How can I erase my iPhone without using a passcode that I don't recall?

[iMore Question]

I want 2 erase my iphone but cannot because I do not know the passcode. HELP

 

[qbnkelt]

Re: passcode needed to erase iphone

I want 2 erase my iphone but cannot because I do not know the passcode. HELP

You can go into your account in iCloud and change your passcode. Hopefully you will remember your iCloud password.

 

[HankAZ]

Re: passcode needed to erase iphone

I want 2 erase my iphone but cannot because I do not know the passcode. HELP

First of all, make sure that you?re running the latest version if iTunes. Then, just put your device in DFU mode and connect it to your computer/iTunes. It will download the latest iOS and install it for you. Good luck.

How to put your iPhone or iPad into DFU mode | iMore

 

[Just_Me_D]

It's asking for a passcode because the iCloud activation lock has been enabled for it. If you cannot recall the passcode or reset the passcode via the lost passcode feature via the iCloud website then there's nothing we can do for you. Even if you reset your device, you will not be able to use it until you enter the passcode.

 

[HankAZ]

Using DFU mode will to allow you to bypass the 4-digit passcode (or more complex code, if you set that up), but if there is an activation lock enabled on the device, there is NO way around that. You will be required to enter the iCloud password to wipe/restore the device.

 

[wshwe]

IMHO requiring people 2 remember 2 passwords and their passcode is poor design. This results in more e-waste.

 

[Mars20]

You only have to remember one password. The passcode is simply for unlocking the device and it can be removed by putting it it into the DFU mode.

 

[Just_Me_D]

IMHO requiring people 2 remember 2 passwords and their passcode is poor design. This results in more e-waste.

You can easily go into the iPhone settings and disable the password feature. In addition, you can also disable the iCloud Activation Lock by disabling the Find My iPhone option in the iCloud settings so having a passcode is not required, but is highly recommended. Unfortunately, there’s a good deal of society who do not have any problems stealing or using items that don’t belong to them.

 

[wshwe]

My whole point is if you have forgotten the passcode you can't do that!

 

[Lee_Bo]

IMHO requiring people 2 remember 2 passwords and their passcode is poor design. This results in more e-waste.

Well if you can't remember 2 passwords and 1 passcode then maybe you shouldn't be using a smartphone.....or an email address......or the internet for that matter.

But as the D-man already stated, we (iMore) can't help you remember/recall your passcode or password.

 

[Lee_Bo]

My whole point is if you have forgotten the passcode you can't do that!

So how, exactly, do you forget your passcode? You're using the device daily....hourly.....secondly. You're going to forget your passcode if you don't type it every 30 seconds?

 

[love4speechless]

So how, exactly, do you forget your passcode? You're using the device daily....hourly.....secondly. You're going to forget your passcode if you don't type it every 30 seconds?

Not everyone locks their phone with a passcode

 

[Lee_Bo]

Not everyone locks their phone with a passcode

True, but not in this case, per the OP.

 

[Annie_M]

And this is an old thread from 2014. It was just revived yesterday.

 

[scruffypig]

So how, exactly, do you forget your passcode? You're using the device daily....hourly.....secondly. You're going to forget your passcode if you don't type it every 30 seconds?

I agree. What is the point of a password, if no one would need to remember it?

 

[Lee_Bo]

And this is an old thread from 2014. It was just revived yesterday.

And sometimes that’s not a problem.