Forgot your iPhone password? Here’s what you can do

If you forget your iPhone password, there is usually no way to remove or reset just the passcode without erasing your phone. The only way back in is to erase your device using iTunes, Finder, iCloud, or Recovery Mode.

This process wipes all your data, including the passcode itself, so you can set up your iPhone from scratch or a backup. However, the good news is that as long as you know your Apple ID and password, you can recover your data after the reset. If you’re locked out and unsure of what to do, here’s how to regain access.

What should you do if you forget your iPhone password?

If you forgot your iPhone passcode, the only way to unlock your phone is to erase it. That might sound like a big step, but once the phone is wiped, you can set it up again and restore your data from a backup if you have one.

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Depending on your iOS version and what you have access to, there are a few ways to reset your iPhone:

Option one: Reset from the iPhone Unavailable Screen (iOS 17 or Later)

When you enter the wrong passcode too many times, your iPhone will show an “iPhone Unavailable” message. If your phone is running iOS 17 or later, you’ll also see a “Forgot Passcode?” option. This lets you reset the device without needing a computer. Here’s how to do it:

– Enter the wrong passcode several times until you see the iPhone Unavailable screen.

– Tap “Forgot Passcode?” at the bottom of the screen.

– Select “Start iPhone Reset” to begin the process.

– Enter your Apple ID password to confirm your identity.

– Tap “Erase iPhone” to wipe the device and remove the passcode.

Once the reset is complete, your iPhone will restart. You can then set it up again and restore your data from a backup if you have one.

Option Two: Use a Computer (Apple Devices App or Finder)

If your iPhone does not show the “Forgot Passcode?” option or is running an older version of iOS, you will need to use a computer to reset it. You can do this with a Mac or a Windows PC. If you are using a Windows PC:

1. Turn off your iPhone

Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power slider appears. Drag it to turn off the phone.

2. Enter Recovery Mode

Connect your iPhone to the computer. Then, press and hold the side button. Keep holding even after the Apple logo appears. Let go only when you see an image of a computer and a cable.

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3. Open the Apple Devices App

This app is available to download from the Microsoft Store. Your iPhone should show up automatically if you have used the app before.

4. Select your iPhone and Restore

If you have a backup, you can choose Restore Backup instead. Then, simply follow the on-screen prompts, and the app will guide you through the rest of the reset process.

If you are using a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, then:

– Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a cable.

– Open Finder and wait for your iPhone to appear in the sidebar.

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– Click on your device and select Restore iPhone.

– Follow the instructions to complete the reset.

If your iPhone needs a software update before restoring, the download might take longer than expected. If the phone exits recovery mode while waiting, repeat the steps and re-enter recovery mode.

Option Three: Erase your iPhone using iCloud

If you do not have access to a computer, you can reset your iPhone remotely using the Find My feature on iCloud. This only works if Find My iPhone is turned on and you know your Apple ID and password. To erase your iPhone using iCloud:

– Open a browser and go to the iCloud Find Devices page.

– Log in with your Apple ID and password.

– Select your iPhone from the list of devices.

– Choose “Erase This Device” and follow the prompts.

Once your iPhone is erased, it will restart and show the setup screen. From there, you can either restore a backup or start fresh. Regardless of the method you use to reset your iPhone, the process will erase everything on the device, including the passcode. If you do not have access to a computer and cannot use iCloud, your best option is to visit an Apple Store or an Apple Authorised Service Provider.