhone without Passcode via Find My

If you have two or more Apple devices, erasing everything on iPhone without password or passcode would be super convenient.

Here is how to erase everything from an iPhone without password if you have signed in with the same Apple ID as your iPhone on that device:

Open Find My app>Devices>Tap your iPhone's icon>Erase This Device.

Erase iPhone with Find My

If you borrowed another Apple device or you haven't signed in with your Apple ID:

  1. Open Find My on another device.
  2. Tap Me and scroll down to find Help a Friend and tap it.
  3. Tap Sign In>Use a different Apple ID and sign in with your Apple ID.
  4. Tap your iPhone’s icon and then Erase This Device.

Also, you can visit icloud.com to get access to the Find My feature to erase your iPhone.

The Find My feature allows you to erase an iPhone remotely. By using icloud.com to erase your iPhone, you also need to sign in with your Apple ID.

How to Erase Everything from an iPhone via iTunes/Finder

Using iTunes/Finder to wipe an iPhone without passcode requires you to do it with a computer. Preparing a USB cable and a computer first, and then wiping an iPhone without passcode via iTunes/Finder.

In the case that you have synced and trusted your iPhone with your computer before:

  1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
  2. Open iTunes/Finder.
  3. Click your iPhone's icon on the left sidebar>Restore.
    Wipe an iPhone with Finder

In the case that you have never synced and trusted your iPhone with your computer before:

  1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
  2. Open iTunes/Finder.
  3. Put your iPhone in Recovery Mode.
  • For iPhone 8 or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation):

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button>press and release the Volume Down button> press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.

  • For iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus:

Press and hold the Top( or Side) and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the recovery mode screen appears.

  • For iPhone 6s or earlier, including iPhone SE(1st generation):

Press and hold both the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons simultaneously until the recovery mode screen appears.

  1. Click Restore.
    Wipe an iPhone in Recovery Mode
  2. Set up your iPhone.

How to Erase Everything on iPhone without Passcode via BuhoUnlocker

Erasing an iPhone without passcode using an iPhone unlocker - BuhoUnlocker is more convenient and easier. It offers you effective and reliable service to erase an iPhone.

Here is how to erase an iPhone without passcode via BuhoUnlocker:

DownloadRuns on Windows & Mac
Security Verified & 100% Safe
  1. Free download, install, and launch BuhoUnlocker.
  2. Click Unlock Screen PasscodeStart.
    Unlock Screen Passcode with BuhoUnlocker
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to put your iPhone in recovery mode.
  4. Click Download to download the latest firmware for your iPhone.
  5. Wait for the download process to be completed. Once completed, click Start Unlock.
  6. Set up your iPhone as a new one.
Note
It's worth noting that while using this unlocking tool, you'd better ensure your Find My is off. Or your iPhone may be locked of Activation Lock.

How to Erase an iPhone without Passcode via DFU Mode

In most cases, recovery mode can help you erase an iPhone successfully. However, there are still some occasional failures.

Put your iPhone in DFU mode if the occasional failures happen.

Here is how to erase an iPhone without passcode via DFU mode:

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer via a USB cable.
  2. Put your iPhone in DFU mode:
  • For iPhone 8 and later:

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button>Quickly press and release the Volume Down button>Press and hold the Side button until your screen goes black>Press and hold the Side button and the Volume Down button at the same time.

After 5 seconds, release the Side button while holding down the Volume Down button until you see a popup in Finder or iTunes saying your iPhone is in DFU mode.

  • For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

Press the Side button and the Volume Down button at the same time.

After about 8 seconds, release the Side button while holding down the Volume Down button until you see a popup in Finder or iTunes saying your iPhone is in DFU mode.

  • For iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, and Earlier

Press and hold the Home button and the Side button at the same time.

When the screen goes black, release the Side button while holding down the Home button until Finder or iTunes shows that your iPhone is in DFU mode.

  1. Click Restore iPhone.
    Erase an iPhone via DFU Mode
  2. Set up your iPhone.

How to Erase an iPhone via Settings

The easiest and most convenient way to erase an iPhone is to use Settings. And here is how to erase an iPhone via Settings:

  1. Open SettingsGeneralTransfer or Reset iPhone.
  2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
    Erase all content and settings of iPhone
  3. Enter your passcode or Apple ID password.
  4. Wait for the erasing process to be completed.

It will ask you to enter your Apple ID and password before resetting if you turn on the Find My feature.

Final Words

After finishing this post, are you clear about how to erase an iPhone without passcode? Practice the methods.

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Clare Weaver

Clare Weaver has been captivated by the world of Apple products since the launch of iconic iPhone in 2007. With a wealth of experience, Clare is your go-to source for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and all things Apple.