Resetting the passcode on an iPhone allows you to regain access to your device if you have forgotten the numeric passcode needed to unlock it. Your iPhone passcode is an important security feature that prevents unauthorized access to the data on your device. However, forgetting the passcode can leave you locked out of your own iPhone.
Why would you need to reset your iPhone passcode?
There are a few common reasons why you may need to reset your iPhone passcode:
- You forgot your existing passcode and can no longer unlock your iPhone
- You entered the wrong passcode too many times and your iPhone is now disabled
- You want to change the passcode on your iPhone
- You purchased a used iPhone and don’t know the previous owner’s passcode
In all of these cases, resetting the passcode will allow you to set a new code and regain access to your iPhone.
How to reset iPhone passcode with iTunes
One way to reset your iPhone passcode is by connecting the device to a computer and using iTunes. Here are the steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable that came with your device.
- Open iTunes on your computer. iTunes will detect your connected iPhone.
- On your iPhone screen, trust your computer when prompted.
- In iTunes, select your connected iPhone by clicking on the phone icon in the top left corner.
- In the Summary section, click the “Restore iPhone” button. This will install the latest iOS software and erase all content and settings.
- When the restore process completes, your iPhone will restart. You will now be able to set up the device as new, creating a new passcode in the process.
This process erases all of the content and settings on your iPhone, so make sure to back it up to iCloud or your computer before resetting the passcode. However, it forces a factory reset that removes any passcode so you can set a new one.
How to reset iPhone passcode through Find My
If you have the Find My feature enabled on your iPhone, you can use the Find My app on another Apple device to reset your forgotten passcode remotely. Here’s how:
- On another device signed into your Apple ID, open the Find My app.
- Select your locked iPhone from the list of devices.
- Tap “Erase iPhone” at the bottom of the screen.
- Enter your Apple ID password to confirm erasing the device.
After the remote erase process completes, your iPhone passcode will be removed and you’ll be able to set up the device as new to create a new passcode. This also wipes all content and settings from your iPhone.
Using recovery mode to reset iPhone passcode
You can put your iPhone into recovery mode and reset the passcode from there. Here are the steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable.
- Force restart your iPhone by pressing and quickly releasing the Volume Up button, pressing and quickly releasing the Volume Down button, then pressing and holding the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
- When prompted, click “Restore” in iTunes to wipe your device.
- After the restore completes, you’ll be able to set up your iPhone with a new passcode.
This recovery mode process bypasses the passcode on your iPhone but also erases all content and settings, allowing you to start fresh. Only use this method if you have a backup or don’t need the data on your device.
Using Find My iPhone passcode reset
If you enabled Find My iPhone on your device, you can use the Find My iPhone website to remotely erase your iPhone after forgetting the passcode. Here’s what to do:
- On a web browser, go to icloud.com and log in with your Apple ID.
- Click Find My iPhone.
- Select your locked iPhone from the list of devices.
- Click Erase iPhone at the bottom of the screen and confirm.
After remotely wiping your iPhone, the passcode will be removed and you can set up the device again with a new code. This also deletes all data on your iPhone, so use with caution.
Using an iTunes restore to reset iPhone passcode
You can also use iTunes on your computer to restore your iPhone to factory settings, removing any forgotten passcode. Here’s the process:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using the Lightning cable.
- Open iTunes and select your iPhone.
- While holding the Shift key (Windows) or Option key (Mac), click Restore iPhone.
- In the pop-up window, click Restore to confirm the restore process.
- After the restore completes, you’ll be able to set up your iPhone with a new passcode.
This iTunes restore erases all content and settings on your iPhone and installs the latest iOS version. You’ll then be able to set up your iPhone from scratch, choosing a new numerical passcode in the process.
Using an iPhone passcode unlocking service
There are professional mobile device unlocking services that can bypass a forgotten iPhone passcode for you. They use sophisticated techniques to reset iPhone passcodes without wiping device data. Prices vary, but typically start around $50-100 depending on the iPhone model.
