Posted on 3 How To

How to reset iPhone passcode without data loss

We are human and we tend to forget things. If you forgot your iPhone passcode, all is not lost. However, depending on your settings, if you enter the wrong passcode multiple times (more than 6 times will disable it), your iPhone may delete all of its data. You don’t want to, do you? In this post, I will help you reset it and restore access to your iPhone.

Let’s start this structured guide with the requirements and then see how to reset a forgotten password without losing its data.

Requirements for Resetting a Forgotten iPhone Passcode

  • iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that’s stuck on the passcode screen (obviously).
  • Appropriate Lightning cable to connect your device to your computer.
  • Mac or Windows PC.
  • iTunes if you are using a Windows PC. Download it from the Microsoft Store or Apple if you haven’t already.
  • You will need the Apple ID and password that you used to set up your device for the first time. This will most likely be your Apple ID and password. Please understand that Apple ID password and device password are two different things.

The Official Way to Backup Your iPhone Data If You Forgot Your Passcode

iOS encryption makes it impossible to get inside an iPhone whose passcode you forgot. The only way is to erase the device.

After that, if you have a backup, you can restore it to the device and get the data back. If you don’t have an iCloud or computer backup, you’ll have to set up your iPhone as new.

Let me show you how to backup an iPhone whose passcode you forgot. If it succeeds, you won’t lose your data.

Note. Backup is not possible unless you set up trusted devices or restart your device after setting up a trusted device.

  1. Connect your iPhone to the computer you previously synced it with.
  2. Open Finder if you’re using macOS Catalina or later, or iTunes if you’re using macOS Mojave or earlier, or a Windows PC.
  3. In Finder, click your iPhone in the left sidebar. In iTunes, click on the tiny iPhone logo at the top.
  4. Yay 👍: On the “Summary”screen, click “Back Up Now”and wait for it to complete.
  5. No 👎: If you see the backup option greyed out or the computer asks you to trust the device, the backup won’t work because you don’t remember your iPhone passcode. In this case, you will have to rely on the old backup, and if that is not available either, set your device as new!

Important note. If Find My iPhone has been disabled, you can click Restore Backup after completing step 4. But for 99% of users, Find My iPhone will most likely be enabled. Thus, you will have to follow the methods below.

2 Ways to Reset iPhone if You Forgot Your Passcode

1. Restore with iCloud (without iTunes)

It’s easier compared to using the Finder or iTunes. However, this method will only work if the locked iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data.

First, we will erase the iPhone using iCloud.com. You can also use the Find My app on another iPhone, iPad, or Mac with the same Apple ID. After erasing, you can restore a backup (if you have one) or set up the device as new (if you don’t have a backup).

  1. Visit iCloud.com on your computer and sign in with your Apple ID.
  2. Click Find My iPhone.
  3. Click “All Devices”and select the iPhone whose passcode you forgot.
  4. Now click “Erase iPhone”.
  5. Enter your Apple ID password when asked.
  6. Since this is not a lost iPhone, there is no need to enter a mobile number or message. You can skip them and start the erasing process.
  7. Once the iPhone is erased, start the installation process. When you do this, you’ll see a screen asking you to restore apps and data from an iCloud backup, Mac or PC, another iPhone, or Android phone. If you have an iCloud or computer backup, select the appropriate option (you will get all the data 🤩). If you don’t have a backup, click Don’t Transfer Apps & Data to set up your iPhone as new (you won’t get any data that isn’t backed up in iCloud 😥).

2. Restore with Mac or PC (using iTunes or Finder)

If your locked iPhone is not connected to the Internet, you can put it into recovery mode and restore it using a computer.

On a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, use the Finder. On a Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier, or on a Windows PC, use iTunes.

  1. Use the appropriate Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
  2. Launch iTunes or Finder.
  3. Now put your iPhone into recovery mode. The steps differ depending on the model. Follow along. Do not release the buttons until you see a black recovery mode screen with a cable pointing towards the laptop. Don’t leave the buttons, even if you see the “Slide to Power Off”screen or the Apple logo at startup!> For iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold the power button and the home button at the same time until the recovery mode screen appears.> For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the side power button and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the recovery mode screen appears. > And for iPhone 8 or later: Press and hold the Volume Up button. Immediately press and release the volume down button. Now press and hold the side power button,
  4. Once your iPhone enters recovery mode, iTunes or Finder will display a pop-up asking you to restore or update. Select “Restore”and follow the instructions.
  5. Once the process is complete, you can set up your iPhone as new, or restore iCloud or your computer (if you have one).

What to do after erasing information from iPhone

I already briefly mentioned what to do after your iPhone is erased. Here’s something else.

  • Set up your device: After erasing, you’ll obviously want to set up your iPhone to use it. The setup process includes choosing a language, country, Touch ID/Face ID, creating a new passcode (be sure to remember this time 😛), Siri settings, etc. It’s pretty simple. Just read what appears on the screen and follow the instructions.
  • Restoring Backups: During the installation process, you will see a screen called Apps and Data. If you have iCloud or computer backups, you can restore them from here. Be sure to select the latest backup.
  • Redownload apps and other data. Once you’re inside your iPhone, open the App Store and download the required apps. If you restore a backup, the app will automatically start downloading.

Here’s how you can reset your iPhone when you forgot your passcode and start using it again. I hope the above guide was helpful. Let me end it with some frequently asked questions.

FAQ

No. If you forget your iPhone passcode, you won’t be able to unlock it. The only way is to wipe the device and restore a backup or set it up as new.

You won’t be able to find your Apple password unless you write it down somewhere. However, you can easily reset your Apple ID password.

Another person cannot change your iPhone’s passcode for you. Although you can use iCloud.com to remotely wipe an iPhone and then set a new passcode.

If you enter the wrong passcode multiple times, your iPhone will be locked/disabled. To fix this, you will have to put your iPhone into recovery mode and wipe it. Note. If you have enabled the option in the Settings app to wipe your device after ten failed passcode attempts, your iPhone will be wiped.

You won’t be able to sign in to your iPhone if you forgot your passcode. Any third party apps or websites claiming this are just trying to scam you (perhaps for money).

You can reset a forgotten Screen Time passcode using your Apple ID password. To do this, open the Settings app → Screen Time → Change Screen Time password → Forgot password and follow the instructions.

If you still have an unanswered question, use the comments section below to get in touch.

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