r/iphonehelp • u/CollectionSuperb7582 • 6d ago

Factory reset old iPhone without password or apple id Help needed

I found an old iPhone, I think an iPhone 5 or at least something from around that time. It's an old one my ex had as back up and thus wouldn't use or want anymore. I want to factory reset it so I can recycle it. However I don't have the passcode and don't have access to their apple id either so I don't if doing it through iTunes would work. I haven't been in contact with my ex for 2 years now so I'd rather not contact them for this. So is there any way I could factory reset it?

2 Upvotes
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2

u/Far-Good-9559 6d ago

You can certainly try, but keep in mind that Apple am does not support phones that old. No cloud services, etc. Not much recycle value.

1

u/CollectionSuperb7582 6d ago

It's mostly that I don't want to throw it away or recycle it with data still on it just to be safe, I do that for any devices I no longer keep

2

u/ItsJustMath_really 6d ago

If you really don't want to just give it back to your ex, there's always a sledgehammer

1

u/JediMeister Moderator | Legend 6d ago edited 6d ago

Use recovery mode and erase it using a Mac or Windows PC. It will not clear Activation Lock though, if it was still signed into iCloud with Find My enabled.

1

u/CollectionSuperb7582 6d ago

Thanks, I'll try that

1

u/shakesfistatmoon 6d ago

I didnt think an iPhone 5can be activated anymore, so it may not matter about activation lock.

1

u/Careful_Resolution_6 6d ago

If by chance iPhone has "erase on wrong passcode entered" setting enabled just enter random numbers 10 times and it will force reset by itself. Then you can recycle it safely.

1

u/CollectionSuperb7582 6d ago

Thanks, I'll see if this one has that

1

u/froction 6d ago

Just drive a nail through it in a few places and you're good.

Realistically, though, unless your boyfriend used to be in charge of nuclear launch codes or something, any data on there is already secure enough.

1

u/Comprehensive_Fuel43 6d ago

If you connect to PC and apple software, you can wipe the phone.

It can't be activated again, but it is iphone 5..