The following solutions provide alternative ways to regain access to your iPhone without losing data:
Try Passcode Attempts on iPhone
If you just forgot your passcode, your iPhone may allow several attempts before disabling and requiring the passcode to unlock. For devices running iOS 11 or later, you’ll get 5 attempts to enter the correct passcode at which point the device disables for 1 minute. It increases by 1 minute for each subsequent failed attempt, up to an hour maximum. If you think hard enough, you may be able to correctly enter your forgotten passcode in one of these windows of attempts. Just don’t enter incorrect passcodes 10 times, or your device will be erased.
Enter Recovery Key
If you have set up a recovery key when configuring the passcode, you can enter the when prompted. If you haven’t already saved a recovery key, unfortunately, this method won’t work.
Erase Device
Erasing the device removes your forgotten passcode, and allows you to set up the device again with a new passcode. Of course, this means losing your data and settings. To erase, enter the wrong passcode 10 times. On attempt 10 your phone will erase and prompt you to set up the phone again. Be sure to backup your device data either to iCloud or iTunes before attempting this option if you have data on your device you need to recover it later.
Reset Passcode with iTunes
If you don’t mind losing unsaved data and settings on your iPhone, you can connect the device to a computer with iTunes installed to factory reset and remove the unknown passcode. Just leave the iPhone passcode attempts screen open while connecting to iTunes via cable to a computer the phone trusts. Then you can follow the iTunes prompts to restore your device to factory settings. This convenient iTunes reset erases the forgotten passcode while also updating your device, but results in data and settings loss.
Remove the Passcode with iCloud
First, Sign in to iCloud.com with your Apple ID and password, then find my iPhone, and sign in again if required. It will show a list of devices with your Apple ID. Click your locked iPhone and click Erase iPhone at the bottom. This performs an immediate erase of your iPhone, including removing the unknown passcode. Once erased, you can access your iPhone again and choose a new passcode. Just like the other erase methods, this results in data and settings loss.
Contact Carrier/Apple Store
As a last resort if you simply cannot reset your iPhone or recover your forgotten passcode, Apple Stores and Cell Phone Carriers can sometimes help. Most carriers and Apple stores can unlock iPhone devices, however, will typically need to erase it in the process. Bring the device and valid identification proving ownership to either type of store for in-person iPhone passcode help. Their techs can factory reset it for you to access your iPhone again, though data loss still occurs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, forgetting your iPhone passcode can be inconvenient, but there are several methods to regain access to your device.
The simplest options are trying passcode attempts or using Touch ID/Face ID if enabled. If unsuccessful, you can try connecting to iTunes to reset it, enter your recovery key if you have one set up, or use Find My iPhone via iCloud to remotely erase it. As a last resort, bring your iPhone to an Apple Store or carrier store for unlock help.
Do keep in mind that most bypass options other than passcode attempts result in erasing all contents and settings. Be sure to back up your iPhone data regularly so you can recover it if needed after resetting a forgotten passcode.
FAQs
Here are some additional frequently asked questions about forgetting your iPhone passcode:
How many wrong passcode attempts do I get before my iPhone is disabled?
You get 5 passcode attempts before your iPhone disables for 1 minute. This time increases by 1 minute up to an hour maximum with each subsequent failed attempt. After 10 failed attempts, the device erases.
Can Apple see my data if I take my phone in to remove the passcode?
No, Apple cannot retrieve data from your device when bypassing a forgotten passcode. The only way they can help is by doing a full factory reset or replacement, which erases all data anyway.
What if Find My iPhone is not enabled on my locked device?
If you don’t have Find My iPhone already turned on, unfortunately, there is no way to enable it remotely on a locked iPhone. Enabling it ahead of time gives you the most options to erase a device you can no longer unlock.
Will Apple unlock my iPhone if I forget the passcode?
Apple can factory reset or replace an iPhone that has a forgotten passcode. This erases all contents and data from the device. Replacement involves a fee if you have no AppleCare+ coverage for your device
Should I set up Find My iPhone so I can erase my device if needed later?
Yes, enabling Find My iPhone via iCloud before you forget your passcode gives you the ability, later on, to remotely wipe your disabled iPhone, allowing you to recover use of it easily.
