How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data

If you forgot your iPhone passcode you may get locked out of your device after too many wrong attempts.

When you guess the wrong passcode too many times you will end up with a disabled iPhone.

You will know this has happened when you see a message on the lock screen that says either:

  • iPhone is disabled try again in [x] minutes, or
  • iPhone is disabled. Connect to iTunes.

The length of time you are locked out for increases with each wrong attempt:

  • 6 attempts: Your iPhone is disabled for 1 minute
  • 7 attempts: Your iPhone is disabled for 5 minutes
  • 8 attempts: Your iPhone is disabled for 15 minutes
  • 9 attempts: Your iPhone is disabled for 60 minutes
  • 10 attempts: You get the message “iPhone is disabled. Connect to iTunes” OR your iPhone is completely erased if Erase Data is turned on in Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (or Settings > Passcode for iPhones without Touch ID).

For further information, see How many tries to unlock iPhone.

Read on to find out what to do when you forgot iPhone passcode and how to unlock your iOS device even after it has been disabled.

How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data

  • What to do when you forgot your iPhone passcode
    • Method 1: Apple’s official passcode reset method
    • Method 2: Reset and restore your iPhone using the iCloud website
    • Method 3: Reset and restore your iPhone using a computer
    • Method 4: Unlock lock screen passcode without restore
      • Option 1: Paid passcode reset and data recovery solutions (high success rate)
      • Option 2: Free data recovery options (low success rate but worth a try)
      • How to hack iOS and bypass the passcode
  • FAQ’s
    • Is there a secret passcode to unlock any iPhone?
    • Why is my data erased when I reset the iPhone passcode?
    • Can I reset the iPhone passcode with my Apple ID?
    • Can I reset the iPhone passcode using Touch ID?
    • How can I change my iPhone passcode?
    • Will Apple reset a forgotten iPhone passcode?
    • How do you set up a passcode?
    • Do you have any tips to remember a password?
    • Which model of iPhone can be passcode unlocked?
    • Can iPhone use pattern unlock?
    • I forgot my iPad passcode, what should I do?
  • Affiliate statement

What to do when you forgot your iPhone passcode

A forgotten iPhone passcode or a disabled device means you need to factory reset it. The reset will remove iPhone passcode and wipe all your data.

You can restore your data after the factory reset.

Find out unlock your iPhone if you see an on-screen message that says “iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes”.

Method 1: Apple’s official passcode reset method

If you forget your iPhone passcode Apple has a method of resetting it which wipes and restores all the data:

  1. You need your iPhone, a computer, and your lightning cable. If you don’t have access to a PC or Mac, find out how to unlock iPhone passcode without computer.
  2. Reboot your iPhone.
  3. Connect your computer to your iPhone using the cable as it reboots.
  4. As the iPhone reboots also press and hold the Side button, volume down button, or home button – depending on the model of phone you have.
  5. Keep holding the button until you see the recovery-mode screen.
  6. Remove the iPhone passcode and recover your data from a backup. This will get your iPhone enabled.

Unfortunately, Apple says if you don’t have a backup then you will lose all your data resetting the iPhone passcode.

There are iPhone passcode screen removal tools that allow you to keep your data even if you don’t have a backup – so avoid needing to restore.

If you do have backup then you can try iCloud passcode reset and recovery or computer reset and recovery.

Method 2: Reset and restore your iPhone using the iCloud website

If you have been backing up your iPhone to iCloud then you will be able to factory reset it and restore your data.

You can use a computer or a friend’s phone to sign in to your iCloud account with your Apple ID and erase the device.

Just make sure the iPhone you are resetting is connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network before you try to erase it or it won’t work.

You will need a computer or a friend’s phone before you begin.

  1. On your computer or a friend’s smartphone go to https://www.icloud.com/.
  2. Sign in using your Apple ID password.
    How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data
  3. Click the Find My iPhone icon (you may be asked to sign in again with your Apple ID for security reasons).
    How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data
  4. Click All Devices at the top of the screen.
  5. Choose your iPhone from the drop-down list.
    How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data
  6. Click the Erase iPhone button.
How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data

This will delete the iPhone’s passcode and all of its data.

