iOS 15.2 Makes It Easier to Reset Your Locked Device Without Needing a Computer

[MacRumors]

iOS 15.2, released this week, introduces the ability for customers to reset and erase their locked iPhone or iPad without needing to connect to a Mac or Windows PC.

As outlined in a support document (via 9to5Mac), iOS and iPadOS 15.2 add a new "Erase Device" option for when a device is locked out as a result of multiple failed attempts to enter the device's password. By pressing "Erase Device," users are prompted to confirm their identity with their Apple ID password, which results in the device being entirely erased and reset.

The new option is a welcome addition and a departure from the previous method, which required customers to put their iPhone or iPad into DFU mode and restore via Finder on the Mac or iTunes on Windows.

One caveat is that under the new method in iOS 15.2, the device must already have an active Wi-Fi or cellular connection before it is locked out. If not, users cannot connect to a network and will be forced to revert to the prior technique.

iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 include a host of new features, including a new App Privacy Report, the Apple Music Voice Plan, Legacy Contacts, and more. Catch up on all the latest features and additions with our round-up.

Article Link: iOS 15.2 Makes It Easier to Reset Your Locked Device Without Needing a Computer

 

[HQuest]

Nice! Now not only stolen devices can be taken for parts, thieves would know some of its previous owner information.

Hope I am not the only one to see a problem in this.

 

[ikir]

Very welcome addition, working as tech support I know this new feature helps a lot normal users.

@HQuest
Nope, after a force reset with recovery or DFU, iOS ask you your AppleID, but the APpleID is not completely visible. This is just another simple way to reset, but I'm quite sure the AppleID will not displayed entirely. Anyway your ID is protected by password and 2FA btw.

 

[AntonisCy]

Does this turn the "Find My iPhone" setting off or is this only to be used for a reset of the current owner (not getting rid of the phone).

 

[Le0M]

So, anyone can reset my iPhone without my consent?

 

[TheBigDog]

So, anyone can reset my iPhone without my consent?

Yeah, just like they could disable your phone without your consent by spamming incorrect passcodes.

 

[TheBigDog]

Does this turn the "Find My iPhone" setting off or is this only to be used for a reset of the current owner (not getting rid of the phone).

Definite no on that one bud, that would be the death of activation lock ?

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

So, anyone can reset my iPhone without my consent?

That's been possible for years. Since I've been an iPhone user since 2017.

All one needs to do, put it in DFU mode and connect to a computer with iTunes.

Do a reset & restore iPhone.

It won't remove your activation lock or FindMy on your phone. but your data and Information will be completely erased from the phone (other than activation lock and FindMy)

 

[Le0M]

That's been possible for years. Since I've been an iPhone user since 2017.

All one needs to do, put it in DFU mode and connect to a computer with iTunes.

Do a reset & restore iPhone.

It won't remove your activation lock or FindMy on your phone. but your data and Information will be completely erased from the phone (other than activation lock and FindMy)

I thought iPhones required a password to be reset.

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

I thought iPhones required a password to be reset.

it depends on your definition of "reset"

if you think "reset" in terms of *fully reset* to completely erase with no accounts or anything attached to it, then NO its impossible.

If you're thinking "reset" in terms of erasing all YOUR data, contacts, content, pictures, etc. , Then yes it can be reset. Without your consent.

Restore your iOS Device - Apple

 

[boss.king]

So, anyone can reset my iPhone without my consent?

If they have your Apple ID password, sure, so maybe just don't go giving that out to too many people.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Glad to see this new welcomed feature.

 

[Shirasaki]

If they have your Apple ID password, sure, so maybe just don't go giving that out to too many people.

A reset of “deleting all data” doesnt need Apple ID password and email. Now that iOS 15.2 makes this even easier somehow, or not.

I would not want to test that out on my personal device though, so testing it out would take a little while.

 

[contacos]

A reset of “deleting all data” doesnt need Apple ID password and email. Now that iOS 15.2 makes this even easier somehow, or not.

I would not want to test that out on my personal device though, so testing it out would take a little while.

They still won't be able to use the device though because once erased, it will ask you for the password of the Apple ID that is linked to the device and yes, the email is hidden like t**t@g****l.com.

I have always had "erase after 10 failed pass code attempts" enabled anyway.

