Contents

Part 1. Can I Turn Off Password on iPhone
1. What Will Happen After Turning off the iPhone Passcode
2. How to Turn Off Passcode on an iPhone (If You Know It)
Part 2. How to Remove the Passcode from Your iPhone
Part 3. FAQs of How to Remove Passcode from iPhone

Forgot Your iPhone Passcode? Here‘s How to Remove Lock Screen (iOS 16–26)

May 12, 2026Andrew Miller

We have all been there: staring at a locked iPhone screen, brain struggling to recall that elusive passcode. This post shares several safe and responsible methods to remove passcode from iPhone lock screen and regain control of your device – whether you know the passcode or have forgotten it.

Part 1. Can I Turn Off Password on iPhone

What Will Happen After Turning off the iPhone Passcode

Anyone can access your iPhone: All your personal information, photos, messages, apps, and financial data will be completely unprotected and exposed to anyone who picks up your phone.

Potential for unauthorized purchases: Anyone with your phone could make purchases or in-app transactions using your Apple ID.

Data privacy breach: If your iPhone is lost or stolen, your personal data could be compromised.

Increased risk of theft and loss: A thief could easily steal your iPhone and sell it or access your sensitive information.

How to Turn Off Passcode on an iPhone (If You Know It)

If you still want to turn off your passcode on iPhone, follow these steps carefully:

Open “Settings” > “Face ID & Passcode” (or “Touch ID & Passcode”), enter your current passcode, scroll down and tap “Turn Passcode Off”, then confirm when prompted.

⚠️ IMPORTANT for iOS 26.4 and Later:

Starting February 2026, Apple has enabled Stolen Device Protection by default on all iPhones running iOS 26.4 or later. This feature adds significant security but also affects how you remove your passcode:

If you know your passcode: You can still disable it in Settings, but may face a 1-hour delay.
If you forgot your passcode: iCloud erase and recovery mode still work (no change).
If you are not the legitimate owner: The 1-hour delay with biometric verification blocks unauthorized passcode removal
If you are the legitimate owner: Simply wait the 1-hour security delay and complete Face ID/Touch ID authentication when prompted. The “Turn Passcode Off” option will become available after the delay.

Part 2. How to Remove the Passcode from Your iPhone

Decision Flow: Which Method Should You Use?

Before you remove the passcode from your iPhone, back up your device to iCloud or iTunes/ Finder if possible. Then use the decision flow below to choose the right method.

Do you know your current passcode?

✅ Yes → Use Settings method

❌ No → Continue below

Do you know your Apple ID email and password?

✅ Yes → Use iCloud Erase or Lock Screen Erase

❌ No → Continue below

Do you have a computer (Mac/PC)?

✅ Yes → Use Finder/iTunes Recovery Mode

❌ No → Use a Third-Party Tool

Settings Method (You Know Passcode)

Data loss: ❌ No

Time: 1 minute

Cost: Free

This method is the standard way to remove iPhone passcode in Settings. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1.

Open “Settings” on your iPhone and go to “Face ID & Passcode” (or “Touch ID & Passcode” depending on your model).

Step 2.

Enter your current iPhone passcode to access security settings.

Step 3.

Scroll down to find the option “Turn Passcode Off”.

Step 4.

Tap “Turn Passcode Off” and confirm when prompted to disable iPhone lock screen password.

⚠️ iOS 26.4+ note: If “Stolen Device Protection” is enabled, the “Turn Passcode Off” option may appear greyed out for up to 1 hour. In this case, complete Face ID or Touch ID verification twice and wait for the security delay to finish before trying again.

iCloud Find My (Forgot Passcode + Know Apple ID)

Data loss: ✅ Yes (all data erased)

Time: 3–10 minutes

Cost: Free

This method is best for users who forgot iPhone screen passcode but know Apple ID credentials. Device must have Find My iPhone enabled and be online. Here’s how to:

Step 1.

Go to “icloud.com/find” on any browser (computer or another phone).

Step 2.

Step 3.

Click “All Devices” and select the locked iPhone you want to reset.

Step 4.

Click “Erase iPhone” and confirm the action by entering your Apple ID password.

Step 5.

Wait for the erase process to complete, then set up your iPhone as new or restore from an iCloud/iTunes backup.