When you set up the device you can restore the data from the latest iCloud backup.

Your settings and accounts will be restored from the iCloud backup you choose.

I have written a more detailed article if you want to know more about how to reset an iPhone passcode without using a computer.

Method 3: Reset and restore your iPhone using a computer

This method only works if you have previously connected your iPhone to your computer and backed it up using Finder or iTunes. You don’t need to worry about your Apple ID or iPhone password when using this method.

Step 1: Put your device into recovery mode so you can reset the passcode on your device.

Step 2: Remove the passcode and restore your data

If you have a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15 or newer use Finder.

How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data
  1. Open Finder on your Mac
  2. If you have previously synced your phone with the Mac you won’t be asked for the passcode. Otherwise, you will be asked for the passcode so the Mac can be trusted.  In these circumstances, you won’t be able to use this method and you should try one of the others.
  3. In the locations area of Finder click your iPhone
  4. When you see the option to Restore or Update, choose Restore.
  5. The Finder will download software for your phone. If it takes more than 15 minutes, your iPhone will exit recovery mode and you’ll need to repeat the steps to go back into it again.
  6. Choose the latest backup to restore.
  7. Your passcode will be removed and your data will be restored from the backup.

If you have macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier or older, or a PC, use iTunes.

How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data
  1. Open iTunes
  2. If you have synced your phone with the computer before you won’t be asked for the passcode. However, if it is a computer you have never synced with previously you will be asked for the passcode so the computer can be trusted.  As you don’t know the passcode you won’t be able to use iTunes and you should try one of the other methods.
  3. Wait for iTunes to sync with your device.
  4. Once synced, click Restore iPhone.
  5. When finished, the iOS setup screen should pop up on your phone.
  6. Tap on Restore from iTunes backup on your iPhone.
  7. Choose the latest backup to restore from.
  8. Your data will be restored from iTunes using the backup and your passcode will be removed.

Method 4: Unlock lock screen passcode without restore

If you want to bypass or reset the passcode without losing your data the best solution is to use a data recovery tool. This will mean you don’t lose your data from your device as it will be restored after the reset.

We found the paid tools best, but we also give a free method to restore your data after a passcode reset.

Option 1: Paid passcode reset and data recovery solutions (high success rate)

Passcode removal and data recovery tools compared

SolutionRatingPurpose
#1 LockWiper ★★★★★ Removes locks such as passcode, Face ID,  Apple ID, MDM lock, & screen time lock
#2 D-Back iPhone Data Recovery ★★★★★ Recovers erased data from an iOS device, iTunes, or iCloud – including photos, messages, and more…

#3 Ultdata

★★★★ Recovers 35 deleted file types from iOS devices, iTunes, or iCloud backups

In order to reset iPhone – without passcode details – and recover your data you need 2 things:

  1. A software tool to unlock screen passcode such as LockWiper or by using the standard Apple process.
  2. A data recovery tool to scan your iOS device and recover the data.

It’s best to try and backup or recover the data before performing the passcode reset. This gives the greatest chance of success and retaining the important information on your device. If this is not possible then you can attempt the data recovery after the reset has been completed.

LockWiper lock removal tool
How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data

LockWiper is a passcode removal tool that works if your face ID or Touch ID won’t be accepted, if you have a broken screen, or if you have simply been locked out after too many attempts.

It works in 3 simple steps using very intuitive software:

  1. Connect your device to your computer
  2. Select unlock screen passcode
  3. The lock is removed

It should work well in conjunction with D-Back iPhone Data Recovery. Use D-Back to extract the data first, then use LockWiper to remove the passcode. I would advise trying to recover the data using D-Back iPhone Data Recovery before removing the passcode, if possible, as it will have the greatest chance of recovering and saving your data.

The software creators offer a trial version that lets you try before buying.

It is highly regarded with customers saying things like:

I highly recommend iMyFone LockWiper. The tool is easy to use (even for people who don’t know any tech) and allows you to quickly remove the Apple ID and screen lock on your device.

Worked great for half my problem, however, my iPad was iCloud locked so I could not complete the recovery. iMyFone refunded my money hassle-free. great company and easy to deal with.

