Question
My iPhone is locked and I don’t have the passcode, how to erase all data from iPhone when iPhone locked? So, this iPhone was given by My dad that he forgot his passcode since he hasn’t used it for a while. Anyway I need to use this phone and set my own Apple ID. How should I erase the locked iPhone? Please help!

Locked iPhone and erased iPhone

Any Apple user may have such problem once in a while since Apple make it very hard for anyone who doesn’t have the passcode. However, this security measure doesn't stop only those without the iPhone passcode, but even the owners who have forgotten their passcode.

It’s an annoying problem, right?

Stop worrying now. Check the solution below. There will be a step-by-step guide on how to erase an iPhone when it's locked to gain full access to the device.

1. Use iTunes If You Have Synced with it before

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iTunes is sure can help when you need to erase a locked iPhone or iPad, or when you need to factory reset iPhone without passcode and computer. The assistance of iTunes in erasing locked iPhone is usually not very much appreciated because of file loss and various iTunes limitations and restrictions. Many iTunes users report that errors happen frequently when using iTunes to backup or erase iOS devices.

Besides, this way is available only when your iPhone was synced to iTunes before. If iTunes can help in your situation, follow the steps to erase your locked iPhone:

Step 1: Connect your locked iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes. Make sure the computer you are using is the one you've used in syncing your iPhone.

Step 2: From the upper left corner in iTunes, select the name of your locked iPhone.

Step 3: Click "Restore iPhone" from the right panel.

erase locked iPhone with iTunes

When the steps above are done, you'll find that the screen password of your locked iPhone has been removed. Since you erased iPhone, it's brought back to factory default settings. The iOS system has been updated to the latest version as well.

Limitations:
  • Your iPhone must have been synced to the iTunes previously.

2. Try An Effective Unlock Tool - No Passcode Needed At All

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If you can’t use iTunes to erase your locked iPhone, then try this one.

Questions like:
‘how to erase a locked iPhone?’,
‘how to factory reset a locked iPhone?’,
‘how to reset iPhone without password?’
‘how to factory reset iPhone without password?’
......

they can all be solved easily by this unlock tool called iMyFone LockWiper. Not like iTunes, there is no any limitations to use it taking less of your time, and it supports to erase iPhone/iPad/iPod touch with all iOS versions, including iOS 14.

You may need to erase a locked iPhone for a number of reasons: when you forgot your passcode ; when your iPhone is disabled; when you want to factory reset it; when you want to sell your old iPhone, etc. Now just try iMyFone LockWiper, a professional and reliable iPhone unlocking and erasing software, to completely and permanently erase your locked iPhone for the outstanding features below.

lockwiper unlock iphone passcode

1,000,000+ Downloads

LockWiper Erases Locked iPhone without Passcode

  • Easy and quick process to erase a locked iPhone factory reset it.
  • Avoid a hassle process and reset or erase a locked iPhone.
  • Support to erase the iPhone that is locked, disabled or have a broken screen.
  • Unlock and erase locked iPhone with Touch ID, Face ID, 4-digit passcode or a 6-digit passcode.
  • Delete the iCloud account if you forgot the password or purchased a second-hand iPhone with screen lock.

Steps to Erase Locked iPhone via iMyFone LockWiper

Watch Video Tutorial to Erase iPhone without Passcode

Forgot iPhone Passcode? Erase Locked iPhone without Passcode - iOS 14 Supported
[Video Transcript]

Step 1: Install iMyFone LockWiper on your computer and launch it. Select "Start" on the home interface.

Erase locked iPhone with iMyFone LockWiper

Step 2: Connect your locked iPhone to your computer using the Apple lightning cable.

connect idevice to pc

Step 3: LockWiper will auto-detect your device model. Choose your firmware and click "Download."

choose firmware package to download

Step 4: It will start to download and verify the fimware. Just wait a few seconds.

download and verify firmware package

Step 5: After successful download and extract, click on "Start Unlock".

start to erase

Step 6: Let the program to remove the screen lock and erase everything from your device.

start the erasing process

Step 7: Problem solved! Now check your device and use it like a new one!

erase iphone successfully

3. Check iCloud to Erase If You Have Enabled Find My iPhone Feature

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If you don’t have computer to use iTunes or the unlock tool, this is for you. To erase a locked iPhone without passcode via iCloud, please check if your have enabled the Find My iPhone feature on Settings>Apple ID>iCloud>Find My iPhone. If not, then you don’t even need to try this method. You should also have the iCloud account and password too.

If yes, now you can follow these steps to erase your iPhone without a password.

Step 1: Go to www.iCloud.com from a friend's device or computer.

Step 2: Sign in with your Apple ID and password. Select the locked iPhone you want to erase from the device list.

Find iPhone

Step 3: Click "Erase iPhone" to wipe your iPhone remotely.

Erase locked iPhone with iCloud

Once you've completed these steps, you will find your iPhone well erased, and the lock screen opened.

Limitations:
  • No free access. Apple ID passcode required.
  • To use this iCloud function, the Find My iPhone feature must be disabled on your device.
  • Your locked iPhone should be connected to the internet.

4. Put it in Recovery Mode to Restore Your Device to Erase

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The recovery mode is also a common way to erase a locked iPhone when you've never synced iPhone to iTunes or Find My iPhone is disabled. If this is the case with you, then follow the steps below to erase your locked iPhone.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your PC and open iTunes.

Step 2: Force-restart your iPhone while it's connected to your PC.

  • On iPhone X, 8, or 8 Plus: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, press and hold the Side button until the recovery screen appears.
  • Erase locked iPhone through recovery mode

  • On iPhone 7, or 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down button at the same time. Keep holding them until the recovery mode screen appears.
  • Erase locked iPhone through recovery mode

  • On iPhone 6 and earlier versions: Press and hold both the Home and Top button at the same time, keep holding them until the recovery mode screen appears.
  • Erase locked iPhone through recovery mode

Step 3: The options to Restore or Update iPhone will appear, click the "Restore" tab. At this point, iTunes will download and install software on your device. This would take about 15 minutes, but if the time exceeds, you should repeat step 2 and step 3.

Step 4: Wait for the process to complete, then set up your iPhone.

The screen lock will be open and the iOS system will be updated to the latest version. Of course, you will find all the data erased from your locked iPhone.

Limitations:
  • There is no guarantee of 100% success.
  • It might get stuck in white screen.
  • Your old iPhone could slow down dramatically.

Conclusion

This article has discussed 4 practical solutions to erase an iPhone when it is locked. Comparing with erasing through iTunes, iCloud and recovery mode, using the professional software iMyFone LockWiper would ensure you higher success rate and is more time-saving. Do not hesitate to give it a try if you need to erase a locked iPhone.

Locked iPhone and erased iPhone solutions