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. 

More Topics You Might Interested In:

• How to Fix iPhone Stuck in Boot Loop (iOS 12 Included)
• iPhone/iPad Stuck in Recovery Mode? Here is the Fix 
• iPhone Black Screen of Death? How to Fix It 

Complete Guide to Upgrade iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch to iOS 10

Apple has launched iOS 10 on 13th September 2016, which brings a multitude of brilliant new features like redesigned lock screen, innovative Message app, and more powerful Siri etc. Well, you've probably got these questions: should I update my iPhone or iPad to iOS 10, can I update my iPhone or iPad to iOS 10 and how do I update to iOS 10? Don't worry. Here we'll address all these questions in this complete guide. Read this blog to get your answers now.

Should I Update My iPhone or iPad to iOS 10?

iOS 10 brings brilliant new features, however, it also brings you some new bugs and issues. Here we've collected reasons whether you should update to iOS 10 or not.

Pros:

• Fix previous iOS issues: The new iOS 10 can help to fix previous iOS 9 issues and problems on your iPhone or iPad. 
• Rick Lock Screen: The lock screen of iOS 10 becomes richer and more powerful, which allows you to view photos and videos, or even respond to messages directly within notification. 
• Raise to Wake: The Raise to Wake feature makes it quicker to view the notifications on your lock screen. 
• New features for Message: You can replace any word that you've typed into an emoji, send iMessages with bubble effects, rich links, Didital Touch, handwritten notes, and more. 
• Delete stock apps: With iOS 10, you can remove part of stock apps like Calendar, Contacts, FaceTime, iBooks, iCloud Drive, iTunes Store, Mail, Maps, Music, News, Notes, Reminders, Videos, Voice Memos, Weather and more from your iDevice. 

Cons: 

• Potential bugs: Various types of problems are usually common after new iOS updates, such as random reboot, Wi-Fi issues, or app crashing, etc. 
• Lose previous Jailbreak: Once you move to iOS 10, you will not only lose the jailbreak but you need to wait for new jailbreak for a long time. 
• Slow iOS device down: New software updates are nice, but when applied to old hardware, you're bound to get a device that's even slower than it was before. 

Can I Update My iPhone or iPad to iOS 10?

Before upgrading to iOS 10, the first thing you need to do is checking the full list of iOS 10 compatible devices and see if your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch can run iOS 10.

iOS 10 is available as an upgrade for the following devices:

• iPhone: iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5 
• iPad: iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad 4, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2
• iPod touch: iPod touch 6 

While the following devices can't upgrade to iOS 10: iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPad, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPod touch 2, iPod touch 3, iPod touch 4, iPod touch 5

How to Install iOS 10 on Your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch? 

You can update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to iOS 10 wirelessly or with iTunes. Before you update, please make a backup of your iDevice using iCloud or iTunes.

Update to iOS 10 Wirelessly

Generally, when the software update is available, you will receive a message and just tap Install Now. If you miss the pop-up, just follow the steps below:

1. Plug your device into power and connect to the Internet with Wi-Fi. 
2. Tap Settings > General > Software Update. 
3. Tap Download and Install and follow the prompts: Enter Passcode > Tap on Agree on Terms and Conditions > Tap on Agree to confirm. 
4. Tap on Install Now to start the update process. 

Update to iOS 10 via iTunes

If you can't update wirelessly on your iOS device, you can update manually using iTunes on a computer that you trust. Here're the steps:

1. Download and Install the latest version of iTunes on your computer. 
2. Open iTunes and connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to computer via USB cable. 
3. Click on the Device tab and then choose Summary. 
4. Click on Check for Update > Choose Download and Update > Select Agree to confirm. 
5. Enter your Passcode on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. 

Hope this guide can help you update to iOS 10 on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch successfully. After the update, you may meet some problems like Data Loss. If you lost important data like contacts, messages, notes, photos and more from your iDevice when updating to iOS 10, don't panic, FoneGeek iPhone Recovery software can help you recover lost data on iPhone/iPad/iPod, even without backup.

More Topics You Might Interested In:

• Lost Data after iOS 12 Update? Here is How to Recover It 
• How to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages on iPhone XS/XR/X/8/7/6s
• 4 Ways to Recover Deleted Notes on iPhone/iPad (iOS 12 Supported)

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Should You Upgrade to It?

After months of rumors, the most-expected iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are finally here with many pros, such as advanced new camera systems, immersive stereo speakers, brightest and colorful display, water resistance, wireless charging, no headphone jack, etc. Should you upgrade to iPhone 7 or 7 Plus? If you are still sitting on the sidelines for picking up Apple's next flagship, here're some stunning features about the new iPhones.

* Static Home Button

The home button of iPhone 7 is now solid state, which means you can't physically press or click it in. It's pressure-sensitive, including "taptic feedback", which just means that apps can give you three levels of pressure and haptic feedback, like a light or strong buzz.

