How to Remove or Reset Your iPhone Password

The fastest way depends on whether you remember your password

If you remember your current password, you can remove it through Settings without losing any data. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), enter your current password, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Turn Passcode Off." If you do not remember your password, you will need to erase the phone and set it up again — there is no way around this, because Apple locks the phone to prevent someone else from accessing it.

The method you use also depends on whether you have a computer, access to another Apple device, or an Apple ID you remember. Each route takes a different amount of time and leaves you with different amounts of your data intact.

Key Takeaways

If you remember your password, you can turn it off in Settings without erasing anything.
If you forgot your password, you must erase the phone — Apple does not provide a backdoor, even with proof of ownership.
You can erase and restore from a backup using a computer with Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), or through iCloud.com from any browser.
Recovery mode erases the phone but does not require a backup; use it if you have no computer and no iCloud access.
After erasing, you will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID — if you do not remember it, contact Apple Support before you start.

Removing a password you remember

Open Settings and tap Face ID & Passcode (iPhone X and newer) or Touch ID & Passcode (iPhone 8 and earlier). Enter your current password. Scroll down and tap "Turn Passcode Off," then confirm. Your phone will no longer ask for a password when you unlock it, but all your data stays on the phone.

This is the only method that preserves everything without needing a backup. If you want to keep a password but change it to something else, tap "Change Passcode" instead of "Turn Passcode Off," enter your current password, then create a new one.

Erasing and restoring from an iCloud backup

If you forgot your password and have access to iCloud.com, this is usually the fastest route. Go to iCloud.com from any web browser, sign in with your Apple ID, click Find My, select your iPhone, and tap "Erase iPhone." This erases the phone remotely. When it restarts, you will be asked to set it up; choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" and sign in with your Apple ID. Your photos, messages, and apps will come back.

This method works from any computer or phone with a browser. It does not require you to have the iPhone in front of you during the erase, though you will need it to complete the setup. The erase can take several minutes to process.

Erasing and restoring from a computer

If you have a Mac, connect your iPhone with a USB cable, open Finder, select your iPhone in the sidebar, and click "Restore." If you have a Windows computer, use iTunes instead — connect your iPhone, select it in iTunes, and click "Restore iPhone." Both will erase the phone and ask you to set it up again.

When the setup screen appears, choose "Restore from Mac Backup" or "Restore from Windows Backup" (depending on your computer). Select the most recent backup and sign in with your Apple ID. Your data will be restored from that backup point — anything added after the backup was made will be gone.

This method is faster than iCloud if you have a recent backup and a computer nearby. It also works if you do not remember your Apple ID, because you can restore from a backup without signing in first. You will be asked for your Apple ID after the data is restored.

Using recovery mode when you have no backup

If you have no computer and no iCloud access, or if your backups are too old to be useful, recovery mode will erase the phone and let you set it up from scratch. Connect your iPhone to a computer with Finder or iTunes, force restart it (the method varies by model — look up your specific iPhone model), and choose "Restore" when prompted. The phone will erase and restart.

During setup, you can choose "Set Up as New iPhone" to start with a blank phone, or "Restore from Backup" if you have one available. Recovery mode does not preserve any data unless you restore from a backup, so use this only if you have no other option or if your phone is too damaged to use normally.

What happens if you do not remember your Apple ID

After erasing your iPhone, the setup screen will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID. If you cannot remember it, you will be stuck at this screen — Apple calls this set up Lock, and it is designed to prevent someone else from using a stolen phone.

Before you erase your phone, go to iforgot.apple.com and recover your Apple ID. You will need access to the email address or phone number associated with the account. If you cannot recover it, contact Apple Support — they can help you regain access, but the process takes time and requires proof that you own the phone.

Removing a password on a family member's phone

If the phone belongs to someone else, you cannot remove the password without their Apple ID and password, or without erasing the phone. If you are the parent and the phone is a child's device linked to your Family Sharing account, you can use Find My to erase it remotely, but the child will still need to sign in with their own Apple ID during setup.

If you are trying to access a phone that belonged to someone who has passed away, contact Apple Support with a death certificate. They have a process for this, but it requires documentation and takes longer than a standard password reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my photos and messages if I erase my iPhone?

Only if you do not restore from a backup. If you erase and then restore from an iCloud or computer backup, your photos, messages, and apps come back. If you erase and set up as a new phone, everything is gone. Always make sure you have a recent backup before you erase.

Can I remove my password without erasing the phone?

Yes, but only if you remember the current password. Go to Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your password, and tap "Turn Passcode Off." If you forgot the password, erasing is the only option.

How long does it take to erase and restore an iPhone?

Erasing usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Restoring from a backup can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. Restoring from a computer is usually faster than iCloud.

What if my iPhone is disabled and says "iPhone is disabled, try again in 60 minutes"?

This happens after too many wrong password attempts. Wait the time shown, or erase the phone using Find My, a computer, or recovery mode. You cannot turn off the password while the phone is disabled.

Do I need my Apple ID password to erase my iPhone?

You need your Apple ID to sign in after erasing, but not to erase it. You can erase using Find My, a computer, or recovery mode without knowing your Apple ID password. However, you will be stuck at setup if you cannot sign in afterward.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.