How to unlock iPhone passcode, when you've forgotten it
If you need to unlock your passcode forgotten on iPhone, Apple requires you to reset the device. Here's how to unlock iPhone passcode by erasing it and any other data.
Lucas Seltzer Updated on Apr 24, 2026 3:06 PM
When the passcode to unlock an iPhone was forgotten, one of the fastest ways to get you back in is Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker (iKnockin). This dedicated tool can unlock iPhone without password, fix iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout after too many incorrect passcodes, as well as remove Apple ID, screen time password, etc.
To unlock passcode that you've forgotten on iPhone, you'll need to reset the whole device to factory settings and erase all data.
Unlocking an iPhone passcode is easy if you know exactly what it is. However, a forgotten passcode on iPhone's Lock Screen not unlocking is a pretty big deal - even you have up to 10 attempts for iPhone passcode unlock.
Luckily, it's not end of word. Whether you're locked out of your iPhone and forgot your passcode, or a naughty child entered the wrong code too many times, Apple's security system lets you unlock the iPhone through a factory reset with or without a computer, which removes the passcode and starts the device fresh.
In this article, you'll learn how to unlock the iPhone passcode if forgotten in 4 effective ways, ensuring that you can regain full access. As a bonus, we'll also cover the steps to change iPhone passcode or turn off the passcode if needed.
Table of Contents
How many attempts to unlock iPhone passcode?
Apple's security measures are actually friendly, as it provides ten failed attempts at unlocking a passcode for iPhone before it becomes completely inaccessible.
If you enter the passcode incorrectly four times in a row, iPhone locks you out and shows iPhone Unavailable for one minute. Afterward, every wrong entry to unlock the iPhone password will increase the lockout time, starting from 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours to 8 hours.
Once you reach the 10th attempt, the device enters a state where manual input is no longer an option. At this point, a full system reset is required for passcode unlocking.
How can you unlock a forgotten passcode - Reset iPhone
Due to iPhone's strict security features, there is no true bypass for an unknown or forgotten iPhone passcode. The real solution to unlock an iPhone after forgetting the passcode is to perform a factory reset then set up the device again.
This process erases all content and settings, including the lock passcode. After the reset, you can restore your data from a backup (iCloud or computer). If you do not have a backup, the iPhone will be set up as a new device, and your existing data will be lost.
4 ways to unlock an iPhone passcode after forgetting it
Depending on your iPhone model, iOS version and how your device is configured, there are four proven methods to unlock your iPhone forgotten passcode effectively and get access back. You can either do that from the Lock Screen Forgot Passcode option without needing a computer, Recovery Mode on computer, iCloud Find My Erase iPhone, or reliable third-party iPhone passcode unlocker without Apple ID.
Each path involves restoring and erasing the device to have the passcode removed from the lock screen, so a previous backup is the only way to bring your data back afterward.
Whether you forget or even don't know the unlock passcode, let's dive into the detailed steps to get into your locked iPhone without a passcode.
Option 1: Use Forgot Passcode? on the lock screen
This should be the most painless official method for unlocking an iPhone without passcode or without computer. Apple offers the "Forgot Passcode"? option after five failed attempts in iOS 17 or later, letting you verify the associated Apple Account & password and reset your locked iPhone directly from the lock screen without connecting to a computer.
You can only do the lock screen reset if your iPhone is connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network.
Tip: For iOS 15.2 and up to iOS 16, you can use the "Erase iPhone" option for the password unlock with no need of a computer.
1. Keep trying the passcode until the iPhone Unavailable screen appears.
2. In the bottom corner of the screen, tap Forgot Passcode? option.
3. Tap Start iPhone Reset to confirm.
4. Enter your Apple ID password to sign out of your account on the device.
5. Once verified, tap Erase iPhone.
Your phone will be reset to factory defaults with all data including the forgotten device's passcode deleted permanently. Once it restarts, go through the setup process and restore from a backup if you have one.
Option 2: Unlock iPhone with recovery mode and a computer
If the lock-screen reset option is not available — either because your iPhone isn't connected to the internet, or the "Forgot Passcode" option doesn't appear on the Unavailable screen, Apple recommends recovery mode to restore iPhone and unlock the passcode that you cannot remember. You need a Windows 10/ 11 PC with latest version of iTunes or Apple Devices app installed, or a Mac, as well as a cable.
1- Shut down your iPhone completely.
2- Plug one end of the USB cable into the USB port on your computer, but not your iPhone.
3- Activate recovery mode.
Now, continue to press and hold an appropriate button while connecting your iPhone to the computer. Don't release the button until you see the recovery mode screen.
To unlock iPhone X or later, and iPhone 8 (Plus), press and keep holding the Side button.
To unlock iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, press and hold the Volume Down button. Don't let go of it.
To unlock an iPhone 6s or an earlier model, press and keep holding on the Home button.