* Waterproof Design

Both the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are water-and-dust-resistant (IP67), meaning you're free to get them wet without worry. That means you'll be able to take either of them underwater for about 30 minutes, up to 1 meter deep.

* No Headphone Jack

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus no longer feature a 3.5mm headphone jack. Instead, Apple's new EarPods headphones will connect through the Lightning connector port. Apple is also pushing new, funky-looking AirPods headset connects wirelessly through auto-pairing.

* Huge Camera Jump

The iPhone 7 keeps the 12-megapixel camera, but adds a larger aperture and this is a big deal – optical image stabilization that keeps images steadier. And the iPhone 7 Plus gets a second, 56mm telephoto lens on the back that works like a built-in zoom feature.

* Improved Battery Life

Apple's mediocre battery life finally get improved on iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. The new iPhones has a Bigger battery than the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. Good news for those who suffered with the battery downgrade between the 6 and 6S.

* Wireless Charging

As Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge takes leading step of wireless charging, iPhone 7 loath to lag behind, embracing wireless charging technology with a maximum distance of 15 feet.

* Faster A10 Processor

The iPhone 7's new A10 Fusion chip is a 64-bit, quad-core processor that Apple says is 40 percent faster than last year's A9 processor. The powerful A10 processor takes things to an entirely new level, making best use of CPU and GPU with 6 cores, delivering a performance boost of 20% and reducing power consumption by 40% simultaneously, compared to iPhone 6S.

* More Color Choices

Apple is also bringing more colors to the iPhone 7, so in addition to silver, gold and rose gold, you can also choose between a glossy "jet black" and a matte black color. The jet black replaces the famous space grey color.

* More Storage Options

iPhone 7's 256GB storage option finally comes to use, which is reasonable especially when it ships with 12-megapixel dual-lens camera. The end of 16GB is a main iPhone 7 advantage over iPhone 6S/6 and fits the bill of many multimedia maniacs for 4K video shooting tasks.

>> Must-Have Tool for iPhone 7 - Backup/Restore iPhone 7 Data

This is a classic dilemma: you shot many memorable pictures but accidentally deleted them on your iPhone 7. What should you do? In such case, we recommend you use FoneGeek iPhone Data Recovery. This software can help to export data on your iPhone to computer for backup. Also, it allows you to recover deleted photos, videos, contacts, messages, WhatsApp, Viber, notes, etc. from iPhone 7/7 Plus.

More Topics You Might Interested In:

• How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on iPhone XS/XR/X/8/7/6s 
• 4 Ways to Recover Deleted Photos/Videos on iPhone or iPad 
• 3 Ways to Recover Deleted Contacts on iPhone XS/XR/X/8/7/6s 

How to Make an Archived iTunes Backup of Your iPhone/iPad

Regularly backing up your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes is likely routine for most iOS users. But if you want to upgrade to a beta version of iOS (like iOS 12) or you want to downgrade shortly after installing a new iOS update, you'll want to create an archived backup on iTunes. Well, an archived iTunes backup is essential because it saves the current state of your iOS device and prevents it from being accidentally overwritten by subsequent backups.

Here's how to mak an archived backup of iPhone/iPad using iTunes: 

Part 1: Create an Backup 

1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to a Mac with the latest version of iTunes installed and open iTunes. 
2. Click on the device icon in iTunes. In the backup section, choose "This computer". You can select "Encrypt iPhone backup" and set a password for your backup. 
3. Click "Back Up Now" and wait for the backup process to finish. It will take several minutes to complete. 

Part 2: Archive the Backup

1. To archive the backup, choose "Preferences" from the iTunes dropdown menu and click on the "Devices" tab. 
2. Choose the backup you just created, right-click on it and select the "Archive" option. 

Once archived, a backup will be marked with the date and the exact time that it was archived. The next time you backup, iTunes will create a new backup for that device, leaving your previous Archive intact. Please note this guide is for iTunes users on the Mac. If you are using iTunes on a Windows PC, you should rename your iTunes backup folder or move it to another location to prevent it from being overwritten.

How to extract and recover data from archived iTunes backup? 

The backup of your iPhone/iPad contains all your data, including photos, videos, contacts, calendar, SMS messages, voicemails, notes, call history, which are not readable. Here we'd like to recommend the FoneGeek iPhone Data Recovery to help you get data from the iTunes backup to your computer.

     

1. Simply download and install the iPhone Data Recovery from FoneGeek official site onto your computer. 
2. Run the program and select "Data Recovery". Then choose "Recover from iTunes Backup File". 
3. Select an iTunes backup file, and then click "Next" to begin scanning data in the backup. 
4. Preview the contents extracted and choose those you need, then click "Recover" to save them to your computer. 

More Topics You Might Interested In: 

• How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on iPhone XS/XR/X/8/7/6s 
• 4 Ways to Recover Deleted Photos/Videos on iPhone or iPad
• 3 Ways to Recover Deleted Contacts on iPhone XS/XR/X/8/7/6s