[2025] How to Erase iPhone That Won’t Turn on in 4 Ways?

When your iPhone won't turn on, erasing it seems impossible, especially since you can't access the Settings or interact with the screen.

If you want to protect your data while preparing the device for trade-in or giving away, there are reliable ways on how to wipe an iPhone that won't turn on you can try. Let's explore!

If your iPhone won't turn on and you need to wipe it clean, erasing the iPhone with recovery mode can help. It lets you connect the iPhone to a computer and perform a full reset without access to the screen.

If you can prepare a computer and a stable USB cable, here’s how to erase an iPhone that won't turn on using recovery mode when it won't power on.

Step 1: Download and install iTunes, make sure it's in the latest version, then launch it.

Step 2: Connect your dead iPhone to the computer using the prepared USB cable, then follow to put your iPhone into recovery mode.

Step 3: Then, iTunes can recognize your iPhone and show 2 different option to Update or Restore. To factory reset iPhone that won't turn on, please click Restore button.

Step 4: iTunes will soon download the iOS firmware file for your device. Wait for 20-25 minutes for the process to complete. When it's done, your iPhone will be erased completely and restarted.

Note

If you've enabled the Find My iPhone feature before the iPhone is dead, then you should enter the Apple ID account and password to disable it after your device restarts so as to avoid getting stuck in the Activation Lock.

If iTunes doesn't recognize your device, you can wipe an iPhone that won't turn on using iMyFone LockWiper iPhone eraser, which can restore your iPhone to factory settings without password or access to the screen within minutes.

Let's see how to erase your iPhone completely and wipe all data and personal information for selling or giving away your device using LockWiper.

Key Features of iMyFone LockWiper:

• No Password/iTunes Required: Factory reset an iPhone that won't turn on without relying on iTunes or the need of password.
• Completely Erase: Fully factory reset your dead iPhone, 100% safe to use for all users.
• Wide Compatibility: It works with devices with broken or unresponsive screen, no need for your access to the device for a full reset.
• User-Friendly Interface: It's quite simple with step-by-step process designed for non-technical users.
• Supports Most iOS Versions & Devices: Compatible with a wide range of iPhone models, including the latest iPhone 15/16 and iOS 17/18.
• Other Functions: Also able to wipe a locked iPad, unlock various screen locks, bypass MDM and unlock Screen Time passcode.

Here's how to erase iPhone that won't turn on via iMyFone LockWiper.

Step 1: Download and install LockWiper on your computer. Open the program and select Start to Unlock to begin.

Step 2: Click Start button when prompted, then connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.

Step 3: To factory reset your device, LockWiper needs to download the iOS firmware for your device. Click Download to get it.

Step 4: Once the firmware is downloaded, hit Unlock. LockWiper will automatically erase your iPhone and restoring it to factory settings.

The process will complete within minutes. After that, you can access the iPhone without interruptions.

You can also watch the video on how to erase iPhone without password.

Step 1: Open any browser and go to iCloud's official website, sign in with your Apple account.

Step 2: Select the device you want to erase below All Devices on the left.

Step 3: Click Erase iPhone to factory reset your device.

Step 4: Follow the onscreen instructions to continue resetting your device to factory settings via iCloud.

If iCloud didn't work for you because Find My iPhone is turned off or your device isn't connected to the internet, you still have another option.

You can reach out to Apple Support for help. If the device is your own and you can provide credentials to prove your identity, then you can get assistance from the Apple Support.

That's how to erase iPhone that won't turn on in 4 different ways. You can choose the suitable solution according to your needs. Besides, if you want to reset iPhone without turning it on quickly and safely, iMyFone LockWiper is recommended. It can completely factory reset the device and protect your private data if you're preparing the iPhone for selling or trading-in.

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Article by

Melvin Cooper

Melvin Cooper has over 10 years of experience in the technology industry and is an expert at providing tips and handy solutions to Apple and Android users. Dedicated to helping millions of users improve their experience with mobile devices, he has maintained an impressive record of solving problems.