How to Unlock an iPhone When You Don’t Know the Passcode

A couple of years ago, a toddler locked his father’s Apple device for 48 years by entering the incorrect passcode many, many times. Obviously, waiting for the lockout period to end was not an option. So what do you do when you’re locked out of an iPhone because you either can’t enter the passcode or don’t know it? The only way to unlock an iPhone when you don’t know the passcode is to erase it and restore it. Here’s how.

1. Open iTunes on your computer

First, make sure your phone is not plugged into your computer. To erase and restore your iPhone, you’ll need to open iTunes on your computer. Through iTunes, you’ll be able to access a backup saved on your computer or iCloud.

2. Remove your current passcode

To remove your current passcode, you’ll need to put your iPhone into recovery mode.

For iPhone X or later, iPhone SE (2^nd generation), iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus

1. Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the power off slider appears.
2. Turn off your iPhone.
3. Connect your iPhone to your computer while holding the side button and keep holding the button until you see the recovery mode screen.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

1. Press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears.
2. Turn off your iPhone.
3. Connect your iPhone to your computer while holding the volume down button and keep holding the button until you see the recovery mode screen.

For iPhone SE (1^st generation) and iPhone 6s or earlier

1. Press and hold the side button (or top button) until the power off slider appears.
2. Turn off your iPhone.
3. Connect your iPhone to your computer while holding the Home button and keep holding the button until you see the recovery mode screen.

3. Restore your iPhone

Locate your iPhone in iTunes on your computer. You may have to click on the device icon in the upper right (it looks like a phone). Selecting the phone will cause a window to pop up that prompts you to “Restore” or “Update.” Choose “Restore.”

When you choose “Restore,” you’ll see a list of your recent backups, both on your computer (if you’ve backed up to your computer) and in iCloud (if you’ve backed up to iCloud). Select the most recent backup of your iPhone to restore.

[Image credit: Apple]

Tips & How-Tos, Phones and Mobile, Mobile Apps, iPhone/iPad Apps