Step 1: Go to the website and click Buy Now

How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data

Step 2: Select the basic plan as it is suitable for most people and is the cheapest.

How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data

Step 3: Check out and pay.

How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data

Step 4: After you purchase the software make sure to cancel the yearly re-occurring transaction or you will be charged again after 12 months.

D-Back iPhone data recovery tool
How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data

D-Back is a data recovery program that is worth considering if you have been forced to wipe your iPhone to reset the passcode and don’t have a backup. 

It allows you to restore data from the device using a deep scan via its easy to use interface, including:

Messages & iMessages

Contacts

Photos & App photos

Videos & App videos

WhatsApp messages & attachments

Kik messages & attachments

WeChat messages & attachments

Viber messages & attachments

Line messages & attachments

Notes & attachments

Call history

Voice memos

Calendar

Reminders

Safari bookmarks & history

They offer a trial version that lets you try and recover data before buying. The trial version only allows you to preview lost data, but with the paid version, you can recover and save the lost data to your computer.

It is highly regarded with customers saying things like:

I cannot recommend this program enough!! After my phone died during an update it got stuck in recovery mode. Both Apple and Geek Squad told me there was absolutely nothing I could do and I had to restart it in factory mode and lose everything. They said my only option was to send my phone out to a company who quoted me $2000 to *maybe* get my stuff back. After a quick Google search my husband found iMyFone and I’ll admit I thought it sounded sketchy and too be good to be true, but it really worked. Losing all your phone data can be devastating, but this program can get it back for you. Don’t listen to the “geniuses” and download now. Best money I ever spent!!

Step 1: Go to the website and click Buy Now

How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data

Step 2: Pick the version you want. We suggest the basic plan as it is best for a one-off recovery and it is also the cheapest.

How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data

Step 3: Pay and check out

How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data

Step 4: After you purchase the software make sure to cancel the yearly re-occurring transaction or you will be charged again after 12 months.

Ultdata data recovery tool
How to unlock iphone without passcode without losing data

Ultdata‘ is another app that allows you to restore lost data from your iPhone.

I haven’t tested this tool myself but it is highly regarded online with a straightforward and intuitive interface.

They claim it can allow you to restore things like pictures, camera rolls, reminders, notes, videos, calendars, contacts, call history, and more…

It can recover data from almost all iOS devices from the iPhone 3G all the way up to the latest versions. As well as iDevices it can also recover data direct from iTunes and iCloud backups.

Overall, it should be a good way to rescue your data from your device.

You do need to have a computer (Mac or PC) to use it tho – so if you can’t get access to one this option may not be suitable.

There is a free trial with some limited functionality. It is worth downloading and giving it a try to see if will allow you to recover the data you need before resetting your device.

If you think it will fulfill your needs then you can buy and download a full version that will allow you to do exactly what you want. It currently costs $59.95.

If you prefer a free solution then you should try the iOS passcode hack described below.

Option 2: Free data recovery options (low success rate but worth a try)

If you forgot your passcode and want to keep your data without having a backup, you could try to hack iOS to bypass it. This is an unofficial method and it must be done at your own risk with the understanding it may not work. However, it is a good option as a last resort…

…but, it will only work if you have a PC (not a Mac) to install all the software on.

You can see how this method works in the video (below). Beneath the video is step-by-step instructions describing exactly what to do.

How to hack iOS and bypass the passcode

Please note:

I have changed the order of the steps used in the video because it isn’t the most efficient way to do it.

The difference is I think you should download all of the software before beginning the unlock process to prevent iTunes ‘timeouts’ and wasting time with multiple reboots of your locked device.

