How do you get past a forgotten iPhone passcode?

Having a forgotten passcode on your iPhone can be incredibly frustrating. Your personal information, photos, and apps are all locked behind a 4 or 6 digit code that you can’t seem to remember. Before you panic, there are a few different methods you can try to regain access to your iPhone.

Table of Contents

Quick Summary

Here are some quick answers to common questions about bypassing a forgotten iPhone passcode:

You’ll need to erase your iPhone to reset the passcode – this will delete all data on the device

Connecting the iPhone to iTunes and restoring it is one way to erase it
Apple’s iCloud erase feature can also reset the device if you can’t connect to iTunes
Third party software tools like iMyFone LockWiper can bypass the lockscreen without erasing data

Taking the iPhone to an Apple Store is another option – they can erase the device for you
Jailbreaking the iPhone may allow you to bypass the lockscreen in some cases

Method 1: Connect to iTunes and Restore iPhone

One of the simplest ways to reset a forgotten passcode is to connect the iPhone to iTunes on a computer and restore it. This will completely erase the device and remove the passcode lock.

Here are the steps to reset your passcode using iTunes:

Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable that came with it.
Open iTunes on your computer. iTunes will detect your connected iPhone.

While your iPhone is connected, click on it in iTunes to access the summary page for the device.
On the summary page, click Restore iPhone. This will start the restore process.
iTunes will download the latest iOS software version and install it on your iPhone. This will erase all data and settings on the device.

Once the restore is complete, your iPhone will be reset to factory settings without a passcode lock.
You can then set up the device as new or restore a backup to reload your data.

Restoring through iTunes is an effective passcode reset solution if you routinely sync your iPhone with iTunes. However, it will delete all your data and settings in the process. Make sure to backup your device before restoring if possible.

Pros of using iTunes to reset your passcode

Simple process that doesn’t require extra tools or technical knowledge.
Removes the passcode lock along with all settings/data.
Works reliably provided you can connect the iPhone to a computer.

Cons of using iTunes to reset your passcode

Requires a computer with iTunes installed.
Will erase all contents and settings – you’ll lose all unsaved data.
Need to restore a backup to get your data back onto the iPhone.

Method 2: Erase iPhone Using iCloud

If you don’t have access to a computer with iTunes, you can also use Apple’s iCloud website to remotely erase your iPhone. This bypasses the need to physically connect the device to a computer.

Here are the steps to erase and reset your iPhone passcode using iCloud:

Go to iCloud.com and login using your Apple ID credentials.

Click on Find my iPhone.
You’ll see a list of devices associated with your iCloud account. Click on your locked iPhone.
On your iPhone’s overview page, click Erase iPhone at the bottom.

Confirm that you want to erase the device by clicking Erase.
Your iPhone will now be erased remotely, removing the passcode lockscreen.
Once finished, you can set up the iPhone as new or restore from a backup.

The iCloud erase technique is very convenient since it can be done remotely without your iPhone. However, you do need to make sure Find My iPhone is enabled on the device for it to work.

Pros of using iCloud to reset your passcode

Can be done remotely without connecting to a computer.
Removes the passcode while erasing the iPhone.

No need for extra tools if Find My iPhone was already on.

Cons of using iCloud to reset your passcode

Requires Find My iPhone to have been enabled in advance.
Still results in complete data loss on iPhone.

Need an internet connection and Apple ID login.

Method 3: Use a Lockscreen Bypass Tool

Third party software tools provide another method to get past a forgotten iPhone passcode without fully erasing your device. These tools are able to bypass the lockscreen and reset the code so you can access the iPhone again.

One example is iMyFone LockWiper. This tool can bypass iPhone lockscreens while keeping your data intact. Here’s an overview of using LockWiper to reset a forgotten passcode:

Download and install LockWiper on a computer, then launch the program.
Connect your locked iPhone to the computer and click Start.
The tool will download firmware files and bypass the activation lockscreen.

