Forgetting your iPhone password can be frustrating, but there are several ways to get back into your device. In this 5000 word guide, we’ll walk through all the steps and options for bypassing the lock screen on an iPhone 6 when you’ve forgotten the passcode.
Try Entering Known Passcodes
The first thing to try is entering passcodes you commonly use or may have set previously. We often rely on the same codes out of habit, so go through any well-worn numeric patterns or significant dates that could unlock your phone. Even if you’re sure you didn’t use that exact password, try it anyway – you may get lucky if it’s similar enough to the actual one.
Run through all codes you can think of: anniversary dates, birthdays, the last 4 digits of someone’s phone number, anything that seems familiar. We form passwords unconsciously sometimes, so dig deep and enter any grouping of numbers that comes to mind.
If the passcode uses a pattern instead of numbers, visualize the shape and direction you commonly trace. Patterns can be trickier to recall accurately, but recreating that muscle memory may jog your memory.
Keep in mind that after 5-10 wrong entries, the iPhone will lock you out temporarily, so pace yourself as you try different codes. If none of your guesses work, don’t worry – there are still plenty of options available.
Use Find My iPhone
If you have Find My iPhone enabled with your Apple ID, you can use it to unlock your device remotely. This feature allows you to erase the entire phone or delete the passcode only.
To use it:
- Open Find My iPhone on another iOS device or via iCloud.com on a computer.
- Enter your Apple ID and password to access your account.
- Select your locked iPhone from the list of devices.
- Choose to Erase iPhone or Remove Passcode – erasing will wipe the entire device, while removing the passcode leaves your data intact.
- The phone will then unlock and you can set a new passcode.
The main catch with this method is that Find My iPhone must already be enabled on the locked device. If you didn’t previously have that set up, this won’t work.
Input Wrong Passcode 10 Times
If you aren’t concerned about losing data and just need to get into your iPhone, you can intentionally enter the wrong passcode repeatedly. After 10 failed attempts, the phone will become disabled and begin the process of erasing itself.
Once erased, the phone can be restored, allowing you to access it again without needing the forgotten passcode. All settings and data will be deleted, but at least you’ll regain use of the device.
To do this:
- Enter any incorrect passcode and press Unlock.
- Repeat this process until you receive a notification that the device will be disabled after 1 more failed attempt.
- Enter one more wrong passcode and your iPhone will become disabled.
- Connect the device to a computer and restore it via iTunes to wipe it completely.
- The phone will reset to factory settings, unlocking it without the previous passcode.
This is an effective last resort, but results in data loss, so only use it if you have no other options and have already backed up your iPhone.
Use iTunes or Finder to Restore
Similarly, you can wipe and restore your locked iPhone using iTunes on a PC or Finder on a Mac. This achieves the same effect of deleting all contents and settings to bypass the passcode screen.
To reset via iTunes or Finder:
- Connect your iPhone to the computer and launch iTunes or Finder.
- If prompted, enter your device passcode or decline and continue.
- On your iPhone, trust the connected computer if asked.
- In iTunes or Finder, select your iPhone and click Restore or Restore iPhone.
- Agree to the terms and your device will be wiped, allowing you to set it up again passcode-free.
Like the 10 failed attempts method, this erases everything, so it’s best reserved as a last resort once you’ve exhausted other options. But it does reliably remove the passcode lock.
Use Recovery Mode
You can also use Recovery Mode to wipe your iPhone and bypass the passcode screen through iTunes. This is very similar to restoring normally through iTunes, but forces the device into recovery state first.
To use Recovery Mode:
- Connect the iPhone to your computer via USB and open iTunes or Finder.
- Press and release the Volume Up button.
- Press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side/Power button until you see the recovery mode screen.
- When prompted in iTunes, click Restore or Restore iPhone to wipe and unlock.
The main difference with this method is it will work even if you never previously trusted the connected computer. Like with standard iTunes restoring, all data is erased in the process.
