Forgetting your iPhone passcode can be a frustrating experience, especially once your iPhone becomes disabled or shows a message like “iPhone is disabled” or “iPhone Unavailable.” When this happens, you’ll need to erase and reset your iPhone using Recovery Mode with Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows or older Mac). This process removes the passcode and gives you access to your device again.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to unlock your iPhone using Recovery Mode, what you need before you begin, and how to restore your data afterward if you have a backup.
🔐 Why You Need to Use Recovery Mode
When you forget your passcode, or enter it incorrectly too many times, your iPhone locks you out to protect your data. Once your device is disabled, there’s no way to bypass the passcode without completely erasing the phone. Recovery Mode is Apple’s official method to wipe the device and remove the passcode.
🛠 What You Need to Unlock Your iPhone
- A Mac or Windows PC
- The latest version of Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (Windows/macOS Mojave or earlier)
- A USB-to-Lightning or USB-C cable to connect your iPhone to the computer
- Your Apple ID and password (for Activation Lock)
- Optional: A backup to restore your data after unlocking
📲 Step-by-Step: Use Recovery Mode to Unlock Your iPhone
🔄 Step 1: Put Your iPhone into Recovery Mode
The steps vary depending on your iPhone model:
✅ iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using the cable.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears (a cable and a laptop icon).
✅ iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
- Connect the iPhone to the computer.
- Press and hold the Volume Down and Side button simultaneously.
- Keep holding until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
✅ iPhone 6s, SE (1st gen), or earlier:
- Connect the device to your computer.
- Press and hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button together.
- Continue holding until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
⚠️ Don’t release the buttons when you see the Apple logo—wait for the Recovery Mode screen.
🔄 Step 2: Restore Your iPhone Using Finder or iTunes
Once your iPhone is in Recovery Mode, Finder or iTunes will detect the device and show this message:
“There is a problem with the iPhone that requires it to be updated or restored.”
You’ll have two options:
- Update: Attempts to reinstall iOS without erasing data.
- Restore: Completely erases your iPhone and removes the passcode.
✅ Choose Restore:
- Click Restore to begin erasing your iPhone.
- Finder or iTunes will download the latest iOS firmware and install it on your device.
- This process can take 15–30 minutes. If it takes too long, your iPhone may exit Recovery Mode—just repeat the steps to re-enter.
Once the restore is complete, your iPhone will restart and display the “Hello” setup screen.
🔐 Step 3: Bypass Activation Lock
After your iPhone restarts, you’ll be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password to disable Activation Lock. This is required to protect your device from unauthorized use.
🧠 Don’t remember your Apple ID? Visit https://iforgot.apple.comto recover it.
🔁 Step 4: Restore Your Data (Optional)
If you previously backed up your iPhone, you can restore your data:
📦 iCloud Backup:
- On the setup screen, choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
- Sign in with your Apple ID and select the backup.
💻 Finder or iTunes Backup:
- Connect the iPhone to your computer.
- In Finder or iTunes, choose Restore from this backup.
- Select the backup you want and enter the encryption password (if applicable).
If no backup is available, you’ll need to set up your iPhone as a new device.
🧪 Troubleshooting Tips
- Computer doesn’t recognize iPhone? Try a different USB port or cable.
- Stuck in Recovery Mode? Retry the steps or force restart the iPhone.
- Restore failed? Disable antivirus software or try another computer.
- Forgot Apple ID? Use https://iforgot.apple.com
🧼 How to Avoid Getting Locked Out Again
- Use Face ID or Touch ID for easier access.
- Choose a strong but memorable passcode.
- Set up iCloud Backup so you won’t lose data in case of reset.
- Keep your Apple ID credentials secure and up to date.
✅ Summary: Unlocking an iPhone with Forgotten Passcode
If you forget your iPhone passcode or your device is disabled, the only solution is to erase and reset it using Recovery Mode and Finder or iTunes. Once erased, you can unlock the device, sign in with your Apple ID, and restore your data if a backup is available.
Quick Steps Recap:
| Step | Action |
| Enter Recovery Mode | Use button combo for your model |
| Use Finder/iTunes | Click “Restore” to erase and reset |
| Bypass Activation Lock | Enter Apple ID and password |
| Restore Data (if backup exists) | Use iCloud or local backup |
