You know how inconvenient it is to forget your iPhone Passcode if you’ve ever done so. All of your contacts, images, social network accounts, and other personal information is safely tucked away between that lock screen – but you can’t access any of it.
Maybe you just reset the Passcode and can’t remember what it was for the life of you. Perhaps you haven’t used the phone in a long time and have forgotten how to operate it.
Whatever the issue, Apple has made it easy to recover your forgotten iPhone (or iPad) passcode. However, you should have recently backed up your device, as you may lose some of your most recent data in the process.
Preparing to Reset Your iPhone Passcode
You’ll need to choose a method to reset your device before you can reset your Passcode completely. Unfortunately, resetting your iPhone passcode if you’ve forgotten it usually necessitates this. Also, due to the backup comment, there is no way to save your device’s data if you did not back it up first.
Also, make sure you know the Apple password linked with the Apple ID that is logged in on the phone before proceeding. Your phone will restart from scratch when you complete a reset. However, to avoid Apple’s Activation Lock, you’ll need your Apple ID and password as you go through the setup procedure.
Recovery Mode: Step 1
You’ll need to put your phone in Recovery Mode to know that it will be reset without inputting the Passcode. This is a key combination that allows your computer to communicate with your phone. The combination of buttons varies by make and model; scroll down for instructions unique to your device.
iPhone 8 or Newer
Things have altered a little when it comes to resetting a newer iPhone model. You’ll need to utilize your computer in the same way as you did with previous models. Put your iPhone into recovery mode before connecting and following the reset options given below.
- Now is not the time to connect your phone to your PC. Long-press the side button until the phone displays a power-down slider. Please turn it off by dragging the slider across the top of the screen.
- While plugging it into your computer, hit the up volume, the down volume, then long-press the side button again. Instead of holding the three buttons together, feather them in order.
If you followed the steps correctly, your phone should look like the image above.
iPhone 7
If you have an iPhone 7 model, you can still reset your Passcode; however, the button combination is somewhat different:
- While pushing the volume down button on your phone, connect it to your computer. Hold the button down until the phone’s recovery screen shows.
iPhone 6S or Older
If you have an older iPhone model, you can still reset your Passcode, but the button combination is slightly different:
- Turn your iPhone off, connect it to your computer, and press and hold the home button until the recovery mode screen appears.
Recovery Mode: Step 2
Recovery mode is your sole choice for restoring your device if you’ve never synced with iTunes or set up Find My iPhone in iCloud. This will delete the device and its Passcode, allowing you to establish a new one.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer first, then launch iTunes. When your device is connected, press and hold all three buttons (volume up, volume down, and wake/sleep) to force it to restart.
- You’ll be given the choice of Restore or Update. Choose Restore. The software for your iPhone will then be downloaded.
- After the download is complete, you can set up and use your device.
Alternative Method: Reset your Passcode using iTunes
If you’ve previously synced your device with iTunes, you can use the software to wipe your device and its Passcode. Follow the steps below:
- Connect your device to the computer you sync with and launch iTunes (if a passcode is required, try another computer you synced with). If everything else fails, go into recovery mode.)
- Wait for iTunes to sync and backup your device. After you’ve finished syncing and backing up your iPhone, click Restore iPhone (or relevant device)
- In iTunes, choose your device. Choose the most appropriate backup based on the date and size.
- You’ll arrive at the Setup page while recovering your iOS device—Tap Restore from an iTunes backup here.
Read Also: How to send photos from android to iPhone without losing quality
Alternative Method: Factory Reset Remotely Using iCloud
You can execute the reset remotely if you don’t have your phone with you, but it’s still linked to wifi or cellular data. This will also work if you can’t get access to your phone, even if it’s on your person. If you have 2FA enabled and can’t receive the code to your phone number on file or another Apple device, this will not function.
- Log in to iCloud and click “Find my iPhone.”
- Click on the device to reset.
- Click ‘Erase iPhone’
All content and settings will be immediately erased as long as your device is connected to the internet. Restart the phone and login in with your Apple ID to complete the setup. You have the option of restoring it from iCloud or setting it up as a completely new device.
You are setting Your iPhone Passcode Initially or When You Know Your Passcode.
When you first set up the device, you’ll be asked if you want to set up a passcode. You can set or reset a passcode later if you skip this step or set one and subsequently change your mind. Take these easy steps.
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Scroll down until Touch ID, and Passcode appear.
- Choose either Turn Passcode On or Change Passcode from the drop-down menu. The former requires you to establish a new passcode, while the latter requires you to enter your current Passcode before changing it.
Simple. Unless you forget your Passcode and need to reset the device, in which case you should go to the sections above.
Read: How to manually update Facebook on my iPhone?
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Apple reset a Passcode?
They can’t help you if you’re locked out of a device you bought, but they can enable you if you’re locked out of a device you bought. Apple will lead you through the procedures to reset the device, whether you don’t know the Apple ID connected with it or it’s disabled.
If you require a computer but don’t have one, go to an Apple Store for further information (your cell phone carrier may not have the option, so go on a road trip if there isn’t an Apple Store near you).
If you don’t have your Apple ID, password, or a way to enable 2FA, contact Apple support for help. This information can take several days to update. You may be required to present the card on file with Apple and evidence of purchase (unfortunately, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist communications won’t assist here).
Someone sold me an iPhone that is still locked. What can I do?
To start with, if you’re considering purchasing an Apple product from an individual, do so at your carrier’s shop. This will ensure that the device is turned on and that there are no security risks.
If you’ve already bought a device from a third-party retailer, return to that retailer and have it exchanged. It’s far easier to acquire a new one, believe us.
If you bought the device from a person, it is entirely up to unlock it. Apple will not help you retrieve the Passcode or reset the original Apple ID.
This is so frustrating! Why is it so hard to reset the Passcode?
When people think of Apple, they think of obscene levels of security. As a result, iPhones are eagerly sought after by criminals, thieves, and, to a lesser extent, scammers. You shouldn’t have any trouble resetting your iPhone if you’ve maintained everything up to date (contact number, email, backups, etc.).
Even if you have to replace your iPhone because Apple’s security protocol has rendered it unusable, it will certainly be less expensive and inconvenient than dealing with compromised bank accounts, Apple ID, and exposed images or personal data.
I can unlock my phone, but I forgot my screen time passcode. What do I do?
Finally, with iOS 14, users can adjust their screen time Passcode with ease. All you have to do is go to Settings and tap on the Screen Time option (after making sure your phone is up to date with iOS 14). You can get to the ‘Forgot Screen Time Passcode’ option from here.
Enter the Apple credentials that were used to generate the Passcode and then create a new one. You’re done after you confirm.
Wrapping Up
Do you have any questions or suggestions for how to reset the Passcode on an Apple device?