If you see an iPhone, iPad or Apple Vision Pro unavailable message or Security Lockout screen
If you’ve forgotten your device passcode, you can use your Apple ID and password to erase and reset your device without a computer.
Before you reset your device
You need to have a device that uses visionOS, or iOS 15.2 or iPadOS 15.2 or later.
Your device needs to be connected to a mobile or Wi-Fi network.*
You'll need the Apple ID and password that you used to set up your device.
On your iPhone or iPad, the Forgotten Passcode? option appears when you have a device that uses iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 or later and you are connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network. An Erase [Device] option appears if you have a device that uses iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, iOS 16, or iPadOS 16 and you are connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network.
* If you restart your device when you see “Security Lockout” on the Lock Screen, you won’t be able to reconnect to a Wi-Fi network until your device has been unlocked. Mobile devices will be reconnected to a mobile network if you have active service.
How to reset your device in iOS 17
If you’re using an eSIM on iOS 16 or earlier, contact your service provider before following these steps and ask for a QR code to set up your eSIM again.
From your device's Lock Screen, try to enter your passcode until the "[Device] Unavailable" screen appears and your device asks you to try again later.
When you’re able to, tap the Forgot Passcode? option in the bottom corner of the screen.
On the Security Lockout screen, tap Start [Device] Reset to confirm.
Enter your Apple ID password to sign out of your Apple ID on your device.
Tap Erase [Device] to permanently delete all of your data and settings. If you use an eSIM with iOS 17 or later, you can also choose to keep your eSIM and erase your data, or to delete your eSIM and erase your data.
6. When your device restarts, follow the onscreen instructions to set up your device again, restore your data and settings from a backup, and set a new passcode.
If you can’t follow these steps, you can use a computer to reset your device.
You can only reach the “Security Lockout” screen if you have an active mobile or Wi-Fi connection and previously enabled Find My on your device. After you have tried to enter your password ten times, your device will either erase itself or show Security Lockout and the Forgot Passcode? option without a timer, depending on how you previously set up your device.
If you have recently changed passcodes, use your old passcode to temporarily sign in
When you change your passcode in iOS 17 and later, Passcode Reset will give you 72 hours when your old iPhone passcode can be used to sign in to your phone. When you sign in to your iPhone this way, you must immediately change your passcode again.
To use Passcode Reset:
From your device's Lock Screen, try to enter your passcode until the "[Device] Unavailable" screen appears and your device asks you to try again later.
When you’re able to, tap the Forgot Passcode? option in the bottom corner of the screen.
Tap Try Passcode Reset.
Enter your old passcode, then follow the onscreen instructions to set a new passcode.
Passcode Reset is not available on Apple Vision Pro.
