How to Reset an iPhone if it is Password Protected

A password can protect the contents of your iPhone from unauthorized access, offering an additional line of defense when storing business files on the device. If you forget the password, however, or if a former employee fails to share the information before returning the device, you can bypass the password and regain access to the iPhone by performing a system restore. Using a backup created in iTunes before the password existed offers the best solution, but if no backup exists, you still can use iTunes to restore the device. Restoring the iPhone without a backup will result in the loss of the data currently stored on the device.

Restore Using iTunes and an Existing Backup

Step 1
Turn on the iPhone you want to restore.

Step 2
Connect one end of the iPhone’s USB cable to your computer and then connect the other end to your iPhone. Open the iTunes software if it doesn’t do so automatically.

Step 3
Locate and right-click the icon representing the device and then select the “Back up” option. This creates a backup of the current contents of the iPhone that you may use later to repopulate the device. Wait for the backup process to complete before proceeding.

Step 4
Click “File,” followed by “Devices” and the “Restore from Back up” option. Choose a backup with a date prior to the addition of the password.

Restore Using iTunes if No Backup Exists

Step 1
Hold down the iPhone’s “Sleep/Wake” button until the slider appears on the screen, and then use your fingertip to slide the slider to turn off the device.

Step 2
Connect the iPhone’s USB cable to an available port on your computer. Don’t connect the iPhone at this time.

Step 3
Hold down the iPhone’s “Home” button as you connect the other end of the USB cable to the device. The iPhone will turn on automatically.

Step 4
Continue to hold down the “Home” button until the “Connect to iTunes” message appears on the screen. Release the “Home” button. A message appears stating that iTunes detects the iPhone as a device in recovery mode.

Step 5
Click “OK” and then click “Restore” to start the restore process. This will erase all data currently stored on the device.

Note - Incase of no backup of iPhone, complete iOS file will get downloaded it will take time as per you internet speed (approx size 1.5 GB) you can disconnect the phone while file is under download and wait till it finished. Once download complete repeat above steps. Do not reconnect iPhone while file is downloading as it will restart or start new file download.