Solved! How to Access a Locked iPhone

"How to access a locked iPhone 6? I have really important information stored on one of my old iPhone but I forgot the password since I usually use Face ID. However, Face ID stopped working and I can't remember the old password. Is there any way to access my locked iPhone?"

Are you familiar with the experience of finding an iPhone in a bar/taxi/on the floor and wanting to return it to its rightful owner, but being blocked by a pesky passcode? Have you ever locked yourself out and had no idea what your password might have been because you went through a memory lapse? Almost everyone has been there.

Here we list some sneaky little ways which allow you to break into a locked phone without using a four- or six-digit code to gain entry. Let's get started to learn how to access a locked iPhone in great detail.

Method 1: Use the "Enter Previous Passcode" Feature (iOS 17 and Later)

If you are running iOS 17 or newer, Apple has introduced a highly forgiving feature for users who frequently update their security credentials. You can actually use your previous passcode to unlock your device, provided you changed it within the last 72 hours. This is currently the only native method that allows you to bypass the lock screen without wiping your phone's data completely.

• Step 1. Turn on your iPhone and intentionally enter the wrong passcode five times in a row to trigger the security protocol.
• Step 2. Wait for the "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" screen to officially appear on your device's display.
• Step 3. Tap the "Forgot Passcode?" option located at the bottom right corner of your screen, then specifically select "Enter Previous Passcode".
• Step 4. Input your old passcode to immediately regain access, and follow the on-screen prompts to establish a new, memorable passcode for future use.
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Method 2: Use the "Forgot Passcode?" or "Erase iPhone" Features (iOS 15.2 - iOS 17+)

Apple has significantly streamlined the recovery process in recent years. If your device is connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network and you know your Apple ID password, you can actually wipe your device and remove the passcode directly from the lock screen—no computer required.

• Step 1. Turn on your iPhone and intentionally enter the wrong passcode five times in a row until the "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" screen appears.
• Step 2. Look at the bottom right corner of your screen.

• If you are on iOS 17 or later: Tap the "Forgot Passcode?" button.
• If you are on iOS 15.2 to iOS 16: Tap the "Erase iPhone" button.

• Step 3. tap "Start iPhone Reset" (iOS 17+) or tap "Erase iPhone" again (iOS 15.2 to 16) to confirm you action.
• Step 4. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted to securely sign out of your Apple account.
• Step 5. Tap "Erase iPhone" one final time to delete all current data and settings, including the forgotten passcode.
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Method 3: Remotely Erase via iCloud

You can utilize iCloud's remote tracking features to wipe your device from a distance. This strategy requires that the "Find My" feature was actively enabled on the locked iPhone prior to you forgetting the passcode. You can perform this action using any web browser on a friend's smartphone, tablet, or secondary computer system.

• Step 1. Open a web browser on an accessible device and navigate directly to the official iCloud website.
• Step 2. Log in securely using the exact Apple ID email and password associated with the locked iPhone.
• Step 3. Click on the "All Devices" menu at the top of the screen and select your specific locked iPhone from the generated dropdown list.
• Step 4. Choose the "Erase iPhone" command from the device management card and follow the final confirmation prompts to wipe the phone completely.
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Method 4: Restore Using iTunes or Finder

For scenarios where your iPhone is completely unresponsive to native lock screen methods and iCloud tracking is turned off, Recovery Mode is Apple's deep-level troubleshooting solution. By forcing your device to communicate with iTunes or Finder, you can reinstall the iOS software entirely from scratch.

• Step 1. Ensure you have a Mac or a PC with the latest version of Windows and the official iTunes application installed.
• Step 2. Turn off your iPhone completely, then connect it to the computer. Put your iPhone into Recovery mode.

• Step 3. Locate your connected device within the iTunes or Finder interface, and click the "Restore" option when prompted with the "Restore or Update" dialog box.
• Step 4. Allow the computer to download the necessary software and restore your device to its factory settings, which effectively deletes the old passcode in the process.
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Method 5: Use TunesKit iPhone Unlocker to Access a Locked iPhone

TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is the most reliable and secure iOS unlock tool in 2022. This program allows you to unlock a locked iPhone if you have forgotten the passcode. It is virus-free and does not require any technical knowledge.

With the help of TunesKit iPhone Unlocker, you can also unlock iPhone without Apple ID, unlock iPhone with an unresponsive screen, and unlock iPhone with iTunes with a few clicks. Here are some main features you may be interested in.

Here we will show you how to access a locked iPhone by using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

Step 1Installation and Connection

Have your iPhone connected to the computer and run TunesKit iPhone Unlocker. Choose the Unlock iOS Screen feature on the main interface. Select the Start button to proceed.

Step 2Enter DFU or Recovery Mode

If your iPhone cannot be detected, you need to manually put your iPhone enter into DFU or Recovery mode. Simply follow the on-screen instructions on.

Step 3Download Correct Firmware

Verify your device model and download the proper firmware for your iPhone and "Download" the firmware package. It is recommended that you download the firmware package through a browser if the "Copy" link fails to download. Adding the downloaded file is as simple as clicking the "Select" button on your computer.

Step 4Break into a Locked iPhone

After you get done downloading the firmware package, click "Unlock" to get rid of your iPhone's passcode.

FAQs About How to Access a Locked iPhone

Closing Words

The iPhone plays a key role in your day-to-day life. That's why forgetting your passcode can be so frustrating. And once you receive the "iPhone Disabled" message, there's not much you can do. But follow the ways above one by one, you may understand how to access a locked iPhone.

It's worth noting that when you accidentally lock yourself out of your phone or need to access someone else's device for an emergency, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker works smoothly. Hope you found this post helpful.