If you’re locked out of your iPhone, you may feel like there’s nothing worse in the world. You’re mad at yourself that you forgot the passcode, and no matter how many times you try, you continue to enter the wrong passcode. After too many tries, you get the dreaded message that your iPhone is disabled.
Or perhaps you are a phone resale business and some of the phones that come into your business are locked up. You’ll need to learn how to unlock an iPhone passcode to get them open and clear them out before you’re able to sell them.
Fortunately, there are several ways to access your Apple device when you don’t have the passcode. You’ll want to note, though, that to get into an iPhone or iPad, you’ll have to reset the device to factory settings. If you have an iTunes or iCloud backup available, you can restore your device from the backup during the setup process.
One option to answer the question of how to unlock an iPhone passcode is to put your mobile device in recovery mode. This is an erase iPhone option that gives you access to set it up again.
To get into a locked iPhone without the password:
If you have your iPhone set to Face ID, you’ll want to press and quickly release the "Volume Up" button. Then press and hold the "Top" button until your device goes into recovery mode.
If your iPhone has a Home button, press and hold both the "Home" and the "Top" (or Side) buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the recovery mode screen.
Find My iPhone is a feature that lets you find your missing Apple device. But it’s also helpful if you’re trying to figure out how to unlock an iPhone passcode. To use this option, there are a few stipulations. You need to be signed in to the locked iPhone with your Apple ID, you have to have the feature enabled on your iPhone, and there has to be an internet connection on the mobile phone.
If you meet all these requirements, just follow these five easy steps:
iPhone Unlockers are another option for your “how to unlock iPhone passcode” question. They are third-party apps that allow you to open the screen passcode, Apple ID, screen time, and more. There are many options at varying costs.
If you buy iPhones in bulk for your business and many are locked, it is important to have them tested and cleared before you sell them. Running diagnostics on your phones can tell you exactly what is wrong with them, as well as clear all data and test all their functions such as speakers and microphones. There are many ways to do this, or you can use a software program like Phonecheck to perform it all for you in under two minutes. Our software will give you a comprehensive printout and a certification when it is ready to hit the shelves!
Want to learn more about iPhones? Check out our Apple Diagnostics: iPhone Tools and Resources blog.
