Contents

Part 1. Quickly Select: Which Way Is Suitable?
Part 2. 5 Ways to Unlock iPhone & iPad with Broken Screen
Part 3. FAQs on Unlocking iPhone/iPad with Broken Screen

How to Unlock an iPhone/iPad with a Broken Screen in 2026 (5 Proven Methods)

March 09, 2026Ashley Mae

What should I do if my iPhone screen is broken? What should I do if I can't enter my password? Don't worry. This article will provide 5 feasible methods, including the most practical tools, to help you unlock your iPhone or iPad in case of screen damage. For each method, we will also provide detailed step-by-step instructions. Read and find the most suitable solution for you!

How We Verified These Methods

We found an iPhone 13 with a cracked screen and verified the folk remedies circulating in the market. We found that the USB keyboard method was no longer effective, and unlocking it through iTunes and professional software on the computer was an effective solution without touch.

Part 1. Quickly Select: Which Way Is Suitable?

Ways	Situations
USB Keyboard	Only for versions before iOS 11.4.1
Find My iPhone	You have enabled this feature on your device before it broke.
Siri	The screen is broken, but it can still be touched. (You need to operate on screen.)
iTunes	The screen is completely black, and the touch is unresponsive.
Aiseesoft iKnockin	The screen is completely black, and the touch is unresponsive.

Part 2. 5 Ways to Unlock iPhone & iPad with Broken Screen

Way 1. By USB Keyboard

Prerequisites: The version of your device is before iOS 11.4.1.

Unlocking your disabled iPhone or iPad using a wired USB keyboard is another applicable method. This method is easy to follow with simple steps. But it should be noted that this can only be used for versions earlier than iOS 11.4.1. Furthermore, if you have ever turned Bluetooth on on your iPhone or iPad before you break the screen, you can try a Bluetooth keyboard. Just connect the keyboard to your device, and enter your passcode.

Here are the steps you can follow with.

Step 1:

Connect the USB keyboard to your broken iPhone via a lighting cable.

Step 2:

Double-press the space bar to activate your iPhone.

Step 3:

Enter your screen passcode on the USB keyboard to unlock iPhone's broken screen.

Way 2. Via Find My iPhone

Prerequisites: You have enabled this feature on your iPhone/iPad before it broke.

Apple's Find Your Phone feature can also help you unlock your iOS device with a broken screen. In addition to unlocking your device, if your phone is lost or stolen, you can also let this feature help you. Remember that you need to turn this feature on your device first. Otherwise you will not be able to use it smoothly. But once you enable this feature to unlock your screen-broken device, all the data and files will be erased. Therefore, you must back up your iPhone to the computer or other platform first.

Here we will offer a step-by-step guide to you.

Step 1:

Enter the official website of iCloud, www.icloud.com, into your browser, and log in to your iCloud account.

Step 2:

Choose Find iPhone on the interface.

Step 3:

Click All Device, and find your device beneath the list of All Device.

Step 4:

Press Erase iPhone, then all content and the screen passcode will be wiped off. Now your device is unlocked.

Way 3. Using Siri

Prerequisites: The screen is broken, but it can still be touched.

When your iPhone or iPad screen is unresponsive, Siri is a good choice to access your device. You can use Siri to wake up VoiceOver to control your device, including unlocking your iPhone or iPad screen.

Here is an easy-to-follow guide to help you.

Step 1:

Press and hold the Home button to activate Siri.

Step 2:

Ask Siri to turn on the VoiceOver, then press the Home button to go to the main unlock screen.

Step 3:

Swipe to the left or right until Slide to Unlock is chosen, and let the VoiceOver say the number chosen for you.

Step 4:

Swipe to the right side to choose the right password keys, and double-click to enter your passcodes.

Step 5:

Submit the passcode to unlock your iPhone.

Way 4. Through iTunes

Prerequisites: A computer

iTunes is a practical tool that enables you to perform some actions on your device, including unlocking your iPhone or iPad if your screen is broken. Before using it, verify that your iPhone trusts the computer. Also, using this method to unlock your phone means that all the content on your iPhone or iPad will be deleted, so you need to make a backup.

To apply iTunes, follow the steps below.

Step 1:

After opening iTunes on your computer, connect your device to the computer via the original USB cable.

Step 2:

iTunes will recognize your iPhone. Click the icon of your device.

Step 3:

Press Restore iPhone and your device will be restored and unlocked.

Way 5. Professional Unlocker - Aiseesoft iKnockin

Prerequisites: A computer

To unlock an iPhone with a broken screen and home button, you can try Aiseesoft iKnockin to fix this issue. It can enable you to unlock a disabled iPhone, iPad, and iPod by removing the diverse lock screen passcodes from 4-digit, 6-digit, Touch ID, and Face ID, so your device will be unlocked easily. When unlocking damaged iPhone screens, you can try the lock wiper to bypass the lock passcode from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to help you access your iOS device easily. Just download and install it on your computer and enjoy unlocking your iPhone with ease.

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We will take iPhone with a broken screen as an example, here are the detailed steps.

Step 1:

First, you need to download and install iPhone Unlocker on your computer. Then connect your iPhone to the computer via a lightening USB cable. After connecting, you may need to set up your device to trust the computer.

Step 2:

Aiseesoft iKnockin has 5 key functions. Choose Unlock iOS Screen on the interface of the product. And press Start Now.

Step 3:

Now, it will begin downloading the firmware package for unlocking.

Step 4:

Click OK > Confirm Again to unlock your iPhone with an unresponsive screen after downloading the package.

Part 3. FAQs for Unlocking iPhone & iPad with Broken Screen

How to back up iPhone with a broken screen?

If you have ever enabled your iPhone to trust the computer, just connect your phone to your computer. You can back up your iPhone in the Finder or with iTunes. You need to open iTunes and come to Summary > Back Up iPhone. In addition, you can also choose some third-party software to help you.

How to trust a computer on iPhone with a broken screen?

If your device can be still touched, you can use Siri to activate VoiceOver. Then you can manipulate your iPhone and let it trust your computer through your voice. But if the Digitizer is unresponsive, you can do temporary operation for replacing the external screen assembly.

Can I still use an iPhone with a broken screen?

If your phone screen is broken, it's best to repair it before you use it. On the one hand, a damaged screen may make your fingers hurt. On the other hand, the friction of your fingers may worsen the screen's damage. If it is not repaired in time, it may cause more serious problems.

Will unlocking a broken screen erase my data?

Unfortunately, it will. Whether it's official methods or third-party software, unlocking the lock screen often comes with data erasure. Therefore, it is recommended that you develop the habit of daily backup to avoid accidentally breaking the screen.

Conclusion

In this article, we provide you with 5 ways to solve the problem of how to unlock your iPhone or iPad with a broken screen. Choose one that suits your situation. However, during the unlocking process, the data and files in your device may be emptied, so always remember to make a backup in time to prevent the loss of important files. We hope our suggestions will be helpful to you.