How to Get Into Your iPhone If It’s Disabled without Using iTunes

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While you can't unlock it, you can erase it to make your phone functional again
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Have you forgotten your iPhone passcode enough times that your phone is now disabled? One way to get into your phone is with iTunes, but if you don't have access to iTunes what do you do? Thankfully there are some other methods you can do to get into your iPhone, but be aware that there's no way to get back into your phone without completely erasing all of your data. Keep reading to learn how you can get back into your iPhone after it has been disabled.

Things You Should Know

  • If you're on iOS 15.2 or later, you can erase your phone directly from the lockout screen by selecting "Forgot Passcode?"
  • If you have Find My enabled, you can use iCloud on your computer or another phone, or you can use another iPhone's Find My app.
  • If nothing else works, you can bring your phone to an Apple Store for help getting back in.
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Erase From Lockout Screen (iOS 15.2 & Later)

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  1. You will see two options at the bottom, one for emergency calls and one that says Forgot Passcode? . You will need your Apple ID password for this method. [1]
    • You will also need an active Wi-Fi or cellular connection to complete this method, so don't restart your phone once you get to the iPhone Unavailable screen or you won't be able to erase your device from the lockout screen .
  2. If you are on iOS 16 or earlier, make sure to contact your carrier before doing this method to get a QR code for setting up your eSIM.
    • If you're on iOS 17 or later, you'll have the option to keep your eSIM and erase your data, so you don't need to contact your carrier unless you also want to delete your eSIM.
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  3. This will confirm that you want to reset your iPhone.
  4. This will sign you out of your Apple ID to prepare your device for erasure.
  5. All of your data and settings will be permanently lost, but after your phone is done resetting you will be able to set it back up so you can use your device again.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Finder on a Mac

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  1. If you don't have a computer with iTunes available but you do have a Mac, you can restore your phone with Finder . If your phone is connected to a computer, unplug it. [2]
  2. Keep holding the recovery mode button while you plug your phone into the computer, and don't let go until you see the recovery mode screen on your iPhone. The button to press is:
    • iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X and later: Side/power button
    • iPhone 7, 7 Plus: Volume down button
    • iPhone SE, 6S, and earlier: Home button
  3. The Finder is in the dock by default and has an icon with a blue and white background with a smiley face.
  4. It will be under the Locations heading.
  5. The computer will be able to tell that the phone is in recovery mode, and will prompt you to restore or update it. You should select restore to completely wipe the phone and start over.
  6. Once it's done, you can set your iPhone up again.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

iCloud Website

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  1. Visit iCloud's Find Devices page to get started. Note that you must have "Find My" turned on for your iPhone for this method to work. [3]
  2. Make sure to use the Apple ID associated with the phone that you're trying to erase.
  3. It will be to the left side of the page.
  4. This will begin the erasure of your phone as long as it is turned on. If it's turned off, you must turn it on for the reset to begin.
  5. Follow any additional instructions from the iCloud website and allow the erasure process to finish. Once your phone turns back on, you can set it back up again.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Find My App on Another iPhone

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  1. You must have Find My enabled on your device for this to work. [4]
  2. This will display some additional options.
  3. This will allow you to log in to your Apple ID without needing to completely log out of your friend's Apple ID.
  4. Use your Apple ID associated with the phone that is locked.
  5. If the device doesn't show up, Find My is not enabled on your phone.
  6. Press through the buttons on the screen to confirm that you want to erase the device.
  7. This will begin the erasure of your phone as long as it is turned on. If it's turned off, you must turn it on for the reset to begin.
  8. Once it's done, you can set your iPhone up again.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Go to an Apple Store

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  1. If you don't have a Mac or can't erase your phone via iCloud or Find My, you will have to go to the Apple Store for assistance. The Apple Store employees may ask for verification that the phone belongs to you if you're not able to unlock it with your passcode.

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      • If you backed up your iPhone before getting locked out, you can restore your previous content and settings using iCloud or Finder when you set your phone up again.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212951
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204306
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/erase-a-device-mmfc0ef36f/icloud
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/erase-a-device-iph21a030ae3/ios

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