Forum Discussion
LucasWilson
Jun 05, 2025Iron Contributor
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....
QuentinNash
Jun 05, 2025Iron 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.