Forgetting your iPhone passcode can be frustrating, especially if you rely on your phone for everyday tasks. Luckily, there are a few different options for unlocking your iPhone if you forget the passcode.
Try entering your passcode again
Before taking any drastic measures, take a moment to stop and think. Oftentimes we memorize passcodes but just need a minute to pull the numbers from our memory. If you can remember even part of the code, try entering different combinations until you stumble upon the right one. Go through this process slowly and carefully to jog your memory without locking yourself out.
Use Touch ID or Face ID
If your iPhone is equipped with Touch ID or Face ID, you may be able to unlock your device using biometric authentication instead of entering a passcode. To use Touch ID, simply rest your finger on the home button. For Face ID, look directly at the front-facing camera from a few different angles.
Keep in mind that newer iPhones require you to enter your passcode after restarting, so Touch ID or Face ID may not work if you recently rebooted your device. You’ll need to enter the proper passcode at least once before biometric unlock becomes available again.
Connect to iTunes or Finder
Connecting your locked iPhone to a computer you’ve previously synced with iTunes or Finder can override the passcode lock. To do this:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer via a USB cable
- Open iTunes on a Windows PC or Finder on a Mac
- Select your iPhone from the sidebar
- Click “Trust” if prompted on your iPhone
- Enter your passcode if requested by iTunes/Finder
If you have the correct passcode saved in iTunes or Finder, your iPhone should now unlock successfully. You’ll then have temporary access so you can change your forgotten passcode to something memorable.
Erase your iPhone
If you have no memory of your passcode whatsoever, your last resort is to factory reset your iPhone. This will erase all of the data on your device and remove the passcode, allowing you to set up the phone like new.
On an iPhone 8 or earlier, factory reset by pressing and quickly releasing the Volume Up button, then pressing and quickly releasing the Volume Down button, then pressing and holding the Side button until the Apple logo appears. For iPhone X and later, press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button. Keep holding the Side button even when the slider appears to power off your phone. Release the button when the Apple logo appears.
When your iPhone reboots, it will be ready for activation and you can enter a new passcode. Unfortunately, you will have lost all data that wasn’t backed up externally. Photos, messages, app data, and settings will be erased.
Use device management to reset passcode
If you use a device management service provided by your employer or school, you may be able to reset your passcode through that service. Contact your IT department to see if they can push a passcode reset to your device.
Device management can only reset your passcode if your iPhone was enrolled in the service prior to forgetting your passcode. If not already enrolled, you will need to factory reset your device through iTunes or Finder first before enrolling in device management.
Take it to an Apple Store
As a last resort, you can schedule a Genius Bar appointment at an Apple Store and have an Apple technician reset your passcode. Be prepared to provide proof of purchase and a valid government ID to confirm your identity and ownership of the device.
Apple Stores have proprietary tools they can use to reset passcodes while preserving data. This should allow you to maintain access to your photos, messages, notes, and other important information.
Note that there may be a fee involved if you are out of warranty and do not have AppleCare+ coverage for your device. Apple’s terms and conditions allow them to charge up to $500 for out-of-warranty repairs.
Enable Find My iPhone
Looking ahead, be sure to turn on Find My iPhone in your iCloud settings. Find My iPhone includes a feature that allows you to remotely erase your device if needed. While still not ideal, this lets you factory reset your iPhone without losing it first.
You can initiate a remote wipe by logging into iCloud.com. Click Find My iPhone and select your device. Then choose Erase iPhone and confirm to reset. Your data will be removed, disabling the unknown passcode, and you can set up the iPhone as new after erasing.
Set up an Apple ID recovery contact
Another helpful precaution is designating an Apple ID recovery contact. This is someone you trust who can help verify your identity if you get locked out of your account.
To set up a recovery contact:
- Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in
- Click “Security” in the sidebar
- Select “Add Recovery Contact”
- Enter the email address for your recovery contact
Now, if you ever forget your Apple ID password, your recovery contact can generate a temporary code to help unlock your account so you can access Find My iPhone.
Write down your passcode
Once you get back into your iPhone, be sure to write your passcode down on paper and keep it somewhere safe like a locked safe or file cabinet. It’s easy to forget a random 6-digit passcode, so having a physical copy can save you from ever getting locked out again.
Just be sure to store the written passcode somewhere out of plain sight. You don’t want to compromise the security of your iPhone by leaving the passcode lying around.
Conclusion
Forgotten passcodes happen, but thankfully there are a few techniques you can use to regain access to your locked iPhone:
- Try recalling and carefully re-entering your passcode
- Use Touch ID or Face ID
- Connect to iTunes or Finder
- Erase your device and reset it up as new
- Leverage device management to push a reset
- Have Apple reset your passcode at a Genius Bar
- Remotely wipe via Find My iPhone
- Call on your Apple ID recovery contact
To avoid getting locked out in the future, be sure to write down your passcode once back in your phone and set up useful account recovery options like Find My iPhone. With a few preventative measures in place, you can save yourself the hassle if you ever forget your passcode again down the road.
| Method | Retains Data? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Enter passcode | Yes | $0 |
| Touch/Face ID | Yes | $0 |
| iTunes/Finder | Yes | $0 |
| Erase iPhone | No | $0 |
| Device management | Yes | $0 |
| Apple Genius Bar | Yes | Varies |
| Find My iPhone | No | $0 |
This table summarizes some key differences between the various passcode reset options: whether they retain data, and if there are any costs involved.
As you can see, the ideal solutions are ones that let you regain access to your iPhone without erasing anything. Software-based options like entering your passcode or using biometric unlock are the simplest approaches if they’re available to you.
Hardware options like using iTunes or an Apple Genius maintain your data as well. The tradeoff is that they require physical access to your device and/or scheduling time for an appointment.
Last resort options like factory reset erase all your data but have the advantage of being accessible from anywhere if you have an internet connection. With proper planning, though, you can avoid ever needing to wipe your iPhone when forgetting a passcode.
The bottom line is that with several options at your disposal, there are always steps you can take to regain access to a locked iPhone. Don’t panic if you find yourself in this situation – just review each method until you find one that works for your circumstances.
Being unable to use your iPhone because you forgot the passcode can certainly be an annoyance. But thankfully, manufacturers like Apple provide people in this common predicament with ways to get back into their devices. So take a deep breath, work through the options, and you’ll likely have your issue resolved in no time.
Your iPhone contains so much of your personal and professional data that being locked out can be stressful. With a range of options available, from trying passcode combinations and using biometrics to seeking professional assistance, there are always steps you can take to regain access.
The key is not to panic. Carefully think through what you can remember about your passcode, and only try the most advanced solutions if simpler options fail. And once you finally get back into your iPhone, be sure to write down the passcode, set up a recovery system, and enable solutions like Find My iPhone. This will help prevent future lockouts and relieve a lot of frustration.
Technology may not always be foolproof, but thankfully there is almost always a solution for issues like forgotten passcodes. With persistence and the right approach, you can overcome a locked iPhone and get your digital life back on track.