Apple Security Lockout Mode: How to Erase and Reset a Locked iPhone or iPad

Dec. 27, 2021



IniOS 15.1 or earlier iOS versions, entering the wrong passcode several times disables your iPhone, and you are asked to restore the locked iPhone using Finder/ iTunes. While the process of restoring a disabled iPhone through a computer is reliable, it’s rather tedious and not as convenient for everyone. Thankfully, Apple now offers a better way to deal with this predicament! With iOS 15.2 or later, you can erase and reset a locked iPhone without a computer using your Apple ID and password.

The latest iteration of iOS comes with three notable account management features, includingDigital Legacy,iCloud Account Recovery, and the newly-added option to erase and restore disabled iPhone without Mac or Windows PC. If you have ever forgotten your iPhone passcode, you would be familiar with the frustration and the long-existing method to reset the locked device. Before going through the steps, let’s find out how it works and the things to take note of.

In iOS 15.2 or later, when your iPhone is in the Security Lockout mode, an option to erase the device appears right on the screen. Therefore, you no longer need to rely on your Mac or PC to restore the device.

Before allowing you to erase and reset the device, you are asked to enter yourApple IDcredentials, which is indispensable from a security perspective. Once that’s done, you can restore the iPhone from arecent iCloud backupand also set up a new passcode. So, if you have the iCloud backup, you can restore the device without any pain.

It’s important to note that the new method requires your iPhone or iPad to be connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network. And if you restart your device when it is in the “Security Lockout” mode, you won’t be allowed to reconnect to a Wi-Fi network until your device is unlocked.

  1. Assuming your iPhone or iPad is in the Security Lockout mode, tap theErase iPhone/Erase iPadoption at the bottom. If the device is not in the security lockout mode, enter the wrong passcode several times until it asks you to try again later.

  2. Now,enter your Apple ID passwordto sign out of your Apple account on your iOS oriPadOSdevice.

  3. Next, tap onErase iPhone/ Erase iPadonce again to wipe out all of your media and data. This step will reset your locked iPhone.

  4. Once your device has rebooted, go through onscreen instructions to set up the device. Along the way, iOS will allow you torestore your device from an iCloud backupand also set a new passcode.

That’s all there is to it! The process to reset your locked iPhone is now way more convenient than before, isn’t it?

  1. First, shut down your device.

  2. Next, connect your device to a Mac or Windows PC using a USB cable. After that, put your device in recovery mode using the steps below:

Make sure to hold down the button until the recovery mode screen appears.

  1. Now,select your ‌iPhone‌in Finder/ iTunes and clickRestorein the pop-up prompt that appears to reset the locked device.

Your computer will now download the latest version of the software for your iPhone or iPad and kickstart the restore process. Once this process is complete, disconnect your device and set it up as usual.

Easiest Way to Remove Security Lockout Mode on iPhone and iPad

Easiest Way to Remove Security Lockout Mode on iPhone and iPad

This is a much better solution for when you are locked out of your iPhone and desperately want to restore it, even if it means you need to erase all your data and reset the device. In terms of functionality, it reminds me of our guide torecover Screen Time passcode, which also allows you to use your Apple ID and passcode for recovery.

Withunlimited free iCloud storageand the ability to reset the locked iPhone without a computer finally becoming a reality, it may not be too long before we see a portless iPhone. Managing the iPhone using a computer already seems to be a conservative method. No wonder I already see the writing on the wall. What do you think of this new add-on feature in iOS 15.2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.

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