Full Guide to Wipe an iPhone

Part 1. how to wipe an iphone with 1 click

Part 2. How to wipe a locked iPhone

Have you forgotten the passcode for your old iPhone? Do you need to wipe any information contained in that iPhone before giving it to someone else? Here is how you can erase personal information and the iPhone’s passcode:

Step 1. Link up the iPhone to a computer with iTunes.

Step 2. Force restart the iPhone (press and hold the “Sleep/Wake” and “Home” buttons together) while it is connected to the computer. Do this long enough to prompt the iPhone into Recovery Mode (indicated by the Apple logo).

Step 3. Once the iPhone is in Recovery Mode, there should be a command window shown on your computer. Click on “Restore”.

This will delete the iPhone’s passcode and content. iTunes will then download and install the operating system on the iPhone.

Step 4. Once this is done, the iPhone will be like brand new. The new owner will be able to set up the device like a new unit would.

Note: If it takes more than 15 minute to download and install the software, the iPhone will exit Recovery Mode. You will need to repeat steps 2 and 3.

Part 3. How to wipe your iPhone that is stolen

You just realised that your iPhone is no longer with you. In your rush, you are not sure if it was stolen in the busy train or if it fell out of your pocket as you ran to catch the train that you are now on. You then remember that you have important information is stored in your iPhone.

What should you do? You definitely do not want to be a victim of identity theft.

There are a couple of options for you:

OPTION 1: “Find My iPhone” is enabled

The “Find My iPhone” feature is a nifty program to let you locate any of your iOS devices. Once it is located, you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself from malicious attempts on your data

Step 1. From a computer or laptop, log into icloud.com/find. Alternatively, you can use the “Find My iPhone” app on another iOS device.

Step 2. Open the “Find My iPhone” tab and select your iPhone’s name. You should be able to see its location on a map.

If it is nearby, click on the “Play Sound” button to alert you its current whereabouts.

Step 3. Enable the “Lost Mode” to lock your iPhone remotely with a four-digit combination passcode. It will then display a custom message on your missing iPhone’s Lock Screen – custom it with a contactable number so that someone could contact you.

While in “Lost Mode”, you will be able to track the movement of your device and prevent anyone from making purchases with your Apple Pay account.

Step 4. Report your stolen or lost iPhone to the local law enforcers.

Step 5. If it remains missing over a period of time that you are not comfortable with (this may as well be as soon as you realise that it is gone), erase you iPhone. Once you click on “Erase iPhone”, every data will be deleted from the device. You will not be able to track it anymore. Once you remove the iPhone from your iCloud account after erasing its content, Activation Lock will be disabled. A new person will then be able to use the device.

Note: Steps 3 and 5 can only be done when the phone is online. You can still enable the command – it will only be effective once the phone goes online again. Do not remove the device before it goes online because these commands will be void if you do so.

OPTION 2: “Find My iPhone” is not enabled

Without enabling the “Find My iPhone” feature, you will not be able to locate your iPhone. However, you can still protect yourself from data theft.

Step 1. Change the password of your Apple ID – this will prevent anyone from get into your iCloud storage or use other service on your lost iPhone.

Step 2. Change the passwords of other accounts on your iPhone e.g. social networking sites, internet banking, email account etc.

Step 3. Report your stolen or lost iPhone to the local law enforcers.

Step 4. Report your stolen or lost iPhone to your telco provider – they will disable your account so that people will not be able to use your SIM to make phone calls, send messages and use your data.