How to Unlock Forgot Passcode on iPhone in 5 Easy Ways

Disa RiveraUpdated by Disa Rivera / January 30, 2026 05:20

Hi! I forgot my iPhone passcode. The reason is that I just found this iPhone a few days ago. I cannot remember the passcode since it has been missing for a few weeks. Can you help me unlock it immediately? Thanks!

A forgotten passcode on your iPhone lock screen is one of the most crucial issues you could ever experience. This issue limits you in using your iPhone, since it is a security feature to prevent it from being used by someone else. You might wonder: I forgot my iPhone passcode how do I unlock it? Scroll below, and you will see the 5 quick ways to unlock it.

Forgot iPhone Passcode
Guide

Guide List

Part 1. What Happens When You Forgot iPhone Passcode

You might ask: What if I forgot my iPhone passcode? Not knowing the iPhone passcode will bring significant inconvenience on your end. You cannot entirely use the iPhone app, features, and other operations. You will be locked out of your iPhone in the short term. While you are locked out of your iPhone, you cannot change the passcode using it. Also, you cannot back it up through Settings. It is the main reason why you need to remember your iPhone passcode. If possible, take note of it in a secure app or program.

Part 2. How to Unlock iPhone Forgot Passcode

You concluded: I forgot my passcode on my iPhone. Regardless of the cause of this issue on your iPhone, there is a concrete method for this. We listed the 5 methods you can choose from below. Please scroll below to perform them.

1. Forgot Passcode Option on Lock Screen

You can unlock forgot iPhone passcode without restore. This method is the most convenient way for unlocking the mentioned device. You no longer need to worry about the data and settings your iPhone has because this procedure does not erase them. However, this procedure is exclusive to the earlier versions of iOS. It is automatically accessible when the iPhone is locked out. This feature is no longer supported in the latest iOS version. Ensure that your iPhone is connected to the internet. Also, you must know your iPhone Apple ID password for the procedure. Unlock forgot iPhone passcode without erasing it with the steps below.

Enter multiple wrong passcodes on your iPhone. Stop when the Security Lockout or iPhone Unavailable is shown. Then, tap the Forgot Passcode? button at the bottom right. Then, please enter your Apple ID account credentials. Wait for the iPhone to restart and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Tap Forgot Passcode Button

2. Erase iPhone via Find My

Find My is the primary feature that Apple offers to its users for tracking Apple devices, like the iPhone. Not just that! This feature can also help you erase your iPhone wirelessly. You only need your Apple ID and its password. However, this feature will not work if the Find My feature on your iPhone is not turned on before you forget its passcode.

Please note that this procedure will turn on the Activation Lock feature on your iPhone. Also, some users raise privacy concerns while using this feature. You can also use it to unlock forgot iPhone passcode without restore. Unlock your iPhone that has a forgotten password with Find My below.

Step 1Search for the website of Find My. After that, please tap Sign In. Please enter the Apple ID password associated with the iPhone. Then, you will see the digital map screen, which will show you the pinned location of your related devices, including your iPhone.

Select Sign In Button

Step 2Please tap the All Devices button at the top left. Then, select the iPhone you need to erase. After that, please select the Erase This Device button from the list. Authenticate the procedure to confirm. The feature will start to erase the iPhone wirelessly afterward.

Select Erase This Device Button

3. Restore iPhone with iTunes/Finder

Restoring the iPhone with iTunes and Finder using the backup can also unlock your iPhone without the passcode. However, you must have used iTunes or Finder for backing up the iPhone before you forgot the passcode it contains. Follow the steps on how this procedure works.

Step 1Plug your iPhone into the computer. Then, open iTunes and Finder on your computer. After that, click the iPhone button and select the Summary or General button. Then, click the Restore Backup button at the bottom right.

Step 2Please select a backup from the list. Enter the encryption password if it is required. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restore procedure for your iTunes or Finder backup to start unlocking your iPhone.

