In iOS 15.1 or earlier iOS versions, entering the wrong passcode multiple times will disable your iPhone and prompt you to restore the locked iPhone using Finder/ iTunes. While the process of recovering a disabled iPhone from a computer is reliable, it is quite tedious and not useful for everyone. Fortunately, Apple now offers a better way to deal with this predicament! With iOS 15.2 or later, you can erase and reset a locked iPhone without a computer using your Apple ID and password.
How to Erase and Reset a Locked iPhone or iPad without a Computer (2022)
The latest version of iOS comes with three notable account management features, including: Digital Legacy, iCloud Account Recovery, and the newly added option to erase and restore disabled iPhone without Mac or Windows PC. If you’ve ever forgotten your iPhone passcode, you’re familiar with the frustration and long-standing method of resetting the locked device. Before going through the steps, let’s take a look at how it works and what to consider.
How can you easily reset a locked iPhone with iOS 15.2?
In iOS 15.2 or later, when your iPhone is in security lock mode, an option to erase the device will appear directly on the screen. Therefore, you no longer have to rely on your Mac or PC to recover the device.
Before you can wipe and reset your device, you will be prompted to enter your Apple ID references, which is indispensable from a security perspective. Once that’s done, you can restore iPhone from a recent iCloud backup and also set a new passcode. So if you have the iCloud backup, you can restore the device without any pain.
Things to keep in mind when resetting locked iPhone in iOS 15.2 or later
It’s important to note that the new method requires your iPhone or iPad to be connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network. And if you reboot your device while it’s in “Security Lock” mode, you won’t be allowed to reconnect to a Wi-Fi network until your device is unlocked.
Restore a locked iPhone in iOS 15.2 or later
1. Assuming your iPhone or iPad is in security lock mode, tap the erase iPhone/ erase iPad option at the bottom. If the device is not in security lock mode, enter the wrong passcode several times until you are prompted to try again later.
2. Now, enter your Apple ID password to sign out of your Apple account on your iOS or iPadS device.
3. Then tap Erase iPhone/ Erase iPad again to erase all your media and data. This step will reset your locked iPhone.
4. After your device has rebooted, follow the on-screen instructions to set up the device. On the go you can use iOS restore your device from an iCloud backup and also set a new passcode.
That’s all! The process of resetting your locked iPhone is now much more convenient than before, isn’t it?
Restore a disabled iPhone in iOS 15.1 or earlier
1. First turn off your device.
- On iPhone 8 or later: Press and hold the power button and the volume down button until the power off slider appears. Then drag the slider to turn off your device.
- On iPhone 7 or earlier: Press and hold the power button until the power off slider appears. After that, drag the slider to turn off your device.
2. Then connect your device to a Mac or Windows PC with a USB cable. After that, put your device into recovery mode using the steps below:
- On iPhone 8 or later: Press and hold the power button.
- On iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the volume down button.
- On iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold the home button.
Make sure to hold the button until the recovery mode screen appears.
3. Now, select your iPhone in Finder/ iTunes and click To recover in the pop-up prompt that appears to reset the locked device.
Your computer will now download the latest version of the software for your iPhone or iPad and start the restore process. Once this process is complete, disconnect your device and set it up as usual.
Easiest Way to Remove Security Lock Mode on iPhone and iPad
This is a much better solution for when you’ve lost access to your iPhone and desperately want to restore it, even if it means wiping all your data and resetting the device. In terms of functionality, it reminds me of our guide to: recover screen time passcode, which also allows you to use your Apple ID and passcode for recovery.
Of unlimited free iCloud storage and the ability to reset the locked iPhone without a computer finally becoming a reality, it may not be long before we see a portless iPhone. Managing iPhone using a computer already seems to be a conservative method. No wonder I already see the writing on the wall. What do you think of this new add-on feature in iOS 15.2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
