5 Methods to Unlock iPhone when Forgot iPhone Passcode

"It sounds a little ridiculous, but I forgot my iPhone passcode. I cannot access my iPhone now though I do all the possible passcode attempts. Do you have any idea? All the suggestions will be greatly appreciated." - Charles from Apple Discussion

Many iPhone users will choose to set a screen lock on their iPhones to protect their privacy from exposure. But what if users forgot iPhone passcodes? Undoubtedly, the extreme security arrangement of iPhone makes the persons who want to access our data be turned away. However, it also brings inconvenience. But don't worry, there are still feasible ways for users to unlock their iPhones again. Read it on to get the best 5 methods in 2024.

Method 1. Unlock iPhone when Forgot Passcode via TunesKit iPhone Unlocker

If you don't know the Apple ID passcode of your iPhone, using an iPhone unlocking tool will be the only workable way. I think TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is one of the most reliable products in the market. It is now fully compatible with the latest iOS version up to iOS 18. It allows users to unlock their iPhone when they forgot iPhone passcodes, the iPhone screen is broken, or unlock any iPhone/iPad without entering passcodes. With the concise and user-friendly interface, users will not encounter any obstacles while using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

Let's see how to unlock iPhone when forgot iPhone passcode via Tuneskit iPhone Unlocker.

Step 1Connect iPhone to the Computer

To begin with, please connect your iPhone to a computer via a lightning cable. Then, choose Unlock iOS Screen and click on the Start button for the next step.

Step 2Put iPhone into DFU Mode

Then, please follow the instruction to put your iPhone into DFU mode. Click on the Next button when you put your iPhone into DFU mode successfully.

Step 3Download Firmware Package

In this step, you will see detailed information about your iPhone. Please ensure that all the information is corresponding to your iPhone. Then click the Download button to start the downloading.

Step 4Unlock iPhone when Forgot iPhone Passcode

When the firmware package is downloaded, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to unlock your iPhone. This process will not take too much time. When your iPhone is unlocked, all the data and content on your iPhone will be erased.

Method 2. Unlock iPhone when Forgot Passcode via iOS Feature

Don't worry though you have no computer or extra iOS device. If you have updated your iPhone to iOS 15.2 or the later version, this method will be feasible. In the update of iOS 15.2, Apple adds a new feature that allows users to erase their iPhone when they forgot iPhone password. To use this method, your device needs to be connected to the network and you still remembered your Apple ID and password that used to set up the device. The following is a how-to.

Step 1: Keep entering the wrong passcode until there is an iPhone Unavailable screen appears, and it asks you to try again later.
Step 2: Tap the Forgot Passcode option in the bottom-right corner. Tap Start iPhone to Reset on the Security Lockout screen.
Step 3: Enter the Apple ID password to sign out of your Apple ID account on the device. Tap the Erase iPhone option to wipe all of data and settings on your iPhone including the screen lock.

Method 3. Unlock iPhone when Forgot Passcode via Passcode Reset

For devices that are running iOS 17, there is a new feature named Passcode Reset. It gives users 72 hours when you can use your old passcode to access your phone. Thus, if you forgot your new passcode on iPhone but you recently changed passcodes, you can try this method. Be aware that if you access your iPhone this way, you'd better change your passcode immediately. Now you can follow the steps below to unlock your iPhone with it.

Step 1: Try to enter a passcode five times or more until iPhone Unavailable message pops up on the screen.
Step 2: In the bottom corner of the screen, you can see the Forgot Passcode option. Tap it.
Step 3: On the next interface, tap Enter Previous Passcode option. Enter your old passcode, and then set a new passcode according to the onscreen instructions.

Method 4. Unlock iPhone when Forgot Passcode via iTunes

If you are an iPhone user, iTunes will be a familiar application to you. When your iPhone is disabled, you will first see a notification on your iPhone that asks you to connect your iPhone to iTunes. Users can use iTunes to unlock their iPhones within several steps. However, this will also erase all the user data and content. If you don't want to lose any data on your iPhone, you can make a backup before unlocking it. Remember to ensure that you have synced your iPhone with iTunes. Now, let's see how to unlock iPhone if you forgot password.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to a computer and launch iTunes on it. Then, turn off your iPhone and put it into Recovery mode.
Step 2: When a little iPhone icon appears on iTunes, click on it.
Step 3: Find the Summary tab on the left interface, hit on it. Then, click on the Restore iPhone to unlock your iPhone.

Method 5. Unlock iPhone when Forgot Passcode via Find My iPhone

If your iPhone has launched the Find My iPhone feature, try using it help you access your iPhone again. This method requires another iOS device or a computer, and you should know the Apple ID passcode of the locked iPhone. This method will also erase all your iPhone content. Here is a step-by-step guide to unlock it when forgot passcode on iPhone using Find My iPhone.

Step 1: Navigate to the iCloud website and log in to the same Apple ID as the locked iPhone. Or launch the Find My iPhone app on an iOS device.
Step 2: Click on the Find My iPhone feature when you log in to the iCloud. Then, hit on the All Devices option and select the locked iPhone.
Step 3: Click the Erase iPhone option to unlock your iPhone.

Video Tutorial: Forgot iPhone Passcode How to Unlock?

In the following short video, we're going to introduce several methods to help you out when you forgot iPhone passcode and can't access it. Watch the video carefully and try it one by one to fix your issue.

FAQs about unlocking iPhone when Forgot Passcode

Q1. Can I unlock my iPhone without losing data?

Generally speaking, if you have an iTunes backup or iCloud backup before forgetting the passcode, you can then restore them from iTunes/iCloud without losing data. The principle is your backup will overwrite the exit data, including the forgotten passcode. Otherwise, if you don't have any backup files, unlocking iPhone will erase your iPhone data, as well as the forgotten passcode.

If you want to keep your iPhone data, it would be a wise choice for you make a backup before unlocking it. In addition, you can download TunesKit iPhone Data Recovery and use it to protect your data from loss.

Q2. Can I unlock my iPhone without an Apple ID?

Yes. You can use TunesKit iPhone Unlocker to unlock your iPhone. What you need to do is connect your iPhone to a computer and launch this program. If you want to use iTunes, iCloud, or the iOS 15.2 feature to unlock your iPhone, the Apple ID passcode is necessary.

Q3. How to change my iPhone passcode?

To change the passcode on your iPhone, you can open the Settings app, and then scroll down to choose Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode. Enter your current passcode and then tap Change Passcode. Enter the old passcode again and then enter a new passcode twice.

Q4. How to avoid forgetting iPhone passcode?

It's quite easy to forget passcode on iPhone. To prevent such a bad thing happen again, you can create a passcode with numbers that only make sense for you. Do not use birthdays or other simple numbers as your passcode. Another tip is to write down your passcode else, so you can refer to it when you forgot the passcode. Remember to test your code in case there is anything wrong while setting it.

Conclusion

Forgot iPhone passcode would trap you as the iPhone will become a brick. You can choose one of the above 5 methods to unlock your iPhone if you are now encountering the same issues. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is the most recommended solution as the mighty unlocking feature that allows users to unlocker their phones without Apple ID. If you remember your Apple ID password, or the old passcode you has recently changed, you can try to fix forgot iPhone passcode without restore with ease.