As an Apple Certified Independent Technician with over 10 years of experience, I’ve frequently been asked how to unlock a disabled iPhone without the passcode or Face ID. If your iPhone is displaying the ‘iPhone is disabled’ message, don’t panic. Whether you’ve forgotten your passcode or a child has locked your device, you can unlock it. This guide will show you how to unlock your disabled iPhone in 2024.
Unlocking a Disabled iPhone
Software Tools
There are a few software programs that claim to unlock an iPhone without losing data. Be cautious with these tools, as not all may be legitimate or safe. Here are some trusted options:
- Tenorshare 4uKey: This tool can remove the lock screen password without data loss and supports removing Touch ID and Face ID.
- iMyFone LockWiper: Similar to 4uKey, this tool can unlock your iPhone without losing data, supporting lock screen passcodes, Touch ID, and Face ID.
Important Considerations
- Backup Your Data: Always make a backup of your important data before using any software to unlock your phone to minimize the risk of data loss.
- Legality: These tools should only be used for devices that you own or have permission to unlock. It is illegal to unlock a device that is not yours or without the owner’s consent.
Official Apple Methods
If you have an iTunes or iCloud backup, you can use official Apple methods to unlock your device.
Using iTunes Backup
- Connect your iPhone to the computer you used to sync with iTunes.
- Open iTunes and select your device.
- Click “Restore iPhone” and follow the prompts.
- Once restored, set up your device and restore from your latest backup.
Using iCloud Backup
- Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Select “Find iPhone” and choose your device.
- Click “Erase iPhone” to remotely erase your device.
- Set up your device again and restore from your iCloud backup.
Unlocking Without a Backup
If you don’t have a backup, it’s more challenging to unlock your iPhone without losing data, but here are some options:
- Using Recovery Mode:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Open iTunes and force restart your iPhone.
- Choose “Restore” when the option appears.
- This will erase your device and install the latest iOS version. Set up your device and check if iCloud backup is available.
- Using Data Recovery Tools:
- Some tools claim to recover data from disabled iPhones, such as Dr.Fone by Wondershare. Be cautious and research these tools thoroughly.
Device Compatibility
These instructions apply to almost all iPhone models. The unlocking difficulty increases with newer iOS versions due to enhanced security.
Models and iOS Versions
- Older Models (Easier to bypass):
- iPhone 3G (up to iOS 3)
- iPhone 3GS (up to iOS 6)
- Newer Models (More secure):
- iPhone 4 (up to iOS 7)
- iPhone 4S (up to iOS 9)
- iPhone 5 series (up to iOS 12)
- iPhone SE (up to iOS 12)
- iPhone 6 series (up to iOS 14)
- iPhone 7 series (up to iOS 14)
- iPhone 8 series (up to iOS 14)
- iPhone X series (up to iOS 14)
- iPhone 11 series (iOS 14)
- iPhone 12 series (iOS 14)
Steps to Unlock Without Passcode
If You Have an iTunes Backup:
- Connect your iPhone to the computer you used to sync with iTunes.
- Open iTunes and select your device.
- Click “Restore iPhone” and follow the prompts.
- Once restored, set up your device and restore from your latest backup.
If You Have an iCloud Backup:
- Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Select “Find iPhone” and choose your device.
- Click “Erase iPhone” to remotely erase your device.
- Set up your device again and restore from your iCloud backup.
If You Don’t Have a Backup:
- Recovery Mode:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Open iTunes and force restart your iPhone.
- Choose “Restore” when the option appears.
- This will erase your device and install the latest iOS version. Set up your device and check if iCloud backup is available.
- Data Recovery Tools:
- Some tools claim to recover data from disabled iPhones, such as Dr.Fone by Wondershare. Be cautious and research these tools thoroughly.
By following these steps, you should be able to unlock your iPhone and use it normally again without losing your data.
What you need
- Your passcode locked iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
- A lightning or 30-pin cable (depending on the age of your device)
- The PC or Mac you use to perform the iTunes backups
Steps
To remove the passcode [1] and restore the device [2] follow the instructions below:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using the lightning cable or 30-pin cable and open iTunes.
2. If you have connected to this computer previously you should not be asked for a passcode or to Trust This Computer. If you are, try rebooting your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch while it is still connected.
3. Select your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when it appears in iTunes.
4. Select “Restore Backup” in iTunes.
5. Look at the date and size of each backup and pick the most recent.
6. Click Restore.
7. If you are prompted to switch off ‘Find My iPhone’ then you need to put your device into “recovery mode“.
8. Once in recovery mode, iTunes will bring up a restore and update notification on your computer.
9. Click the “Restore and Update” button and wait for the restore to finish. If asked, enter the password for your encrypted backup.
