How do I unlock a disabled iPhone?

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How do I unlock a disabled iPhone

If you have a disabled iPhone that is demanding an Apple ID and password before it can be used, don’t panic! There are several methods you can try to get back into your iPhone without losing everything on it.

Why is My iPhone Disabled?

There are a few common reasons an iPhone may become disabled:

  • You entered the wrong passcode too many times.
  • A child or someone else got ahold of your phone and entered the wrong passcode multiple times.
  • You forgot your passcode.
  • Your iPhone was locked remotely using Find My iPhone.
  • Your iPhone was refurbished or bought used and still linked to the previous owner’s Apple ID.

If you see a message saying “iPhone is disabled connect to iTunes” it means your iPhone has been locked after too many failed passcode attempts. This is an anti-theft measure to prevent unauthorized access to your data.

Method 1: Force Restart

Before attempting any other unlocking method, you should try force restarting your iPhone first. Here’s how:

  1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
  2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
  3. Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo appear.

This will restart your iPhone without the passcode. Then try entering the correct passcode. If the correct passcode works, great! Problem solved. If not, don’t worry, keep trying the methods below.

Method 2: Connect to iTunes and Restore

Connecting your disabled iPhone to iTunes on a computer and restoring is one of the most effective ways to unlock it. Here are the steps:

  1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on a Mac or PC.
  2. Connect your disabled iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.
  3. Open iTunes. Select your iPhone icon.
  4. Click Summary > Restore iPhone. This will erase your iPhone data but unlock it.
  5. Follow the on-screen setup wizard to restore from a backup or set up as new iPhone.

Restoring your iPhone using iTunes will remove everything on it and revert it back to factory settings. Only use this method if you have an iPhone backup that you can restore from. Otherwise, you will lose your data.

Method 3: Remove iPhone Passcode with iMyFone LockWiper

If you want to unlock your disabled iPhone without losing your data, a great option is the LockWiper tool from iMyFone. Here’s how it works:

  1. Download and install LockWiper on a computer.
  2. Connect your disabled iPhone to computer and launch LockWiper.
  3. On the Unlock Screen Lock interface, select “Start” to download firmware package.
  4. Once downloaded, click “Start Remove” to bypass iPhone lock screen.
  5. The tool will unlock your iPhone without any data loss.

The major benefit LockWiper has over iTunes restore is that it can remove the passcode without erasing your iPhone data. It bypasses the lock screen while keeping all your photos, messages, and apps intact.

Method 4: Unlock with Find My iPhone

If your iPhone was remotely locked via Find My iPhone, you can also unlock it using Find My iPhone:

  1. On a computer, tablet or another iPhone, visit iCloud.com/find and log in.
  2. Select your locked iPhone on the map.
  3. Click Remove Lock to delete the remote lock.
  4. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted.

This will remove the remote lock so you can unlock your iPhone normally again. Do not use this method if your iPhone was locked locally due to too many failed passcode attempts, as it will not work.

Method 5: Erase iPhone with Find My iPhone

If the remote unlock method doesn’t work, you can also use Find My iPhone to perform a remote erase:

  1. Go to iCloud.com/find and log in.
  2. Select your iPhone.
  3. Click Erase iPhone at the bottom.
  4. Enter your Apple ID password to confirm and wait for remote wipe to complete.
  5. Your iPhone will then unlock, but all data will be erased.

This essentially performs the same erase function as iTunes restore, except remotely. Only use this if you have a backup and absolutely need to unlock your iPhone now without access to a computer.

Method 6: Unlock with iPhone Unlock Software

Various third-party software tools claim they can unlock a disabled iPhone without data loss. Two examples are iMyFone LockWiper (mentioned previously) and Tenorshare 4uKey.

Here’s how Tenorshare works:

  1. Download and install Tenorshare on computer.
  2. Connect disabled iPhone and click Start.
  3. Let the tool download firmware package.
  4. Once firmware is downloaded, click Unlock Now.
  5. The software will bypass the lock screen without erasing data.

In general, unlock software works similarly to the iTunes restore method, but maintains your data in the process. However, success depends on the quality of the software, so make sure to use a reliable tool from a reputable company.

Method 7: Put iPhone in DFU Mode and Restore

As a last resort, you can try restoring your iPhone in DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode. This is a low-level recovery mode that forces your iPhone into a connection with iTunes.

Here are the steps:

  1. Download latest iOS firmware file from ipswdownloader.com.
  2. Open iTunes on computer. Hold Power + Home buttons on iPhone for 10 seconds.
  3. Release Power button while still holding Home button for 10 more seconds.
  4. iPhone will enter DFU mode. Click Restore in iTunes.
  5. Select downloaded firmware file when prompted.
  6. iTunes will force restore iPhone to unlock it.

Restoring in DFU mode can help unlock unresponsive iPhones with serious software bugs. But again, it will erase all your iPhone data in the process. Only use DFU restore as a last ditch fix.

Prevent iPhone Lock Outs

Once you’ve successfully unlocked your iPhone, it’s important to take steps to prevent it from happening again in the future:

  • Set a longer passcode with numbers, letters and symbols.
  • Turn on Erase Data option in settings.
  • Use fingerprint unlock or Face ID if available.
  • Don’t allow others to randomly guess your passcode.
  • Install iOS updates promptly to fix security bugs.
  • Enable Lost Mode or remote locking if lost or stolen.

Implementing stronger locking protocols and being cautious about passcode sharing will keep you from this disabled iPhone predicament down the road.

Conclusion

A disabled iPhone can be very frustrating, but don’t stress – there are ways to unlock it without losing your important data. The key methods include an iTunes restore, using Find My iPhone, employing unlock software, or putting your device in recovery mode.

Knowing these different options and steps will make it much easier to get back into your iPhone if you ever end up locked out. Just be sure to create recent backups and enable protective measures going forward.

With the right tools and techniques, you can safely remove the activation lock and regain access to your disabled iPhone.