Having a locked iPhone can be extremely frustrating. You may have forgotten your passcode or your Touch ID or Face ID may have stopped working. Without access to your phone, you can’t make calls, text, access apps, or view photos and videos stored on your device. The good news is that there are several methods you can try to recover and unlock your iPhone.
Trying Basic Troubleshooting First
Before attempting any advanced unlocking methods, there are some basic troubleshooting steps you should try:
- Restart your iPhone – Press and hold the side or top button until the power off slider appears. Slide to power off. Then press and hold the button again until you see the Apple logo to restart.
- Update your iPhone software – Connect your iPhone to iTunes or WiFi and install any available software updates. Updates sometimes include bug fixes that resolve issues like being locked out.
- Reset your iPhone – Go to Settings > General > Reset and choose “Erase All Content and Settings.” You’ll lose your data but it may resolve the issue.
- Remove case/screen protector – Sometimes cases or screen protectors can interfere with Touch ID or Face ID. Try removing anything covering the home button or front-facing camera.
If none of those basic steps work, don’t panic yet. You still have options to recover and unlock your iPhone.
Unlock with Trusted Computer
If you synced your iPhone with iTunes on a computer you trust, you may be able to unlock it by connecting to that computer again. Here’s how:
- Connect your locked iPhone to the trusted computer via USB and launch iTunes.
- A prompt should appear asking “Do you trust this computer?” Click Trust/Allow.
- Enter your PIN code when requested.
- In iTunes go to your iPhone > Summary and click “Check for Update.” Install any available updates.
After updating, your iPhone should be unlocked! If not, try additional troubleshooting like different cables, ports, and restarting your device and computer.
Unlock with iCloud
If you have Find My iPhone enabled in iCloud, you may be able to unlock your iPhone remotely. Log into iCloud.com and click Find iPhone. If your device appears, select it then click Erase iPhone at the bottom. This will perform a remote wipe removing your passcode. However, it will also erase your iPhone data so only use this method if you have a recent backup.
Unlock with Recovery Mode
Entering Recovery Mode can allow you to reset your device and remove the passcode lock. Here are the steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer via USB.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. Then quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
- In iTunes, a prompt should appear saying your iPhone is in Recovery Mode. Click Restore to wipe your device and remove the passcode.
This will erase your iPhone data so only use Recovery Mode unlocking if you have a recent backup. After restoring, your iPhone will be like new again.
Unlock with DFU Mode
Similar to Recovery Mode, DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode can also reset your device and unlock it. Here are the steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer via USB.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. Then quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side or Top button for 10 seconds.
- Keep holding the Side/Top button and then press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds.
- Release the Side/Top button but keep holding the Volume Down button until your iPhone enters DFU mode.
- In iTunes, click Restore to wipe your device which will remove the passcode.
Like with Recovery Mode, this will erase your data so only use DFU unlocking with a recent backup available to restore from.
Unlock with Tenorshare 4uKey
Third-party software tools like Tenorshare 4uKey offer unlocking solutions without fully erasing your iPhone. Follow these steps:
- Download and install Tenorshare 4uKey on a computer.
- Connect your locked iPhone via USB and launch 4uKey.
- Click the Unlock Lock Screen option and follow the prompts.
- Tenorshare will unlock your iPhone without wiping data or passwords.
This method doesn’t require a backup to restore from since it doesn’t erase data. However, there is a small risk of system instability from making software changes to bypass the lock. Weigh the pros and cons before using unlocking tools.
Unlock with Professional Repair Service
For difficult unlock cases, turning to professional mobile repair services may be needed. Stores like CPR Cell Phone Repair offer iPhone unlocking services by:
- Bypassing the activation lock for used devices
- Repairing damaged buttons or sensors related to locks
- Replacing broken Touch ID and Face ID
- Entering DFU Mode to reset devices
- Using advanced unlocking software and tools
Professional services are not free but provide the best chance for unlocking without losing data in tricky situations. Search for a reputable local repair shop with high ratings and reviews.
Preventing Future Lockouts
Once you get back into your iPhone, there are steps you can take to avoid getting locked out again:
- Set a passcode you’ll remember easily but not something easy to guess.
- Write down passcodes and keep them somewhere secure as a backup.
- Enable Touch ID or Face ID as an alternate unlock method.
- Create an iCloud Keychain password manager account to store passwords.
- Set up trusted devices or connections to automatically unlock your iPhone at home/work.
- Back up regularly to iCloud or iTunes to restore if needed.
Conclusion
Getting locked out of your iPhone can happen but there are ways to get back in. First try basic troubleshooting steps like rebooting or removing cases. If that doesn’t work, you still have options like trusted computer unlocking, iCloud Find My iPhone, Recovery Mode, DFU Mode, third-party software tools, and professional repair services. The right method depends on your specific situation. Having regular backups makes it easier to recover from extreme measures like factory resets. Once you regain access, take preventative measures like stronger passcodes and Touch/Face ID to avoid future lockouts.