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LucasWilson's avatar
LucasWilson
Iron Contributor
Jun 05, 2025

How can I unlock iPhone without password as I forgot my iphone passcode?

Hi everyone,

I've unfortunately forgotten the password to my iPhone, and I'm completely locked out. I've tried a few attempts but don't want to keep guessing and risk locking myself out even longer. What are the best methods or tools available to unlock iPhone without password or Face ID in this situation? It could be best without factory reset or losing data.

Any guidance or step-by-step instructions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help!

8 Replies

  • You’re thinking about unlocking an iPhone without password using iCloud’s Find My iPhone feature.

    When you do that remote erase, it wipes everything — apps, photos, messages, everything. So if you didn’t back up recently, say goodbye to those precious memories or important info. I’ve seen folks get caught off guard and regret not backing up first. You need a solid internet connection and your Apple ID credentials. If either of those are flaky or you forget your password, you’re out of luck. Plus, if Find My iPhone wasn’t enabled beforehand, this method just won’t work. It’s kind of a “plan ahead” thing.

    Even after erasing, the device will ask for the original Apple ID and password when you set it up again. So, if you don’t have those, it’s basically locked out for good unless you can recover your Apple ID info. That’s a pain — I’ve seen folks get stuck here, especially if they forget their login details. If you’re not the owner or don’t have permission, trying to unlock someone else’s iPhone raises serious ethical and legal issues. Plus, using third-party tools or recovery modes can open up security risks or even brick the device if not done right.

    Sometimes, the process of unlocking iPhone without password can take a while, especially if Apple’s servers are busy or if there’s a lot of network lag. Also, if the device is locked with a firmware password or has other security measures, this won’t get past those. Older iPhones or those with certain security settings might not play nice with this method. Also, if the device has been disabled due to too many wrong passcode attempts, you might need more advanced recovery options.

  • Amiassr's avatar
    Amiassr
    Iron Contributor

    So, you’re thinking about using Recovery Mode to unlock iPhone without password, right? I get it. But here’s the thing: there are some drawbacks and risks you should keep in mind, especially if you’re trying to do this without losing your data.

    Disadvantages of Using Recovery Mode to Unlock iPhone without password

    1. Data Loss is Almost Inevitable (unless you have a backup)
    This is the biggest bummer. When you hit “Restore,” your iPhone gets wiped clean. If you don’t have a recent backup, all your photos, apps, messages, everything is gone. It’s like hitting the reset button on your phone.
    Tip: Always try “Update” first — sometimes that reinstalls iOS without erasing your data. But if that doesn’t work, you’re stuck with “Restore,” which erases everything.

    2. Time-consuming Process
    Getting into recovery mode and restoring can take a while. Downloading iOS, waiting for the process, and setting everything up again — it’s not quick. Plus, if your internet is slow or Apple servers are busy, it can drag out.

    3. Risk of Errors or Failures
    Sometimes, the restore process can fail due to connection issues, corrupted files, or software glitches. If that happens, you might have to start over, or worse, your device could end up in a weird state.
    In my experience, it’s rare but does happen — patience is key.

    Honestly, if I were in your shoes and trying to unlock iPhone without password, I’d be a bit nervous about hitting restore — mainly because I’d hate to lose all my stuff. But sometimes, it’s the only option. If you’ve got stuff backed up, it’s less painful because you can restore your data afterward.  

  • YuriSnowfall's avatar
    YuriSnowfall
    Iron Contributor

    You can try the common passcodes used by iPhone users. If one of them were correct, then you can use it to unlock iPhone.

    ​​1234​​ – The most basic and widely used passcode.
    ​​0000​​ – Another simple default choice.
    ​​1111​​ – Easy to remember but highly insecure.
    ​​1212​​ – A slightly more complex but still predictable pattern.
    ​​7777​​ – Often chosen for its "lucky" association.
    ​​1004​​ – Popular in some regions due to cultural significance.
    ​​2000​​ – Frequently used for birth years or simplicity.
    ​​4444​​ – A repeating number sequence.
    ​​2222​​ – Another easily guessable repetition.
    ​​2580​​ – A vertical sequence on the keypad (middle column).

    You can also try the password you used frequently. However, don't try the password too many in a short time as your iPhone could get disabled due to too many failed attempts.

    If this still did not work, then use a dedicated app to help you unlock iphone with passcode if you already forgot iPhone password.

  • Lawrencecem's avatar
    Lawrencecem
    Iron Contributor

    Hey! From what I know, trying to unlock iPhone without password, especially through unofficial methods, can be pretty risky. Even though I don’t have personal experiences, I’ve seen that messing around with third-party tools or dodgy software can potentially cause some issues like data loss, security vulnerabilities, or even bricking your device (making it unusable). Plus, there’s always the chance of running into legal trouble if you’re not the rightful owner or if the device is stolen.

