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How to Unlock an iPhone When You Don’t Know the Passcode

by Suzanne Kantra on February 03, 2021

A couple of years ago, a toddler locked his father’s Apple device for 48 years by entering the incorrect passcode many, many times. Obviously, waiting for the lockout period to end was not an option. So what do you do when you’re locked out of an iPhone because you either can’t enter the passcode or don’t know it? The only way to unlock an iPhone when you don’t know the passcode is to erase it and restore it. Here’s how.

1. Open iTunes on your computer

First, make sure your phone is not plugged into your computer. To erase and restore your iPhone, you’ll need to open iTunes on your computer. Through iTunes, you’ll be able to access a backup saved on your computer or iCloud.

2. Remove your current passcode

To remove your current passcode, you’ll need to put your iPhone into recovery mode.

For iPhone X or later, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus

  1. Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the power off slider appears.
  2. Turn off your iPhone.
  3. Connect your iPhone to your computer while holding the side button and keep holding the button until you see the recovery mode screen.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

  1. Press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears.
  2. Turn off your iPhone.
  3. Connect your iPhone to your computer while holding the volume down button and keep holding the button until you see the recovery mode screen.

For iPhone SE (1st generation) and iPhone 6s or earlier

  1. Press and hold the side button (or top button) until the power off slider appears.
  2. Turn off your iPhone.
  3. Connect your iPhone to your computer while holding the Home button and keep holding the button until you see the recovery mode screen.

3. Restore your iPhone

iPhone recovery

Locate your iPhone in iTunes on your computer. You may have to click on the device icon in the upper right (it looks like a phone). Selecting the phone will cause a window to pop up that prompts you to “Restore” or “Update.” Choose “Restore.”

When you choose “Restore,” you’ll see a list of your recent backups, both on your computer (if you’ve backed up to your computer) and in iCloud (if you’ve backed up to iCloud). Select the most recent backup of your iPhone to restore.

[Image credit: Apple]


Topics

Tips & How-Tos, Phones and Mobile, Mobile Apps, iPhone/iPad Apps


Discussion loading

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From ibitoyelekan957@gmail.com on April 20, 2022 :: 10:58 am


What can I do to it I need help my forget her password and she don’t remember her iCloud also what can I do to it please

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From given chilila on December 03, 2023 :: 9:54 am


please i need help from you i forget apple id and password

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From Carrie A Cleveland on April 22, 2022 :: 7:28 pm


My father passed away recently, and we had no idea that he had an iPad. Several of us have tried to reset it with his frequently used numbers but to no avail. Apple won’t assist without the purchase receipt.
That said, how can we reset it without any of the 3rd party apps. I have a PC and a nephew has a Mac. Any assistance or advice would be greatly appreciated.

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From Josh Kirschner on April 23, 2022 :: 1:06 pm


Does he have a computer that he used to sync the iPad with iTunes? Do you have access to that computer and know his Apple ID/Password? If so, you could restore it from iTunes. Else, you may be out of luck. The only other option is you can get access to his Apple account in certain circumstances if you are the legal inheritor of his estate. See this article from Apple on how to get that access: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208510https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208510

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From thatbadbtchgrl on September 02, 2023 :: 7:59 pm


so basically I have a phone and it not working so then I have another phone and my mom go it for me and she does not know the password or anything and have been trying what I can do but nothing works or help

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From JoJo on July 03, 2024 :: 9:31 pm


The easiest way is to click the option of “Forgot passcode” on the iPhone unavailable interface to reset the phone, but this method requires you to enter your Apple ID password. Third-party software is also very convenient. Like Joyoshare iPasscode Unlocker, you can download it for free to try it out and see if your iPhone can be unlocked.

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