[Sloved] How to Erase an iPhone That Won’t Turn On

Marius
5 min readNov 7, 2024

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If you’re planning to sell or reset your iPhone but find it unresponsive, you may wonder how to erase it safely. This guide will walk you through troubleshooting methods to turn on your iPhone and, if needed, erase an iPhone that won’t turn on. Now read the article to learn 2 effective solutions to wipe data from an unresponsive iPhone quickly and securely.

erase an iPhone that won’t turn on
erase an iPhone that won’t turn on

Disclaimer: there may be several affiliate links in the article, I will earn a small amount of commissions from that.

In This Article

  1. How to Turn on Your iPhone Before Erasing
  2. How to Erase iPhone That Won’t Turn On Using LockWiper
  3. Erasing iPhone That Won’t Turn On Using Recovery Mode

Part 1: How to Turn on Your iPhone Before Erasing

Before erasing, try turning on your iPhone using these methods. Unresponsiveness may result from various issues, such as battery drain, software corruption, or hardware failure. Here’s how you can troubleshoot:

1. Recharge Your iPhone

A dead battery may require a few minutes of charging before the iPhone responds. Here’s what to try:

  • Plug It In: Connect your iPhone to a power source and let it charge for at least 10 minutes.
  • Check Charging Icon: If the battery icon flashes red and the screen remains blank, it may not be receiving enough power. Try a different charger, cable, or outlet.
  • Observe for Response: If the charging icon still doesn’t appear, move on to the next troubleshooting step.

2. Force Restart

Force restarting can resolve temporary software issues. Follow these steps based on your iPhone model:

  • iPhone 8 and Later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
  • iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
  • iPhone 6 and Earlier: Press and hold the Home and Power buttons simultaneously until you see the Apple logo.

3. Use Recovery Mode

If recharging and restarting don’t work, put your iPhone into Recovery Mode to update or restore it using iTunes:

  1. Open iTunes on your computer (make sure it’s the latest version).
  2. Connect Your iPhone to the computer.
  3. Enter Recovery Mode by force restarting your device until the “connect to iTunes” screen appears (follow force restart steps above based on your model).
  4. Update or Restore: When prompted, select Update to reinstall iOS without erasing data.

Note: If these steps don’t resolve the issue, consider erasing the device using LockWiper, as it’s designed for iPhones that won’t respond.

Part 2: How to Erase iPhone That Won’t Turn On Using iMyFone LockWiper

If your iPhone remains unresponsive, iMyFone LockWiper is the most efficient tool to wipe it completely, even if it won’t turn on. LockWiper allows you to erase all data and remove iCloud accounts safely and is compatible with all iOS versions and models.

Key Features of iMyFone LockWiper:

  • One-Click Erase: Wipes data from an unresponsive iPhone quickly and efficiently.
  • Data Security: Removes all data, protecting your privacy even if the device is resold.
  • Support for Broken Screens and Boot Issues: Works even with iPhones stuck on the Apple logo, in recovery mode, or with broken screens.
  • Compatible with All iOS Devices: Supports every iPhone model, including the latest versions running iOS 17 or iOS 18.

Steps to Erase iPhone Using LockWiper:

  1. Download & Launch LockWiper on your computer and click Unlock iOS Screen Passcode.

2. Connect Your Device: Select your iPhone model and put it into DFU or Recovery Mode as guided by LockWiper.

3. Download Firmware: LockWiper will detect the device and prompt you to download the firmware package.

4. Verify Firmware: Click Start to Verify to confirm compatibility with your device.

5. Start Unlocking: Click Start Unlock, then enter “000000” for confirmation. LockWiper will begin erasing the device.

In just a few minutes, your iPhone will be fully erased and restored to factory settings, regardless of whether it initially turned on.

Tip: LockWiper is the ideal solution if your iPhone has a broken screen, isn’t responsive to standard resets, or you’re looking to sell it without a passcode.

Part 3: Erasing iPhone That Won’t Turn On Using Recovery Mode

If your iPhone still doesn’t turn on, Recovery Mode through iTunes is another option. This method will erase all data and reset the iPhone to factory settings, but requires iTunes and a computer.

Steps to Erase iPhone Using Recovery Mode:

  1. Open iTunes on a Mac or PC (use the latest version).
  2. Connect Your Device to the computer with a USB cable.
  3. Put iPhone in Recovery Mode: Force restart your device based on its model (refer to steps in Solution 1) until the “connect to iTunes” screen appears.

4. Restore the Device: In iTunes, select Restore iPhone. This will reset the device and erase all data.

Important Notes:

  • Turn Off “Find My iPhone”: Recovery Mode requires that “Find My iPhone” is turned off.
  • Check Compatibility: Some iPhone models may require additional updates to work with iTunes.

Conclusion

If you’re facing an unresponsive iPhone, start with basic troubleshooting steps like recharging, force restarting, or entering Recovery Mode. If these steps don’t work, iMyFone LockWiper is the most reliable way to erase and reset your iPhone. LockWiper’s compatibility with all iOS devices, ease of use, and ability to work on unresponsive devices make it the top choice for safely erasing an iPhone that won’t turn on.

With these methods, you can prepare your iPhone for resale or reset it to protect your personal data.

You May Also Like:

How to Hard Reset iPhone 16 without Password

How to Reset iPhone Without Restrictions Passcode

4 Easy Ways to Unlock iPhone Passcode without Losing Data

How to Remove Previous Owner’s Apple ID without/with Password

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Marius
Marius

Written by Marius

I'm a iOS technological & AI tool writer who has 7-year-expenience of writing.

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