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Level 1

28 points

reset iPhone to factory settings without SIM card

I have a iPhone 3GS with no SIM card. I had attempted to wipe the phone of all my data by going into the phoe's General Settings and erasing all my data. I think it was done but cannot be sure.

Is there any way I can reset the phone to factory settings (wiping it clean) through iTunes without its SIM card?

iPhone 3GS

Posted on Nov 28, 2013 12:33 PM

Best reply

Ingo2711

Level 9

71,169 points

Posted on Nov 28, 2013 12:40 PM

Try to set it up as new device, explained here:

How to back up your data and set up as a new device

You might have to use recovery mode if iTunes does not recognize the phone if plugged in:

iOS: Unable to update or restore

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23 replies

Dec 14, 2015 9:41 AM in response to kevvyc

I have an iphone 4 that I got on a contract with AT&T (locked). The contract is now over. I have submitted unlock request with AT&T which has been accepted. When I tried to factory reset the iphone (without the simcard in phone), it got stuck in recovery mode. How can I now restore the iphone from recovery mode? I don't mind losing the data. I have the original AT&T simcard that came with it but that account is no longer active. Do I restore the iphone first and then unlock it or unlock first and then restore it?

Any help/advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Dec 3, 2016 7:58 AM in response to kevvyc

i have sim locked iphone 5s and from setting menu i erase all the data and when it restarted then it is asking to insert valid supported sim to activate my phone so what shall i do to activate my phone without sim like before......can someone help me plzz...

Dec 3, 2016 8:06 AM in response to king@boss

You need a SIM in the phone to activate it, even if you don't plan to use it for phone calls. And you can remove the SIM once the phone is activated. The SIM does not have to be currently enabled. So just borrow one for a few minutes.

Apr 4, 2017 1:34 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Hi, I did restore my iPhone 6 to factory settings without the sim and now it doesn't pick up any sim I insert. Just tell me phone not allowed. Any advice?

Apr 4, 2017 1:38 PM in response to Skelmpies

Find or borrow a SIM to complete the activation. The SIM doesn't have to be active, it just has to be the same size and, if the phone is carrier locked, from the appropriate carrier.