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

For most of us, the only times we type our iPhone passcode are when we restart the phone or install an update. Face ID and Touch ID make unlocking feel effortless – until they don’t. If you’re here, your phone has likely asked for a passcode you can’t remember.

Before you assume the worst, there’s one important exception. If you’re using an iPhone XS or later and you recently changed your passcode, you may be able to get back in using your previous code for a limited time. Apple gives you up to 72 hours after a passcode change to recover access.

Here’s how that works. After triggering the “Forgot Passcode” flow on the lock screen, choose “Try Passcode Reset” and enter your old passcode. If you’re still within that 72-hour window, you can unlock your phone and set a new code. After that window closes, this option disappears, so act quickly.

If you’re outside that window or don’t have your old code, the only way back in is to erase your device and restore from a backup. Apple enforces this policy to prevent anyone else from bypassing your passcode and accessing your information.

For most iPhones, you can reset your passcode directly from the lock screen as long as the device has a network connection and Find My was previously enabled.

1. Enter the wrong passcode repeatedly until your phone shows a “[Device] Unavailable” or “Security Lockout” message.
2. Tap Forgot Passcode? in the bottom corner.
3. Choose Start [Device] Reset.
4. Sign out of your Apple ID with your password.
5. Tap Erase [Device], then follow the prompts to erase all settings and content.
6. Once your device restarts, you’ll see the Hello screen and can begin the setup process, including restoring from a backup and setting a new passcode.

If your iPhone can’t connect to a network or is running an older version of iOS (iOS 14 and earlier), you’ll need a computer. The steps differ slightly depending on your iPhone model:

• iPhones with Face ID: Turn off the phone, connect it to your computer, then press and hold the side button until the recovery mode screen appears.
• iPhone 8 or SE (2nd/3rd gen): Same as above, but use the side button.
• iPhone 7/7 Plus: Use the Volume Down button instead.
• iPhone 6s or SE (1st gen): Hold the Home button.

Once in recovery mode:

1. On a Mac, open Finder. On Windows, open the Apple Devices app (free in the Microsoft Store).
2. Choose Restore when prompted. This wipes your device and installs the latest version of iOS.
3. After the process is done, you'll set up your iPhone from scratch or restore from a backup.

What surprises many people is how easily you can forget your phone passcode, but it's not that uncommon because we barely use it anymore. For this reason, I recommend storing your phone code in your password manager. At Techlicious, we use and recommend 1Password and Dashlane. Because when biometric login fails, it’s still your passcode holding the keys to your digital life.

[Image credit: screenshot via Techlicious, phone mockup via Canva]

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