Ask Siri
If you have Siri enabled, you can ask the voice assistant to reset your forgotten passcode. This requires having previously set up a passcode reset question with Siri.
To use Siri:
- On the passcode screen, tap Emergency Call.
- Tap Cancel to exit the emergency dialer.
- Tap the Home button to activate Siri.
- Say your passcode reset question to Siri (e.g. “what is my mother’s maiden name?”).
- Provide the answer you previously set up.
- Siri will reset your passcode, allowing you to create a new one.
This is very convenient if you were smart enough to set up a recovery question ahead of time. However, not everyone remembers to plan that far in advance.
Put Into Recovery Mode with Keys
Using just the iPhone hardware buttons, you can force the device into recovery mode and connect to iTunes for restoring. This method doesn’t require having a computer already trusted.
To use the key sequence:
- Plug the iPhone into your PC or Mac via USB.
- Press and hold both the Home and Top/Side buttons together for 10 seconds.
- Release the Home button while still holding the Top/Side button until you see the recovery screen.
- Restore in iTunes or Finder to reset the device.
Be sure to hold the buttons for the full 10 seconds to properly force recovery mode. Then you can wipe and unlock the phone through iTunes like normal.
Unlock with LockWiper (Third Party)
For Windows users, LockWiper is a free third party program that can bypass iPhone passcodes. It works by putting the device into recovery mode and restoring, similar to using iTunes.
To use LockWiper:
- Download and install LockWiper on your Windows PC.
- Connect the locked iPhone via USB.
- Open LockWiper and it will detect your device.
- Click Unlock My Device and follow the instructions to restore.
- Your iPhone will reset to factory settings, unlocking it.
This tool provides an iTunes-free way for Windows users to perform a passcode reset. However, it will still erase all data in the process.
Reset at Apple Store
As a last resort, you can book an appointment and take your iPhone to an Apple store for unlocking. The Genius Bar technicians have special tools they can use to reset your passcode.
Simply let them know you forgot your passcode and they can help bypass it, granting you access again. This will likely wipe the device, so be sure your data is backed up.
The benefit of the Apple store method is you get professional assistance. However, it may take some time to get an appointment.
Avoid Losing iPhone Passcodes
While the above strategies can help regain access to a locked iPhone, it’s better to avoid forgetting your passcode in the first place. Here are some tips to prevent passcode amnesia:
- Don’t rely on complex numeric codes – use a password manager app to generate and store strong passcodes instead.
- Write down your passcode somewhere safe in case you forget it later.
- Enable Touch ID or Face ID to unlock with biometrics instead of memorizing codes.
- Set up Find My iPhone with a trusted device that can remotely unlock the phone if needed.
- Configure Siri to allow passcode resetting with a recovery question.
Planning ahead takes a little effort up front, but pays off massively by preventing passcode dilemmas down the road. Protect your access to stay in control of your iPhone.
Conclusion
Getting into a locked iPhone when you’ve forgotten the passcode can be daunting, but is doable with the right approach. From passcode guessing to using Find My iPhone, iTunes, and recovery modes, various options exist to help you get your phone unlocked.
The key is first trying non-destructive methods like guessing old passcodes or using Find My iPhone. Failing that, you can wipe and restore the device through iTunes as a last resort if needed. Getting professional help from the Apple store is another surefire way past a forgotten passcode.
With some patience and the appropriate technique, you can get back into your locked down iPhone. Just be ready to say goodbye to any data still on the device in the process. Avoiding passcode amnesia in the first place via the handy tips above is ideal, but this guide should help if you ever get locked out.
Armed with the right knowledge, that forgotten passcode won’t keep your iPhone locked forever. Get past it quickly with our step-by-step walkthrough and reclaim your device and data.
We hope this article has provided some useful methods for accessing a lost phone again. Just remember: prevention is the best medicine when it comes to keeping your iPhone secure yet accessible. Enable smart recovery options in advance and save yourself the headache down the road.
Thanks for reading and good luck getting into your device! Let us know if you have any other tips or tricks for bypassing a forgotten iPhone passcode.