10. Keep your device connected after it restarts and wait for it to sync with your computer. You can disconnect after the sync finishes.
11. Once completed you will have removed the iPhone passcode but still have all your data.
How to reset your forgotten passcode if YOU HAVE an iCloud backup
These instructions will only work if:
- You have enabled the Find My iPhone App on your device. Most people do this when they first get their device as it is part of the setup process – although you can skip it.
- You have set up the iCloud backup service on your device. It is likely you have done so as it is part of the initial setup process when you first start up your device when new.
What you need
- Your passcode locked iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch
- A lightning or 30-pin cable (depending on the age of your device)
- A computer with iTunes installed on it (any computer)
- A good quality WiFi signal for your computer and iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch
It will take a couple of hours to download and install so you need to set aside some time and be patient.
Instructions
The video below describes the process so you can see what is involved.
Below this, you will see written instructions giving a step by step walkthrough of what to do. Follow the steps carefully and your device will be unlocked with all your data intact.
Steps
1. Connect your device to the computer using the lightning cable. This can be any computer with iTunes on it – not necessarily your own one – such as a Mac in an Apple Store.
2. Put your device into “Recovery mode“.
3. A notification will appear in iTunes. Click Restore.
4. You will then be prompted to download the latest version of the iOS operating system to your device. Follow the on-screen instructions and agree to the terms and conditions.
5. The operating system will now download. Be warned it may take some time as it is a big file (2GB or more). Make sure you keep your device connected to the computer.
6. An activation lock prompt will appear on iTunes after the download completes but before the installation begins. It will ask you for your Apple ID and password to verify it is your device. Fill in your details and continue with the process.
7. Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch will reboot a few times during the download and install process. Don’t worry – this is normal.
8. After the installation of the iOS is complete you should see the ‘Hello’ screen on your device. The is the same screen you see when you first switch on your device when it is brand new and hasn’t been setup yet.
9. Go through the process of setting up your device as if it is brand new – agree to the terms and conditions, enter your Apple ID, set up iCloud, and so on. This is very easy to do as you are prompted at each stage.
10. You will then get to a screen that shows your latest backup. Choose to restore it. The restore is done via WiFi and may take quite a while to do so be patient.
11. All your data will be restored to your device.
Please Note:
You should now have a working iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. However, if you have a lot of Apps they will continue to download and install over the next few hours. Be patient, they will all eventually appear with all their previous data.
How to reset and unlock your passcode if YOU DON’T have a backup
Unless you have taken a backup there isn’t an official way to save your data.
Apple says you will need to reset your device – which will erase all of your data and settings. This will allow you to remove the lock and use your device normally. This is described in option 3 below.
However, there is an unofficial way to remove the passcode and keep your data which is described in options 1 and 2 below.
LockWiper
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:
- Connect your device to your computer
- Select unlock screen passcode
- 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 have put together some in-depth guides on how to unlock your passcode so you know exactly what to do. They also 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
Step 2: Select the basic plan as it is suitable for most people and is the cheapest.
Step 3: Check out and pay.
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
D-Back is a data recovery program that is worth considering if you have been forced to wipe your iPhone or iPad to reset the passcode.
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 have put together some in-depth guides on how to recover your data so you know exactly what to do. They also 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
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.
Step 3: Pay and check out
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
‘Ultdata‘ is an app that allows you to restore lost data that has been deleted or is inaccessible.
It is capable of recovering data from devices that have hung or are locked as well as devices suffering from water damage.
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 like a good way to get some of your data back if you can’t manage to reset your passcode without destroying everything on 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 costs $59.95 but depending on how important your data is it might be worth it.
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 mentioning)
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.
- Find out the model number of your device [3] (this article explains how to identify your model)
- On your PC open a web browser and go to the following website: ipsw.me
- Click ‘identify my iOS device’ from the menu on the left
- Chose your device type – either iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch
- Enter the model number of your device found in step 1.
- 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.
- Next, download this program (make_noerase_ipsw) and unzip it.
- Drag the unzipped ‘make_noerase_ipsw’ program to your desktop.
- 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.
- It will create another new file on your desktop which you will use to restore to your device.
- Connect your device to the PC using the lightning or 30-pin cable charging cable.
- While your device is connected, put it into “recovery mode“. Click here if you don’t know how to do this.
- iTunes will open automatically, if not open it by clicking the icon.
