If you enter the wrong passcode too many times on your iPhone, you'll eventually be greeted with a worrying "iPhone is disabled" message on the lock screen. You only get ten chances to enter the correct code. After ten failed attempts, your iPhone will lock completely. The good news is that you can still regain access by performing a factory reset. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to factory reset a disabled iPhone in every possible scenario.
- Part 1. How Do You Factory Reset an iPhone That Is Disabled?
- Part 2. Official Way to Factory Reset a Disabled iPhone
- Part 3. How to Reset Disabled iPhone without Computer or iTunes
- Part 4. How to Factory Reset Disabled iPhone without iTunes or PasscodeHOT
- Part 5. Conclusion
Part 1. How Do You Factory Reset an iPhone That Is Disabled?
When your iPhone enters the wrong passcode multiple times, the device will display iPhone is disabled, iPhone Unavailable, or Security Lockout, and you can't access the device normally. To get this device back on, a viable solution is to factory reset it to remove the lock screen passcode by erasing all data and settings on the device.
| Methods | iOS Version | Apple ID Password | Find My iPhone | Computer | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iTunes | iOS 5 or later | ❌ | Disabled | ✔️ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security Lock Screen | iOS 15.2 or later | ✔️ | Enabled | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| iCloud.com | iOS 9 or later | ✔️ | Enabled | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Find My App | iOS 13 or later | ✔️ | Enabled | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| MagFone iPhone Unlocker | iOS 7 or later | ❌ | Disabled | ✔️ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Depending on the iOS version of the disabled iPhone, whether you can use a computer, and whether you remember your Apple ID password, the reset method for different users will vary. Next, we will introduce both official methods and alternative methods to help you factory reset an iPhone that is disabled. Here is also a video tutorial for you to better perform a factory reset.
Part 2. Official Way to Factory Reset a Disabled iPhone
According to Apple's official support document, there are two different methods for factory resetting a disabled iPhone. So, you can choose the suitable method depending on which version of iOS is running on the device.
How to Reset iPhone with iTunes When Disabled (Before iOS 15.2)
If your iPhone is running an earlier version of iOS 15.2, then you will see iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes message on the lock screen. At this time, you need to use iTunes to restore the disabled iPhone.
Step 1. Shut down your disabled iPhone and connect it to your computer via a USB cable.
Step 2. Put the disabled iPhone into Recovery Mode, then launch iTunes or Finder.
Step 3. When the option to Restore or Update appears, choose Restore. Your computer will download the software to restore your disabled iPhone.
How to Reset Disabled iPhone without iTunes (iOS 15.2 or Later)
Starting with iOS 15.2, Apple has added a security protect to allow users to reset directly on the device itself. If your iPhone is running 15.2 or later software system, you will see the iPhone Unavailable screen instead of iPhone is disabled. And when you entered the wrong passcode several times, there will be an Erase iPhone or Forgot Passcode? option on the Security Lockout screen as long as Find My iPhone is enabled. In this case, you can reset the disabled iPhone without iTunes.
For iOS 15.2 to iOS 16:
Step 1. Tap Erase iPhone when the Security Lockout screen appears, then tap Erase iPhone again to confirm.
Step 2. To sign out of your Apple ID on your iPhone, enter your Apple ID password.
Step 3. Tap Erase iPhone to completely erase all of your data and settings on your device.
For iOS 17 or later:
Step 1. Repeatedly enter the wrong passcode until the unavailable screen shows.
Step 2. Press Forgot Passcode. Next, touch on the Start iPhone Reset choice.
Step 3. After that, you need to type your Apple ID and password to sign out.
Step 4. If you want to save eSIM, you can choose Keep eSIM and Erase Data. If not, select Delete eSIM and Erase Data.
Part 3. How to Reset Disabled iPhone without Computer or iTunes
In addition to Apple's official methods, there are two alternative ways to remotely factory reset a disabled iPhone. The prerequisite is that Find My iPhone has been enabled on the disabled device. Once this condition is met, you can use the following two methods to reset a disabled iPhone to factory settings without relying on iTunes or a computer.
Method 1. Factory Reset Disabled iPhone at iCloud.com
By signing in to iCloud.com, users can remotely erase a disabled iPhone through the Find My feature. As long as Find My iPhone was previously enabled on the device, and it remains connected to the internet, you can erase all data and settings to restore the disabled iPhone to factory settings.
Step 1. Log in to www.icloud.com with your Apple ID and password on another device.
Step 2. Select Find My and click All Devices on the top of the screen, then select your disabled iPhone.
Step 3. Click Erase and enter the Apple ID password to confirm to erase your disabled iPhone by clicking it again.
Method 2. Factory Reset Disabled iPhone via Find My App
Besides using the iCloud website, you can also reset your disabled iPhone through the Find My app on any Apple device signed in with the same Apple ID. As long as Find My iPhone was enabled beforehand and the disabled iPhone is connected to a network, you can locate the locked device in the app and erase all data on it to restore it to factory settings.
Step 1. Launch the Find My app and tap Devices at the bottom of the screen.
Step 2. Then find your disabled iPhone and tap the name of your device.
Step 3. Tap Erase, then tap Continue and select Erase.
Step 4. Enter your Apple ID password, then tap Erase again.
Part 4. How to Factory Reset Disabled iPhone without iTunes or Passcode
When you use iTunes to restore a disabled iPhone, the device may restart repeatedly during the process and get stuck in a boot loop. This can be time‑consuming and frustrating. A more efficient way to factory reset a disabled iPhone without iTunes is to use MagFone iPhone Unlocker. With MagFone iPhone Unlocker, you can quickly and safely restore your disabled iPhone to factory settings without needing the Apple account and password. It's well-designed for iPhone, iPad, and iPod users to get rid of various unlocking issues. With 4 simple steps, you can factory reset the disabled iPhone and perform further operations:
MagFone iPhone Unlocker
Unlock various locks on iOS devices, including screen locks, MDM, Apple ID, and Activation Lock without needing a password.
Step 1 Connect Disable iPhone to Computer
Open MagFone iPhone Unlocker on your computer, then connect your disabled iPhone to the computer through a USB cable. After the computer detects your device, select the Unlock iOS Screen feature and proceed to click on the Start button.
Step 2 Reboot Disabled iPhone into DFU Mode
Then follow the onscreen instructions to put your disabled iPhone into recovery mode. After that, you can click on the Next button on the MagFone software.
Step 3 Download the Firmware for the Disabled iPhone
Now you need to check out all the device information of your disabled iPhone. The information include the device, device mode, and series number. Then select the version of iOS and click the Download button to download the firmware.
Step 4 Reset Disabled iPhone to Factory Settings
After downloading the firmware, you can click on the Unlock button. MagFone software starts to verify and unzip the firmware package. Your disabled iPhone will be restored to factory settings. Then you can get access to your iPhone again.
Part 5. Conclusion
When your iPhone is disabled, a successful factory reset depends on the iOS version, the availability of a computer, and the availability of an Apple ID password. If you can meet the official conditions, the method provided by Apple is undoubtedly your first option. If you can't meet the requirements, then MagFone iPhone Unlocker must be the optimal choice.
Teresa Miller
Editor in chief
