How to Unlock iPhone with Emergency Call Screen - Top Guides

If you're locked out of your iPhone, you're likely searching for any possible solution to regain access. One trick that frequently appears online is called "Emergency Call iPhone unlock trick". At first glance, it sounds like a lifesaver - an easy, no-data-loss way to get back into your phone.

However, does it really work now? In this guide, we will tell you the truth and introduce how to unlock iPhone with Emergency Call as well as other effective alternatives to unlock iPhone with ease.

Part 1. Does Emergency Call iPhone Unlock Trick Actually Work 2025?

Let's get straight to the point: No, the emergency call trick does not work on any modern iPhone.

This hack came from a genuine - but very old - bug in iOS 6.1, released back in 2013. Apple identified and patched the flaw almost immediately, and every iOS version released in the past decade has been fully secure against it.

So unless you're holding an iPhone still running iOS 6.1 (which is extremely rare), this trick won't help. That said, if you do have such an old device, you can try it out, but for most users, it's no longer an option.

Solution at a Glance: A Quick Comparison

Here's a side-by-side look at popular iPhone unlocking methods, including emergency call unlock, professional unlockers, and Apple's official solutions:

	Solutions	Requirements	Successful Rate	Data Loss?	Easy to Use?
1	Emergency Call Code	iOS 6.1	Low	No	⭐⭐
2	iPhone Unlocker	Mac or Windows computer	High	Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐
3	Restore iPhone via iTunes	Mac or Windows + Apple ID password	Moderate	Yes	⭐⭐⭐
4	Erase iPhone on Lock Screen	iOS 15.2+, Find My Enabled, Apple ID password	High	Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5	Erase iPhone on iCloud	Find My Enabled, Apple ID password	High	Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6	Unlock iPhone with Siri	iOS 10	Low	No	⭐⭐

Part 2. How to Unlock iPhone with Emergency Call Screen [iOS 6.1]

As mentioned above, the emergency call iPhone unlock trick only works on devices running the old iOS 6.1 version. If you're using any newer iOS version, this method won't help, since Apple quickly fixed the bug.

But if you happen to have an older iPhone running iOS 6.1, here's how to use emergency call to unlock iPhone:

Step 1: On the lock screen, type any random numbers and tap Cancel.
Step 2: Slide to unlock your iPhone again and tap Emergency Call.
Step 3: Press the Power button until the Slide to power off messages pops up, and then tap Cancel.
Step 4: The taskbar should turn light blue. Just dial an emergency number like 112 or 991, tap the green call button, and immediately tap the red end call button to cancel the call.

Step 5: Now press the Power button to turn off the screen. Tap the Home or the Power button to wake the device and slide to unlock.
Step 6: Finally, press and hold the Power button for a few seconds and quickly tap Emergency Call before the screen says Slide to Power Off. If it works, your iPhone will bypass the lock screen.

Part 3. Best Alternative to Unlock iPhone with Emergency Call [Without Any Passcode]

Unlocking an iPhone that you have forgotten password is not an easy job. While the outdated emergency call unlock trick doesn't work on modern devices, you still owns several reliable solutions. That's where an iPhone unlocker can stand out as the best alternative.

Here, I would like to recommend TunesKit iPhone Unlocker to you. It is a mighty iPhone unlocking tool that can unlock your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch within several steps. No matter you are facing forgetting iPhone screen passcode, Face ID not working, fingerprint not unlocking phone, etc., TunesKit iPhone Unlocker can always be the best solution.

Step 1 Connect iPhone to Computer

Launch TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your Mac or Windows PC. Connect your iPhone with a USB cable and select Unlock iOS Screen > Start.

⚠️ Note: This process will erase your iPhone's settings and data, so make sure you have a backup. Also, ensure iTunes is installed on your computer.

Step 2 Put iPhone into DFU Mode

Check out the instructions on the tool to put your iPhone or iPad into DFU mode. You can also enter Recovery mode if there is an issue setting the device to DFU mode. When you put your iPhone into DFU mode successfully, click on the Next button.

Step 3 Download Firmware Package

Now in DFU mode, the tool will show the found device info in detail. Make sure the details are correct and if something is wrong by using the dropdown list. Click Download to start downloading the firmware package and then verify it.

Step 4Unlock iPhone with Emergency Call Screen

In the end, click Unlock. Keep your iPhone connected during the entire process while TunesKit unzips the firmware and removes your passcode. In just a few minutes, your iPhone will be unlocked successfully.

Video Tutorial: How to Unlock iPhone Without Passcode

Let's see a step-by-step guide using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker to unlock your iPhone.

