I've recently rediscovered my iPhone 6, which has been lost for a couple of years. However, I'm facing a problem because I've forgotten the password. I don't have access to a laptop, and my phone isn't connected to the internet or cellular service since it died. I do know my Apple ID and its password, and I've tried to erase the phone via iCloud, but it requires the device to be online to complete the process. Also, inserting a SIM card with internet didn't help because the phone hasn't been using cellular service for a while. I'm really hoping you all can offer some practical solutions that don't involve going to an Apple store or using a public computer. If this just isn't possible, please let me know!
2 Answers
Just a heads up: If you don't know the passcode, any data on the iPhone is permanently lost. You need the passcode to perform a backup or unlock the phone. Unfortunately, if the device can't connect to the internet, it won't receive the erase command from iCloud either. You really will need access to a computer to restore it in recovery mode.
If you're unable to connect your phone to the internet, the only way to factory reset your device is to connect it to a Mac or PC. Unfortunately, older iPhone models like the iPhone 6 don’t have features that allow for restoration through another nearby device. So, without access to a computer, your options are pretty limited. You could try borrowing a friend’s computer to do a factory reset with iTunes if you're okay with losing all the data on your phone.
Thanks for clarifying! I’ll see if a friend can help me out with their computer.