Apple rolled out a new feature with iOS 15.2 called Security Lockout. This feature allows you to reset your iPhone without a computer. You need your Apple ID and password to erase and reset your device after someone has entered the wrong passcode a few times. When you see the security lockout screen, it means you’ve reached the number of times your iPhone has been disabled by entering a wrong passcode on iOS. This article explains what security lockout means on your iPhone and what you need to know about this feature, including what you need to do when you see the security lockout prompt.
What is a security lockout and when does it occur?
As mentioned earlier, Apple rolled out security lockout in iOS 15.2. Since then, it has become one of the most useful protection features of new versions of iOS. By default, iOS disables an iPhone after 10 attempts to enter the correct password. After that, the only recourse is to factory reset the device.
However, with the security lockout feature, entering the wrong passcode will not disable your device. Instead, you’ll see a timer that waits before attempting to re-enter the passcode. Once you reach the limit of incorrect passcode attempts, your iPhone will be disabled and useless. That’s also when you need to erase all data and reset.
Luckily, when you reset your iPhone, you no longer need to connect it to your computer. You can continue the process on the iPhone itself.
Requirements for using the Security Lockout iPhone Reset feature
To erase and reset your iPhone using the Security Lockout feature, you need to make sure of three things.
- Your iPhone is running iOS 15.2 or later.
- Connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network.
- You know (and hopefully haven’t forgotten) your Apple ID and password to set up your iPhone as a new device.
Note that if your iPhone wasn’t connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network before you locked it out, the option to reset the device will not be available. So, when you see the security lockout screen, you have to successfully unlock your iPhone to connect to Wi-Fi again.
In such situations, you have to connect your iPhone to computer and put it into recovery mode because you forgot the passcode. On the other hand, if your iPhone was connected to the cellular network, you can reconnect by restarting your iPhone.
How to Erase and Reset iPhone with Security Lockout
After you’ve reached the number of incorrect passcode attempts on iOS, you’ll be given the option to erase all content and settings on your iPhone. At that time, the security lockout screen will appear. According to Apple, this feature protects your device from others who might try to use your phone if it’s lost or stolen. If you don’t know your Apple ID and password, you can’t unlock or reset your iPhone, rendering a lost or stolen iPhone unusable. Most importantly, all personal data is safe.
To erase all content and settings on your iPhone, simply tap the Erase option below the Security Lockout screen. The device informs you that your iPhone is now in security lockout mode and prompts you to enter the correct passcode later or continue erasing the device.
Just tap Erase iPhone, you’ll be asked to sign in with your Apple ID and password before the reset process begins. From there, you can set up your device as a new iPhone.
How to Bypass Security Lockout on iPhone
For those wondering how to bypass the security lockout on their iPhone, there are some proven ways to do this.
Bypass Security Lockout Screen Using Apple ID Without Computer
Duration: 5 minutes.
To remove the security lockout without using a computer, follow these steps:
- Insert a SIM card with active cellular data into your iPhone.
- Tap Erase iPhone Security lockout screen options.
- Enter your Apple ID and password and tap Enter to continue.
- Your device will be reset and ready to be set up again as a new iPhone.
Restore your iPhone using iTunes (if you have it on a Windows PC)
Even if you’re using a Windows computer, you can use iTunes to restore your iPhone. The chances of this approach successfully solving the problem at hand are slim, but it doesn’t hurt to try it.
- Open itunes on your Windows computer.
- Connect your iPhone with a Lightning cable.
- put the iphone recovery mode.
- click return After iTunes detects your device, click the button.
- click restore and update.
If successful, iTunes will download the necessary updates for your iPhone and perform a factory reset.
Erase iPhone via iCloud on the Web
If you don’t know, you can also erase your iPhone in security lockout mode via the iCloud website. for that purpose, look for me Make sure the feature is enabled on your iPhone before going into lockout mode. You also need your iCloud credentials to log in to the website. Thankfully, most of the time those credentials are just an Apple ID and password. Below are the steps to erase an iPhone via the iCloud website.
- Log in to iCloud on the web.
- select find my iphone.
- Select your iPhone below all devices to the top bar.
- select Erase your iPhone.
- click Erase iPhone again from the popup window.
- Enter your iCloud credentials when prompted.
Your iPhone will be reset to factory settings and can be reconfigured as a new device.
one more
If your iPhone accidentally or otherwise goes into security lockout mode and you can erase the data and reset it, don’t try to restore from a previous backup. I recommend starting from scratch and reinstalling the apps you were using before. If you restore from a backup, your iPhone will likely apply a previous passcode that you already forgot.
