How to Reset a Disabled iPhone: 5 Methods with or without iTunes

Seeing “iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes” on your iPhone screen can be stressful, especially if you’ve forgotten your passcode. Fortunately, there are proven ways to unlock and reset a disabled iPhone, with or without iTunes. In this article, we cover all the methods, including iCloud, Find My App, and professional tools, so you can regain full access to your device safely.

Part 1. Reasons Why iPhone is Disabled

As what above says, your iPhone is disabled for no reason other than wrong passcode attempts. When you enter the wrong screen passcode on your device at least 5 times, Apple automatically disables the system for some minutes, then gives you another chance to try again. Should you fail to provide the right passcode for the 10th time, then the iPhone becomes disabled forever with no option to retry your passcode again and shows you “iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes”.

Part 2. How to Reset Disabled iPhone with iTunes

iTunes, suggested on the disabled phone screen,  is a useful tool to reset a disabled iPhone. You can reset a disabled iPhone in normal state or Recovery Mode and here is how to get it done.

Way 1. Reset Disabled iPhone via Synced iTunes

Firstly, we advise that you reset your disabled iPhone by connecting it to an iTunes app you’ve synced with in the past. The reason for this is that a disabled device can’t connect with any software without requesting permission.

You have to grant the software access to your iPhone before any operation/action can be performed on it. In this case, that’s not possible since the device in question is disabled. So if you have a computer with iTunes that you’ve synced with previously, then use the stepwise guide below to reset your disabled iPhone:

Step 1: Launch the iTunes app on your computer and connect the disabled iPhone to it via a USB cable. Head to the upper left-hand panel, and click on the Device icon.

Step 2: Next, a flyout menu will come up. Select Summary from the list to proceed.

Step 3: Now, navigate to the right-hand panel and click on Restore iPhone.

Step 4: Hit Restore in the pop-out to confirm your operation. Once the restoration is completed, proceed to set up the device for usage.

Way 2. Reset Disabled iPhone in Recovery Mode

In case you haven’t synced your iPhone with iTunes in the past, establishing a connection between your device and iTunes may be difficult. However, there’s a way forward and that’s via recovery mode. This solution is easy to apply but must be done with caution as any mistake can compromise your system.

Use the following stepwise guide to reset your disabled iPhone via recovery mode:

Step 1: Make sure the iTunes app you have on your Windows computer or Mac (strictly macOS Mojave or older versions). Launch the app, and proceed to enter recovery mode on your disabled iPhone.

Step 2: Here’s the guide to activate recovery mode for the different iPhone models:

iPhone 8/X and Newer Models

1. Hold the Volume Up button down and release it.
2. Proceed to perform a similar action on the Volume Down button.
3. After that, hold the Side button down till you see the recovery mode screen.

iPhone 7/7 Plus

• Hold down the Volume Down and Power buttons together at the same time till the recovery mode screen comes up.

iPhone 6 Series and Older Models

1. Press the Home button + Power button together.
2. Release both buttons when the recovery mode screen is displayed.

Step 3: Hold down the last key for the iPhone model you are using, then connect your device to the computer using the right USB cable.

Step 4: Without delay, iTunes will detect your iPhone in recovery mode, and then suggest you restore or update it. Click Restore and iTunes will return your device to factory mode in no time. Once that is completed, you can now set the iPhone up as new and use it without the disabled screen.

Part 3. How to Reset Disabled iPhone without iTunes

For folks who have an issue connecting to iTunes, for example, iTunes can’t detect the disabled iPhone and you fail to put the disabled iPhone into Recovery Mode, here are 3 simple solutions you can use to reset your disabled iPhone without iTunes:

Method 1. Factory Reset Disabled iPhone without iTunes with Computer

A simple yet safe way to reset your disabled iPhone without iTunes on a computer system requires the installation of a professional iOS unlocker like Passixer. Passixer can factory reset the disabled or unavailable iPhone and then turn you back an accessible iPhone without passcode. It’s extremely helpful when you forget the screen passcode to your iPhone or your second-hand iPhone is locked with the previous owner’s password. This powerful tool applies to iPhone/iPad/iPod and supports iOS 17 or earlier.

Step-by-step to Reset Disabled iPhone

Method 2. Factory Reset Disabled iPhone without iTunes and Computer

Don’t want to install a third-party tool or have a computer in your possession? Here are 2 other solutions you can try out to reset your disabled iPhone without iTunes on a mobile device:

Option 1. Through iCloud on Another Mobile Device

You must have activated the Find My iPhone and remember the Apple ID signed on the disabled iPhone for this way to work.

Simply apply the stepwise guide given down here to factory reset your disabled iPhone via iCloud:

Step 1: Visit iCloud.com on another mobile phone or tablet and click on the Sign In button at the bottom of your screen.

Step 2: Type your Apple ID and the password in the fields provided and click the corresponding icon to log in.

Step 3: When your iCloud profile loads up, click on Find My.

Step 4: On the left-hand side of the interface shown, select your disabled iPhone.

Step 5: Next, click on Erase This Device and provide your Apple ID password once more for verification. After that, your iPhone will be erased immediately and you can now access your device without any security hindrance.

Option 2. Use Find My App in Another iPhone/iPad

If you have another iPhone or iPad, you can use the Find My app in it to reset your iPhone. Using Find My App to reset your iPhone is super easy but you need to fulfil some conditions for that to work. This condition is:

1. Ensure you have Find My Phone enabled on the disabled iPhone.
2. You have the Apple ID linked with the disabled iPhone.

Once you have the above set, apply the steps below to erase your disabled iPhone:

1. Launch the Find My App on another iPhone/iPad.
2. Sign in your Apple ID details and click on the Devices button located at the bottom of the screen.
3. Choose your disabled iPhone to proceed.
4. Next, select Erase This Device and your iPhone will be wiped in no time.

Part 4. Alternative Scenarios & Tips

4.1 If You Don’t Have a Computer → Use iCloud or Find My App

Problem: You don’t have access to a PC or Mac to use iTunes or third-party software.

Solution: Use iCloud.com on another device or the Find My app on another iPhone/iPad to erase and reset your disabled iPhone.

4.2 If You Don’t Know Apple ID → Contact Apple Support or Use Passixer

Problem: You forgot the Apple ID or password, or the iPhone is locked by the previous owner.

Solution:

• Contact Apple Support with proof of ownership for assistance.
• Alternatively, a professional iOS unlocker like Passixer can bypass Apple ID or MDM restrictions.

4.3 If It’s a Second-Hand iPhone → Check Ownership Before Unlocking

Problem: You bought a second-hand iPhone and it’s disabled or Apple ID-locked.

Solution:

Ensure the seller has removed their Apple ID and signed out of iCloud.

If ownership is verified, use the standard reset methods (iTunes, iCloud, Passixer).

FAQs

Conclusion

We’ve described the top ways to bypass your disabled iPhone screen without stress. However, mind you, Passixer offers the highest iPhone bypass success rate. So it’s our most preferred choice from the solutions provided to reset a disabled iPhone without iTunes.