Erase iPhone Verification Failed? 8 Ways to Fix It!

You are trying to erase your iPhone and it says “Verification Failed”? This message prevents you from erasing your iPhone, leaving you stuck and unable to prepare your iPhone for resale or simply to clear personal data. Don’t worry! This guide dives deep into the causes and provides proven solutions to fix the Verification Failed issue and successfully erase your iPhone.

• Understanding the "Verification Failed" Error
• Method 1: Ensure a Stable Internet Connection
• Method 2: Reset Network Settings
• Method 3: Sign Out of Apple ID
• Method 4: Check Apple’s System Status
• Method 5: Force Restart Your iPhone
• Method 6: Update iOS to the Latest Version
• Method 7: Erase Your iPhone via iTunes
• Method 8: Erase with iSumsoft iOS Refixer

Understanding the "Verification Failed" Error

When you initiate an erase (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings), your iPhone communicates with Apple's servers for crucial verification. This step primarily confirms:

1. Apple ID Ownership: Ensuring you are the rightful owner authorizing the erase.

2. Activation Lock Status: Verifying that "Find My iPhone" is correctly disabled or that you know the associated Apple ID password to turn it off during the process.

3. Apple Server Communication: Your iPhone needs a stable connection to Apple's servers to complete the verification handshake.

4. Device-Specific Checks: Ensuring no conflicting settings (like Screen Time restrictions) or software glitches interfere.

The "Verification Failed" message indicates one or more of these checks didn't pass. Let's tackle the solutions systematically.

Method 1: Ensure a Stable Internet Connection

A stable internet connection is essential for the iPhone verification process. If your connection is weak or inconsistent, the verification process may fail, triggering the "Verification Failed" error when trying to erase your iPhone.

1. Turn on Airplane Mode for 30 seconds, then turn it off.

2. Disconnect from Wi-Fi network for 10 seconds, then reconnect to it.

3. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or try a different network if possible.

4. If you are using Wi-Fi, try switching to cellular data, or vice versa, to see if the error persists.

Method 2: Reset Network Settings

Sometimes, network issues can interfere with the verification process, especially if your iPhone is having trouble connecting to Apple’s servers. Resetting your network settings can help restore your connection.

1. Open Settings, then go to General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

2. Enter your passcode, then confirm the reset.

3. After resetting, reconnect to your Wi-Fi or cellular network and try to erase your iPhone again to check if the Verification Failed error has been fixed.

Method 3: Sign Out of Apple ID

In many cases, the "Verification Failed" error is related to issues with Apple ID verification. A temporary glitch in the Apple ID system might prevent proper verification during the erasure process. Signing out of your Apple ID can bypass this issue and allow you to erase your iPhone without requiring verification.

1. Got to Settings > [Your Name] (at the very top).

2. Scroll down and tap Sign Out.

3. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.

4. Choose what data to keep a copy of your iPhone.

5. Tap Sign Out again to confirm.

6. After signing out, try to erase your iPhone again.

Signing out of your Apple ID can help resolve verification issues, allowing you to complete the erase process without encountering the "Verification Failed" error.

Method 4: Check Apple’s System Status

Apple services occasionally experience outages that affect the functioning of its systems, including the Apple ID and device verification services. If Apple’s servers are down, you may encounter an “Verification Failed” error when trying to erase your iPhone.

1. Visit Apple’s System Status page: Apple System Status.

2. Check if any Apple services, such as iCloud or the Apple ID service, are experiencing outages.

3. If Apple’s services are down, you'll need to wait for them to resolve the issue on their end and then try to erase your iPhone again.

Method 5: Force Restart Your iPhone

A force restart clears temporary glitches, software hiccups, or frozen processes that may have caused the “Verification Failed” error.

iPhone 8, SE (2nd/3rd), X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16: Press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold Volume Down + Side buttons until the Apple logo appears.

iPhone 6s/SE (1st)/Earlier: Press and hold Home + Top (or Side) buttons until the Apple logo appears.

Once restarted, try erasing your iPhone again.

Method 6: Update iOS to the Latest Version

Running an outdated version of iOS can sometimes cause various issues, including problems with verification during the erase process. Bugs in older versions can interfere with critical system functions, leading to the "Verification Failed" error. Keeping your iPhone's software up to date is crucial for optimal performance and smooth operation.

1. Ensure your iPhone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.

2. Open Settings, then go to General > Software Update.

3. If an update is available, tap Download and Install to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS.

4. Once your device is updated, try erasing your iPhone again to see if the "Verification Failed" error has been resolved.

Method 7: Erase Your iPhone via iTunes

If you’ve tried all of the above and the “Verification Failed” error persists, erasing your iPhone through iTunes may be the solution. This method bypasses many in-device processes, which can help avoid verification issues.

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.

2. Boot your iPhone into recovery mode:

• • For iPhone 8 or later: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.


• • For iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down and Side buttons together until the recovery mode screen shows.


• • For iPhone 6s or earlier: Hold the Home and Top/Side buttons at the same time until you see the recovery mode screen.
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3. Open iTunes on your computer, then choose the Restore option when prompted.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm that you want to proceed with the factory reset. iTunes will then begin the process.

5. Keep your device connected until the entire process is complete. Your iPhone will restart once it’s been fully erased and restored.

If the “Verification Failed” issue is caused by a software bug, performing the reset via iTunes may bypass it.

Method 8: Erase with iSumsoft iOS Refixer

If for some reason iTunes also fails to erase and reset your iPhone, iSumsoft iOS Refixer is another alternative. This is a specialized iOS repair tool that helps you fix various iOS issues, including the Verification Failed issue.

1. Download and install iSumsoft iOS Refixer on your computer, and once installed, launch the program.

2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and boot your iPhone into recovery mode.

3. In iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer, select the System Repair option.

4. Select Advanced Mode (this option deeply repairs iOS and erases the iPhone and restore it to factory settings.)

5. Click Start to confirm that you want to repair and erase your iPhone in this way.

6. Click Next, and the software will automatically detect your iPhone.

7. Click Download to download the firmware package needed to fix your iPhone.

8. When the firmware download is complete, click Repair to start repairing your iPhone.

9. When the repair is successful, your iPhone is erased and you need to set it up again.

Conclusion:

Encountering the “Verification Failed” error can be frustrating when trying to erase your iPhone. However, by following the steps outline above, you can resolve the issue and successfully reset your device.

From checking your internet connection to signing out of your Apple ID and erasing your iPhone with a computer, these solutions address the most common causes of the verification failure. If you’re still having trouble, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Apple for further assistance. With a little troubleshooting, you’ll able to fix the Verification Failed issue and erase your iPhone in no time.