By Jennifer | Last Updated
Factory resetting your iPhone 15 can solve various issues with it, such as software glitches, device lag, or getting ready to change hands. But what if you forget your passcode? While this may seem like a stressful challenge, it's still possible for you to factory reset your iPhone 15 without a passcode. This guide will share a few proven methods and walk you through the steps of all the options.
Restoring factory settings will restore your iPhone to its original default state, which means all your data, apps and settings will be completely erased. After that, you'll get a "brand new" iPhone, please note that if you didn't back up your device beforehand, you won't be able to retrieve the data once it's restored to factory settings.
Yes, you can factory reset your iPhone 15 even if you don't have a passcode. Depending on different situations, you can choose different methods, including Apple ID, iTunes and third-party unlocking tools.
If you are a fan of Apple products, you must be no stranger to iTunes. In addition to managing music, videos and other multimedia contents, iTunes also provides the function of restoring your device to factory reset. As long as you have a computer, even if you forget your iPhone passcode, it is still possible to complete the whole reset process through iTunes.
Step 1: Turn off iPhone 15 and connect it to a computer that has the latest version of iTunes installed using a data cable.
Step 2: Quickly press and release the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons in turn, followed by a long press on the Side button until Recovery Mode is displayed on the iPhone screen.
Step 3: Launch iTunes, if it has detected your iPhone 15, you will be prompted to recover the device.
Step 4: Click the "Restore" option, iTunes will download the latest iOS firmware for your device and factory reset it.
Step 5 (Optional): After recovery is complete, you may be blocked from iCloud activation lock when resetting your iPhone. Don't worry, you just need to follow the prompts to enter your Apple ID password to unlock your device.
If you remember your Apple ID and passcode, then factory resetting your iPhone 15 through Apple's feature is another easy option. Either directly using the "Forgot Passcode" button or through iCloud's Remote Erase feature, neither of which requires a connection to a computer.
Apple has introduced the "Forgot Passcode" feature in iOS 17 and later, which allows users to wipe and reset their device directly from the on-screen option after entering the wrong passcode multiple times. This feature is also available for devices running iOS 15.2 or later. However, if your device does not meet the following conditions, you may encounter the "iPhone unavailable, but no forgot passcode option" situation.
1. The device is not locked as permanently unavailable.
2. iPhone needs to be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network when it is locked.
3. Your device must have "Find My iPhone" enabled and be running iOS 15.2 or later.
Step 1: When you enter the wrong passcode several times in a row, the device will display the message "iPhone is unavailable". You should see a "Forgot Passcode" (iOS 17) or "Erase iPhone" (iOS 15.2-16) button at the bottom of the screen.
Step 2: After clicking the button, you need to confirm whether you want to proceed with resetting the iPhone or not, and then the device will ask you to verify your Apple ID.
Step 3: Enter your Apple ID information and click the "Erase iPhone" button, the system will automatically start erasing all data, content and settings from the device. Wait patiently for the reboot screen to appear, and then you will get a "new" iPhone.
iCloud is a powerful cloud service from Apple that's not just for storing data and syncing your device, but also for when you forget your unlock code. With iCloud's "Remote Locate" and "Erase feature", you can easily factory reset your iPhone 15 for free, without connecting to a computer or accessing the device itself.
Step 1: First, visit icloud.com/find on another mobile or pc device, and enter the associated Apple ID and password to sign in. If you're visiting icloud.com on an unfamiliar browser, you'll be asked for two-step verification (if any).
Step 2: Once verified, select your iPhone 15 in the device list and click "Erase This Device" > "Next".
Step 3: Finally, click "Erase" and enter your Apple ID password to confirm the factory reset of the selected iPhone.
When iTunes can't recognize your iPhone 15 and can't remember the associated Apple ID information, a professional third-party tool is your savior.
iPhone Passcode Genius by iSunshare is a multi-functional iOS unlocking software. Tailored to solve the device locking problem, it not only supports unlocking and resetting iPhone without a passcode, but also provides useful functions such as removing Apple ID, MDM Device Supervision and Screen Time bypass. Therefore, the tool is one of the most flexible solutions available.
Step 1: Download iSunshare iPhone Passcode Genius from the official website to your computer and launch it.
Step 2: To factory reset and unlock your iPhone 15 without passcode, please select "Unlock Lock Screen" from the main interface of the software.
Connect your iPhone to the computer and click "Next". If the software fails to recognize and load your iPhone information, please put the device in recovery mode.
Step 3: After that, the software will provide an unlocked firmware package that meets your device requirements, click "Download" to get it.
Step 4: When the firmware is ready, click the "Unlock" button, iPhone Passcode Genius will unlock your iPhone 15 immediately, and your device will be restored to factory reset state.
In this section, we have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about factory resetting an iPhone 15 without a passcode.
Q1: How long does it take to factory reset an iPhone 15?
It usually takes 10 to 30 minutes. If the progress bar on the factory reset screen remains unchanged for more than an hour, then you are most likely stuck and the factory reset has failed.
Q2: Will a factory reset remove iCloud Activation Lock?
There is no way to bypass the iCloud Activation Lock by restoring the factory reset settings. After the reset, your iPhone will show the message "iPhone is locked to owner" on the screen, and you can unlock the device by entering the correct Apple ID and password.
Q3: How can I back up my data if I don't know the password?
If you previously enabled iCloud backup and have enough cloud storage space, your data may have been saved automatically. Otherwise, you won't be able to back up an iPhone in a locked state, which also means that unsaved data won't be directly recoverable after a reset.
Factory resetting your iPhone 15 is an easy way to fix software glitches on your device. However, if you have forgotten its passcode, then things will become not so simple. We have compiled a few ways to factory reset iPhone 15 without a passcode, and you can choose the one that suits you from these options to get your device back to its original state. After completing the reset, don't forget to set a secure but easy-to-remember passcode!
