Many iPhone users become so accustomed to using Face ID or Touch ID to unlock that they forget their smartphone passcode. But don’t worry: if this happens to you, you can reset your password using 5 different methods.
Method 1: Reset on a smartphone (iOS 15.2 and above)
One of the most useful innovations in iOS and iPadOS 15.2 is the ability to factory reset an iPhone or iPad without connecting to a computer. There are two restrictions here: the smartphone must be connected to the Internet (whether Wi-Fi or mobile network), and the user must remember the password for his Apple ID.
- Enter the wrong password several times in a row. After three incorrect attempts, the smartphone will turn on the waiting period before the following input. These attempts can be used to try to remember the password.
- The timer will grow from 1 to 15 minutes, after which the “Erase iPhone” button will appear on the screen. Double-click on it, then enter your Apple ID password to confirm the deletion of settings and data.
And that’s it: now it remains only to wait until the iPhone is erased.
Method 2. Using 4uKey
If you forgot your iPhone passcode, but the smartphone is not connected to the Internet and uses iOS 15.1 or lower, you will not be able to use the previous method. But you have a great alternative: 4uKey, a program that can solve many iPhone problems, including a forgotten passcode.
1 . Download the 4uKey app for Windows or macOS from the official website. Install it and activate the license.
2 . Connect your iPhone to your computer with a cable and launch 4uKey. Select “Start Unlock” on the main page under the “iOS Screen Unlock” section.
3 . Make sure that the program correctly recognizes the device, and click “Start.”
4 . Enter the smartphone into recovery mode based on the instructions on the screen. If necessary, switch the model in the top menu.
5 . At the next step, confirm the download location for the files necessary for the further operation of the program, and click “Download.” The file size depends on the device and is usually 5-7 GB.
6 . When the download is complete, click on the “Start Unlock” button.
7 . Wait for the password to be cleared; this may take a few minutes. During the process, please do not disconnect the device from the computer and do not try to use it. If you’re using a laptop, make sure it has enough battery (or put it on charge).
When a message appears on the screen that the passcode was removed successfully, you can disconnect your iPhone from the PC and start using it.
Method 3. Via iCloud
Forgot your smartphone passcode, but remember your linked Apple ID data? In such a case, you can reset your iPhone even if it’s running an older version of iOS and doesn’t support lock screen reset. It will be enough to use a computer or any other device with Internet access that has a browser.
1 . Go to icloud.com and sign in with the Apple ID you use on your locked smartphone.
2 . On the home page, switch to Find My iPhone.
3 . Select the desired iPhone from the list and click on its name. In the window that opens, click “Erase iPhone.”
4 . Confirm the action by clicking “Erase.”
This will start the process of deleting data and settings. Please note that this method will only work if Find My iPhone is enabled on your device. In this case, after the reboot, you will need to enter the Apple ID that was previously used on this smartphone – without this, you will not be able to use it.
Method 4: iTunes
You can recover your iPhone passcode using iTunes or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later). This method will only work if Find My iPhone is disabled on your smartphone. You can check this in the settings: click on the profile name, go to Latitude → Find My iPhone, and make sure that the switch next to the “Find My iPhone” option is turned off. If not, click on it and enter your Apple ID password to turn it off.
After that, the matter is small.
1 . Connect your iPhone to your computer with a Lightning cable. Open iTunes or Finder and go to the tab with the name of your iPhone and click on the “Restore iPhone” button.
2 . Confirm the deletion of data by clicking on the “Restore” button.
iTunes will then install the latest version of iOS. When the smartphone reboots, it will be ready for use.
Method 5: Apple Support
If you can’t remember either the passcode or your Apple ID account information, you won’t be able to regain access to your smartphone on your own. In this case, it is recommended to rely on Apple specialists: they can reset data and link to iCloud remotely. But for this, you will need to provide sufficiently convincing evidence that you are the smartphone owner.
Apple’s unified technical support phone for India is 000800 040 1966. Call this number and tell the technician that you forgot your iPhone screen passcode and can’t sign in to your Apple ID to reset. The employee will tell you what documents you can provide to confirm that you purchased the smartphone legally. For this, everything that indicates the IMEI of the device is suitable: the official box, receipts, repair documents, and so on. At the same time, you do not have to be the first owner of the iPhone – as long as you purchased it with a complete set or receipt.
It may take several days to decide, so be prepared that you will not be able to use the device for some time. In addition, technical support may refuse to unlock without explaining the reason. In this case, you can reapply, but most likely, the answer will not change. If Apple is satisfied with your evidence, all data and settings will be deleted from the smartphone, including the passcode and binding to the Apple ID.
Conclusion
We looked at five relevant ways to reset your iPhone passcode. This procedure also helps eliminate software failures and clean up space on your smartphone. The easiest way to do this is through the 4uKey utility: it does not require an up-to-date version of iOS, connecting the iPhone to the network, or lengthy negotiations with Apple technical support.
