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.
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices.
Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of June 2025:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone X through iPhone 14 Pro have a...
iPadOS 26 allows iPads to function much more like Macs, with a new app windowing system, a swipe-down menu bar at the top of the screen, and more. However, Apple has stopped short of allowing iPads to run macOS, and it has now explained why.
In an interview this week with Swiss tech journalist Rafael Zeier, Apple's software engineering chief Craig Federighi said that iPadOS 26's new Mac-like ...
Alongside WWDC this week, Logitech announced notable new accessories for the iPad and Apple Vision Pro.
The Logitech Muse is a spatially-tracked stylus developed for use with the Apple Vision Pro. Introduced during the WWDC 2025 keynote address, Muse is intended to support the next generation of spatial computing workflows enabled by visionOS 26. The device incorporates six degrees of...
Thursday June 12, 2025 8:58 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup.
If you skipped the iPhone...
Apple today provided developers with a revised version of the first iOS 26 beta for testing purposes. The update is only available for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models, so if you're running iOS 26 on an iPhone 14 or earlier, you won't see the revised beta.
Registered developers can download the new beta software through the Settings app on each device.
The revised beta addresses an...
Thursday June 12, 2025 10:14 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple today added Mac Studio models with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips to its online certified refurbished store in the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and many European countries, for the first time since they were released in March.
As usual for refurbished Macs, prices are discounted by approximately 15% compared to the equivalent new models on Apple's online store. Note that Apple's ...
Apple today added M4 MacBook Air models to its refurbished store in the United States, making the latest MacBook Air devices available at a discounted price for the first time since they launched earlier this year.
Both 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models are available, with Apple offering multiple capacities and configurations. The refurbished devices are discounted by approximately 15...
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)
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.
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.
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.
Don't worry about it, he does that for everyone. I think he's just an angry guy in general.
