Quick Summary
If you forgot your iPhone passcode and don’t have access to a computer with iTunes, there are a few options to reset it:
- Erase your iPhone remotely using Find My iPhone
- Bring your iPhone to an Apple Store to have it reset
- Use an iPhone passcode removal service
- Attempt to guess the passcode
The easiest and quickest option if you previously set up Find My iPhone is to erase your device remotely. This will reset your passcode but also delete all data on the iPhone. Bringing it to an Apple Store will allow technicians to reset the device while preserving data if possible. Third party iPhone passcode removal services are available but not sanctioned by Apple. Guessing or entering random passcodes could work eventually but runs the risk of permanently disabling the phone.
What happens when you forget your iPhone passcode?
When you forget the numeric passcode on your iPhone, you’ll be locked out of the device after too many failed unlock attempts. This is an important security feature that prevents unauthorized access. After 6 failed passcode entries, you’ll have to wait 1 minute before trying again. After the 10th failed attempt, the iPhone disables Touch ID and requires the passcode. More failed attempts will increase the delay timer up to an hour before another attempt can be made.
Without the proper passcode, you cannot access any content or apps on your iPhone. This includes making or receiving calls and texts. Essentially the iPhone becomes unusable aside from emergency calls until the passcode can be entered or reset through other means.
Why resetting without a computer is difficult
Resetting iPhone passcodes without a computer is more difficult because iTunes on a PC or Mac provides the most straightforward and secure way to erase and reset the device. iTunes can reset the passcode while preserving the iPhone’s data if a recent enough backup exists. iTunes connects the iPhone directly to Apple’s servers for reliable passcode resetting.
Without connecting your iPhone to iTunes on a computer, the options are more limited. You either have to erase all the iPhone data and settings entirely to reset the passcode, or use unorthodox methods like passcode cracking software or taking it to Apple themselves. That is why having a computer with iTunes available is the preferred method for resetting a forgotten passcode.
Erase iPhone remotely with Find My iPhone
If you previously enabled Find My iPhone on your device, you can remotely erase it to reset the forgotten passcode. Here are the steps:
- On a computer or another iOS device, visit iCloud.com and log in with your Apple ID
- Click Find My iPhone
- Locate your locked iPhone on the map interface
- Choose Erase iPhone at the bottom
- Enter your Apple ID password to confirm the erase request
After completing these steps, your iPhone will restart and be reset back to factory settings, removing your forgotten passcode. Unfortunately it will also delete all your data, settings, apps, and accounts on the device. Make sure you backup what you can beforehand.
Pros
- Quick and easy to accomplish remotely
- Does not require a computer with iTunes
- Completely resets the forgotten passcode
Cons
- Erases all device data and settings
- Requires Find My iPhone to have been set up previously
Take your iPhone to an Apple Store
If you don’t mind visiting an Apple Store, the Genius Bar technicians can reset your forgotten iPhone passcode for you. Make sure to call ahead or book an appointment online first.
The technicians will attempt to reset the passcode while keeping your data intact. Depending on your specific situation, they may be able to connect your iPhone directly to Apple’s servers and reactivate it without deleting everything. However, this typically requires that you synced with iTunes on a computer within the last 30 days.
If you don’t have a recent enough backup, the only option left is to completely reset your iPhone back to factory default settings with a new passcode, wiping all your data. Before agreeing to a reset, ask the Genius Bar staff about your other options and recovery prospects.
Pros
- Apple technicians have the most experience with bypassing forgotten passcodes
- No need for a computer or iTunes yourself
- May be able to preserve your data if backups available
Cons
- Must physically visit an Apple Store
- No guarantee they can reset passcode without erasing data
- Time consuming process
Use a third party iPhone unlocking service
Various third party companies offer iPhone unlocking or passcode removal services, usually via mail. Here’s how they work:
- Contact and arrange service with the company, often via their website
- Mail your iPhone to their location
- Technicians connect specialized software to brute force your passcode
- Once unlocked, the iPhone is mailed back to you
This costs anywhere from $50 to over $100 depending on the company. The legitimacy, security, and reliability of these services varies widely. Apple does not recommend or support using these methods as they cannot guarantee proper handling of your device and data security.
Pros
- Convenient mail-in service
- Does not require an Apple Store visit
- Specializes in unlocking and bypassing passcodes
Cons
- Mail in process takes time
- Higher cost than other options
- Apple does not recommend – security risks
Keep guessing passcode combinations
If you have reason to believe you remember your iPhone’s numeric passcode but keep inputting it incorrectly, persistently trying passcode combinations can eventually unlock your device.
However, repeatedly failing to enter the right passcode has downsides:
- Triggers increasingly long delays between attempts
- Disabled Touch ID after 10 failed attempts
- Risks permanently disabling iPhone after too many fails
You need to balance the urgency of accessing your iPhone with the risks of guessing. If you have dozens or hundreds of possible passcodes in mind, it may be worth trying them systematically. Have patience and don’t repeat passcodes you know are incorrect. Entering random codes is less likely to work before your iPhone gets disabled.
Pros
- No extra tools or services required
- Preserves all your iPhone data
- Just need to recall and input the forgotten passcode
Cons
- Very time consuming with low success odds
- Device disabling risk if you guess repeatedly
- Locks out iPhone for 1 minute after 6 failed attempts
Preventing a locked out iPhone
While hindsight is 20/20, there are things you can do now to avoid forgetting your iPhone’s passcode and getting locked out later:
- Set a memorable passcode that you won’t forget
- Store a written or digital record of the passcode somewhere secure
- Enable Touch ID or Face ID to use biometrics instead of passcode
- Create an Apple ID account recovery key
- Set up Find My iPhone remote erase as a last resort
Applying security best practices allows access to your iPhone even if you forget the passcode. You also avoid data loss from having to fully reset and restore the device.
Forgotten Passcode FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about forgotten iPhone passcodes:
How many failed passcode attempts before iPhone is disabled?
After 6 failed passcode attempts, you must wait 1 minute before trying again. The delay increases to 5 minutes after the 9th failed attempt. Once the 10th attempt fails, you can no longer use Touch ID and must enter the full passcode to unlock the iPhone. After 10 failed attempts it warns that iPhone will be disabled with more failed passcodes. There is no set limit, but most iPhones disable after somewhere between 10-15 failed passcode entries.
What happens if you forget iPhone passcode and enter wrong too many times?
Entering the wrong iPhone passcode too many consecutive times will disable the device. Once disabled, you need to connect to iTunes and erase your iPhone, losing all data but allowing you to reset the passcode. If you keep entering wrong passcodes after disabling the device, it can become permanently disabled, requiring advanced repair.
Can Apple store unlock iPhone without passcode?
Apple Stores can reset and unlock an iPhone with a forgotten passcode in some cases. Their proprietary tools can reset passcodes and reactivate iPhones as long as the device was previously synced to iTunes within the last 30 days. If no recent backup via iTunes exists, they will have to erase your iPhone to remove the passcode, deleting all data.
How do I find my iPhone passcode if I forgot it?
If you forgot your exact iPhone passcode, trying passcode combinations you commonly use can work. Look in old records or documents where you may have written it down, or try to recall memorable dates or numbers significant to you that you may have used. As a last resort, resetting the iPhone via Find My iPhone, iTunes, or an Apple Store erases the forgotten passcode but also all data.
Conclusion
Forgotten passcodes can be a headache, but hope is not lost. With some preparation and diligence, you can find ways to reset your iPhone and regain access even without the exact passcode or a computer with iTunes handy. Just be ready to erase the device if needed, and take proactive measures so it never happens to you again.