# Wipe a Device in FileWave Anywhere

## What

**Wipe Device** sends a destructive erase command to the selected managed device. On iPhone and iPad, it is the remote equivalent of **Erase All Content and Settings**.

## When/Why

Use this action when a device must be erased before reassignment, return, or re-enrollment. Confirm that any required data is backed up and that you selected the correct device before sending the command.

<p class="callout danger">Wipe permanently erases the device. Review the target and every option in the confirmation dialog before selecting **OK**.</p>

## How

Open the device action menu (**...**) and choose **Wipe device**:

![ipC5tMXTYK82pZhr-embedded-image-icxwtjwh.png](https://kb.filewave.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-07/ipC5tMXTYK82pZhr-embedded-image-icxwtjwh.png)

FileWave then shows the available wipe options. The list varies by platform and OS version:

![LdR0CtIUQlvASyc0-embedded-image-xbm9lwex.png](https://kb.filewave.com/uploads/images/gallery/2023-07/LdR0CtIUQlvASyc0-embedded-image-xbm9lwex.png)

When **Remove Activation Lock** is available, select it if the device should return ready for reassignment. Otherwise, the device may still request the previous user's Apple Account (Apple ID) during activation.

<p class="callout info">Activation Lock behavior can also be controlled in Automated Device Enrollment (ADE, formerly DEP) profiles.</p>

## Related Content

- [Apple ID prompt still appears even when Activation Lock Bypass Code is used during Remote Wipe](https://kb.filewave.com/books/ios-ipados/page/apple-id-prompt-still-appears-even-when-activation-lock-bypass-code-is-used-during-remote-wipe "Apple ID prompt still appears even when Activation Lock Bypass Code is used during Remote Wipe")