Getting into a locked iPhone when you’ve forgotten the passcode or been locked out can be frustrating, but there are a few potential solutions to try. In many cases, you may be able to reset or unlock the iPhone without having to completely erase it.
Quick Overview of Ways to Get Into a Locked iPhone
Here are some quick potential solutions for getting into a locked iPhone:
- Enter the correct passcode – Try all passcodes you’ve used in the past in case you’ve forgotten the current one
- Use Find My iPhone to erase and unlock the device remotely
- Force restart the iPhone – This may disable certain security features temporarily
- Connect to iTunes and restore or update the device – This may allow you to reset the passcode
- Remove the SIM card – On some iPhones this can disable the passcode lock
- Use Siri to make calls, send messages, open apps, etc if enabled
- Take it to an Apple Store for help unlocking it
- Use a passcode cracking tool as a last resort – But this can take a long time and may not work
Attempt Entering Your Passcodes
When you get locked out of your iPhone after too many failed passcode attempts, the first step is to try entering your passcodes again. Here are some tips for this approach:
- Carefully enter your main passcode – You may have just mistyped it earlier
- Try other passcodes you may have used in the past – Many people reuse old passcodes
- Enter passcodes used for other devices or accounts – You may have reused them
- Try entering it after leaving the phone alone for a few minutes – This resets the timer for failed attempts
- Triple check that caps lock is not on accidentally
If you’re sure you know the passcode but it’s still not working, it’s likely that your iPhone is stuck and may need a force restart or other solution covered later in this article.
Use Find My iPhone to Remotely Erase and Unlock
One of the best ways to get back into your locked iPhone without losing all of your data is to use Find My iPhone. This allows you to remotely erase and unlock the iPhone.
Here are the steps to try this method:
- Go to icloud.com and login to your iCloud account
- Click on Find My iPhone
- Locate your locked iPhone on the map
- Tap on it to bring up available actions
- Tap Erase iPhone
- Enter your Apple ID password when prompted
After remotely wiping your iPhone it will be unlocked, but you will have lost any data that was not backed up to iCloud. Make sure to backup regularly in the future to avoid this.
Pros and Cons of Using Find My iPhone Unlock
Here are some pros and cons to weigh when considering using Find My iPhone to unlock your device:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Remotely wipes device to regain access | Causes data loss if not properly backed up |
| Works even with disabled passcode attempts | Requires previous iCloud and Find My iPhone setup |
| Allows you to locate your device if lost or stolen | Requires you remember your Apple ID and password |
| No extra tools or hardware required | Phone will be wiped, requiring restore from backup |
Force Restart Your iPhone
Forcing your iPhone to restart can help override various issues that may be preventing you from entering the passcode correctly. Here is how to force restart an iPhone:
- On iPhones with a Home button – hold down the Home and Power buttons together until the Apple logo appears
- On newer iPhones without a Home button – quickly press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears
- After force restarting, try entering your passcodes again
This can reset minor software glitches that may be causing passcode attempts to fail. However, it won’t reset the passcode entirely. Make sure to try your various passcodes after force restarting before attempting any other solutions.
When Force Restarting May Allow Access
In some cases, force restarting an iPhone can allow you to bypass the passcode lock briefly. This is because some of the security features are temporarily disabled while the phone boots up. Here are some situations where you may gain access after force restarting:
- iPhone passcodes are disabled for the first 1-2 minutes after a restart
- Touch ID and Face ID are disabled after force restarting an iPhone
- Find My iPhone activation lock may be bypassed very briefly until connected to WiFi
Take advantage of this brief window after force restarting to try your passcode or access information you need before the lock re-engages. However, this is not a permanent solution for unlocking an iPhone.
Connect iPhone to iTunes to Reset
Connecting your locked iPhone to a computer running iTunes can provide additional options for unlocking. iTunes can reset some security features and restore your device to factory settings if needed.
Here are some things that connecting to iTunes allows:
- Resetting your passcode – This wipes the device and allows setting a new code
- Restoring an iPhone to factory settings – Great if you don’t need the data
- Updating to the latest iOS – May resolve software glitches preventing access
To connect your locked iPhone to iTunes and try resetting it:
- Install the latest version of iTunes on a computer
- Use a Lightning cable to connect the iPhone to the computer
- Open iTunes and select your iPhone
- Try clicking Reset or Restore to wipe and factory reset the device
This will permit you to access your iPhone again, although data will be lost unless you have a backup through iCloud or iTunes that can then be restored.
Information iTunes Can Access on a Locked iPhone
Even with an iPhone locked with a passcode, iTunes is still able to access certain types of information on the device. Here are some things iTunes may be able to retrieve:
- iPhone call and text history when connected
- Contacts stored on the iPhone
- Voicemail messages
- Photos and videos if synced to iTunes
- Backups that contain data like messages, notes, calendar, etc
- App information like name, publisher, download date, etc
This provides additional options for recovering some data off a locked iPhone even if you don’t regain access to the passcode-protected information.
