How to Get Into a Locked iPhone Without the Password

If you are locked out of your own iPhone and cannot remember the passcode, this guide walks through the official recovery methods that actually work. You will need access to a computer (or another trusted device) and, in most cases, the Apple ID and password associated with the phone. The goal is to erase the device so you can set it up again, since there is no legitimate way to bypass the passcode without erasing the data.

What You’ll Need

A computer (Mac or Windows) with the latest version of iTunes, or a Mac with Finder (macOS Catalina or later).
The USB cable that came with your iPhone (or a compatible one).
Your Apple ID and password for the iPhone you are unlocking.
If you have two-factor authentication enabled, a trusted device (another iPhone, iPad, or Mac) to receive the verification code.
If you don’t have a computer, you can use iCloud.com on any web browser, but you will still need the Apple ID password.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using a Computer (Finder or iTunes)

Update your computer software. Make sure you are running the latest version of macOS or Windows, and that iTunes is updated if you are on Windows or an older Mac.
Connect your iPhone to the computer using the USB cable. Do not unlock the phone or enter any passcode.
Put the iPhone into Recovery Mode. The exact button combination depends on your model:
- iPhone 8 or later (including SE 2nd gen and newer): Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears (a computer icon and a cable).
- iPhone 7 / 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side (or Top) button and the Volume Down button together until the recovery mode screen appears.
- iPhone 6s and earlier, including SE 1st gen: Press and hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button together until the recovery mode screen appears.
Wait for the computer to detect the phone. A dialog box will appear in Finder or iTunes saying there is a problem with the iPhone and offering to Update or Restore. Click Restore. If you see an option to Update, ignore it; you need to restore to remove the passcode.
Confirm the restore. The computer will download the iOS software for your model. This can take several minutes depending on your internet speed. Do not unplug the phone during this time.
Wait for the process to finish. The phone will restart, and you will see the “Hello” screen. At this point, the passcode is gone and the phone is wiped clean.
Set up the iPhone as new or restore from a backup you made before the lockout. You will need your Apple ID and password to activate the phone.

Method 2: Using iCloud (Find My iPhone)

This method only works if Find My iPhone was enabled on the device before it got locked, and if the phone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data.

Go to iCloud.com/find on any computer or another device, and sign in with the Apple ID that was used on the locked iPhone.
Click “All Devices” at the top, then select your locked iPhone from the list.
Click “Erase iPhone.” This will remotely wipe the device, removing the passcode. You may be asked to enter your Apple ID password again to confirm.
Wait for the erase to complete. The phone will restart and show the setup screen. You can then set it up as new or restore from a backup.
If the phone is offline, the erase command will be queued and will run the next time it connects to the internet. You can also click “Remove from Account” after erasing if you want to stop tracking it, but that will not unlock it.

Method 3: Using Recovery Mode with No Computer (iOS 15.2 or later)

If you have another iPhone or iPad running iOS 15.2 or later, you can use the built-in “Reset” option from the lock screen after multiple failed attempts.

Enter the wrong passcode repeatedly until you see the “iPhone Unavailable” screen with a “Erase iPhone” option at the bottom right.
Tap “Erase iPhone.” You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID and password.
Wait for the erase to finish. The phone will restart and be ready to set up as new.

Common Mistakes

Clicking “Update” instead of “Restore” when the dialog appears. Update will try to reinstall iOS without erasing, but it will not remove the passcode, and it can sometimes fail if the phone is locked.
Unplugging the phone during the restore. This can brick the device or cause a software error. Always wait for the progress bar to finish.
Forgetting the Apple ID password. If you cannot sign in after the restore, the phone will be stuck on the activation screen. You must know the Apple ID and password, or you will need to go through Apple’s account recovery process.
Using the wrong button sequence for your iPhone model. If you don’t enter recovery mode correctly, the phone will just boot normally, and you’ll have to try again.
Assuming a backup will restore the passcode. Backups do not include the passcode, but they do include all your data. Restoring from a backup after a wipe will not re-lock the phone.

Tips

Back up regularly. If you have a recent iCloud or computer backup, losing the passcode is an inconvenience, not a disaster.
Use a passcode you can remember but that others can’t guess. Avoid simple patterns like 1234 or your birth year.
Enable “Find My iPhone” before you get locked out. It gives you the iCloud erase option, which is often easier than using a computer.
Write down your Apple ID password in a secure place, such as a password manager. It is the key to recovering your device.
If the phone is disabled for 5, 10, or 15 minutes, don’t keep trying random passcodes. The wait times increase, and after too many attempts, the phone may require a computer restore anyway.

Troubleshooting

Computer says “iPhone could not be restored” or error 4013/9. This usually means a connection issue. Try a different USB port (preferably directly on the computer, not a hub), a different cable, and restart the computer. Then try the recovery mode steps again.
Phone does not show up in Finder or iTunes. Make sure you are actually in recovery mode (the screen with a computer icon and cable). If the phone just shows the Apple logo, you haven’t entered recovery mode correctly. Repeat the button sequence.
iCloud erase says “Erase Pending” and never completes. The phone is offline. Leave it turned on and connected to Wi-Fi or cellular, or use the computer method instead.
After restore, the phone asks for the previous owner’s Apple ID. This is Activation Lock. If the phone is yours, enter your own Apple ID and password. If you bought it used and the previous owner didn’t remove it, you must contact them to disable Find My iPhone from their iCloud account.
You don’t remember the Apple ID password. Go to iforgot.apple.com and follow the account recovery steps. This can take a few days, but it is the only official way to regain access.
Recovery mode screen won’t appear. Make sure the phone is not connected to the computer while you are pressing the buttons. Connect it after you see the recovery mode screen, or press the buttons first and then plug in the cable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose all my data?

Yes, any method that removes the passcode also erases the phone. If you have a recent backup (iCloud or computer), you can restore your data after the wipe. Without a backup, the data is gone.

Can a locksmith or repair shop unlock my iPhone?

Reputable repair shops will not bypass a passcode on a phone you don’t own. Some may offer to restore the phone via iTunes, which is the same method described here. There is no third-party service that can unlock the phone without erasing it, and using such services may be illegal or a scam.

What if I bought a used iPhone and it’s locked to the previous owner’s Apple ID?

You cannot unlock it without the previous owner’s Apple ID and password. Contact the seller and ask them to remove the device from their iCloud account (Settings > [their name] > Find My > [device] > Remove from Account). If they don’t, the phone is effectively a brick.

Does the “Erase iPhone” option on the lock screen work on all models?

It works on iPhones running iOS 15.2 or later, which includes iPhone 6s and newer. If you don’t see the option, you need to use a computer or iCloud.

How long does the restore take?

Downloading the iOS software can take 10–30 minutes depending on your internet speed. The actual restore process takes another 5–15 minutes. The total time is usually under an hour.

Can I use someone else’s computer to restore my iPhone?

Yes, but you must trust that computer. The restore process will erase your phone, and the computer will download the iOS software. You will still need your Apple ID to activate the phone afterward.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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