What To Do If You Forgot Your iPhone’s Passcode?

Passcode is widely used by iPhone users to protect their personal data. However, it can also put you into trouble. For example:

Please help! I forgot the passcode for my iPhone X. I tried entering the passcode multiple times and it says "iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes". Now I am locked out. How can I regain access?  - Asked by Donna in iPhone Forums

It can really be very frustrating, in case you forget your passcode and get locked out of your iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod). You need to accept that the fact that there is absolutely no way to crack an iPhone password. However, it is not the end of the world. The good news is that you can still get access into your locked iPhone and recover all your iPhone contacts, photos, music and more. Here in this blog, we'll discuss how to backup locked iPhone's data to computer and how to unlock an iPhone if you forgot the passcode.

People also read: How to Fix an iPhone/iPad Stuck on the Apple Logo

Part 1: Backup Locked iPhone's Data to Computer 

Option 1: Using iTunes 

If you had previously made an iTunes backup and authorized your computer to access your iPhone or iPad, iTunes will not ask you to enter your passcode and you will be able to backup your iPhone's current data to the computer.

1. Plug your locked iPhone or iPad into a computer you've previously backed with and open iTunes. 
2. Click on the phone icon and then click on "Back Up Now" to backup your iPhone/iPad to your local computer. 

Option 2: Using Third-Party Tool

Since that your locked iPhone can be detected by computer and iTunes, you can also use third-party data recovery tool like FoneGeek iPhone Data Recovery to scan the device and make the backup.

     

1. Download, install and run the FoneGeek iPhone Recovery software on the computer, then select "Data Recovery > Recover from iOS Device". 
2. Connect your locked iPhone or iPad to the computer and let the program to scan data (both deleted and existing) on it. 
3. After that, you can view the scanned files and save them to the computer for backup. 

Note: You won't be able to backup your locked iPhone's data in case you haven't authorized any computer to access it. In such a case, you can skip this and move to part 2 to unlock iPhone passcode.

Part 2: Unlock iPhone/iPad If Forgot Your Passcode 

Option 1: Using iTunes 

If you've backed up your iPhone/iPad with iTunes, you can reset your locked device without losing data.

1. Connect your locked iPhone or iPad to the computer you've previous synced with and open iTunes. 
2. Click "Restore iPhone". When reach the Set Up screen while restoring your iOS device, tap "Restore from iTunes Backup". 
3. Now select your device in iTunes and choose the most recent backup to restore from. 

Option 2: Using iCloud

If you set up Find My iPhone on your iPhone, you can use iCloud to erase your device and its passcode.

1. Go to icloud.com/find from another iDevice or computer. 
2. If prompted, sign in with your Apple ID. Then click "All Devices" at the top of your browser window. 
3. Select the device you want to erase and click "Erase" to erase your device and its passcode. 
4. Now you can either restore your iPhone/iPad from a backup or set up it as a new device. 

Note: If your locked iPhone or iPad isn't connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network, you can't erase it with Find My iPhone.

Option 3: Using Recovery Mode 

If you've never synced with iTunes or set up Find My iPhone in iCloud, you'll need to use Recovery Mode to erase your device and its passcode.

1. Hold down the Power button then swipe to turn off your iDevice. 
2. Connect your locked iPhone or iPad to your computer and open iTunes. 
3. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time until you see the recovery mode screen. 
4. When you see the option to Restore or Update, choose "Restore". 
5. Wait for the restore process to finish, then you can set up and use your device. 

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