If you’ve found yourself in possession of a secondhand iPhone that you suspect may be stolen, or a thief has stolen your iPhone and you feel worried about your data security, you might be wondering: Can a stolen iPhone be unlocked? The answer is complex. Apple has strict security protocols like Activation Lock and Find My iPhone to deter theft and protect user data. Unlocking a stolen iPhone without proper authorization is not only difficult but also illegal in many regions. However, there are some technical solutions for those who have obtained a device legitimately but are locked out. In this article, we’ll explore these scenarios: how to unlock with and without a passcode, what you should do if your iPhone is stolen. Just follow us to learn more.
If the iPhone is locked with a screen passcode, some may consider trying to guess it. They will be inclined to guess with a simple passcode such as 0000, 8888, 1234, etc. After guessing the right password, they can enter the password and get into the locked iPhone easily.
MStatistically, guessing a 6-digit passcode (let alone 8–10 digits or alphanumeric) is almost impossible. After repeated failures, to protect the device and owner’s information, the device disables itself or erases its data if the "Erase after 10 attempts" feature is turned on.
So, you might wonder: how many attempts does a thief have to enter the wrong passwords?
• 6 wrong attempts: Disabled for 1 minute
• 7 wrong attempts: Disabled for 5 minutes
• 8 wrong attempts: Disabled for 15 minutes
• 9 wrong attempts: Disabled for 1 hour
• 11 wrong attempts: Permanently disabled (requires connection to iTunes/Finder or third-party software)
But a thief won’t easily give up the stolen iPhone and they have many methods to unlock it. If they're unable to guess it, they might deploy some methods in the next part to unlock it.
Aiseesoft iPhone Unlocker is a trusted desktop tool designed to remove the screen lock, Apple ID, and Screen Time restrictions on iPhones/iPads/iPods. It can wipe the passcode and help you enter a locked device within minutes. Whether it’s a 4-digit, 6-digit passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID, it can be removed without any hassle. Furthermore, with the wide support for IOS devices, you can use it to unlock iPhone 11/12/13/14/15 and other iOS devices successfully.
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Here are the steps to use Aiseesoft iPhone Unlocker to unlock a lost or stolen iPhone:
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iOS recovery mode is a built-in feature to restore the iPhone using iTunes or Finder. It can erase your device and enter the iPhone even without a passcode. But this way doesn’t work under all scenarios. If the original owner enabled Find My, they still need to input the Apple ID and password to enter the stolen iPhone. Here is how to unlock an iCloud-locked iPhone via Recovery Mode if the iPhone hasn’t been enabled for Find My:
IMEI124 is an online tool for checking iPhone status and offering unlock services. Third-party unlocking services vary in success and legality. Always verify legitimacy before purchasing. After the thief tried to erase and reset the iPhone unsuccessfully with iTunes, the iPhone will remain locked unless they enter the right passcode. But if you’ve known the IMEI number of the iPhone, this will be an easy task. Then, how to use IMEI124 to unlock the stolen iPhone:
If your own iPhone has been stolen, here are the steps you should take immediately:
Now, you can play a sound to locate it if it isn’t far away from you. But if it isn't nearby, you’d better choose Activate to put your lost iPhone in Lost Mode.
However, the method above can’t secure your information privacy. And if you want to avoid any possibility of data leakage, I recommend that you erase the iPhone remotely.
Can You Unlock iCloud Lock Without Apple ID?
No. Without the original Apple ID credentials, Activation Lock cannot be bypassed legally or permanently, even after a factory reset.
Can an Erased iPhone Still Be Tracked?
Yes. If Find My iPhone was enabled before the erase, the iPhone can still be tracked, locked, or display a custom message even after being erased.
Will Jailbreaking Help Unlock a Stolen iPhone?
No. Jailbreaking doesn’t remove iCloud Activation Lock or Apple ID security. It only modifies iOS behavior and is not a recommended or legal solution for stolen devices.
Conclusion
Unlocking a stolen iPhone isn't as simple as entering a passcode or resetting the device. With Apple’s Activation Lock, even a full factory reset won’t allow new users to activate the phone without the original Apple ID. If you're trying to access your own iPhone or a secondhand device with unclear history, tools like Aiseesoft iPhone Unlocker, Recovery Mode, or IMEI checks may help. If your iPhone was stolen, use Find My to track, lock, or erase it—and always report theft to the authorities. When buying used devices, check their status beforehand to avoid iCloud-locked or blacklisted units.
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Leave your comment and join our discussion
To fix iPhone screen locked, wiping password function can help you a lot. And you also can clear Apple ID or Screen Time password easily.
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