Can Factory reset / safe mode be completely blocked on iPhone so that restrictions cannot be bypassed?

I want to ask if factory reset and also safe mode can be completely blocked on an iPhone. This is so that if I buy an iPhone and install software or setup restrictions to protect against viewing explicit content, that I will not be able to easily remove or get past the restrictions or software that I try to set up.


I have received contradictory information from people where several have told me that it is possible to completely block factory reset by setting up a passcode and restrictions, but one individual I have talked to that appears to be very technically knowledgeable told me that there are a handful of ways to factory reset iPhone without knowing the passcode. Also searching in a search engine like Bing can pull up a number of articles like "How to factory reset an iPhone without a passcode".


For the purpose of this discussion I would like to ask that people would not provide details about how to factory reset because if I find out how than I may not be able to use an iPhone and I may try blocking searches on how to factory reset by using internet filtering software on the family computer so that it is not possible to access this information.


Since iTunes can be used to factory reset iPhone, will I need to use the filtering software on the home Windows computer to block opening iTunes at least on my own Windows account? Or will the passcode be enough to block factory reset?


When I purchase the iPhone I will plan to have a trusted friend put their own passcode that I do not know and also have them choose an Apple ID and associated password so that I don't have access to that either, but can still use the phone (which I assume is possible after talking to my cell phone company and Apple Support).


I am somewhat confused because of the contradictory information I received but I want to make sure there is no way possible to use shortcuts like factory reset to access content where women are put on display as objects, because I believe I should maintain a respectful attitude towards women and that such content is dishonorable.


Also I did a search to find out if there is a "safe mode" on iPhone, but made sure I did not read any of the information on that setting. Safe mode could be a danger if I install third party Internet filtering software such as the Qustodio Internet Filter, because safe mode will disable that protection. Can safe mode on iPhone be blocked with the passcode/ Apple ID and associated password? I don't know how big of a deal the answer to that question since it is likely that I will setup the restrictions (such as only certain apps are allowed and only a small list of websites are allowed to be visited) using the settings provided in iPhone itself and not necessarily resort to installing additional software. I thought I would still ask about this though, but am planning on calling Apple support to ask them too.


Thanks for your input.

Posted on Sep 2, 2021 10:00 AM

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Posted on Sep 2, 2021 10:05 AM

I believe you're referring to "recovery mode" rather than "safe mode." Per your request, I will not detail the process other than that it does involve connecting to iTunes on a computer. However, while this does bypass the restrictions passcode, it does not bypass the Apple ID. This means that if you have your friend sign in with their Apple ID, then only their Apple ID could be used to set up the phone after it's been factory reset. They would need to sign into iCloud and enable the "Find My" feature for this to work.

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Sep 2, 2021 10:05 AM in response to ConsideringiPhone

I believe you're referring to "recovery mode" rather than "safe mode." Per your request, I will not detail the process other than that it does involve connecting to iTunes on a computer. However, while this does bypass the restrictions passcode, it does not bypass the Apple ID. This means that if you have your friend sign in with their Apple ID, then only their Apple ID could be used to set up the phone after it's been factory reset. They would need to sign into iCloud and enable the "Find My" feature for this to work.

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Can Factory reset / safe mode be completely blocked on iPhone so that restrictions cannot be bypassed?

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