  1. Find out the model number of your device [3] (this article explains how to identify your model) 
  2. On your PC open a web browser and go to the following website: ipsw.me
  3. Click ‘identify my iOS device’ from the menu on the left
  4. Chose your device type – either iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch
  5. Enter the model number of your device found in step 1.
  6. Click ‘download the latest’ to get the newest firmware for your device and save it on your desktop. It is a very big file so it will take a long time to download.
  7. Next, download this program (make_noerase_ipsw) and unzip it.
  8. Drag the unzipped ‘make_noerase_ipsw’ program to your desktop.
  9. Drag the firmware file downloaded in step 6 onto the ‘make_noerase_ipsw ‘program icon. A new window will open where it will unpack everything. It will take about 10-15 mins to do.
  10. It will create another new file on your desktop which you will use to restore to your device.
  11.  Connect your device to the PC using the lightning or 30-pin cable charging cable.
  12. While your device is connected, put it into “recovery mode“. Find out how to put your Apple device into recovery mode.
  13. iTunes will open automatically, if not open it by clicking the icon.
  14. It should ask you about putting your devices into recovery mode. Hold the shift button down and click the ‘Restore iPhone’ button.
  15. A file manager window will open.
  16. Go to the desktop and find the new file that was created in step 10 and double-click it so it runs.
  17. Click restore and wait around 10-15 mins for the new firmware to upload via iTunes. Your device should show the Apple logo with a file progress bar.
  18. It will then reboot and iTunes will say the device is reset to factory settings (but your data should be safe).
  19. Once rebooted you should be able to access the device without needing to use a passcode.

FAQ’s

Is there a secret passcode to unlock any iPhone?

There are a number of articles online that appear to claim there is a secret passcode that can unlock any iPhone. The idea is appealing because is it allows you access to any device without having to reset the passcode which is handy if you forget it.

The truth is no such secret passcode exists.

If you read the articles you will notice that there is no secret code and instead, you should use the official unlocking methods.

Why is my data erased when I reset the iPhone passcode?

Apple makes the passcode reset difficult on purpose.  It is a security feature to prevent your data from getting into someone else hands, for example, if your device is stolen.

In fact, the security on iOS is now so advanced that the FBI had to pay $1.3 million to crack it.

It is a huge inconvenience but at least you know your data is safe if your device is stolen. I realize this isn’t much comfort if you have simply forgotten your passcode, but until Apple comes up with a simpler solution then this is the way it is.

Always check your last iPhone backup to make sure it worked so you have a copy of your data.

Can I reset the iPhone passcode with my Apple ID?

No, you can’t reset the iPhone passcode by using your Apple ID. The Apple ID and iPhone passcode are independent security measures so you can’t reset one from the other.

Can I reset the iPhone passcode using Touch ID?

You can’t reset a forgotten iPhone passcode using Touch ID but you can unlock it and back it up, wipe it, reset the passcode, then restore the data from the backup.

The easiest method is when iCloud and Find My iPhone is enabled:

  1. Do an iCloud backup.
  2. Remote Wipe using Find My iPhone
  3. Reactivate the phone and restore it from the iCloud backup.

If you don’t use iCloud or don’t remember your iCloud password, then you need to connect the device to a PC or a Mac with macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier on it and do the following:

  1. Back up your data through iTunes.
  2. Restore the phone from iTunes.
  3. Restore the data using the iTunes backup you made.

How can I change my iPhone passcode?

If you want to change your passcode and know what it is – in other words, you haven’t forgotten it – then the process is as follows:

  1. Unlock your device using your passcode
  2. Tap Settings
  3. Tap Face ID & Passcode
  4. Enter your old passcode when prompted
  5. Scroll down and tap’ Change Passcode’
  6. Type in your old passcode.
  7. If you prefer a different passcode type from the standard 6 digits then tap ‘Passcode Options’ at the bottom and select the code type you prefer.
  8. Create and confirm your new code.

Will Apple reset a forgotten iPhone passcode?

No, Apple will not unlock an iPhone passcode for you, although they will help you go through the steps to reset, erase, and recover it. This can be done in-store or via phone.

You should expect to be asked to prove you are the owner of the device so bring along your purchase receipt.

You must also be careful not to confuse SIM unlocking iPhone with the passcode reset process.

How do you set up a passcode?