Click Restore Backup Button

4. Recovery Mode

The recovery mode on an iPhone is commonly used when it has an unresponsive screen. Then, you can use iTunes or Finder to fix the iPhone afterward. Follow the steps below for the recovery mode below.

Step 1Enter the iPhone into recovery mode. From iPhone 8 or later, press and quickly release Volume Up. Do the same with Volume Down. Finally, press and hold Side. For iPhone 7 and iPod Touch, press and hold Top and Volume Down. For iPhone 6s and earlier, press and hold Power and Home. The Connect to Computer screen will appear.

Step 2Plug the iPhone into the computer. Open iTunes or Finder, and the computer will detect the problem on your iPhone. Click Update or Restore.

Click Update or Restore Button

5. FoneLab iOS Unlocker

FoneLab iOS Unlocker can also be used to unlock iPhone without passcode. This tool is designed to implement the mentioned security feature on the iPhone. This tool can unlock your iPhone in different scenarios. It includes a broken or unresponsive iPhone screen, a second-hand iPhone, a disabled iPhone, or more. Additionally, this software can remove various types of lock screens. It includes PIN, numeric, alphanumeric, Touch ID, and Face ID.

FoneLab iOS Unlocker
FoneLab iOS Unlocker

FoneLab Helps you unlock iPhone screen, Removes Apple ID or its password, Remove screen time or restriction passcode in seconds.

  • Helps you unlock iPhone screen.
  • Removes Apple ID or its password.
  • Remove screen time or restriction passcode in seconds.

Furthermore, this tool can also be used for removing your iPhone Apple ID, bypassing Screen Time passcode, removing MDM, eliminating the iTunes backup password, and bypassing the iCloud Activation lock. How to unlock iPhone forgot passcode? Perform the steps below.

Step 1Download the tool on your computer. Set up the downloaded file and open it afterward. Then, please click the Wipe Passcode button at the top of the main interface. This way, you will see the proper unlocking features you need.

Click Wipe Passcode Button

Step 2The tool will quickly explain the procedure. Please click the Start button from the main interface to continue.

Click Start Button

Step 3There will be a model on the screen. Please follow it correctly to plug the iPhone into your computer. Then, click Start, and the software will start to download the firmware package. Enter the 0000 code from the screen and click the Unlock button.

Plug iPhone Into Computer

Part 3. Comparison of Forgot iPhone Passcode Methods

The method from the previous section is indeed helpful. Here is their summary for your quick reference. Please see the information in the table below.

Method Ease of Use Data Loss Chance Apple ID Requirement When to Use
Forgot Passcode Option on Lock Screen Easy Low Yes. When your iPhone is locked out and it contains an earlier version of iOS.
Erase iPhone via Find My Intermidiate High Yes When you need to erase your iPhone wirelessly, and the Find My feature is turned on before you forget the passcode.
Restore iPhone with iTunes/Finder Intermidiate High No When a computer is trusted and used for
Recovery Mode Professional High No It is commonly used when the iPhone has an unresponsive screen.
FoneLab iOS Unlocker Easy High No When you prefer to remove the Apple ID from your iPhone.

Part 4. FAQs about Forgot iPhone Passcode

What can I do if I forgot Screen Time passcode on iPhone?

You can reset it by tapping Settings. Tap Screen Time and tap Change Screen Time Passcode. After that, select Forgot Passcode and enter your Apple ID and password. Enter a new Screen Time passcode afterward. You can also use FoneLab iOS Unlocker.

How many attempts until an iPhone factory resets?

The iPhone will perform an automatic factory reset after 10 failed attempts. However, this feature is not automatically enabled. You need to set it up before it can be used.

This article teaches you what to do if you forgot your iPhone passcode. The 5 leading ways are here, including the best third-party tool called FoneLab iOS Unlocker to remove your iPhone passcode without the correct one. Do you want to know more about the software? Please download it on your computer now!

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