Erase iPhone to Remove Passcode Using iCloud

Erase iPhone Lock Screen (iOS 15.2 to iOS 26)

Data loss: ✅ Yes (all data erased)

Time: 2–5 minutes

Cost: Free

This method is commonly used for iPhone locked screen erase, forgot passcode iPhone reset, and unlock iPhone without computer. It is an official Apple solution, requires no computer or third-party software, and provides a fast way to reset a locked iPhone directly from the device.

Step 1.

Enter the wrong passcode multiple times until the screen shows “iPhone Unavailable” or “Security Lockout”.

Step 2.

Tap “Erase iPhone” (iOS 15.2–16) or “Forgot Passcode?” (iOS 17–26) at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3.

Step 4.

Wait for the device to erase all data and restart automatically without a passcode.

Finder/iTunes Recovery Mode (Forgot Passcode + No Apple ID)

Data loss: ✅ Yes (all data erased)

Time: 15–30 minutes

Cost: Free

If you cannot unlock your iPhone and also forgot your Apple ID password, Recovery Mode is the last official method using a computer. It allows you to factory reset a locked iPhone via iTunes or Finder.

Step 1.

Connect your iPhone to a computer you have previously synced with and open “iTunes” (Windows/macOS Mojave) or “Finder” (macOS Catalina and later).

Step 2.

If prompted, enter your computer password and wait until iTunes/Finder recognizes your iPhone device.

Step 3.

Click “Restore iPhone” to factory reset your device; this will erase the screen passcode and all data stored on the iPhone.

Step 4.

If the iPhone is not detected, force restart the device to enter Recovery Mode so that iTunes/Finder can recognize it.

Step 5.

Once detected in Recovery Mode, click “Restore” again to complete the iPhone factory reset and remove the current passcode.

Remove Passcode from iPhone Finder Restore

Remove iPhone Passcode If Forgotten on iOS 26/25/24 with Reliable Tool

Aiseesoft iKnockin - iPhone Unlocker offers a simple way to unlock iPhones in various scenarios. It lets you easily remove lock screen passcodes, Apple IDs, and screen time restrictions.

Downloads

Aiseesoft iKnockin - iPhone Unlocker

Remove the lock screen passcode from your iPhone and iPad safely.
Remove the forgotten iPhone password, Touch ID, and Face ID.
Bypass the Apple ID account and disable Screen Time restrictions.
Support all iOS devices and versions and various passcode-forgotten situations.

Free DownloadFor Windows

100% Secure. No Ads.

Free DownloadFor macOS

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Step 1.

Download and install the Aiseesoft iKnockin - iPhone Unlocker on a trusted computer and connect your iOS device to it. Choose the Unlock iOS Screen option and click Start Now.

Step 2.

When your iPhone is detected, you can check the associated device information, such as device type, device model, iOS version, and more. Download the corresponding firmware to remove the current lock screen password from your iPhone. Click OK and Confirm Again to proceed.

Part 3. FAQs of How to Remove Passcode from iPhone

How do I get my iPhone to stop asking for a passcode?

iPhone automatically requests a passcode after certain periods of inactivity to secure your device and data. If Face ID or Touch ID fails repeatedly, the iPhone falls back to requiring the passcode for additional security. Some apps, like banking or financial apps, might require passcode re-entry for additional security measures. Occasionally, an iPhone might ask for the passcode after unexpected system events or restarts.
You can go to Display & Brightness from the Settings app to adjust automatic lock settings. Use a longer waiting time before the passcode is required. Ensure your face or fingerprint is properly enrolled and clean the sensor regularly. Ensure you use the latest iOS version, as software updates often fix security bugs and improve biometrics performance.

Can you set up a 4-digit passcode on your iPhone?

Apple does not allow you to set up a 4-digit passcode for your iPhone or iPad anymore. You can only use a 6-digit passcode.

Why is the iPhone Turn Passcode Off button greyed out?

Here are the common reasons why the Turn Passcode Off option might be greyed out on your iPhone. If you have added a work or school email account that enforces security policies, it might require a device passcode. Turning it off isn't allowed. If your organization manages your iPhone through MDM, they might have set restrictions preventing passcode removal. If Screen Time restrictions are enabled, specifically Allow Changes to Passcode, being greyed out might be due to parental controls. In some cases, having Find My iPhone enabled might restrict passcode removal as a security measure.

Conclusion

This guide provides a safe and responsible approach for removing passcode from iPhone to regaining access to your locked iPhone. Remember, prioritize security, back up your data whenever possible, and choose the method that best suits your situation.