What to do if you forget iPhone 13 passcode - applies to other models

You need to use your iPhone 13 but you have forgotten the passcode? Don't worry. Here's how to reset iPhone 13 passcode and screen using options from Apple.

Apple doesn't offer option for recovering a forgotten passcode to iPhone 13, but requires you to performing a factory reset on the phone and erase data, which requires signing in with the same Apple Account and password.

If you're looking for a quick way to bypass the screen and unlock your iPhone 13 forgotten passcode, try iPhone Unlocker, which gets a great reputation as a solid screen lock remover.

If you forgot passcode on iPhone 13, you will have to reset the phone to factory settings to regain access.

iOS secures your iPhone 13 by asking you to set passcode in Settings. It's not a problem to unlock your iPhone 13 if you remember your passcode. But sometimes the bad thing comes unexpected. What happens if you forget passcode to your iPhone 13 you set up?

Well, there's no need to panic, as there are Apple options you can take to unlock your phone to use it again when you forgot the passcode. Unfortunately, due to security concerns, if you forgot your iPhone 13 passcode, you will have to factory reset the phone to be able to regain access. And this will simultaneously erase all your data there. But this wouldn't be issue if you have backed the phone up regularly, as you can recover all your photos, contacts, text messages, notes, or other data that you have backed up while setting up the iPhone 13.

We've covered a guide on what to do when you forgot Android PIN in the past. In this post, we'll cover all possible ways to help get rid of "I forget my iPhone 13 passcode" problem. It applies to other models of iPhone and iPad.

Use the 'Forgot Passcode?' prompt

iPhone owners with iOS 17 or later have a convenient method when it comes to unlocking iPhone 13 when you've forgotten your passcode. You can use 'Forgot Passcode' prompt on the screen to reset the phone and erase the lock screen after multiple wrong passcode entries.

The only disadvantage, however, is that your iPhone 13 needs to have a cellular or Wi-Fi network connection, and you know your Apple Account and password that's tied to the device. After the reset, your iPhone 13 will run the latest iOS software, and you can restore from a previous backup to recover your data. It's worth noting that any files you created after that backup will be lost while unlocking the forgotten iPhone 13 passcode.

Note, if your phone is running iOS 15.2 or iOS 16, you will get an 'Erase iPhone' prompt instead.

To unlock the iPhone 13 when forgetting passcode, do the following. No computer required.

1. Enter any passcodes more than five times on the iPhone 13 until you see iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout message on the screen. 'Forgot Passcode' prompt should appear now.

2. Tap Forgot Passcode? at the bottom of the screen.

3. On Security Lockout screen, tap Start iPhone Reset.

4. Enter your Apple password to sign out of Apple ID when asked.

5. Tap Erase iPhone to proceed.

Your iPhone 13 will be erased and restored to factory settings, and you'll need to set it up again. Using "Forgot Passcode" prompt to unlock your iPhone 13 passcode you can't remember is pretty easy and straightforward.

Also: iPhone says Security Lockout

Use iPhone Unlocker app

Have a computer nearby? If so, you don't have to be concerned about forgetting iPhone 13 passcode, as you can also use desktop-based program to reset the lock screen passcode, even if your phone doesn't show your the Forgot Passcode prompt or it doesn't respond when tapping.

iPhone Unlocker stands tall as one of the best screen unlocking applications one can find for iPhone. Don't let the name fool you, the application works well for both iPhones and iPads, providing you with a simple way to reset all kinds of lock screen, ranging from 4-digit passcode, 6-digit passcode, to Touch ID and Face ID.

Aimed at Apple users with different unlocking requirements, other useful features include removing Apple ID, bypassing Screen Time passcode, removing MDM restrictions, and getting rid of backup encryption settings.

iPhone Unlocker is easy to use and it's fast. If you're new to reset your iPhone 13 passcode you've forgotten, follow these steps. The application helps unlock iPad passcode with similar procedure, too.

Step 1: Launch iPhone Unlocker

Install the app on your either Mac or PC. and then run it.

To reset your forgotten passcode to iPhone 13, select "Wipe Passcode" tool, followed by "Start."

Plug your locked iPhone 13 into the computer. If it doesn't be recognized, you may follow onscreen prompts to get it into recovery mode to be identified by iPhone Unlocker.

Step 2: Confirm your device information

Once connected successfully, the app detects your phone model and displays the basic information on the screen. Typically, you won't change anything here. But if you find something wrong, correct it.

Click "Start" to proceed.

Step 3: Download firmware package for iPhone 13

Let the program download the most appropriate iOS firmware for your phone, which may take a few minutes.

Step 4: Begin unlocking iPhone 13 without knowing passcode

After downloading is complete, click the "Unlock" button on the screen. Instead of unlocking your iPhone 13 immediately, you will be greeted with the "Unlocking confirmation" dialog box. Check the messages there carefully.

If you're ready, enter "0000" to confirm and then click the "Unlock" again. Let the iPhone Unlocker app reset the iPhone 13 forgotten passcode and remove lock screen.

Once the reset process comes to end, you should get the Hello screen on your iPhone 13. Disconnect it from the computer and set it up and configure a new passcode for protecting the device.

Also: How to transfer photos from iPhone to PC

If you forgot iPhone 13 passcodes, use iCloud Find My iPhone

iCloud Find My iPhone has an "Erase iPhone" option that resets your device when you've forgotten iPhone 13 passcode, and it works similarly by using your Apple ID and password to execute the factory reset process, but just remotely. This means even if you can't get into the iPhone13 at all - missing or stolen, it may still be reset and restored to factory settings, along with nothing left.

To remotely erase your iPhone 13 forgotten passcode, you'll need to know your iCloud credentials, which should be the same for use on Settings page.

First of all, sign in with the same Apple account and password as your iPhone 13 at icloud.com/find/.

After you sign in with your iCloud account, you'll see a list of your connected Apple device under "All Devices" drop-down menu.

Select your iPhone 13 you've forgotten passcode to from the list.

Now, select the "Erase iPhone" from the phone's menu.

A warning box will appear. Please carefully review the information provided here regarding the consequences for your phone. This action is irreversible.

Tap "Erase iPhone" again to finalize this action. You may be asked to verify your iCloud Account information. Enter your password and go through the security steps. If you change your mind, tap Cancel.

Your iPhone 13 will go for factory data resetting remotely, your forgotten passcode will be deleted, and new iOS software will be downloaded and installed.

Wait a few minutes, your phone will be unlocked. You can then set it up and start from scratch or restore your data from an iCloud backup.

Also: How to retrieve deleted iMessages without backup

If you forgot iPhone 13 passcode, use the computer to restore from Recovery mode

What you need:

• A Mac or Windows computer with internet connection
• Cable that could charge your iPhone 13
• iTunes for Windows has been installed and updated to the latest version

Here's how to restore from Recovery mode when you can't remember iPhone 13 passcode.

1. Turn off the phone completely.

2. Connect the locked iPhone 13 to your computer as you hold the Side button. Don't release the Side button even if you see Apple logo appear. Only release the button until the Recovery mode screen (an image of a computer and a cable) appears.

3. Open Finder on your Mac, choose Restore when you're asked to Restore or Update the phone in the opening dialog box.

4. If you have a Windows PC, open iTunes or Apple Devices instead. select Restore and follow the onscreen instructions.

5. Wait for your computer to update your iPhone 13 to the latest iOS software and go through the restore process. All your data and settings, including screen lock and forgotten passcode, will be erased permanently.

6. Once the restore process has completed you will see a screen with Hello word. Now you can open and use your iPhone 13.