    Honestly, to unlock iPhone without password, the safest route is to go through official channels—like using Apple’s recovery options or contacting support. It might be a pain, but it keeps everything legit and avoids messing up your device or risking your data. So yeah, if you’re trying to unlock an iPhone, stick to the proper methods to stay safe!

  • QuentinNash's avatar
    QuentinNash
    Iron Contributor

    It's important to know that Apple’s security features are designed to protect your data, and in most cases, unlocking iPhone without password without erasing data is not possible due to security reasons.

    1. Attempt to Unlock Using Find My iPhone
    If Find My iPhone was enabled before you forgot the password, you can erase your device remotely via iCloud:

    • Go to iCloud.com and log in with your Apple ID.
    • Select Find iPhone > All Devices > choose your iPhone.
    • Click Erase iPhone.
    • After erasing, you can restore from an iCloud backup if available.

     

    Note: Erasing your iPhone will delete all data. Restoring from backup afterward requires the backup to be available.

    2. Using Recovery Mode (Factory Reset)
    If other options to unlock iPhone without password aren’t available, the only official method to regain access is to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode and restore it:

    • Connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes (Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina and later).
    • Enter Recovery Mode:
      - For iPhone 8 or later: press and quickly release volume up, then volume down, then press and hold side button until recovery mode screen appears.
      - For iPhone 7/7 Plus: press and hold both the volume down and Sleep/Wake buttons until recovery mode appears.
      - For iPhone 6s or earlier: press and hold Home and Sleep/Wake buttons together until recovery mode appears.
      - iTunes/Finder will prompt to Restore or Update.
      - Choose Update to attempt reinstalling iOS without erasing data. However, if Update isn't available or fails, you'll need to choose Restore, which erases data.

     

    Important: Restoring will erase all data unless you have a backup.

  • iCloud (Find my iPhone) has a feature to factory reset and unlock iPhone without password remotely as long as ​​Find My iPhone​​ was enabled before you got locked out. This method requires an internet connection and your Apple ID credentials.

    What is you need:

    Find My iPhone​​ must be enabled on the locked device.

    You must know your ​​Apple ID and password​​.

    The iPhone must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data.

    Step 1: Access iCloud.com on Another Device​​

    Open a web browser on a computer or another smartphone.

    Go to ​​iCloud.com​​ and sign in with your ​​Apple ID and password​​.

    Step 2: Open Find My iPhone​​

    Click ​​"Find iPhone"​​ (even if it’s an iPad or iPod).

    Enter your Apple ID password again if prompted.

    Step 3: Select Your Locked iPhone​​

    Click ​​"All Devices"​​ at the top.

    Choose your locked iPhone from the list.

    Step 4: Erase the iPhone Remotely​​

    Click ​​"Erase iPhone"​​ to unlock iPhone without password and start wiping all data, including the passcode.

    Confirm the action when prompted.

    Step 5: Set Up iPhone as New​​

    Once erased, your iPhone will restart and display the ​​"Hello"​​ setup screen.

    Follow the on-screen instructions to set it up as a new device.

    Restore from an iCloud or iTunes backup if needed.

    Using ​​iCloud's Find My iPhone​​ is one of the easiest ways to unlock an iPhone without a password once the feature was enabled beforehand. If this doesn’t work, consider ​​iTunes Recovery Mode​​ or ​​third-party tools​​ for advanced users.

  • Harlan's avatar
    Harlan
    Iron Contributor

    If you’ve forgotten your iPhone passcode, one of the most reliable ways to regain access is by using ​​iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later)​​ to restore your device. This method erases all data, including the passcode, and reinstalls iOS, allowing you to set up your iPhone as new.

    ​​Requirements:​​

    A computer (Windows or Mac) with the latest version of ​​iTunes​​ (or ​​Finder​​ on macOS Catalina+)

    A ​​USB cable​​ to connect your iPhone to the computer

    Your iPhone must be able to enter ​​Recovery Mode​​

    How to unlock iPhone without password

    1. ​​Connect iPhone to a computer​​ (Mac or PC with iTunes/Finder).

    2. ​​Force restart​​ your iPhone:

    ​​iPhone 8 & later:​​ Press ​​Volume Up​​, then ​​Volume Down​​, then ​​Hold Side Button​​ until recovery mode appears.

    ​​iPhone 7/7 Plus:​​ Hold ​​Volume Down + Side Button​​ until recovery mode appears.

    ​​iPhone 6s & earlier:​​ Hold ​​Home + Power Button​​ until recovery mode appears.

    3. ​​iTunes/Finder will detect a device in recovery mode​​ → Choose ​​Restore​​ (not Update).

    4. ​​Wait for the process to complete​​ → Set up iPhone as new or restore from a backup.

    ⚠️ ​​Note:​​ This erases all data on the iPhone.

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