- It should ask you about putting your devices into recovery mode. Hold the shift button down and click the ‘Restore iPhone’ button.
- A file manager window will open.
- Go to the desktop and find the new file that was created in step 10 and double-click it so it runs.
- 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.
- It will then reboot and iTunes will say the device is reset to factory settings (but your data should be safe).
- Once rebooted you should be able to access the device without needing to use a passcode.
If you try this method then let me know how you get on in the comments at the bottom of this page.
Option 3: The Apple solution that deletes all your data
What you need
- Your passcode locked iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch
- A lightning or 30-pin cable (depending on the age of your device)
- A PC or Mac with iTunes installed on it
Not got a computer?
You must have access to a computer with iTunes on it so you can perform the recovery.
If you don’t, pop into your nearest Apple Store, or Apple reseller and they will help you perform the reset.
It doesn’t matter if you bought the device from that store or not. Apple’s attitude is they will help you as it is one of their devices. So don’t be shy – go and see them or a reseller and they will help you.
Steps
- Connect your iOS device to your computer and open iTunes.
- While your device is connected, put it into “recovery mode”. Click here if you don’t know how to do this.
- When you see the option to Restore or Update, choose Restore.
- iTunes will download software for your device.
- If it takes more than 15 minutes, your device will exit recovery mode and you’ll need to repeat steps 2 and 3.
- Once the restore is completed you can set up your device as though it is new.
FAQ
Does this article have any affiliate (paid) links?
Yes, the links above for the paid options are all affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that I recommend these tools because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
Why is resetting a forgotten passcode and keeping my data so difficult?
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.
How do I know if I have an iTunes backup?
You will only have an iTunes backup if you have been using your computer to do backups of your device.
This is something you, or someone else, would have needed to set up in advance.
If you are unsure if this was done on your computer then it is fairly easy to check:
1. Go to your computer and start iTunes
2. In the menu select Edit > Preferences to open the general preferences window on a PC, or iTunes > Preferences on a Mac
3. On the general preferences window select the Devices tab at the top
4. This will show a list of all the backups saved on the computer. It will show the name of the device on the right and the date and time the backup was done on the right.
5. Check your device is listed and that the backup was done recently. If the list is empty then you have not got an iTunes backup. This means if you wipe your iPhone, iPad or iPod you will lose all your photos, text and other data.
Tip
Using iTunes for backups is rare these days so if you don’t have one I suggest you check if you have an iCloud backup. This is what most people use as Apple integrated this into the setup process when you configure a new device.
How do I know if I have an iCloud backup?
Most people tend to set up iCloud backup when they get a new iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch because it is one of the steps in the startup process.
It can be skipped, but the majority of people will have enabled this when they first got their device as your device does remind you about it.
If you want to be sure you have an iCloud backup and you can’t check because you forgot your passcode then you need to do the following using a Mac computer:
- Launch System Preferences from the dock, your Finder, or by clicking the button on the top left of your screen.
- Click iCloud and sign in using your Apple ID and password if prompted.
- Click Manage… in the bottom right corner of the window.
- Click Backups and a list of the backups stored on iCloud will appear.
- If you have an iCloud backup for your device it will appear in this list.
If no backups are listed, or they are very old, then you should treat your device as tho it has never been backed up before.
How do I put my device into recovery mode?
- On an iPhone X or newer, or iPhone 8 or later: Press the volume up button then press the volume down button. Then, press and hold the side button until you see the recovery-mode screen. This normally takes 20 seconds or so to appear.
- On an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the recovery-mode screen.
- On an iPhone 6s and older, iPad, or iPod touch: 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.
Can I reset 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 2 separate and independent security measures so having the password for one does not help you reset the other.
How can I reset iPhone passcode with my fingerprint using Touch ID?
You can’t reset a forgotten iPhone passcode using Touch ID. Touch ID will allow you to unlock and use the device so what you need to do to reset the passcode is:
If iCloud and Find My iPhone is enabled:
- Do an iCloud backup.
- Remote Wipe using Find My iPhone
- Reactivate the phone and restore from the iCloud backup.
If you don’t have iCloud, or doesn’t remember your iCloud password, then you need to connect the device to a computer with iTunes on it and do the following:
- Back up your data through iTunes.
- Restore the phone from iTunes.
- Restore the data using the backup you made.
How can I reset iPhone passcode with Face ID?
Like Touch ID, Face ID will allow you to unlock your device but it won’t let you reset a forgotten passcode. You need to follow the steps above to reset your passcode.