Bypassing the PIN code on an iPhone is possible but not always easy. There are a few different methods that can potentially work to get around the PIN and gain access to a locked iPhone.
Trying Common PINs
One of the simplest ways to try and bypass an iPhone’s PIN is to guess common PIN combinations. Many people use easy to remember PINs like birthdays, anniversaries, repeating numbers (1111, 1234, etc), or simple patterns. Trying some of these common PINs could potentially grant access if the owner used an unoriginal code.
However, this approach is unlikely to work in many cases. With modern iOS versions, after 10 incorrect attempts the iPhone will disable itself for 1 minute before allowing more tries. After repeat failures, this duration increases exponentially up to a 1 hour wait after the 9th failed attempt. This makes brute forcing the PIN through guessing impractical for most.
Using Fingerprints or Face ID
If the target iPhone has Touch ID or Face ID enabled, it may be possible to bypass the PIN by using the owner’s fingerprint or face to unlock it instead. This requires physical access to the device as well as the owner themselves, or at least one of their registered fingerprints or sufficient likeness to unlock Face ID.
However, this method will not work if the iPhone requires the PIN before biometric sign-in is allowed after rebooting or after 48 hours of no unlock. It also requires the owner’s biometrics have not been removed from the device.
Using Find My iPhone
Apple’s Find My iPhone service allows remotely bypassing an iPhone’s passcode in certain situations. Using either the Find My iPhone app on another iOS device or iCloud.com on a computer, the service can perform a remote wipe to factory reset the iPhone and remove its passcode. This completely bypasses the PIN.
A big caveat is that Find My iPhone must already be enabled and activated on the target device, and you must know the owner’s Apple ID and password to use the service. The phone must also have an active internet connection. Because of these requirements, this approach only works under specific circumstances.
Connecting to iTunes
Connecting an iPhone to a computer it’s been previously synced with in iTunes can allow bypassing the PIN in some cases. After connecting, iTunes will request the PIN. Selecting Cancel and then choosing to restore the iPhone can wipe the device and remove the PIN without needing to enter it.
However, this method is limited because if the iPhone has encryption enabled, iTunes will require the PIN before allowing a restore. And recent iOS versions now prevent iTunes restoring unless the iPhone is first unlocked, making this technique increasingly difficult.
Using MDM Profiles
Mobile Device Management (MDM) profiles allow IT administrators of organizations to remotely control and configure iPhones. One feature is the ability to remotely clear the passcode from a device. If an attacker can install an MDM profile on a target iPhone, they can potentially use it to remove the PIN.
The phone must first be manually enrolled in the attacker’s MDM server. This requires briefly unlocking the device making it impractical in most real-world scenarios. But if the target device was already enrolled in a company’s MDM server, an attacker compromising that server could potentially remove its PIN code via this method.
Using IP Boxes
Dedicated iPhone unlocking devices known as IP boxes claim the ability to bypass iPhone PIN codes. These work by electronically sending passcode guesses to the device until the correct one is found. Some IP boxes advertise trying thousands of passcodes per second.
However, modern iOS versions now implement delays after repeated incorrect attempts specifically to protect against this kind of brute forcing attack. While IP boxes may work on very old iOS versions, most modern iPhones now take the same 1 hour lockout period after 9 failed PIN attempts regardless of if they are entered manually or via an IP box.
Exploiting Software Vulnerabilities
Various iOS software vulnerabilities have been discovered over the years that can allow attackers with physical access to bypass the lock screen. By exploiting these bugs, they may be able to access the iPhone’s data without entering the PIN.
Most of these vulnerabilities are patched quickly by Apple once discovered. But hackers or security researchers could potentially find new vulnerabilities that remain unpatched for a period of time. Exploiting these bugs before they are fixed could allow certain parties to get around an iPhone’s PIN.
Using Forensic Tools
Specialized mobile forensics tools exist that can crack into iPhones for data recovery and extraction. Some forensic access methods may potentially allow bypassing the PIN lock and getting the phone to a state where it can be accessed.
However, iOS has extensive security protections against many forensic attacks. Apple devices use strong encryption that makes cracking PINs difficult even with forensic tools in many cases. So forensic tools may not necessarily provide an easy or reliable method for typical users to bypass lock screens.
Physically Replacing Storage Chips
On some iPhone models, it is possible to physically remove the flash storage chips and read their data using specialized equipment attached to a computer. This can let someone bypass the PIN and access stored data, including photos, messages, and files.
However performing this kind of chip-off technique requires highly specialized tools and technical skills. And recent iPhones incorporate the storage chips directly onto the main logic board making removal extremely challenging. So while possible in some cases, this method is unrealistic for most people attempting to bypass an iPhone’s lock screen.
Using Cellbrite Machines
Cellbrite is a company that sells advanced mobile forensics devices to law enforcement and government agencies. Some of their machines are reportedly capable of bypassing iPhone lock screens under certain circumstances.
However, Cellbrite hardware is only sold to vetted organizations, not to typical consumers. The machines are also very expensive, with costs ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. So while law enforcement may have tools that can occasionally crack into locked iPhones, regular people do not have access to this capability.
Conclusion
While there are methods that may work for bypassing an iPhone’s PIN lock screen in some situations, they all have significant limitations or practical challenges. Modern iPhone hardware and software security make brute forcing PINs essentially impossible. And techniques like chip removal require skills and tools well beyond most users.
So in general, bypassing an unknown iPhone’s PIN is very difficult for the average person. The only reliable way is to either find out the PIN directly from the owner, or exploit a new undiscovered software vulnerability. Both of these options are unlikely for typical users acting on their own. Ultimately, the iPhone’s lock screen mechanisms provide robust security against unauthorized access in most situations.
| Method | Feasibility | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Trying common PINs | Low | Limited guesses before lockout |
| Using fingerprints/Face ID | Moderate | Requires owner’s biometrics |
| Find My iPhone wipe | Low | Requires Apple ID and password |
| iTunes restore | Low | Prevented by iOS encryption |
| MDM profile | Low | Requires enrolling device in MDM |
| IP boxes | Low | No longer effective on modern iOS |
| Exploiting vulnerabilities | Moderate | Patches likely soon after discovery |
| Forensic tools | Moderate | Encryption limits effectiveness |
| Chip removal | Low | Highly technically challenging |
| Cellbrite machines | Low | Only available to law enforcement |
