4 Fixes for "iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes"

When your iPhone displays the message “iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes,” it means your iPhone has been locked due to multiple incorrect passcode attempts, typically after 10 tries. In this state, you can’t use your iPhone except for accessing Emergency services.

Wondering how to unlock your iPhone? You’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll show you 4 different methods to fix the “iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes” issue. Let’s get started!

1. How to Fix “iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes” with Finder or iTunes

As the message indicates, the best way to unlock your disabled iPhone is by connecting it to iTunes (on Windows and macOS Mojave or earlier) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later).

This method requires a PC or Mac. If you don’t have one with you, skip to the 3rd or 4th methods below.

The steps are almost identical using iTunes and Finder. Here, we’ll use Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) as an example:

1. Turn off your iPhone.
2. Connect your iPhone to your Mac via a USB cable.
3. Put your iPhone into recovery mode:

• iPhone 8 or later models: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Press and hold the “Side” button until the recovery mode screen appears.
• iPhone 7 or earlier: Press and hold the Home button and the Power button simultaneously until the recovery mode screen appears.

  

4. Once in recovery mode, you’ll see a pop-up window in Finder asking you to restore your device.
5. Click the Restore button to begin the process. This will erase all data on your iPhone and update your iOS to the latest available version.

   

2. How to Fix “iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes” with BuhoUnlocker

What if your iPhone is disabled but refuses to connect to iTunes or your iPhone is not showing in Finder? Well, in this situation, you should find an alternative way to unlock your permanently disabled iOS device.

Among the best iPhone Passcode Unlockers in 2025, you can give BuhoUnlocker a shot. As a professional iOS unlocking tool, it can conveniently bypass various types of locks on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

1. Download and install BuhoUnlocker on your PC or Mac.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
3. Launch BuhoUnlocker and click Unlock Screen Passcode.

   

4. Click the Unlock button, then follow the on-screen steps to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode.

   

5. Download the latest firmware to unlock your device.

   

6. Wait for a few minutes until the unlocking process completes.

   

3. How to Fix “iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes” with iCloud

The above method requires a computer. But if you don’t have one, how can you unlock your iPhone?

iCloud can help! It allows you to unlock your iPhone without needing a computer. However, this method only works if your disabled iPhone has a data connection and the "Find My iPhone" feature is turned on.

1. On your iPad, another iPhone, or a friend's iPhone, visit icloud.com.
2. Sign in with your Apple Account.

   

3. Tap Find My and from the All Devices list, select your disabled iPhone.

   

4. Tap Erase, and enter your iCloud password to sign out of your Apple ID.

   

5. Tap Erase to delete all the contents on your disabled iPhone.
6. Set up your iPhone and restore your data from an iTunes or iCloud backup (if available).

4. How to Fix “iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes” with the Find My App

The Find My or Find My iPhone app can also help you unlock your disabled iPhone.

Here are the steps:

1. Open the Find My app (formerly known as Find My iPhone) on your iPad or another iPhone.
2. Switch to Devices and select your disabled iPhone.
3. Tap Erase iPhone or Erase This Device.

   

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to delete everything on your disabled iPhone.
5. Set up your iPhone.

Bonus: How to Prevent Your iPhone from Being Disabled Again

We understand how frustrating it is to be unable to use your iPhone because it’s disabled. To prevent your iPhone from being disabled again, follow these steps:

• Set an easy-to-remember passcode, or write it down somewhere secure.
• Set up alternative unlocking methods, such as Touch ID and Face ID.
• Avoid accidental touches when your iPhone is in your pocket.
• Keep your iPhone out of reach of children to prevent accidental touches.
• Turn on the Erase iPhone feature, which will automatically wipe your iPhone data after 10 incorrect passcode attempts. (Use this feature with caution.)

Conclusion

We’ve introduced 4 methods to get your iPhone out of the “iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes” issue. Simply choose the method that works best for you.

However, please note that all these methods will erase all data on your iPhone, resulting in data loss. You might wonder if there’s a way to unlock your iPhone without losing data. Unfortunately, there’s no way to do this unless you have a backup available.