2 Easy Ways to Unlock iPhone with iTunes on Computer

Sarahi Johns
Last updated: Aug 4, 2023

Summary: In this post, how to unlock iPhone with iTunes on computer will be introduced in detail. Extra ways to unlock iPhone without iTunes are also included. Just keep reading!

Forgot your passcode and tried to unlock your iPhone several times? Left your iPhone to a child and he entered the wrong random passcode many times? Or put your iPhone in your pocket and touched the passcode on your screen by mistake?

The first thing you may think of is to use iTunes on your computer to unlock your iPhone, as it shows "iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes".

In this post, we provide you with effective ways to unlock your iPhone with iTunes. Just choose flexibly according to your needs.

Unlock iPhone with iTunes

How to Unlock iPhone with iTunes on Computer in Standard Mode

Using iTunes on your computer to unlock your iPhone is further divided into unlocking in recovery mode and in standard mode. Pay attention to their differences.

Unlocking iPhone with iTunes in standard mode requires that you have trusted your iPhone with your computer before. Otherwise, it will ask you to enter the screen passcode.

This is impossible for you as you forgot your screen passcode. So if your computer has trusted your locked iPhone before, this method can be convenient.

For Windows, follow the steps below:

  1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
  2. Open iTunes.
  3. Click Summary on the left iTunes Menu, and then click Restore iPhone.
    Unlock iPhone with iTunes
  4. Wait for the restore process to complete. When finished, set up your iPhone.

For Mac, open Finder/iTunes and perform the following actions:

  1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your Mac.
  2. Open Finder/iTunes.
  3. Click your iPhone icon on the left menu > Restore iPhone.
    Restore iPhone to Unlock Disabled iPhone with iTunes
  4. Wait for the restore process to complete. When finished, set up your iPhone.
Notes
  1. Find My feature must be turned off before your iPhone could be restored.
  2. Finder is available for macOS Catalina and later. If your Mac is running macOS Mojave or earlier, use iTunes.

How to Unlock iPhone with iTunes on Computer in Recovery Mode

But if your iPhone has not trusted your computer before, how can you unlock your iPhone with iTunes? This requires you to enter recovery mode to do so.

And here's how to unlock your iPhone using iTunes in recovery mode:

  1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
  2. Put your iPhone into recovery mode. (Different iPhone models have different ways to enter recovery mode, you can enter recovery mode according to the following methods, or you can check the official Apple method to enter recovery mode.)
  • iPhone 8 and later:

Quickly press the Volume Up button > quickly press the Volume Down button > Keep pressing the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.

  • iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus:

Press and hold the Top (or Side) and Volume Down buttons at the same time. keep holding them until you see the recovery mode screen.

  • iPhone 6s or earlier, including iPhone SE (1st generation):

Press and hold both Home and the Top (or Side) buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the recovery mode screen.

  1. iTunes will recognize your iPhone is in recovery mode, just click Restore.
    Restore iPhone in iTunes to Unlock iPhone
  2. Wait for the restore process to complete and set up your iPhone.
Note
All the above methods will erase your data, so it is recommended to back up your iPhone regularly. if you have a backup, you can restore your backup after unlocking your iPhone.

Unlock iPhone with Best iTunes Alternative BuhoUnlocker

If your iPhone and computer have not trusted each other before, here is another great way to unlock your iPhone. Using a professional third-party unlocker will bring you the same results as unlocking your iPhone with iTunes. After comparison, we reckon that BuhoUnlocker is the best iTunes alternative for unlocking your iPhone.

And here's how to use BuhoUnlocker to unlock your iPhone:

DownloadRuns on Windows & Mac
Security Verified & 100% Safe
  1. Free Download, install, and launch BuhoUnlocker.
  2. Use a USB to connect your iPhone to your computer.
  3. Click Unlock Screen Passcode and then click Start.
    Unlock Screen Passcode in BuhoUnlocker
  4. Follow the on-screen instruction to put your iPhone into recovery mode.
    Put your iPhone to Recovery Mode
  5. Click Download to download the latest iOS firmware.
  6. Wait for the download process to complete. When it's done, click Start Unlock.
  7. After the restore is complete, set up your iPhone.
Note
This will erase your data too, so be sure you have a backup before unlocking. It’s worth noting that if your Find My is on before unlocking, you need to enter your Apple ID to unlock the Activation Lock. So it is recommended that you turn off Find My before unlocking.

Final Words

In this post, we are dedicated to providing you with easy and effective ways to unlock disabled iPhone passcode with iTunes.

In addition, to meet your various needs, we also provide you with iTunes alternative to unlock your iPhone. After finishing the tutorial, try any of them to unlock your iPhone. Start unlocking now!

Sarahi Johns

I'm Sarahi Johns, a tech enthusiast with a deep passion for all things iPhone, iPad and Mac. With expertise in crafting engaging tech content, I've authored numerous articles in the past 10 years, making me a trusted source for Apple enthusiasts.