Some things to keep in mind when using a mobile unlocking service:
- Research the company’s reputation before sending your device in.
- There is always a small risk they cannot bypass the passcode.
- The process can take 1-2 weeks depending on mail times.
- Backup your device data before sending your iPhone in.
While expensive, these services give you the best chance of recovering your forgotten passcode without losing the data on your iPhone.
Forgot iPhone passcode without Find My or computer access
If you forgot your iPhone passcode and don’t have access to a computer or the Find My iPhone feature, your options are more limited but you still have a few choices:
- Erase your iPhone entirely by entering the wrong passcode 10 times. This resets your iPhone but also deletes all your data.
- Take your iPhone to an Apple Store for help. They can reset your passcode but will also have to wipe your device.
- Use an iOS passcode unlocking service, if you need to recover data.
Without Find My iPhone enabled or a computer to connect to, the only way to reset your forgotten passcode is to delete everything on your device and set it up as new. Unless you use a specialized unlocking service, expect to lose everything when resetting your passcode without backups.
Reset iPhone passcode with Siri
If you forgot your iPhone passcode, you may be able to use Siri to reset it if you have Touch ID or Face ID enabled on your device. Here’s what to try:
- Activate Siri by saying “Hey Siri.”
- Say “Reset iPhone passcode.”
- Siri will prompt you to enter a new passcode.
- Enter and confirm your new passcode.
This process allows you to reset your forgotten passcode with Siri, without wiping your iPhone data. However, it only works if you have Touch ID or Face ID enabled, as it requires biometric authentication before resetting the code.
Reset passcode on disabled iPhone
If you enter the wrong iPhone passcode too many times, your device will become disabled and you won’t be able to use it. Here’s what to do if your passcode guesses are exhausted:
- Connect your iPhone to iTunes and do a restore. This resets the passcode but erases data.
- Use Find My iPhone online to remotely erase the device, which removes the passcode.
- Take your iPhone to an Apple Store for help unlocking it.
A disabled iPhone occurs after entering the wrong passcode 10 times. You’ll need to erase the device either through iTunes or Find My iPhone before you can access it again and set a new code.
Forgot iPhone 4 passcode
If you forgot the passcode on an older iPhone 4, you can still reset it but may have limited options:
- Erase your iPhone 4 using iTunes on a computer, which removes the passcode.
- Take your device to an Apple Store for assistance with unlocking it.
Since the iPhone 4 doesn’t support Find My iPhone, you’ll need access to a computer with iTunes in order to erase and reset the forgotten passcode. Also be aware the iPhone 4 cannot update past iOS 7.1.2 so options are limited compared to newer models.
Reset iPhone without computer
If you don’t have access to a computer, you can still reset a forgotten iPhone passcode in a few ways:
- Use Find My iPhone online to remotely erase your device, removing the passcode.
- Enter the wrong passcode repeatedly until your iPhone is disabled, forcing a reset.
- Take your iPhone to an Apple Store for help removing the passcode.
Without a computer for an iTunes restore, your options are more limited but Find My iPhone and Apple Store assistance can still help you reset your passcode without data loss in many cases.
Reset iPhone without iTunes
You don’t need to use iTunes to reset your iPhone passcode. Here are some other options:
- Use Find My iPhone on icloud.com to remotely erase your device.
- Enter the wrong passcode multiple times to disable your iPhone, forcing a reset.
- Take your iPhone to an Apple Store for assistance removing the passcode.
- Use a professional mobile device unlocking service.
Since iTunes syncing and backups are wireless in modern iOS versions, you no longer need the desktop app to reset a forgotten passcode. Find My iPhone provides a simple remote erase option without needing iTunes.
Conclusion
Resetting your forgotten iPhone passcode is possible using iTunes, Find My iPhone, recovery mode, professional unlocking services, or by erasing your device entirely. Choose the option that best fits your situation in terms of needed data recovery options. After your passcode is reset, be sure to set a new one and enable Find My iPhone for password recovery in the future.