Removing the SIM Card
On some older iPhone models, removing the SIM card can help bypass the activation lock and disable the passcode. This works best on iPhone 4 models and older.
Here are the steps to try it:
- Locate the SIM card slot on your iPhone model
- Remove the SIM card with a paperclip or SIM tool
- Power the iPhone off completely if still on
- Turn the iPhone back on and try unlocking it
If successful, this should allow you to bypass the passcode and regain access to the iPhone. Just be sure to avoid updating the software or connecting it to iTunes or this could re-enable the passcode.
Why Removing the SIM Card Works
This method takes advantage of how iPhone passcode security works on earlier models. When the SIM card is removed under certain conditions it can:
- Bypass the activation lock system
- Disable Find My iPhone activation lock
- Allow device reset without needing theApple ID password
Newer iPhones have additional protections in place preventing this method from working, so it is most effective on iPhone 4 and earlier.
Using Siri to Access iPhone
If you have Siri enabled on your locked iPhone, there are some limited things it can help you with in that state. Here are some examples of Siri commands that could work:
- “Call Mom” – To make phone calls
- “Facetime Heather” – For video calls
- “Text Matt I’m running late”
- “Read my latest email” – Siri may read aloud recent emails
- “Play some music” – Use Siri to start music playback
- “Give me directions to Whole Foods” – Get navigation help
Siri cannot unlock the iPhone or disable the passcode, but it can provide access to certain features and information. This at least allows you some functionality while sorting out how to unlock the device fully.
Using Siri to Identify Owner
In some cases, Siri may provide information to help verify the owner of a locked iPhone. If you find a lost iPhone, you may be able to ask Siri questions like:
- “Who owns this phone?”
- “Call mom” or “call home” to reach owner’s family
- “What’s my address?” to get the owner’s home or work address
This can provide clues about who the iPhone belongs to so it can be returned. However, Siri will not reveal personal information to just anyone, you typically need to be the recognized owner.
Getting Professional Help At Apple Store
In some cases getting help directly from Apple experts may be your best or only option to regain access to a locked iPhone. Here are some benefits of taking it to an Apple Store:
- They can reset or remove passcodes under certain conditions
- Genius Bar experts are highly knowledgeable about iPhone issues
- They may be able to reset your Apple ID password if needed for Find My iPhone
- You can get in-person support and troubleshooting
- They can facilitate sending device to Apple Repair Center if needed
Before going to the Apple Store, make sure you know the phone’s passcode if possible and bring proof you are the owner. Schedule a Genius Bar appointment online or visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider if needed.
What Proof of Ownership Is Needed
To get help unlocking your iPhone at the Apple Store, you will typically need to provide documentation that you are the owner. Here are some forms of proof that may be accepted:
- Photo ID matching the device’s owner
- Proof of purchase like a receipt
- Apple ID and password used on the device
- Report from Find My iPhone showing your device
- Access to an iTunes or iCloud backup associated with the device
Bring as much identifying information as possible to streamline the unlocking process. Apple wants to ensure devices are only unlocked for their legitimate owners.
Using Passcode Cracking Software
As a last resort, you can attempt using third-party iPhone passcode cracking software to break into your locked device. However, there are some major caveats to attempting this method:
- It can take hours, days, or longer to run through all combinations
- Newer iPhones have enhanced encryption making this much harder
- It requires technical expertise to use the software effectively
- Apple discourages it as a security liability if misused
If you need absolutely critical data from your iPhone immediately and have no other options, hiring a qualified expert to use passcode cracking software may be considered. But typically it should only be a last resort option.
Legal Considerations for Passcode Cracking
While passcode cracking can sometimes recover access to a locked device, there are legal risks to consider as well:
- Apple claims and services cannot be used if device is unlocked illegally
- Cracking someone else’s iPhone without permission is generally illegal
- Copyright and data privacy laws may prohibit certain methods
- The iPhone may be rendered unusable or disabled by Apple afterwards
For these reasons, most legitimate cracking tools will require proof of ownership before helping unlock a device. In many cases, your best options involve resetting the device or using Apple’s own recovery methods.
| Method | Difficulty | Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Trying old passcodes | Easy | None |
| Find My iPhone erase | Moderate | Data loss unless backed up |
| Force restart | Easy | Temporary unlock only |
| iTunes reset | Moderate | Data loss unless backed up |
| SIM card removal | Moderate | Won’t work on newer iPhones |
| Siri assistance | Easy | Limited functionality only |
| Apple Store help | Moderate | May need to verify ownership |
| Cracking software | Hard | Time consuming, risk of failure |
Conclusion
Getting into a locked iPhone is possible in many cases without having to fully reset or lose your data. Trying all available passcodes and using Find My iPhone or iTunes to reset security are generally the best options. More extreme measures like passcode cracking should only be considered as an absolute last resort if you own the device.
Remember to keep your iPhone backed up regularly with iCloud or iTunes. Having a current backup makes many unlocking methods much safer since you can easily restore your data afterwards. With some patience and by carefully trying the various options covered here, most locked iPhones can be recovered and accessed again.