Part 4. More Alternatives to Unlock iPhone with Emergency Call [with Apple ID Password]

If you remember your Apple ID password, you're in luck - there are a few official methods you can use to unlock your iPhone with Apple ID safely. These methods work without outdated tricks like the emergency call unlock and are recommended for most users.

Here are three effective solutions:

#1. Use iTunes/Finder on Computer

This is the classic way to restore and unlock a locked iPhone using a computer. On macOS Catalina or later, you'll use Finder; on Windows or older Macs, you'll use iTunes.

If your iPhone has been synced with iTunes before, the process is straightforward:

Step 1. Launch iTunes and connect your iPhone to the computer.
Step 2. Click on the little device icon and then hit on the Summary option.
Step 3. Select the Restore iPhone option to unlock your disabled iPhone with iTunes.

If your iPhone has never synced with iTunes on the computer, you'll need to put it in Recovery Mode first: Here's how to:

Step 1. Turn off your iPhone completely and connect it to your computer.
Step 2. Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode using the correct button combination for your model.

• iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears (a computer and cable icon).
• iPhone 7 / 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side (or Top) + Volume Down button at the same time. Keep holding them until the recovery mode screen appears.
• iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold the Home + Side (or Top) button simultaneously. Keep holding them until you see the recovery mode screen.

Step 3. Open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on PC). A prompt will appear: "There is a problem with the iPhone that requires it to be updated or restored."
Step 4. Choose "Restore". Your computer will download the software and reset your device. Keep your iPhone connected until the process finishes.

#2. Use Erase iPhone Feature on iOS 15.2

For iPhones running iOS 15.2 or above, Apple introduced a convenient Erase iPhone option directly from the lock screen. No computer required - just make sure you have Wi-Fi or mobile data and your Apple ID password.

Step 1. On your iPhone's lock screen, enter the wrong passcode repeatedly until the "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" screen appears.
Step 2. Tap the Erase iPhone option in the bottom-right corner.
Step 3. Tap "Erase iPhone" again to confirm your decision.
Step 4. You will be prompted to enter your Apple ID password to sign out of your account. This is a security step to prove you are the owner of the device.
Step 5. Your iPhone will erase itself and restart at the setup screen. You can now set it up as new or restore from backup.

#3. Remotely Use iCloud to Erase iPhone

With the help of Find My iPhone feature, you can easily remove the passcode from their iPad or iPhone. Make sure that you have enabled this feature and have a stable internet connection. Besides, you should know the correct Apple ID and the password to log into the iCloud account.

If you can't unlock iPhone with Emergency call screen, follow the below steps to unlock via iCloud.

Step 1. Go to the official iCloud website at browser on your PC or other devices, then log in with your Apple ID and password.
Step 2. Enter Find My section and click All Devices to see all the devices connected to your Apple ID.
Step 3. Now choose your locked iPhone or iPad and select Erase iPhone.
Step 4. Read the confirmation prompt and click "Erase" to proceed. Your iPhone will begin to erase itself remotely as soon as it connects to the internet.

And you will unlock your iPhone successfully. However, this feature will erase all your personal data.

Part 5. Another Trick to Unlock iPhone via Siri [iOS 10]

Another method that once circulated online is the Siri unlock trick. Similar to the emergency call iPhone unlock method, this was based on an old iOS bug. It only worked on iOS 10 devices and is not guaranteed to succeed today. Still, here's how it was supposed to work:

Step 1. Press and hold the Home button of your device to activate Siri, then ask for the "What's the time now?"
Note: For iPhone without Home button, keep holding the Side button to activate Siri.
Step 2. Siri will display the local time. When the clock icon appears, tap it.
Step 3. You will see a World Clock with some small icons. Tap the plus (+) icon in the top-right corner.

Step 4. Here in the search box, type any characters and choose Select All. From the options, tap Share > Message.
Step 5. On the new message screen, type a random character in the To field, then press Return. Wait a moment, then tap the Home button. If the bug works, your iPhone will bypass the lock screen.

Part 6. FAQs on Unlocking iPhone

Part 7. Final Words

That's all about how to unlock iPhone with Emergency Call screen. While the old emergency call and Siri unlock tricks may have worked years ago, they are now obsolete on modern iOS versions. The good news? You still have reliable and effective alternatives.

A professional unlocking tool like TunesKit iPhone Unlocker offers the most straightforward and versatile approach, while Apple's official methods (via Recovery Mode, iCloud, or the Erase iPhone feature) are free and reliable alternatives as long as you remember Apple ID password. While these working solutions will erase your data, they are the only secure and effective ways to get your iPhone back in working order.