iPhone is Disabled? 3 Effective Ways to Unlock It [2024]

iPhone has a self-protection method, which occurs when you, or someone else, try to enter the wrong passcode too many times. A common alert message will warn you this "iPhone is disabled. Connect to iTunes". You can use a computer, iCloud (the Find My iPhone service) or other ways to unlock your disabled iPhone. Read on to find a perfect solution for you.

Why Is My iPhone Disabled?

Either it's a 4-digit or a 6-digit passcode, the unlock screen of your iPhone can be easily broken by brute-force attempts. To prevent this disaster happens, Apple set a fence if an iPhone gets too many incorrect passcode entry attempts. Here’s how the "iPhone Disabled" error messages (and time delays) tie into the number of wrong guesses:

• 6 incorrect guesses: iPhone is disabled. Try again in 1 minute
• 7 incorrect guesses: iPhone is disabled. Try again in 5 minutes
• 8 incorrect guesses: iPhone is disabled. Try again in 15 minutes
• 9 incorrect guesses: iPhone is disabled. Try again in 60 minutes
• 10 incorrect guesses: iPhone is disabled. Connect to iTunes

What To Do When My iPhone Gets Disabled?

You might find your iPhone has locked itself up right from your pocket, even without awareness. This can happen when your finger accidentally triggers the wrong passcode input, resulting in your iPhone becoming disabled. So, what to do when you have a disabled iPhone?

The simplest means is to wait the suggested time, and then enter to correct passcode to unlock your disabled iPhone. If you can’t remember your passcode when you try again, use iTunes/iCloud to put your iPhone in recovery mode, which allows you to erase the disabled iPhone, giving you access to set it up again.

How to Unlock Disabled iPhone Using iTunes

The first approach to handle a disabled iPhone requires a Windows PC or Mac computer, which has the latest version of iTunes (Finder for Mac) installed. Besides, you also need an Apple-certified USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer. Here are detailed steps on how to fix and unlock a disabled iPhone with iTunes (Finder for Mac).

How-To Steps to Unlock Disabled iPhone with iTunes:

1. Disconnect your disabled iPhone from the computer and then shut it down. The method of powering off an iPhone depends on what iPhone model you’re using.

• To shut down an iPhone 8/8 Plus and all newer models: Press and hold both the Side button and the Volume Down button until you see the Power Off slider.

  

• To shut down an iPhone 7/7 Plus, or iPhone 6/6s Plus: Press and hold the Side button until you see the Power Off slider.

  

• To shut down an iPhone SE (1st generation) and all earlier models: Press and hold the Top button until the Power Off slider appears.

  

  After seeing the Power Off slider show up on your disabled iPhone screen, drag the slider (left to right) to turn off your iPhone. Wait at least a minute to make sure it shuts down completely.

3. Put your iPhone in recovery mode. Before doing so, make sure you understand the correct button/button combo per your iPhone model. hold the button firmly and long enough until you go to the next step.

• For an iPhone 8/8 Plus and all newer models (iPhone 13/12/11/Xs/Xr/X) use the Side button.
• For an iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus use the Volume Down button.
• For an iPhone SE (1st generation), and iPhone 6s, iPhone 5/5s/5c/4s/4 and earlier use the Home button.

Next, press and hold the right button tightly and immediately connect your disabled iPhone to the computer. Don't release the button until you see the Recovery Mode screen showing on your iPhone.

4. Open the Finder app on your Mac (macOS ) or the iTunes app on your Windows PC computer. On the left sidebar of iTunes/Finder, you can find your iPhone icon and when you see a dialogue saying There is a problem with the iPhone "iPhone" that requires it to be updated or restored, you have two options Update or Restore. Use Restore to unlock your disabled iPhone.

After finishing the iPhone Restore process, you can disconnect your iPhone from the computer setup and use it as new.

How to Unlock Disabled iPhone Using iCloud

A secondary way to solve the "iPhone is Disabled" issue is to use the Find iPhone option in iCloud. It will not only save you the trouble of finding a computer but also help erase and restore a disabled iPhone remotely. An additional tip is that erasing your device from iCloud will automatically enable the '"Activation Lock'" feature, which helps protect your device from unauthorized access. Your Apple ID and password are required to reactivate the device.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Go to iCloud.com on your browser app > Choose the Find iPhone option.

   

2. Click All Devices at the top, then select the disabled device you want to unlock.

   

3. Click Erase [device] > Enter your Apple ID password when asked > If you are using your own computer and click Trust to skip the verification step.

   

4. After erasing your disabled iPhone, you can restore it from an existing backup. After that, you can use this "Disabled" iPhone as normal.

How to Unlock Disabled iPhone Using BuhoUnlocker

Not a fan of Apple iTunes or iCloud? You're not alone. Neither the iTunes app nor the iCloud service is friendly to entry-level users. At this time, you need a professional iPhone Passcode Unlocker software to save you from this iPhone is Disabled issue. BuhoUnlocker is a simple and effective tool that can help you quit the iPhone Disabled screen and turn your device back to normal.

Here's how it works:

1. Download, install, and launch BuhoUnlocker on your computer.
2. Click Unlock Screen Passcode > Start.

   

3. Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable.
4. Follow the prompts to put your iPhone into recovery mode.

   

5. Download the iOS firmware suitable for your iPhone, and click Start Unlock.

   

6. When your iPhone restarts, the previously set screen lock is successfully removed.

Conclusion

Do you have some clues to handle your iPhone is Disabled issue? We hope our suggestions above assist you in resolving the issue promptly. Lastly, remember to download the latest version of BuhoUnlocker to address any iPhone lockdown problems.