Forgot iPhone Passcode? Here're 5 Ways to Unlock or Reset It [iOS 17]

It's always advisable to set a passcode for your iPhone to safeguard your data from prying eyes. However, if you haven't used your iPhone for an extended period, you may forget its screen passcode. So, what should you do if you forget your iPhone passcode?

Don't panic. In this article, we will guide you through 5 methods to unlock your iPhone when you've forgotten the passcode. Hopefully, one of these methods can help you regain access to your iPhone.

What Happens if You Forgot Your iPhone Passcode

You cannot access your iPhone until you enter the correct passcode. If you enter the wrong passcode too many times, your iPhone will be disabled or unavailable. The more incorrect attempts, the longer you'll have to wait. Depending on your iOS version, you may see the following screen.

What to Do if You Forgot Your iPhone Passcode

If you forgot your iPhone passcode, follow the steps below to unlock your iPhone.

Undo Forgotten iPhone Passcode with "Passcode Reset" (iOS 17)

In iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and later versions, you can reset your forgotten passcode on your iPhone or iPad using an old passcode. Thanks to the Passcode Reset feature in iOS 17, you can revert to your previous passcode within 72 hours after creating a new one. This feature can be particularly helpful if you tend to forget your recently set passcodes.

Here are the detailed steps for undoing/resetting a forgotten passcode with Passcode Reset in iOS 17:

1. On the "iPad Unavailable" screen, tap the Forgot Passcode? option in the bottom corner.

2. Tap Enter Previous Passcode.
3. Enter your old passcode, then follow the onscreen instructions to undo your forgotten passcode and set a new one.

   

Unlock iPhone via "Erase iPhone" (Without Computer)

Security Lockout is a new feature introduced by Apple in iOS 15.2. It allows you to unlock your iPhone without a computer and iTunes. Once you have entered the wrong passcode more than 7 times, your iPhone will display the Security Lockout screen with an Erase iPhone option at the bottom right corner of the screen.

Here's how to reset your iPhone with the Erase iPhone option:

1. Make sure your iPhone is connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network.
2. Tap Erase iPhone and tap Erase iPhone again to confirm your operation.

   

3. Enter your Apple ID password to log out of your Apple ID.
4. Tap Erase iPhone to permanently delete all content and settings on your iPhone.
5. Set up your iPhone.

Unlock iPhone via iPhone Unlock Tool

If you find the above methods troublesome and prefer a more automated solution, a third-party iPhone unlocker can remove the forgotten passcode for you.

BuhoUnlocker is one of the best iOS unlocking software. It can help you unlock screen passcode, remove screen time passcode, remove Apple ID, and get rid of MDM files. Let's take it as an example to see how to unlock your iPhone without passcode.

1. Download and install BuhoUnlocker on your computer (Mac or PC).
2. Launch it and click Unlock Screen Passcode > Start.

   

3. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and put it into recovery mode.

   

4. Download the latest firmware for your device, click Start Unlock, and wait for the unlocking process to complete.

   

5. When you see the Hello screen on your iPhone, set up your iPhone.

In addition to iPhone unlocking, BuhoUnlocker also offers an MDM removal feature. This functionality liberates your iPhone from mobile device management. Give it a try and discover more exciting features with BuhoUnlocker.

Unlock iPhone via iCloud (Without Computer)

If you don't see the Security Lock screen, or if your iPhone is running iOS 15.1 or earlier, iCloud may be your best option for unlocking your iPhone.

1. Go to iCloud.com/find.
2. Sign in to iCloud.
3. At the top, click All Devices, then select the iPhone you want to unlock.
4. Click the Erase iPhone button, and enter your Apple ID password to turn off Find My.

   

5. Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to erase your iPhone.
6. After the reset process is complete, set up your iPhone.

Unlock iPhone via iTunes/Finder

Another way to unlock your iPhone is by using iTunes or Finder. Because your iPhone is locked, iTunes and Finder don't recognize your device. Therefore, you have to put your iPhone into Recovery mode before you can unlock it on your computer.

Here's what you should do:

1. Connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac.

2. Do the following to put your iPhone into recovery mode:

   • iPhone 8 and later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.
   • iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button until the recovery mode screen appears.
   • On iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the Side button and Home button until the recovery mode screen appears.

3. If your iPhone has successfully entered Recovery mode, you will see one of the following screens:

   

4. Open Finder on Mac or iTunes on PC, and follow the prompts to restore your iPhone.

   

5. When the restoring process is complete, set your iPhone.

Final Words

Now that you know how to unlock your iPhone if you forgot your passcode, go ahead and choose the method that works best for you to regain access to your iPhone.

Note that all of the above methods will wipe your iPhone. If you've never backed up your iPhone, do so before performing the reset steps.

FAQs

1. Will I Lose Everything if I Reset My iPhone?

   Resetting your iPhone will delete all your settings and content, including photos, contacts, apps, and more. Therefore, before you proceed to reset your iPhone, make sure to back it up first.

2. Can I Unlock My iPhone Without a Computer?

   Yes, you can either use Security Lockout or iCloud to unlock your iPhone. No PC or Mac is needed. Passcode Reset can also assist in unlocking your iPhone. However, it has some limitations.

3. Can I Unlock My iPhone Without Resetting It?

   Yes, but only if your iPhone is running iOS 17 or later, and you have changed your iPhone passcode within the last 72 hours.

4. Can I Unlock Someone Else’s iPhone?

   NO. Under no circumstances do we recommend that you unlock someone else's iPhone.

5. How to Avoid Forgetting My iPhone Passcode?

   The best way to avoid forgetting your iPhone passcode is to set up a Face ID or Touch ID. Also, it's a good idea to write down your iPhone passcodes and keep them in a safe place so you can easily find them.