By Jenefey Aaron

Updated on 2025-09-26

100 % Helpful

6 Ways to Factory Reset iPhone 17 Without Password

By Jenefey Aaron

2025-09-26 / iPhone 17

Have you forgotten your iPhone 17 passcode but need to prepare it for a fresh start? In such a case, you’ll definitely want to know how to factory reset an iPhone without password. In this guide, we’ll outline various methods to reset an iPhone 17 without a password for different situations. For each method, we’ll exchange how they work, the pros and cons, and when they are the best choice. By the end, you will know which reset method is right for your situation!

Method 1 – The Easiest Way: Use 4uKey to Factory Reset iPhone 17 Without Password

Method 2 – Factory Reset iPhone 17 Using Settings (If You Know the Password)

Method 3 – Factory Reset iPhone 17 with Buttons (Recovery Mode)

Method 4 – Factory Reset Without Computer (Find My iPhone / iCloud)

Method 5 – Use 3uTools to Restore iPhone

Method 1 – The Easiest Way: Use 4uKey to Factory Reset iPhone 17 Without Password

If you want to know how to factory reset an iPhone without password, Tenorshare 4uKey is the best tool for this task. It can also factory reset a locked iPhone without iTunes/iCloud, and also remove Apple ID and Activation Lock after resetting.

The tool also offers to remove numerous iPhone locks. Here are 4uKey’s core features:

It doesn’t require an Apple ID password or phone passcode to factory reset an iPhone.
It can remove 4-digit/6-digit or custom numeric passcodes, PIN, Face, and Touch ID, and more.
It can bypass the Activation Lock without the previous owner’s Apple ID credentials.
It can bypass the MDM profile without a passcode.
It can remove the Screen Time passcode without erasing data.
You can view saved Apple ID and Wi-Fi passwords.
It can log out of Apple ID without a password or data loss.

Here’s how to factory reset iPhone without Apple ID password with Tenorshare 4uKey:

Download, install, and execute 4uKey on Windows/Mac. Then, connect your iPhone.
Tap “Start” beneath Unlock iOS Screen. Hit “Download” to get the latest firmware package.

Once the firmware is downloaded, the tool will remove the screen lock and reset the iPhone to its factory settings.

Pros

●Doesn’t require an Apple ID and password for resetting an iPhone.
●Can factory reset in less time than iTunes.
It can remove Apple ID and Activation Lock after a reset.

Cons

●Needs a computer to perform a factory reset on an iPhone.
It’s a paid tool.

Why Recommended: It’s ideal when you don’t remember your iPhone 17 passcode or wish to reset without Apple ID password/iTunes/iCloud. The tool is also best for removing Apple ID and Activation Lock after resetting and numerous iPhone locks.

Method 2 – Factory Reset iPhone 17 Using Settings (If You Know the Password)

If you know the passcode to your iPhone 17, you can use its “Settings” app to perform a factory reset without using a computer. This method doesn’t reinstall iOS, only erases your data and settings. It’s all done on your iPhone in just a few taps and usually takes only a few minutes. That makes it faster and keeps your phone on the same iOS version you already have. Here’s how to factory reset iPhone 17 using Settings.

Step 1: Open “Settings” on your iPhone 17. Then, tap “General.”

Step 2: Move down. Click “Transfer or Reset iPhone.” Select “Erase All Content and Settings” or “Reset.” Hit “Continue.” Then enter your passcode.

Pros

●Done on the iPhone in minutes, no computer or cable needed.
●Supports Apple’s security system and Activation Lock.
●Doesn’t reinstall iOS, just clears data and settings.
Safely removes personal data, e.g, destroys encryption keys, making data recovery impossible.

Cons

●Won’t work if you don’t know your iPhone passcode.
●Won’t help with bugs or corrupted system files.
●Some minor iOS issues might not be cleared.
●Can’t use it if the iPhone won’t boot or respond.
It doesn’t prompt you to back up your data.

Why Recommended: It’s ideal if you know your iPhone passcode and don’t want to use a computer for factory resetting.

Method 3 – Factory Reset iPhone 17 with Buttons (Recovery Mode)

A factory reset using Recovery Mode is a deeper reset method for locked iPhones, mainly used for troubleshooting. It requires connecting the iPhone to a computer and pressing a button sequence to enter a special state. From there, the computer can update the software or fully erase and reinstall iOS. Here’s how to factory reset iPhone with buttons:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone 17 to a computer with iTunes/Finder installed. Then, put your phone into Recovery Mode:

Press the “Volume Up” button. Then, press the “Volume Down” button.
Next, press and hold the “Side” button until the recovery screen pops up.

Step 2: iTunes/Finder will recognize your iPhone 17 in Recovery Mode. In iTunes/Finder. Choose “Restore.” Next, hit “Restore and Update.”

Step 3: Wait for your iPhone 17 to reset. It will reboot afterward.

Pros

●Useful if the iPhone is frozen, unresponsive, or badly corrupted.
●Reinstalls iOS completely, fixing deep software issues.
Lets you erase the device if you forgot your passcode.

