Quick Answers
If you forgot your iPhone passcode, there are a few options to remove it:
- Enter your Apple ID and password – This will reset your passcode if you have Find My iPhone enabled.
- Erase the iPhone – You can erase all content and settings to remove the passcode. This will delete all your data.
- Use recovery mode – Connect the iPhone to iTunes and put it in recovery mode to reset it.
- Take it to an Apple store – An Apple technician can unlock the phone for you.
- Use third-party unlocking software – Specialized software can remove the passcode, but not always reliably.
Forgotten Passcode Scenarios
There are a few common scenarios when you might forget your iPhone passcode:
- You set a new passcode and immediately forgot it
- You keep entering the wrong passcode and get locked out
- You have not used the phone in a long time and forgot the passcode
- Someone else set a passcode and now you can’t unlock it
- Your kid set a passcode without telling you
In any of these cases, the options to remove the forgotten passcode are generally the same. But exactly how you forgot the passcode can determine the easiest solution.
Enter Apple ID and Password
If you have Find My iPhone enabled on your device, you may be able to reset your passcode online by entering your Apple ID and password. Here are the steps:
- On another device, open the Find My iPhone app or go to iCloud.com/find.
- Enter your Apple ID and password to sign in.
- Select your locked iPhone from the list of devices.
- Tap Remove Passcode or Erase iPhone at the bottom.
- Enter your Apple ID password again to confirm.
After completing these steps, your iPhone passcode will be reset. This allows you to set a new passcode to access your device again. However, for this method to work, Find My iPhone needs to have been enabled on the device before forgetting the passcode.
Pros of Using Apple ID
- Does not delete any data from your iPhone.
- Can be done remotely without the device in hand.
- Lets you set a new passcode you won’t forget.
Cons of Using Apple ID
- Requires Find My iPhone to have been set up already.
- Need access to the Apple ID account used on the iPhone.
- Won’t work if you also forgot your Apple ID password.
Erase Your iPhone
Erasing your iPhone will completely reset it to factory settings and remove your passcode. But it will also delete all your data, settings, apps, and other information stored on the device.
To erase your iPhone:
- Connect your iPhone to a computer it trusts or has synced with before.
- Open iTunes on the computer.
- Select your iPhone from the list of connected devices.
- In the Summary tab, click Restore iPhone.
- Click Restore again to confirm you want to erase the device.
Once the restore process finishes, your iPhone will reboot without a passcode set. You can then set up the device again or restore a backup to get your data back.
Pros of Erasing iPhone
- Guaranteed to remove any forgotten passcode.
- Lets you start fresh with a new passcode.
- Can be done without your Apple ID.
Cons of Erasing iPhone
- Permanently deletes all your iPhone data.
- You will lose all content not backed up previously.
- Have to set up the iPhone again from scratch.
Recovery Mode
Using recovery mode in iTunes is another way to reset your iPhone passcode. This method puts the iPhone in a special recovery state allowing it to be restored.
To use recovery mode:
- Connect your iPhone to the computer.
- Open iTunes on the computer.
- Press and hold the Home and Power buttons on your iPhone for 10 seconds.
- Keep holding the buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.
- In iTunes, click Restore to erase and restore your device.
Recovery mode forces the iPhone to start the restore process. After the restore completes, you will be able to access your iPhone without the passcode.
Pros of Recovery Mode
- Allows restoring your device from iTunes.
- Can reset your device even if screen is damaged.
- Doesn’t require entering your Apple ID.
Cons of Recovery Mode
- Requires a computer with iTunes installed.
- Will erase your iPhone unless you restore a backup.
- The process is more complex than other options.
Get Help at the Apple Store
Getting help at an Apple retail store is a reliable way to remove a forgotten iPhone passcode. Make a Genius Bar appointment or go to the store and ask for assistance.
The Apple store employees have special tools they can use to quickly get the passcode off your iPhone. This will allow you to access your device again without losing any data.
However, going to the Apple store is not always the most convenient option. You may need to schedule an appointment in advance and take time to visit the store.
Pros of Apple Store Help
- Apple employees can reliably unlock your device.
- Lets you keep all data intact on your iPhone.
- Convenient if you have an Apple Store nearby.
Cons of Apple Store Help
- Requires you to visit an Apple Store in-person.
- May need to book an appointment and wait.
- Not an option if no store is conveniently located.
Use Unlocking Software
Specialized third-party software tools claim they can unlock and remove the passcode from iPhones. Examples include iMyFone LockWiper and Tenorshare 4uKey.
These tools connect to your iPhone and exploit backdoors or security vulnerabilities to get past the passcode lock screen. However, Apple frequently patches the vulnerabilities used by these tools.
While unlocking software requires minimal effort on your part, there are some downsides to consider:
- Success is not guaranteed and depends on the iPhone model.
- Apple can patch the security flaws they exploit with updates.
- Some tools are not free and cost $20-$50 to purchase.
- Advanced options can overwrite or lose data on your device.
- Apple does not authorize or support these unofficial methods.
In general, the official options provided by Apple are more recommended. But if you’re locked out and desperate, unlocking software could be worth considering as a last resort.
Prevent Needing to Remove Passcode
While the options above can remove a forgotten passcode, it’s understandably frustrating to go through the hassle. Here are some tips to avoid needing to remove an iPhone’s passcode in the first place:
- Use a passcode you’ll remember. Don’t make it too obscure or complicated.
- Write your passcode down in a secure place as a backup.
- Store passcode hints in your contacts or notes.
- Enable Find My iPhone so you can reset the passcode remotely.
- Regularly back up your iPhone so you don’t lose data if forced to erase it.
- Leave hints for yourself by putting your passcode as the name of a contact or note.
Following these tips will help avoid the hassle of removing a forgotten iPhone passcode. But if you do get locked out, use the steps outlined above to get back into your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Apple reset your iPhone passcode?
Apple cannot directly reset or remove the passcode for you remotely. You need to use the steps outlined above to erase or reset your iPhone yourself. Apple can help unlock the device at an Apple Store upon request.
Is there any way to hack or bypass an iPhone’s passcode?
There is no official way to hack or bypass an iPhone’s passcode. Some third-party cracking tools claim to be able to unlock the device, but have limitations and risks. Your best options are to erase the iPhone or use your Apple ID to reset the passcode remotely.
Can you remove a passcode without losing data?
You can remove an iPhone’s passcode without losing data by using your Apple ID and password, provided Find My iPhone is enabled. Going to an Apple Store can also allow removal of the passcode while keeping data intact.
What if you forgot passcode and Apple ID?
If you forgot both your passcode and Apple ID, your only options are to erase the iPhone to factory settings, or attempt to use third-party unlocking software. You will lose your data if you erase the device.
Can iPhone unlocking companies really unlock your device?
Some companies claim they can unlock iPhones, but have mixed results. Apple does not authorize or support any third-party unlocking services. They may use exploits or security vulnerabilities to bypass the passcode lock.
Conclusion
Forgetting your iPhone passcode can be a big headache, but thankfully there are ways to get back into your device. Using your Apple ID to reset the passcode remotely is the ideal solution. As a last resort, erasing your iPhone through iTunes or recovery mode will also work. Avoid third-party unlocking tools when possible, and enable Find My iPhone so you have the Apple ID option available.
With some patience and the right steps, you can remove any forgotten iPhone passcode. Just be sure to back up your data regularly in case you end up having to erase and reset the entire device. Stay calm and use the options outlined here to get your iPhone unlocked!