When you first set up your iPhone one of the steps in the process is adding a passcode. By default, this is a 6 digit code but this can be changed to:

  • custom alphanumeric code
  • custom numeric code
  • 4-digit numeric code
  • or no code at all

If you have no passcode and would like to add it at a later date you should:

  1. Open your device
  2. Tap Settings
  3. Tap Face ID & Passcode
  4. Tap’ Turn Passcode On’
  5. If you prefer a different passcode type from the standard 6 digits then tap ‘Passcode Options’ at the bottom and select the code type you prefer.
  6. Create and confirm your new code. It’s possible that you will be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password. If so, enter them then hit ‘Continue’.

Do you have any tips to remember a password?

Firstly, try to avoid any obvious numbers like birthdays, anniversaries, or the last 4 digits of your phone number when creating a password.

Instead, a good idea is to spell a word or phrase using numbers to create a secure password.

How?

Well, if you look at the keypad you will notice 2 is ABC, 3 is DEF, 4 if GHI, and so on. So if you wanted to use the first 4 letters of your name and your name is Kevin the pin would be 5384:

5 (JKL) 3 (DEF) 8 (TUV) 4 (GHI)

Alternatively use the first letters from your favorite song or use a movie title:

So if your favorite song is Seal’s Kiss from a Rose, your PIN would be 5 (JKL), 3 (DEF), 2 (ABC), 7 (PQRS).

If you like Lord othe Rings your PIN would be 5 (JKL), 6(MNO), 8 (TUV) 7 (PQRS).

This technique is useful for any length of password – 4, 6, or more numbers – and makes it much simpler to recall very long sequences that you may need for things such as online banking.

Which model of iPhone can be passcode unlocked?

This guide is written for all iPhone models including those running the latest version of iOS.

These models don’t have enhanced security and are easier to unlock:

  • iPhone 3G (up to iOS 3)
  • iPhone 3GS (up to iOS 6)

These iPhone models have the more secure iOS 7 (or newer) operating system and are harder to unlock without a passcode:

  • iPhone 4 (up to iOS 7)
  • iPhone 4S (up to iOS 9)
  • iPhone 5 (up to iOS 10)
  • iPhone 5S (up to iOS 12)
  • iPhone 5C (up to iOS 10)
  • iPhone SE (up to iOS 15)
  • iPhone 6 (up to iOS 12)
  • iPhone 6S (up to iOS 14)
  • iPhone 6 Plus (up to iOS 12)
  • iPhone 6S Plus (up to iOS 15)
  • iPhone 7 (up to iOS 15)
  • iPhone 7 Plus (up to iOS 15)
  • iPhone 8 (up to iOS 15)
  • iPhone 8 Plus (up to iOS 15)
  • iPhone X (up to iOS 15)
  • iPhone XS (up to iOS 15)
  • iPhone XS Max (up to iOS 15)
  • iPhone XR (up to iOS 15)
  • iPhone 11 (iOS 15)
  • iPhone 11 Pro (iOS 15)
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max (iOS 15)
  • iPhone 12 (iOS 15)
  • iPhone 12 Max (iOS 15)
  • iPhone 12 Pro (iOS 15)
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max (iOS 15)
  • iPhone 13 (iOS 15)
  • iPhone 13 Max (iS 15)
  • iPhone 13 Pro (iOS 15)
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max (iOS 15)

Can iPhone use pattern unlock?

A standard iPhone running iOS can’t use pattern unlocking.

However, you can jailbreak your phone and install the Android Lock app from the Cydia store. This allows you to use pattern unlocking.

Be careful if you choose to do this as jailbreaking iPhone invalidates the warranty.

To find out more, see the iPhone pattern unlock guide.

I forgot my iPad passcode, what should I do?

Apple uses the same unlocking process for all its devices including iPhone and iPad. This means you can wipe and reset your iPad to remove the passcode. You then recover your data from your latest backup.

For details, see how to unlock iPad without passcode.

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How do I unlock my iPhone if I forgot my passcode without losing data?

If you can't remember your passcode when you try again, use a computer to put your iPhone in recovery mode. Recovery mode allows you to erase the iPhone, giving you access to set it up again. After you erase your iPhone, you can restore your data and settings from a backup.

Can you unlock an iPhone without resetting it?

iCloud can also be used to fix forgotten iPhone passcode without restore. For this, you need to have to Find My iPhone enabled on your device and then you can reset iPhone passcode without restore.