This process takes around 10-20 minutes to complete.
Once finished, your iPhone will be reset with no passcode lock.
You can then access all your photos, messages, and apps without losing data.

The advantage of using a specialized tool like LockWiper is that it bypasses the passcode without wiping your iPhone back to factory settings. This preserves your personal data while still removing the forgotten passcode.

Pros of using a lockscreen bypass tool

Provides a way to remove passcode without erasing data.
Much quicker than restoring device and reloading content.

Preserves settings, photos, messages, and other personal data.

Cons of using a lockscreen bypass tool

Need to download third party software to a computer.
The iPhone must remain connected during the process.

Paid tools cost extra compared to free Apple options.

Method 4: Take iPhone to Apple Store

Taking your iPhone into an Apple Store is another hassle-free route to removing a forgotten passcode. The Apple Store employees can essentially erase and restore your iPhone for you.

Here’s what you can expect if you bring your passcode locked iPhone to an Apple Store:

Explain to an employee that you forgot your passcode and can’t reset it yourself.
They will ask to see proof that you own the iPhone.
If verified as the owner, they can erase and restore the iPhone.

This removes the passcode lockscreen in the process.
Finally, they will help you set the iPhone up again from scratch.

Resetting your iPhone at the Apple Store takes the headache out of the process. The employees have the necessary tools and expertise to erase the device quickly. It also ensures everything gets wiped properly for a fresh start.

Pros of resetting at the Apple Store

Apple employees can resolve the issue quickly.
No need to install iTunes or other tools yourself.
Employees handle erasing and resetting up iPhone.

Cons of resetting at the Apple Store

Need to schedule a Genius Bar appointment or visit the store.
Still results in complete loss of data from iPhone.
May need to wait a while if store is busy.

Method 5: Jailbreak iPhone

Jailbreaking refers to a hack that removes software restrictions on iOS devices. On some older iOS versions, jailbreaking could bypass a forgotten passcode lockscreen.

Here’s an overview of how jailbreaking works to bypass a lockscreen:

Research to find a compatible jailbreak for your iPhone’s model and iOS version.

Use the jailbreak tool to exploit a vulnerability and ‘jailbreak’ the device.
This grants root access to change settings on the iPhone.
Download jailbreak tweaks that can disable the passcode lockscreen.

The phone will then be fully accessible again without the passcode.

While this used to be a viable method, Apple’s security patches in recent iOS versions make it much harder to jailbreak iPhones. Most current iOS versions have no public jailbreak available.

Pros of jailbreaking to bypass passcode

Provides complete access to iPhone without data loss.

Lets you customize device and install unofficial apps.
Bypasses lockscreen if you can find a working jailbreak.

Cons of jailbreaking to bypass passcode

Very difficult on latest iOS versions due to security fixes.

Voids Apple warranty and can cause stability issues.
Requires technical knowledge of jailbreaking process.

Forgotten Passcode Prevention Tips

While the above methods can help you regain access after forgetting your passcode, prevention is always preferable. Use the following tips to avoid forgetting your iPhone passcode in the future:

Choose an easy to remember passcode like a date or numeric pattern.
Write down or save the passcode somewhere secure like a password manager.
Change passcode every few months to use a fresh one.

Use Touch ID or Face ID if available to rely on biometrics.
Enable Find My iPhone so you can remotely erase passcode.
Set up iTunes backups so you won’t lose data if erased.

Conclusion

Whether you forgot a simple 4 digit code or a complex 6 digit passcode, these methods should help you get back into your iPhone. Restoring through iTunes or iCloud and resetting at the Apple Store are two hassle-free options. More technical users can also utilize a lockscreen bypass tool or jailbreak their device in some cases.

Following some basic passcode best practices will help prevent you from getting locked out in the future. But if you do find yourself stuck outside your iPhone again, this guide outlines the main ways to regain access!