To erase a locked iPhone, put it into Recovery Mode and restore it from a trusted computer.
A locked iPhone feels like a dead end, but one recovery sequence can wipe both the passcode and the data, returning it to factory settings. This method works whether you forgot the passcode or the phone is disabled after too many wrong attempts. The whole process takes under an hour, and you don’t need any third-party tools.
The only way to erase a locked iPhone is to connect it to a computer and use Recovery Mode. Here’s how to do it.
How To Put A Locked iPhone Into Recovery Mode
Recovery Mode is a special boot state that lets the computer communicate with the iPhone without unlocking the screen. Holding the correct button combination for your specific model triggers it. The table below shows exactly which buttons to press for each generation.
| Step | iPhone 8 or later | iPhone 7 / 7 Plus | iPhone 6s and earlier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connect to computer | Plug cable into Mac (Finder) or PC (Apple Devices app or iTunes) | Same | Same |
| Enter Recovery Mode | Press Volume Up (quickly release), then Volume Down (quickly release), then hold Side button | Hold Volume Down + Sleep/Wake button simultaneously | Hold Home + Sleep/Wake buttons together |
| Release buttons when | Computer icon or iTunes logo appears on screen | Same | Same |
| Choose action on computer | Click Restore when the prompt appears (not Update) | Same | Same |
| Wait for download | iPhone downloads firmware (may take 5–15 minutes) | Same | Same |
| Hello screen appears | The iPhone reboots to the Hello language-selection screen | Same | Same |
| Set up or restore backup | Choose Set Up as New or restore from iCloud or computer backup | Same | Same |
If the restore download takes longer than 15 minutes, the iPhone may exit Recovery Mode. Simply repeat the button sequence to get back to that screen.
What Happens After The Restore
Once the restore finishes, the iPhone restarts and shows the Hello screen. From there you can set it up as a new device or restore from a backup you made earlier. One important catch: if Find My was enabled before the phone was locked, Activation Lock kicks in after the restore, and you’ll need the original Apple Account email and password to proceed. Erasing via Recovery Mode does not bypass this requirement.
Why A Force Restart Won’t Erase A Locked iPhone
A force restart—pressing Volume Up, Volume Down, then holding the Side button—only reboots the phone. It doesn’t touch the lock screen or erase any data. Apple’s official documentation makes this distinction clear: the button sequence for Recovery Mode produces a computer icon or iTunes logo, while a force restart shows only the Apple logo. If you see the Apple logo, you didn’t enter Recovery Mode.
Alternative: Erase From Settings (Only If You Know Your Passcode)
If you do know the passcode, a faster option exists without a computer. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. You’ll need the passcode and, if Find My is on, the Apple Account password. This method wipes the phone in a few minutes but offers no advantage for a locked device where the passcode is unknown.
| Method | Requires Passcode | Requires Computer | Data Saved | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery Mode restore | No | Yes | No (all data erased) | Locked/disabled iPhone with unknown passcode |
| Settings erase | Yes | No | Optionally via iCloud backup | Phone is accessible and passcode is known |
| Third-party unlocker tools | Sometimes | Some do | Unreliable | Avoid unless official method is impossible |
Things To Know Before You Start
A few details can make or break the process:
- The iPhone must be connected using a cable that supports data transfer; charging-only cables won’t work.
- On a Windows PC without the Apple Devices app, use the latest version of iTunes.
- Physically damaged buttons or a broken screen may prevent entering Recovery Mode. In that case, Apple’s official guidance applies only to functional hardware.
- Third-party unlocker tools exist online, but the official recovery method is the lower-risk option and is directly supported by Apple.
Erasing Your Locked iPhone: The Step Sequence
These four actions get the job done every time:
- Connect the iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC using a data cable.
- Enter Recovery Mode using the button sequence for your model (see first table above).
- On the computer, click Restore when the prompt offers Restore or Update.
- Wait for the Hello screen to appear, then set up the iPhone as new or from a backup.
References & Sources
- Apple. “If you forgot your iPhone passcode.” Official guide to erasing a locked iPhone using Recovery Mode on Mac or PC.