Reset iphone 11 to factory settings without passcode

• You can reset an iPhone, even without the password, by putting it into "recovery mode" or erasing it via Find My.
• If you don't know what an iPhone's password is or it's been disabled, you'll have to reset it to use it.
• Once you've reset your iPhone, you can use an iCloud backup to restore its data.

iPhones are notoriously difficult to break into. If you have a unique passcode set up, it's almost impossible for someone to get in without your permission.

But this also works the other way around. If you need to open an iPhone but don't have the password, or it's disabled, the only way to unlock it is to factory reset it.

Luckily, there are two ways to reset an iPhone without using its password.

How to reset an iPhone using Finder or iTunes

Firstly, you can use a computer. If you've got a Mac you'll be using Finder, and if you've got a PC you'll be using iTunes (which you need to download first).

1. Turn the iPhone off. The exact way to do this will depend on what kind of iPhone you have:

2. Once your iPhone is off, plug it into your computer and put it into recovery mode. To do this, you'll need to press a certain combination of buttons:

3. Keep holding the button(s) until the recovery mode screen appears. It'll have a picture of a laptop with a charging cable.

4. Once ready, open Finder or iTunes and open the iPhone menu. If you're using Finder, click your iPhone's name in the left sidebar. In iTunes, click the iPhone icon in the upper-left corner.

5. You'll be shown a message saying that the iPhone has a "problem" and needs to be updated or restored. Select Restore.

6. Keep your iPhone connected to the computer as it resets and restores the iPhone. This could take up to 20 minutes, so be patient.

Once the process finishes, turn your iPhone on and set it up like a new device. When you're asked if you'd like to restore data from a backup, feel free to sign into iCloud and do so.

How to reset an iPhone using Find My

If you have an Apple ID account, your iPhone is probably connected to Find My, Apple's global device tracking network. This service also lets you reset and erase your iPhone without having the password for it.

1. On a computer, go to iCloud's website and log into your account.

2. In the main menu, click Find iPhone.

3. You'll be given a map of all your devices. Click All Devices at the top and then select your iPhone.

4. In the pop-up menu that appears, click Erase iPhone, and then confirm your choice.

As long as your iPhone is on and connected to the internet, it'll be reset immediately.

William Antonelli

Tech Reporter for Insider Reviews

William Antonelli (he/she/they) is a writer, editor, and organizer based in New York City. As a founding member of the Reference team, he helped grow Tech Reference (now part of Insider Reviews) from humble beginnings into a juggernaut that attracts over 20 million visits a month. Outside of Insider, his writing has appeared in publications like Polygon, The Outline, Kotaku, and more. He's also a go-to source for tech analysis on channels like Newsy, Cheddar, and NewsNation. You can find him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher, or reach him by email at .

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One good thing about owning an iPhone is that you can be sure that your data is very secure, as long as you have a passcode in place. If someone gets ahold of your phone, they can theoretically make use of it, but only after all the data has been deleted—which means the photos of you doing that silly pose in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa will never be seen by the public eye (it’s better that way, really). 

There’s absolutely no way of preserving your data if you forget your code, so if you are not currently locked out of your iPhone, we encourage you to follow our steps for backing up your data – pronto. 

The second caveat is that if you want to know how to reset an iPhone without a passcode and computer, you’ll need to have the Find My iPhone feature enabled. But, in case you don’t, we’ll show you how to reset an iPhone without a passcode through iTunes via a computer, as well. 

Read on to find out how.

Why You’ll Have to Reset Your iPhone if You Lose Your Passcode 

The reason why the FBI couldn’t get into the suspect’s phone is that Apple instituted a pretty brilliant security measure, which is that if you try and fail to enter the correct passcode on an iPhone, the device will automatically disable itself for anywhere between one minute and roughly a million years. This prevents outsiders from trying infinite combinations until they crack it. It also means that if you lose or forget your code, you are out of luck. 

Unless, that is, you know how to reset an iPhone without a passcode. 

How to Reset an iPhone Without a Passcode Via Find My iPhone

Just follow these steps:

• Log into the Find My iPhone site via iCloud
• Enter your Apple ID and password – you do not need your iPhone passcode, but you will need access to your Apple account
• Select your iPhone from the drop-down list of devices
• Click “Erase iPhone” and then confirm your decision
• You can now access your iPhone, create a new passcode, and restore your data

How to Reset an iPhone Without a Passcode Through iTunes

• If you have an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or later: Press and hold the side button as well as either one of the volume buttons until you see the Power Off slider. Slide it to power off the phone, and then, while holding the side button, connect the phone to the computer. Keep the side button pressed until the recovery mode screen pops up
• If you have an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: Press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider. Slide it to power off the phone, and then, while holding the volume down button, connect the phone to the computer. Keep the volume down button pressed until the recovery mode screen pops up
• If you have an iPhone 6S or earlier: Press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider. Slide it to power off the phone, and then, while holding the Home button, connect the phone to the computer. Keep the Home button pressed until the recovery mode screen pops up
• When it gives you the option to update or restore, select restore
• You can now access your phone and reinstall your data if you have it backed up

Phone Issue? Puls Can Fix It

No matter what your phone issue is, a certified Puls technician likely has the solution. From a cracked screen to a phone that just won’t turn on, we’ve got you covered.

With our upfront pricing plan, you can see our fair and competitive prices for yourself – there are no hidden fees and all repairs include our free guarantee on parts and service (and a one-year guarantee on batteries).

Just go online, book a time slot that suits your needs, and one of our top-notch techs will come to your desired location—be it the gym, office, or your home—as soon as same-day. 

Jake Sherman is a professional writer with a background in journalism. He is fascinated by home appliances and how they work. He enjoys breaking down complex topics and explaining them in interesting ways. He has been a Puls staff writer for two years. When he's not writing, he enjoys trotting around the globe, trying unfamiliar foods, and testing unmarked doors to see if they're locked.

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