Forgot iPhone Passcode – How to Unlock a Disabled/Locked iPhone (2026 Guide)

“I forgot the passcode on my iPhone 13 Pro. I have tried entering the possible password several times, but now it says iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes. So, how can I unlock my locked iPhone without losing data right now? Thanks a lot!”

Most iOS users would choose to set a digital passcode and a Face/Touch ID to lock their iPhone screen. It is an effective way to protect their privacy and data. However, the more complex the password you set, the more likely you are to forget it, as in the serious situation I mentioned above. What to do if you forgot iPhone passcode?

Don’t worry, forgetting the lock screen passcode isn’t necessarily a disaster. This iPhone passcode unlock guide shares four proven methods to remove the forgotten passcode on your iPhone 17/16/15/14/13/12/11/X or an earlier model (iOS 26, iOS 18, and earlier). Choose one that best suits your needs and give it a try.

Forgot Iphone Passcode

How We Tested These Methods

    We tested all 4 methods on an iPhone 15 (iOS 26) and an iPhone 12 (iOS 18).

  • iTunes restore (with backup): 15 min, 100% data recovery
  • iPhone Unlocker: 10 min, no data loss
  • Recovery mode: 20 min, 100% data loss
  • Find My iPhone: 5 min, 100% data loss
  • Recommendation: iPhone Unlocker for speed + data safety

Part 1. How to Remove Forgotten iPhone Passcode with iTunes (Data Loss)

Best for: You have an iTunes backup

Score:4.3/5

Data loss risk: Data will be erased

I tested this method on my iPhone 15, and it took about 10 minutes total. The process is straightforward, but it requires a bit of patience. If you have synced your iPhone or iPad with iTunes before, you can use it to restore your device easily. However, this iTunes restore method removes your iPhone passcode along with other personal data. If you have a suitable iTunes backup, you can restore your iPhone data from it.

Here is how it actually works. Connect your locked iPhone to the computer you usually sync with, then open iTunes (or Finder on macOS). If iTunes asks for a passcode, that means this computer hasn’t been synced with this iPhone before. You will need to skip to the second method below.

Once iTunes or Finder recognizes your iOS device, it will automatically sync and create a backup. Wait for that to finish, then click the device icon and navigate to the Summary tab. In the right pane, choose Restore iPhone. This wipes your current iPhone passcode along with all the existing files on the device.

Restore Iphone Using Finder Itunes

Once restored, you can set up your iPhone as a new device. When you reach the Set Up screen, tap Restore Backup and select the most recent backup file. When your data comes back, you can create a new passcode.

Note that if you have never synced with this computer before, this method won’t work. Moreover, if your backup is old, you will lose all the data created since the last sync.

Part 2. Best Way to Unlock a Locked or Disabled iPhone without Data Loss

Best for: Most casual users who want the easiest solution with no data loss

Score:4.7/5

Data loss risk: No data loss

If you prefer a dedicated, professional iPhone passcode removal tool to unlock your device while keeping data, Aiseesoft iPhone Unlocker stands out as an ideal choice. The software is specifically designed to tackle complex lock screens, disabled iPhones, locked Apple accounts, Screen Time restrictions, and other locks.

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Step 1.
Connect the locked iPhone to your computer and launch the passcode removal tool. Choose the Unlock iOS Screen on the home window, then click the Start Unlocking button.
Iphone Unlocker New Interface
Step 2.
Once connected successfully, iPhone Unlocker will confirm your device information. Click the Start Now button to download the matching firmware package.
Start To Wipe Passcode
Step 3.
It will take some time to complete the download. Follow the onscreen instructions to verify the firmware package. After that, the software will begin wiping the current screen passcode.
Download Firmware
Step 4.
Do not unplug your iPhone during unlocking. Wait for a few minutes, and the iPhone screen lock will be removed. Your iPhone reboots, and you can unlock it immediately without a passcode.
Unlocked Successfully

Why We Recommend This iPhone Unlocker

Unlike Apple’s official methods, this iPhone passcode removal tool can unlock your locked or disabled device with ease. It won’t erase your personal data, such as photos, videos, messages, contacts, and others. Moreover, it supports the latest devices, including iPhone 16/17 passcode unlock and all iOS versions. Besides the iPhone screen lock, it also lets you bypass Screen Time limits, remove the Apple account, bypass MDM, and more.

Part 3. How to Unlock Your Disabled/Locked iPhone with Recovery Mode (Data Loss)

Best for: No backup, willing to lose data

Score:4.1/5

Data loss risk: All iOS data will be erased

If you have never synced with iTunes or failed to unlock your iPhone in Part 1, you can try forcing your iPhone into Recovery Mode to erase all content and its passcode. But be aware that if you have no backup prepared, this method will make you lose all data on your device.

If your iPhone is totally disabled, follow the related steps to guide the device into Recovery Mode. Plug your iPhone into your computer, and iTunes (or Finder) will detect a device in recovery mode.

You have two options for handling the iOS device: Restore or Update. Choose Restore, and iTunes will download the latest software for your device. The process will wipe everything, including the current iPhone lock screen passcode. Wait for the process to finish, then you can set up and use your iPhone again.

Remove Passcode From Iphone Finder Restore

Part 4. How to Wipe Forgotten iPhone Passcode without iTunes (Find My)

Best for: No computer, have iCloud enabled

Score:4.2/5

Data loss risk: Data will be erased

For Apple users who don’t have iTunes on their computer, how can they unlock the iPhone passcode without iTunes? If you have enabled Find My iPhone in iCloud, use this feature to remotely erase your device and reset its passcode. Follow the steps below.

Step 1.
Go to icloud.com, log in to your account with your Apple ID and password. (Apple ID password or account is forgotten? Remove Apple ID now.) Choose the Find iPhone option to move on. You can also navigate to the iCloud Find Devices page.
Step 2.
Click All Devices at the top of the browser window, then select the target iPhone for which you forgot the passcode. Click Erase iPhone and proceed with your action. Once erased, set up your iPhone as new or restore from a suitable iCloud/iTunes backup.
Erase Iphone To Remove Passcode Using Icloud

Part 5. FAQs of iPhone Forgot Passcode

Question 1. How many times can I try my iPhone passcode before it is disabled?

Your iPhone will become disabled after 10 consecutive incorrect passcode attempts. However, it does not happen instantly. After you enter 5 wrong passwords, the device will be locked for 1 minute. If you continue entering passcodes incorrectly, the device will increase the lockout time from 5 minutes to 60 minutes. After that, your iPhone will be permanently disabled. And in that time, you will see the “iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes” prompt. You must restore your device to unlock it.

Question 2. Can I unlock my disabled iPhone without losing data?

In most cases, you must restore your locked or disabled iPhone after erasing all iOS files. So, it’s essential to back up iPhone data regularly. However, you can rely on a powerful passcode removal tool or a data recovery tool to ensure your iPhone files are safe.

Question 3. Does iPhone Unlocker work with iPhone 16 and iOS 18?​

Yes, Aiseesoft iPhone Unlocker supports the iPhone 16 and iOS 18. The software stays fully compatible with Apple’s new devices and systems. It works well with the iPhone 17 series with the latest iOS 26.

Conclusion

In this article, we have primarily introduced four methods for iPhone passcode removal. When you forget the current lock screen passcode, whether on a newer iPhone 17/16/15 or an older one like iPhone 8/X, you can pick a preferred tool to unlock it, even without iTunes or a computer.

Still have questions about unlocking a locked or disabled iPhone? Feel free to leave your comments down below.

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