Cons

●Erases all data if no backup exists.
●Requires a computer, iTunes/Finder, and a cable.
●More technical and harder for non-experts.
●Slower than a standard reset since it downloads iOS.
Can fail with errors due to cables, software, or connections.

Why Recommended: Use this method if you don’t remember your iPhone’s passcode or if your phone has software issues, is unresponsive, or won’t switch on. It’s ideal if iTunes doesn’t recognize your iPhone initially for restoring it.

Method 4 – Factory Reset Without Computer (Find My iPhone / iCloud)

If you want to know how to factory reset a stolen iPhone 17, you can do so through “Find My iPhone” on iCloud.com. Unlike resetting from the phone itself, this method is for when you don’t have the device with you. It lets you reset a stolen iPhone remotely without a passcode using just your Apple ID password and by sending a command over the internet. Here’s how to factory reset a locked iPhone that’s stolen or lost with Find My iPhone:

Step 1: Open the “Find My” app on another iPhone or visit icloud.com/find on a browser. Then, choose “All Devices.”

Step 2: Select your iPhone 17. Then, click “Erase This Device.” Click “Continue.”

Step 3: Tap “Erase.” Input your Apple ID credentials to confirm. If the iPhone is online, erasing starts right away. But if it’s offline, it begins once it comes back online.

Pros

●Can factory reset your iPhone remotely from any web browser.
●Protects your personal data if the phone is lost or stolen.
●Functions even if the phone is broken, as long as it’s online.
Activation Lock keeps the phone useless to thieves after erasing.

Cons

●Needs an internet connection and won’t function if the phone is off or offline.
●Requires you to remember the Apple ID password.
●Once erased, you can no longer track the phone’s location.
●No chance to make a backup first, and new data will be lost.
Not for routine resets, as it leaves Activation Lock on.

Why Recommended: This method is ideal if you want to reset an iPhone remotely without using a computer, or if your phone is broken or stolen.

Method 5 – Use 3uTools to Restore iPhone

If you want to know how to reset iPhone 17 with passcode and Apple ID, 3uTools is a third-party free Windows program that can help with that. It can manage iPhones and restore (flash) iOS devices. The tool functions like an alternative to iTunes but also includes extra features like jailbreaking and data management. Here’s how to reset iPhone to factory settings with 3uTools:

Step 1: Download, install, and execute 3uTools. Then, choose “Flash & JB.”

Step 2: Tap “Easy Flash.” Choose firmware. Next, hit “Flash” and the tool will reset your iPhone.

Pros

●Free to use.
●Offers different restore modes (clean or keep data).
●Easy-to-use interface.
Extra tools like backup, jailbreak,

Cons

●Not supported by Apple and may void warranty or cause problems.
●It can’t remove Apple ID and Activation Lock after the reset.
Supports only Windows (no Mac

Why Recommended: 3uTools is best for advanced users who need to restore an iPhone when iTunes doesn’t function. It’s also ideal for users who require other tools for downgrading and jailbreaking iOS devices.

Conclusion: Comparison Table (All Methods)

Please swipe to view

Method

Requires Passcode/Apple ID?

Computer Needed?

Main Use Case

Advantages

Limitations

Tenorshare 4uKey

Yes

Reset without passcode/Apple ID, remove Activation Lock, MDM, Screen Time

Functions without Apple ID/passcode, removes many locks, fast

Paid tool, needs a computer

Settings (On Device)

Yes, (iPhone passcode)

Quick reset if you know the passcode

Fast, easy, safe, no computer needed

Won’t function without a passcode, doesn’t fix system bugs

Recovery Mode (Buttons + iTunes/Finder)

No (for reset)

Yes

Deep reset, fix frozen/unresponsive iPhone

Reinstalls iOS, fixes major issues, and functions if the passcode is forgotten

Slower, technical, needs a computer, erases all data

Find My iPhone (iCloud)

Yes (Apple ID)

No (but another device)

Remote erase for lost/stolen device

Remote reset, protects data, Activation Lock stays

Needs Apple ID & internet, can’t track after erasing

3uTools

Yes (passcode + Apple ID)

Yes (Windows only)

Advanced restore, an alternative to iTunes

Free, extra tools (backup, jailbreak, battery check)

Windows-only, can’t bypass Apple ID, may cause errors, unofficial

There are several ways to reset an iPhone 17. If you know the passcode, the Settings app is the quickest option. For bigger issues, Recovery Mode with iTunes/Finder works but is more technical. If the phone is lost or stolen, Find My iPhone through iCloud lets you erase it remotely. Whereas advanced users can also try 3uTools, though it has limits and risks.

But if you want to know how to factory reset an iPhone without password, the easiest and simplest option is Tenorshare 4uKey. It’s user-friendly, doesn’t need a passcode or Apple ID to reset iPhone 17, supports the latest iOS versions and devices, and can also remove numerous phone locks.