In doing so, you should land at the recovery mode screen, looking like a lightning cable pointing to a laptop or iTunes.
4- Restore your iPhone on computer via iTunes or Finder
As your iPhone is now in recovery mode, your computer should recognize it - despite you forgot your passcode to gain access it.
iTunes or Finder opens automatically; if not, you need to launch it manually. A notification will then pop up, asking you to update or restore iPhone.
Click Restore to begin the process. Your computer downloads the update for your iPhone. If the device disconnects from recovery mode, you need to repeat the steps above.
After the process, you can open your iPhone without entering the passcode. The device has been reverted to an earlier state when the backup was created.
Option 3: Use Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker (iKnockin)
Another effective way of wiping all data and settings off iPhone and unlocking the passcode with computer is to use a third-party passcode removal tool. As simple and efficient as it is, Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker (iKnockin) is well worth a try. It's able to unlock iPhone when the passcode is forgotten without Apple ID, or when the device shows an Unavailable, Security Lockout, or disabled screen.
Whether you do not remember your passcode, purchased a locked device, or your iPhone is permanently locked out after too many unsuccessful inputs, this software can make the unlocking process easier and quicker. No technical expertise is required.
This iOS unlocking utility also includes the ability to bypass Apple Account credentials, iCloud activation lock as well as the screen time password.
Here's how to unlock iPhone passcode without Apple ID using Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker tool on a computer (PC & Mac). Note that removing the lock screen passcode erases the device and returns it to the initial setup screen.
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your computer via a lightning cable.
Step 2. Launch iPhone Unlocker software and choose Unlock iOS Screen function.
Step 3. If your iPhone is not recognized when it's plugged in, follow the on-screen instructions to place it into recovery mode.
After that, select your device model and click Start Now button.
Step 4. The tool is now automatically downloading the appropriate firmware package, as the iPhone passcode unlocking requires a suitable firmware package. Wait for the download to finish.
Step 5. Go ahead and click OK to confirm unlocking an iPhone without a password. The warning displays, notifying you that the process will erase everything. You have to ask yourself twice whether you have backup so that you can retain your data and preferences when the passcode gets removed.
Also: How to factory reset iPhone without computer
Option 4: Remotely erase the iPhone and passcode with iCloud Find My
If Find My has been enabled before forgetting the iPhone's passcode to get in, and your phone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data, iCloud Find My website allows you wipe the lock screen remotely on a computer or another mobile phone that you have access to.
In case you're locked out and cannot unlock the password for iPhone, follow these steps to trigger a remote reset using iCloud Find My for removing the screen locks
- Open a browser on your computer and visit iCloud Find Devices website.
- Sign in with the same Apple Account used on your passcode-locked iPhone.
- When you get in, check All Devices list and select your phone.
- From the menu options, choose Erase This Device.
- If prompted with Erase iPhone confirmation, click Next button, and then enter your Apple Account password to kick off the remote wipe process.
If you don't have access to a computer, you can use another network-connected mobile to sign into icloud.com/find, perform a factory reset on iPhone, and delete your forgotten password remotely.
That's done! iCloud Find My service helps unlock your iPhone if forgotten the passcode and bypass the lock screen even without Face ID or Touch ID. Once you're ready to set up the device, activate the security system by creating a new passcode and restore the device from the backup.
Bonus tip: Change your iPhone passcode
Once you are back in, it is a good idea to choose a passcode you will remember. You can create a new passcode during setup in case the old one is unlocked, while the standard way is to change the iPhone passcode through Settings app.
It is a good habit to update your passcode occasionally, especially if you think someone might have seen you enter it to access your iPhone.
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap on Face ID & Passcode. Older models should be Touch ID & Passcode.
3. Enter your current passcode to verify your identity.
4. Scroll down and tap Change Passcode, then enter your old passcode again.
5. Enter a new six-digit code to change the passcode on your iPhone instantly. Alternatively, use Passcode Options to switch to a four-digit numeric code, a custom numeric code, or a custom alphanumeric code.
Unlock iPhone if you forgot the passcode without resetting
If you recently changed your passcode on iOS 17 or later and forget it soon after, Apple also supports a 72-hour Passcode Reset window, which lets you use the previous passcode once to regain access and then set a new passcode immediately. This is the only way to unlock the iPhone passcode without resetting or without computer.
Bonus tip: Turn off your iPhone passcode
Apple also lets you disable the iPhone lock screen passcode entirely. Keep in mind that disabling the passcode makes your device much less secure, so it is usually better to keep a passcode enabled unless you have a specific reason not to.
To turn off the passcode on an iPhone, do the following:
- Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
- Unlock the passcode.
- Scroll down and choose Turn Passcode Off.
- Enter your current passcode and confirm.
Your phone will no longer have a secure lock screen.
