How to Unlock iPhone with iTunes on Computer

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Sarahi Johns
Last updated: Mar 23, 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. But what should you do if you don't know how to use iTunes or iTunes is not working?

In this post, we provide you with effetive ways to unlock your iPhone with iTunes and without iTunes. You can choose flexibly according to your needs.

Unlock iPhone with iTunes

How to Unlock iPhone with iTunes on Computer

Unlocking your disabled iPhone with iTunes on computer is a relatively common and easy method. This unlocking method is more convenient if you happen to be next to your computer. And 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. Let's take a look at it below.

Unlock iPhone with iTunes in Standard Mode

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 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.

Unlock iPhone with iTunes 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 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.

How to Unlock iPhone without iTunes

What should you do if you don't know how to use iTunes or iTunes doesn't work? In addition to iTunes, we also introduce you 3 easiest ways to unlock your iPhone without iTunes.

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:

  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.

Unlock iPhone without iTunes in iOS 15.2 and Later

If your iPhone is iOS 15.2 and later, then you can reset your passcode directly without a computer. The option to Erase iPhone will be available on your screen after you have entered the wrong password several times. But this method requires your iPhone to have a network connection and also requires you to remember your Apple ID account and password.

Erase iPhone

And here's how to unlock iPhone by this method:

  1. Keep entering your password until there is an option to Erase iPhone at the bottom right of your screen.
  2. Click Erase iPhone and confirm.
  3. Enter your Apple ID account and password.
  4. Click Erase iPhone to delete all data.
  5. Restart your device and set up your iPhone.

Unlock iPhone with Another iOS Device

Here is another way for you to unlock iPhone without iTunes. If you have more than one iOS device or it is convenient to borrow your family or friend's iOS device, you can try this way:

  1. Open Find My on another iOS device.
  2. Click Me and then scroll down to find and click Help a Friend.
  3. Click Sign in > Use a different Apple ID > enter your Apple ID.
  4. Click your device icon and then click Erase This Device.

If you are using another iOS device of your own and you are already signed in with your Apple ID on that device, you can simply click the icon of the iPhone you want to unlock and then click Erase This Device.

Note
This method requires that your Find My is on.

Final Words

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

In addition, to meet your various needs, we also provide you with 3 other effective ways to unlock your iPhone without iTunes. After finishing the tutorial, try any of them to unlock your iPhone. Start unlocking now!