If you use your iPhone every day, not being able to access it is frustrating and distressing. But if you happen to forget your iPhone password or passcode, that’s exactly what can happen. Knowing what to do if you forgot your iPhone password means you can get back into your device fast with minimal stress.
Step 1. Try your passcode several times. After several incorrect passcode attempts, your iPhone will display an “iPhone Unavailable” or “Security Lockout” message. The iPhone will usually prompt you to wait a minute and try again. This is useful to know because you may find that you actually do remember your passcode after a few tries.
Step 2. Make sure you know your Apple Account password (previously called the Apple ID password). To check this, head to iCloud.com and try to log in.
If you’re able to log in, make sure you remember the email address and password combo you used, as you will need this to regain access to your locked iPhone. If you can’t log in, click the “Forgotten your password?” link and follow the onscreen instructions.
What to Do if I Forgot My Password for iPhone: Unlock Device from Lock Screen
Step 1. The fastest way to regain access to your iPhone is from the lock screen. When you see the “iPhone Unavailable” message, click “Forgot Passcode?” in the bottom right corner.
Step 2. You will see a screen telling you that the iPhone is in security lockout. To proceed with unlocking the device, click “Start iPhone Reset.”
Step 3. You’ll now need to enter your Apple account password.
Step 4. Finally, you’ll need to confirm you want to erase your iPhone. This may take a few minutes, and once complete, you will be able to set up your iPhone using your Apple account. As long as you backed up your device recently, you should be able to restore your data and apps.
What to Do if You Forgot Your iPhone Password: Connect to a Computer
Step 1. You can also reset and unlock your phone by connecting it to your computer. You’ll need to put your device in recovery mode first:
For most newer iPhones, press Volume Up briefly, then Volume Down, then hold the side Power button until you see “Connect to computer.”
If you have an iPhone 7 or older, hold the Power button and the Volume Down button or the round Home button and Power button until you see the prompt to connect the device to a computer.
Step 2. Connect the device to your computer with the appropriate cable. When you see the prompt to “Restore iPhone,” press it and follow the onscreen instructions.
What to Do if You Forgot Your iPhone Password: Use Find My
Step 1. Log in to iCloud on any web browser with your Apple account details. Select “Find My” from the main menu.
Step 2. Click the device you want to unlock and choose “Erase.” The device will return to the setup screen after a few minutes.
Remember, whichever method you choose will wipe the phone and force you to set it up from scratch. Scheduling regular backups is essential to ensure you can restore the device with all your data and apps.
As an avid gamer, I’ve run into my fair share of error codes and weird faults that have forced me to find fixes to problems I never anticipated. That gave me a passion for sharing those fixes with others so we can all game without feeling like our hardware is rebelling against us.
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