How do I unlock an iPhone that is locked and unresponsive?
Answer
First decide whether the phone is passcode-locked but still responding, or frozen with no touch response. A forced restart often clears a freeze; a forgotten passcode needs Apple’s official erase-and-restore path and will remove data without a backup.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Erasing an iPhone to remove a forgotten passcode deletes data that is not already backed up.
- Paid third-party unlock tools and unexpected callers offering remote unlocks are often scams.
Follow these steps
Check for a simple freeze versus a passcode lock
Press a volume button or the side button once. If the screen wakes and shows a passcode keypad or Face ID/Touch ID prompt, this is a lock-screen issue. If nothing happens at all, treat it as a freeze.
You should see: Either the lock screen appears, or the phone remains fully unresponsive.
Force restart a frozen iPhone
Quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. Ignore any slide-to-power-off if it appears and keep holding through to the logo.
You should see: The Apple logo appears and the phone boots to the Lock screen.
Charge if it will not turn on
Connect a known-good cable and charger for at least 15–30 minutes. Look for a battery icon. Then repeat the forced restart.
You should see: A charge indicator appears, or the phone becomes responsive enough to show the Lock screen.
Use official erase only for a forgotten passcode
If the phone responds but the passcode is unknown, use Apple’s official erase options: erase via Find My on another device signed into the same Apple ID, or connect to a computer and use recovery/restore in Finder (Mac) or Apple Devices/iTunes (Windows).
You should see: The iPhone erases and reaches the setup screen, ready for the Apple ID and a backup restore.
Restore from backup after erase
During setup, sign in with the Apple ID that owns the phone and restore from an iCloud or computer backup if one exists. Set a new passcode when prompted.
You should see: Apps and data return from backup, or the phone is usable as a new device if no backup exists.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Any on-screen message or symbol, whether the battery/charging indicator appears, and whether buttons or touch still produce any response.
Before you change anything: Note the iPhone model if known and whether a recent backup exists. Try a forced restart before any erase option. Only use official Apple erase/recovery tools if the passcode is truly unknown. Never give the passcode or Apple ID password to an unexpected caller offering an unlock.