How to Remotely Erase an iPhone, iPad, or Mac

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In this article we will discuss about how to Remotely Erase an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Find My iPhone, iPad, and Mac was one of the most useful features added to macOS and iOS years ago. The iCloud-connected service lets you find something you lost by accident and maybe even get it back if it was stolen.

When the service is turned on on a device, you can use Find My for macOS, iOS, or iPadOS or iCloud.com to erase your computer, smartphone, or tablet or set up a signal to erase it the next time the device is connected to the Internet. If your Mac is lost or stolen, you can use iCloud to remotely delete all of its data and files.

But remotely wiping a Mac goes a step further. It not only deletes all the information on the computer, but it also locks it down so that it can’t be used without a passcode and shows a message you create. This is a great way to protect against theft, and even if you never use it, it’s good to know how.

How to Remotely Erase an iPhone, iPad

Via iCloud

1. Go to iCloud.com/find website and log in with your Apple ID.
2. Click All Devices and select the device you want to erase.
3. Here, select Erase iPhone.
4. Click Erase to confirm the action.

Even though this isn’t really a way to remotely delete your iPhone, it is a good way to make sure your information doesn’t get into the wrong hands. You can turn on a feature that will delete all data after 10 failed attempts to enter the passcode.

1. On your iPhone, open Settings → Touch ID & Passcode or Face ID & Passcode.
2. Enter the passcode.
3. Scroll to the bottom and toggle on Erase Data.
4. Tap Enable to confirm the action.

If someone tries to get into your iPhone and enters the wrong password 10 times in a row, the phone will delete all of the information on its own. Don’t worry, the intruder won’t be able to use your device anyway because the activation lock will still be on. You can also go to the official Apple support site to know more information.

Via your MDM solution

A Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution is used by some schools and businesses to lock their devices. This lets them keep an eye on and control how the device is used from a distance, even if that means wiping the iPhone or iPad clean. Note that the steps may be different depending on the MDM software or platform you use, but here is a general process.

1. Log in to the MDM app/browser with the Admin account.  
2. Go to devices to see all monitored devices.  
3. Select the device.  
4. Find the device setting section.
5. Select the erase device option.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Use Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync

Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync is a synchronization protocol for Microsoft Exchange that lets users get information about an organization from Microsoft Exchange’s server. Also, it improves collaborative workflow on networks with high latency and low bandwidth.

Exchange ActiveSync makes it possible to remotely wipe and restore an iPhone or iPad. You can do it through the Exchange Management Console, Outlook Web Access, or the Exchange ActiveSync Mobile Administration Web Tool.

How to Remotely Erase an Mac

Via iCloud

1. Open a browser such as Google Chrome or Safari and go to the iCloud website.
2. Log into your account using the Apple ID and password.
3. Click on the Find iPhone icon. (You might be asked to enter your password again.)
4. Click on All Devices at the top of the screen.
5. Select the Mac that you want to wipe.
6. In the device’s Info window, click Erase Mac.
7. Enter your Apple ID password to confirm.

FAQ

Can you erase an Apple device remotely?

You can erase an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, or Mac with the Find My app. You must turn on Find My [device] before you lose a device so that you can erase it remotely.

How do I delete all data from my iPhone or iPad?

Erase your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and put it back to how it was when it was first made. Tap Erase all Contents and Settings after going to Settings > General > Reset. Enter your passcode or the password for your Apple ID.

How do I remotely wipe my iPhone without iCloud?

Step 1: Open “Settings” and tap “Touch ID and Passcode.” Then, type in your passcode to move forward.

Step 2: Go to the very bottom of the page, where you will see an option to “Erase Data.”

Step 3: Slide it to the right, and then tap “Enable” to confirm.

Can I factory reset my phone from another device?

The Android Device Manager is another common way to wipe a phone’s data. It’s a feature that comes with every Android phone and lets you delete all of your personal information from the phone. You have to sync your Android phone or tablet with the Android Device Manager in order to use this feature.