Locked Out of iPhone After Update iOS 26/18/17? 6 Solutions to Fix It

"Yesterday I updated my iPhone to the iOS 26 Beta version. However, my iPhone locked after updating the iOS version. Why does it happen? I cannot unlock my iPhone now as I forgot the passcode. How can I unlock it?"

Most iPhone users will choose to update to the latest iOS version when the new operating system is rolling out. However, after updating the iOS version to the latest, users will need to enter the screen lock passcode to unlock the iPhone properly.

But some users may forget the screen lock passcode and cannot unlock the iPhone. What should we do to unlock the iPhone if we don't know the passcode after update iOS version? If you are having the same questions, this post is the right place for you. In this post, you can learn how to fix locked out of iPhone after update to iOS 26/18/17.

Solution 1. Force Restart Your iPhone

If it is a bug on your iPhone, you can try to restart your iPhone to fix some minor bugs and force refresh your iPhone and fix the locked out of iPhone after update iOS version problem. You can follow the steps below to restart your iPhone. Different iPhone models have different steps to restart.

• For iPhone 8 or later: Press the Volume Down button and release it quickly. Followed by the Volume Up button. Then, press and hold the Side button until your iPhone screen goes black.
• For iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side and Volume Down button until your iPhone screen goes black.
• For iPhone 6 or earlier: Press and hold the Home and Side buttons until your iPhone screen goes black.

Solution 2. The 72-Hour Grace Period (iOS 17 to iOS 26)

If you are locked out because you changed your passcode during the iOS 26 setup and immediately forgot the new one, Apple provides a 72-hour "undo" window. This is the only official way to unlock your iPhone without losing data.

• Step 1. Enter the wrong passcode five times until the "iPhone Unavailable" screen appears.
• Step 2. Tap the "Forgot Passcode?" button at the bottom of the screen.
• Step 3. Select "Enter Previous Passcode."
• Step 4. Enter your previous passcode (the one you used before the update).
• Step 5. Follow the prompts to create a new, memorable passcode and regain instant access.
• 

Solution 3. The On-Device "Forgot Passcode" Reset (iOS 15.2 – iOS 26)

If you forgot previous password or changed the passcode over 72 hours, you can reset your iPhone via the Forgot Passcode feature. This feature is only available on iOS 15.2 or later.

• Step 1. Enter your passcode incorrectly several times. After the fourth or fifth attempt, your device will display an "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" timer.
• Step 2. Look at the bottom right corner of the screen. Tap on "Forgot Passcode?" (on iOS 17+) or "Erase iPhone" (on old iOS version).
• Step 3. You will see a screen explaining that your device is in lockout. Tap "Start iPhone Reset" to confirm you want to erase all data and settings.
• Step 4. Enter your Apple ID password (now referred to as your Apple Account password in 2026). This is required to turn off Activation Lock and prove ownership.
• Step 5. Tap "Erase iPhone" one final time. The device will reboot, and once the "Hello" screen appears, you can set it up as new or restore from an iCloud backup.
• 

Solution 4. Restore iPhone via iTunes/Finder

If your iPhone is totally unresponsive or "frozen" on the Apple logo after the iOS 26 update, you must use a wired connection to force a system restore via iTunes or Finder.

• Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC.
• Step 2. Put your iPhone into Recovery mode.
• Step 3. On your computer, a pop-up will appear saying there is a problem with the iPhone. Select "Restore."
• Step 4. iTunes/Finder will download the latest iOS version and reinstall it, wiping the old passcode in the process.
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Solution 5. Erase iPhone via iCloud

If your iPhone is locked and you don't have a computer with iTunes/Finder, you can use any web browser to trigger a remote erase. This is particularly useful if you've left your device at another location or if the physical buttons are unresponsive.

• Step 1. Open a browser on any smartphone, tablet, or computer and navigate to icloud.com/find.
• Step 2. Sign in using your Apple Account (formerly Apple ID) and password.
• Step 3. Select your locked iPhone from the "All Devices" list. A map will appear showing its last known location.
• Step 4. In the device submenu, click on "Erase iPhone."
• 

Solution 6. Use TunesKit iPhone Unlocker When Locked Out of iPhone

If the above solutions cannot unlock your iPhone, you should try using a third-party tool to unlock your iPhone. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is recommended here. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is a multifunctional iOS unlocking tool with many powerful features including unlock iOS screen lock, unlock Apple ID, bypass MDM restrictions, and bypass Screen Time.

When users face problems like locked out of iPhone after update, iPhone is disabled, or iPhone unavailable, using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is always the best solution to unlock iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch without using any passcode. This iOS unlocking tool has a concise and user-friendly interface that all users can unlock their iOS devices at home.

Now, let's see how to fix locked out of iPhone after update iOS 26/18/17 by using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

Step 1Connect iPhone to Computer

Download and install TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your computer. Then, connect your iPhone to the computer and launch TunesKit iPhone Unlocker. Select the Unlock iOS Screen feature from the homepage. Click the Start button to continue.

Step 2Put iPhone into Recovery Mode

Please follow the onscreen instructions to put your iPhone into Recovery mode. When your iPhone is in Recovery mode, click on the Next button.

Step 3Download Firmware Package

Then, you will need to download the corresponding firmware package to remove the screen lock from your iPhone. Before downloading, please check the onscreen information and click on the Download button if all the information is correct.

Step 4Fix Locked Out of iPhone After Update iOS 26/18/17

After downloading the firmware package, click the Unlock button. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to fix the locked out of iPhone after update problem. You can access your iPhone as soon as the update process is done.

FAQs About Locked Out of iPhone After iOS Update

Conclusion

That's how to fix locked out of iPhone after update iOS 26/18/17. In this post, you can learn some effective solutions to fix this problem with simple clicks. If you can't remember the passcode on your iOS device, you can download and try using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker to unlock it. Please feel free to leave us a comment below if you are still having other questions.