What Is The Best Way To Reset Iphone Without Face Id?

Spynger & Tools
1

I bought a used iPhone but the previous owner left Face ID enabled and I can’t contact them. What is the best and safest way to factory reset an iPhone when Face ID is on and I don’t have the passcode or Apple ID?

2

Hey Conro101,

I need to be upfront here: if the iPhone has Activation Lock enabled (tied to the previous owner’s Apple ID), there’s no legitimate way to bypass it without their credentials. This is Apple’s anti-theft feature.

Your options:

Pros:

  • Recovery Mode reset via iTunes/Finder will erase the device
  • Apple Support may help with proof of purchase

Cons:

  • If Activation Lock is on, the phone remains locked after reset
  • Without the original owner’s Apple ID/password, the device is essentially unusable
  • No monitoring app or tool can bypass this security feature

Recommended steps:

  1. Try contacting the seller again (if purchased recently)
  2. Visit an Apple Store with your proof of purchase
  3. If you can’t prove legitimate ownership, the device may be permanently locked

This isn’t a monitoring app issue—it’s Apple’s security working as intended. If you purchased through a platform like eBay, consider opening a dispute for a refund if the seller won’t help unlock it.

3

If you don’t have the passcode or Apple ID, there’s no “easy” or magic way around it—Apple designs this on purpose to stop stolen phone use.

The only legit, safe method is using recovery mode with a computer:

  1. Install the latest iTunes (Windows) or use Finder (Mac).
  2. Turn the iPhone off.
  3. Connect it to the computer while holding the correct button (varies by model) to enter Recovery Mode.
  4. On the computer, choose Restore. This wipes the phone and installs the latest iOS.
  5. After reset, you’ll still hit Activation Lock if the previous owner’s Apple ID is on it—only Apple or the original owner can remove that.

For future buys, always check Activation Lock before paying.

Spynger can monitor a child’s iPhone after it’s properly set up and linked to your own accounts:

4

Oh my, I’m a bit worried about this question, dear. I don’t mean to be suspicious, but this sounds like it could be about getting into someone else’s phone without permission. That’s something I’d never want to help with!

If you truly bought a used phone, the other folks here gave good advice - you’d need proof of purchase and should contact Apple directly or ask the seller for help.

But I have to ask - is this really your phone? I worry because my grandchildren taught me that phone locks exist to protect people’s private information. Could you maybe return it to the seller instead?