How do I recover access after locking myself out of an iPhone?
Answer
If the passcode is forgotten or the iPhone is disabled, erase it with a computer in recovery mode or through Find My on another device, then restore from an Apple ID backup.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Erasing the iPhone removes data that is not already backed up.
- Third-party unlock services are often scams and can put the Apple ID at risk.
Follow these steps
Try Find My erase if the phone is online
On another device, sign in to iCloud Find My, select the locked iPhone, and choose Erase This Device if it appears.
You should see: The iPhone erases remotely, or Find My shows it offline so a computer restore is needed.
Erase with a computer in recovery mode
Connect the iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC, enter recovery mode with the volume and side-button sequence for your model, and choose Restore.
You should see: iOS reinstalls and the passcode lock is cleared.
Activate with the Apple ID
During setup, sign in with the Apple ID that owns the iPhone to complete Activation Lock.
You should see: The iPhone activates and continues setup.
Restore a backup
Choose Restore from iCloud Backup or a computer backup if one is available, or continue as new if no backup exists.
You should see: Apps and data return from backup, or a clean setup completes.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Whether the screen says iPhone Unavailable or asks for a passcode repeatedly, and whether Find My and a computer cable are available
Before you change anything: Confirm you know the Apple ID password for this iPhone. Back up from another synced device or iCloud if any newer backup exists elsewhere. Understand that unlock requires erase when the passcode is unknown. Avoid third-party unlock tools.