 

[ThePrinceJayy]

Nice! Now not only stolen devices can be taken for parts, thieves would know some of its previous owner information.

Hope I am not the only one to see a problem in this.

Incorrect.

Let’s just say I’m a technician who deals with customer’s forgotten passcodes on iPhones on a regular basis.

There is literally no difference between this new update and the procedure prior. This just takes out the middle man. (The computer)

Previously, if the iPhone was stolen, it could already be (DFU) resorted and taken apart.

Find My also stays on, so device activation is locked to owner’s Apple ID still.

Does this turn the "Find My iPhone" setting off or is this only to be used for a reset of the current owner (not getting rid of the phone).

Find My is still enabled after (if it was already on). Device will still be locked to Apple ID/owner.

So, anyone can reset my iPhone without my consent?

People already could by putting your iPhone into DFU mode with the computer and restoring it.

I thought iPhones required a password to be reset.

No password required.

This is an extreme big welcome addition to iOS. To be honest, should’ve been here years ago.

Being a tech who deals with this on a constant basis, this is an amazing time saver for people who tend to forget passwords and have to hunt down a computer for the passcode removal.

I’ve even met tons of people in different households who purposely don’t even own a computer.

All positive in this.

 

[alexiaa]

I just tried this on my iPhone X and it's horribly buggy. When you press "Erase iPhone", a screen comes up where the "Cancel" button overlaps "Emergency" so it's impossible to cancel, and pressing "Erase iPhone" again does nothing.

EDIT: I rebooted and now pressing "Erase iPhone" says "The Apple ID password for n****@gmail.com is required to erase this iPhone". So it doesn't show your full email, and also requires to enter your password before erasing. So it does disable Activation Lock but only if you enter the correct password, without that you can't even erase it without a computer.

 

[chabig]

So it does disable Activation Lock

I don't think so. The support article isn't quite clear about that, but the purpose of this feature is to help people who forget their passcodes. There is no reason to disable activation lock just because someone forgot their passcode.

 

[svish]

This is very good. Makes it very simple.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I thought iPhones required a password to be reset.

Wipe your iPhone? Yes. But they can’t activate or use your iPhone. The set up screen will ask for your AppleID before it lets you do anything. Its not a complete reset.

 

[drewsof07]

Why can we still not unlock these remotely through iCloud/Find My without erasing and restoring? MDM enrolled devices are able to have their passcodes reset remotely, surely Apple could accomplish the same.

 

[fredrik9]

So, anyone can reset my iPhone without my consent?

No you need to input your Apple ID. Read the article.

 

[strongidea]

I just tried this on my iPhone X and it's horribly buggy. When you press "Erase iPhone", a screen comes up where the "Cancel" button overlaps "Emergency" so it's impossible to cancel, and pressing "Erase iPhone" again does nothing

This is also the case on the iPhone 12. Should also note that erasing an iPhone through this method will also remove all data plans from the eSIM.

Why can we still not unlock these remotely through iCloud/Find My without erasing and restoring? MDM enrolled devices are able to have their passcodes reset remotely, surely Apple could accomplish the same.

I really wish there was a way to do this with iCloud/Find My. I’m seriously considering supervising my iPhone and saving an unlock code (or whatever it’s called) in Apple Configurator 2.

 

[SFjohn]

Step by step to a portless iPhone.

 

[ikir]

A reset of “deleting all data” doesnt need Apple ID password and email. Now that iOS 15.2 makes this even easier somehow, or not.

I would not want to test that out on my personal device though, so testing it out would take a little while.

Keep in mind, resetting from DFU / recovery or fro ma working device unlocked is differente. BTW don't know why you leave me a angry face about an informative post how it works.

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

Step by step to a portless iPhone.

considering that most people don't even care or own laptops/computers anymore and the trend is mobile tablets/phones.

I agree that a port-less iPhone is on the horizon. But is a whole can of worms IMHO. They at least have to have some external connection of some type, I'm thinking smart connection like they have on iPads in which, is the way iPhones can be troubleshot if there are any problems that can't be fixed on-device-only.

Plus they'll sell more friggin expensive wireless chargers.

You buy a cheap wireless charger? phone F'd up? yeah, warranty doesn't cover that....