How to Factory Reset iPhone without Apple ID?

Factory reset is an option that allows phone user to wipe all the data, apps, and contacts from a device and start with a clean slate. To perform this action with an iPhone you typically need Apple ID credentials that were previously used to log in.

Related: Did you know you know we wrote an article on private Instagram viewer and how you can unlock private profiles and view content

This article will show you a couple of methods to factory reset iPhone without Apple ID even if you don’t have a lot of technical knowledge.

Background:

While most users know their Apple ID and consequently are able to reset their devices at will, there are some situations where this is not possible.

For example, legitimate owner could set up Apple ID, use it infrequently, and completely forget it after a while. This can prevent the user from resetting the phone once he needs it and force him to seek alternative approaches.

Additionally, iPhones are often re-sold on the secondhand market, and in some cases may arrive without critical elements such as Apple ID. New owner might find himself in a quandary how to personalize the device, or even access it for that matter, in case he doesn’t know the screen passcode either.

Again, in such a situation it is advantageous to know some effective methods for bypassing this obstacle and clearing out all content from the phone.

There are several ways to accomplish this, each with a specific set of upsides and downsides. This article will show the exact procedure that needs to be followed with each of the tools, and list certain limitations that must be taken into account.

How to Factory Reset iPhone without Apple ID?

If you find yourself unable to reset your device it to factory settings because you don’t know the valid Apple ID, you have several possibilities at your disposal. The first thing you need to do is choose the tool with which you will attempt to resolve the issue. After you choose the method, all you need to do is to follow simple step-by-step instructions provided below.

1. Reset iPhone without Apple ID via iTunes

Perhaps the most commonly used approach to factory resetting the iPhone without valid credentials is to use iTunes, popular data management software that works on all devices made by Apple and even on a Windows-based PC.

If you have iTunes on your computer, you can utilize its feature to get around the issue with Apple ID. Here are the steps to follow in order to wipe your phone of all data and start anew:

Step 1 – Run the iTunes application on your computer

Step 2 – Use an original Apple-made USB cable to hook up your iPhone to a computer

Step 3 – Look for your iPhone’s name in the iTunes interface and click on it

Step 4 – Open the Summary tab from the toolbar on the left side of the screen.

Step 5 – Click on the Restore iPhone icon on the right side panel

Step 6 – Continue following on-screen instructions until you complete the intended task

You need to be aware that iTunes won’t always be able to restore your iPhone to factory settings. In case the Find My Phone option was turned on before the device was locked, it won’t be possible to reset it using the method described above and you will need to think in a different direction.

2. Reset iPhone without Apple ID via Settings

Another route you can take to resetting your iPhone is to use the Settings menu on the phone itself, assuming you can get past the home screen. Like all other methods, successfully invoking this option will result in complete deletion of all content from the phone and its return to default settings. If this is what you want to achieve, just go through the following procedure.

Step 1 – Open the Settings menu on you iPhone

Step 2 – Select the General tab from this menu

Step 3 – Click on the Reset option, then choose Erase all content and settings

Step 4 – This will start the resetting process, and you just need to finish it by following instructions

This method may be the simplest, but unfortunately it works only if certain conditions are met. Crucially, it requires the user to know the screen lock code and enter the phone menu. Like with the previous method, having Find My Phone active on the iPhone will prevent you from using Settings to wipe the content off the device.

3. Reset iPhone without Apple ID with AnyUnlock

Some third-party products can perform this task very effectively and with far fewer limitations. AnyUnlock by iMobie has the capacity to remove Apple ID from the phone even without a valid password, or Find My Phone is on, after which it becomes very simple to reset the device. This feature is very convenient to use even by complete beginners and it doesn’t take longer than a few minutes to get everything done. Taking into account that AnyUnlock can also serve for many other tasks, it’s definitely great utility software that every iPhone owner should be familiar with.

To quickly initiate and complete Apple ID removal procedure, just execute those simple steps.

Step 1 – Install AnyUnlock on your computer and connect the iPhone to it via USB

Step 2 – Run AnyUnlock and wait for a few moments for it to recognize the phone

Step 3 – Click on the Unlock Apple ID tab

Step 4 – Download the firmware package and click OK to remove Apple ID

Step 5 – Set up new Apple ID and reset the phone to factory settings

Conclusion

Remembering your Apple ID at all times is very important, but even if you happen to forget it or otherwise lack it there are a few tools that can help you. With three viable methods for resetting the iPhone even without Apple ID to choose from, every user can find the right option.

It won’t take long to learn how to unlock Apple ID using AnyUnlock or another software tool, and this skill might become quite useful at some point in the future.