Bypass Your iPhone Passcode Even If You Are Locked Out

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Quick ways to regain access to your disabled iPhone
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Did you forget the passcode for your iPhone? Luckily, it’s easier than ever to get around the passcode screen so you can set a new one and start using your phone again. While all of these methods involve erasing and resetting your iPhone, you can always restore your data if you have a backup saved to a computer or iCloud.

Quick Steps

  1. Enter your passcode incorrectly a few times until you see the “iPhone Unavailable” screen.
  2. Tap Forgot Passcode? or Erase iPhone .
  3. Enter your Apple Account password.
  4. Tap Erase iPhone .
  5. After your iPhone restarts, follow the instructions to set it up again and set a new passcode.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

From the Lock Screen (iOS 15.2 and Later)

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  1. 1
    Try to enter your passcode incorrectly a few times. If you’re locked out of an iPhone running iOS 15.2 or later, you can reset your passcode directly from the lock screen. Like all the methods in this article, this one will require you to erase your iPhone and restore it from a backup (if you have one). Try entering your passcode several times until you see a screen that says “iPhone Unavailable” or something similar. [1]
    • For this to work, you’ll need to know the Apple Account password for the account associated with your iPhone. If you don’t know it, you can reset it .
    • Your phone also needs to be connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network for this method to work.
    • If you’re using iOS 16 or earlier and your phone has an eSIM, contact your cellular carrier first and ask them to send you instructions on how to set up your eSIM again after you’re done.
  2. 2
    Tap Forgot Passcode? . You’ll see this option at the bottom right corner of the screen. You might need to wait for this option to appear.
    • If you’re using iOS 16 or earlier, tap Erase iPhone instead.
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  3. 3
    Enter your Apple Account password. On the next screen, you’ll be prompted to sign out of your Apple Account. To do so, enter the password associated with the Apple Account on your iPhone.
  4. 4
    Tap Erase iPhone . This will begin the process of resetting your iPhone. All your data, apps, and settings will be erased.
    • If you have an eSIM and you’re using iOS 17 or later, you’ll be offered the option to keep or delete your eSIM.
  5. 5
    Follow the instructions to restore your iPhone. After you confirm that you want to erase your iPhone, the phone will restart. Follow the prompts on the screen to set up your iPhone again. During this process, you’ll have the opportunity to set a new passcode and to restore your iPhone from a backup .
  6. 6
    Sign in with an old passcode if you recently changed it (iOS 17 and later). If you recently reset your passcode and then forgot the new one, you can temporarily unlock your iPhone with the old passcode. This option is only available for 72 hours after you initially changed your passcode. To use this method:
    • Attempt to sign in with the wrong passcode a few times until the security lockout screen appears.
    • Tap Forgot Passcode?
    • Tap Try Passcode Reset or Enter Previous Passcode .
    • Enter your old passcode.
    • Follow the prompts on the screen to set a new passcode.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using a Computer

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  1. 1
    Turn off your iPhone. If you can’t reset your iPhone passcode directly from the lockout screen, you can do so with a computer. You’ll have to reset your iPhone and restore it from a backup, if you have one. To get started, power down your iPhone. [2]
    • If you’re using an iPhone without a Home button, press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side button at the same time until the power slider appears. Swipe the slider to shut down your phone.
    • If your iPhone has a Home button, press and hold the Side or Top button until you see the power slider, then swipe the slider to turn off the phone.
  2. 2
    Plug your iPhone into a computer and hold down the Side button. Use a USB cable to plug your iPhone into a computer. If your computer only has USB-C ports, you may need an adapter. As soon as you plug in your phone, press and hold the Side button.
    • If you’re using an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, hold the Volume Down button instead.
    • On iPhone 6s and earlier or iPhone SE (1st generation), hold the Home button.
  3. 3
    Release the button when an image of a computer and cable appears. Keep holding the button as your iPhone restarts and theApple logo appears. Don’t let go until you see an image of a computer and a charger cable on your iPhone’s screen.
  4. 4
    Open Finder or iTunes. If you’re using a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, open a Finder window. For Windows and Macs running macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes instead.
    • You can also use the Apple Devices app on Windows.
  5. 5
    Click the image of your iPhone. In Finder, it will be in the left sidebar under Locations . You’ll also see it in the sidebar in Apple Devices. In iTunes, locate the iPhone icon in the top bar.
  6. 6
    Tell your computer to trust your iPhone. You may be prompted to trust your iPhone on your Mac or PC. If this happens, select the Trust option.
  7. 7
    Select Restore . In Finder, you’ll see an option to either update or restore your iPhone. Select Restore .
    • In iTunes, go to Summary > Restore iPhone > Restore .
    • If you’re using Apple Devices, click General > Restore Backup (if you have a backup) or Restore iPhone . Select Restore .
    • It should take around 15 minutes for the process to complete. Your computer will erase your iPhone and reinstall iOS.
  8. 8
    Follow the prompts to set up your iPhone again. After your iPhone restarts, disconnect it from your computer. Follow the instructions on the screen to set your phone up again and restore it from a backup, if you have one. At this point you’ll also be able to set a new passcode.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

From iCloud.com

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  1. 1
    Open https://www.icloud.com/find in any browser. You can use this method to reset your iPhone and bypass the passcode from a computer, another phone, or a friend or family member’s device. However, it will only work if Find My is enabled on your locked iPhone. Go to https://www.icloud.com/find and click Sign In . [3]
    • You can also access this process from the Find My app on a friend’s iPhone or iPad. Have them tap Me in the bottom right corner of the app, then scroll down and select Help a Friend . This will launch the iCloud website, where you can sign in and erase your iPhone remotely.
  2. 2
    Sign in with your Apple Account. Use the account associated with the iPhone you’re trying to get into. If you don’t remember your Apple Account password, you can reset it at https://iforgot.apple.com/ .
  3. 3
    Select the iPhone you’re trying to unlock. You should see it in the list of All Devices on the left side of the screen.
    • You may need to expand the All Devices menu.
    • If another device is already selected, click < All Devices at the top left corner of the menu to go back to the list.
  4. 4
    Click Erase This Device . It’s near the bottom of the device menu.
  5. 5
    Follow the prompts to finish erasing your iPhone. You may be prompted to provide contact information and specify whether the device is lost or stolen. You can skip these steps.
  6. 6
    Set up your iPhone again. Once the process is complete, your iPhone will restart. Follow the instructions on the screen to set up your iPhone like new or restore it from a backup. During the setup process, you can set a new passcode.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I change a passcode if I do not know the current one?
    Jean bozen
    Community Answer
    You could reformat your iPhone or flash it or even use iTunes. Note: all your data and media will be erased.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 42
  • Question
    Will this work for an iPhone 4?
    Community Answer
    Yes, these tips will work on an iPhone 4.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 29
  • Question
    How do I bypass iPhone passcodes?
    Community Answer
    There is no possible way to do this.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Warnings

      • As of iOS 9.3.3, you can no longer use Siri-related bypasses to access your phone.
        Thanks
        Helpful 14 Not Helpful 8
      • If you don't have any existing backups before erasing your phone, you won't be able to recover your data.
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        Helpful 8 Not Helpful 4
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/105090
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/118430
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/erase-a-device-mmfc0ef36f/icloud

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