Forgot iPhone Password? How to Remove the Passcode and Set a New One

August 03, 2026Louisa White

"How to reset iPhone password if I forgot it?"

Your iPhone passcode protects your personal information and prevents unauthorized access to your device. However, forgetting your iPhone password can be frustrating because Apple does not provide a way to view or recover the original passcode. Instead, you need to remove the forgotten passcode by erasing or restoring your iPhone, then set up a new passcode to access your device again.

This article explains how to remove a forgotten iPhone password and then reset your iPhone password, whether you remember the current passcode or not.

Reset iPhone Password if You Remember Your iPhone Password
Remove the iPhone Password When You Forgot It and Set a New One
FAQs about Resetting iPhone Password

Reset iPhone Password if You Remember Your iPhone Password

If you still remember your current iPhone passcode, changing it is simple. You can update your password directly from your iPhone settings without erasing any data.

Step 1.

Go to Settings from the Home screen. Scroll down to locate and tap on Touch ID & Passcode or Face ID & Passcode.

Step 2.

Enter your iPhone password, and you can find many options.

Step 3.

Click the option, Change Passcode.

Step 4.

Enter your old passcode, and then enter a new passcode.

Remove the iPhone Password When You Forgot It and Set a New One

If you forgot and cannot recover your iPhone password, you can’t follow the steps in the last part to set up a new passcode. In this situation, you have to erase the passcode first with the 4 solutions given below, and then set up an iPhone passcode after removing the passcode.

Solution 1. Remove Forgotten iPhone Password with Recovery Mode

Step 1.

Force shut down your iPhone.

Step 2.

Press and hold the Home button down and connect your iPhone to iTunes at the same time. If your iPhone does not turn on, turn it on by yourself.

Step 3.

Continue holding the Home button until you see the 'Connect to iTunes' screen.

Step 4.

A message will appear that iTunes has detected a device in recovery mode.

Step 5.

Now click Restore. The Summary tab in iTunes will appear. You can now click Restore iPhone and restore your iPhone.
Remember, Recovery Mode will erase all of your data (including your passcode) from your iPhone, resetting it to factory defaults. You'll have brand new iPhone without any personal data stored within.

Solution 2. Erase iPhone and Remove Passcode with Find My

If you have activated the 'Find My iPhone' on iPhone, you can use the feature to erase your current iPhone password and reset a new one. This method works as long as you've enabled 'Find My iPhone'.

Step 1.

Go to icloud.com/#find and log in with your Apple ID. Click Find My iPhone.

Step 2.

Click All Devices at the top of your browser window.

Step 3.

Select your iPhone from all of the devices listed. Click Erase iPhone. This step will remotely erase your iPhone content and settings, including the forgotten iPhone password.

Step 4.

Use the 'Setup Assistant' on your iPhone to restore iPhone from iCloud backup or iTunes Backup according to your need.

The old iPhone passcode will be removed. And you are able to access your iPhone and set a new iPhone password.

Solution 3. Bypass Forgotten iPhone Password Using Security Lockout

For iPhones running iOS 15.2 or later, Apple provides an option to erase the device directly from the lock screen after too many incorrect passcode attempts. This method requires a stable internet connection and Apple ID credentials. Please back up your iPhone first because it will erase all your data.

Step 1.

After entering the wrong passcode multiple times, your iPhone will display the Security Lockout screen.

Step 2.

Tap "Erase iPhone" displayed on the screen.

Step 3.

Enter your Apple ID password to confirm the erase process.

Step 4.

After the device is erased, you can set it up again and create a new passcode.

Erase Iphone Passcode With Security Lockout Screen

Solution 4. Delete Forgotten iPhone Password with Specialized iPhone Unlocker

If Apple's official methods are unavailable or too complicated, a professional iPhone unlocker can provide another option to remove a forgotten screen passcode. Aiseesoft iKnockin – iPhone Unlocker helps remove different types of iPhone screen locks and allows you to regain access to your device even without an Apple ID password.

Downloads

Key Features of Aiseesoft iKnockin

Unlock your iPhone in minutes when you've forgotten the screen passcode.
Support multiple lock types, including 4/6-digit passcodes, Face ID, Touch ID, and custom alphanumeric passwords.
High success rate with broad compatibility across iPhone, iPad, and iOS versions.
More than just a screen unlocker—also remove Apple ID, Screen Time passcodes, and MDM profiles.
Easy-to-use software that guides you through every step with no technical skills required.

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Step 1.

Open Aiseesoft iKnockin and select "Unlock iOS Screen". Connect your locked iPhone or iPad to your computer with a USB cable.

Step 2.

Confirm your device information and click "Start Now". The program will download the required firmware package.

Step 3.

After downloading the firmware, confirm the operation and wait for iKnockin to remove the screen passcode.

Step 4.

Once completed, your iPhone will restart, and you can set it up with a new passcode.

Set Up an iPhone Passcode After Removing the Passcode

After the forgotten passcode has been removed, your iPhone will restart and display the Hello screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device. During the setup process, you'll be prompted to create a new passcode to protect your iPhone.

If you skipped this step during setup, you can still add a new passcode later from the Settings app.

Step 1.

Open "Settings" on your iPhone.

Step 2.

Tap "Face ID & Passcode" (or "Touch ID & Passcode" on supported models).

Step 3.

Tap "Turn Passcode On".

Step 4.

Enter and confirm your new passcode. You can also tap "Passcode Options" to choose a 4-digit numeric code, a 6-digit numeric code, or a custom alphanumeric code.

FAQs about Resetting iPhone Password

Can I recover my forgotten iPhone password?

No. Apple does not store your iPhone passcode in a recoverable format. If you forget your password, you need to erase your iPhone and create a new one.

Can I unlock my iPhone without losing data?

In most cases, no. Apple's official solutions require erasing the device, which removes all data and settings. Regular backups can help prevent permanent data loss.

How many failed attempts will lock an iPhone?

After several incorrect passcode attempts, your iPhone will enter Security Lockout mode. The waiting time increases after each failed attempt.

What happens after removing an iPhone passcode?

After the passcode is removed, your iPhone will restart and require setup. You can then create a new passcode and restore your data from a backup if available.

Conclusion

Forgetting your iPhone password can be stressful, but there is no way to recover the original passcode. The correct solution is to remove the forgotten passcode and reset the iPhone passcode.

If you still know your current password, you can simply change it from iPhone Settings. If you forgot the password, Apple's official solutions, including Security Lockout, Recovery Mode, and Find My, can help erase your device and remove the lock.

For users looking for a simpler alternative, Aiseesoft iKnockin – iPhone Unlocker provides a convenient way to remove forgotten screen passcodes and regain access to a locked iPhone or iPad.

Free DownloadFor Windows

100% Secure. No Ads.

Free DownloadFor macOS

100% Secure. No Ads.