How to Unlock iPhone Passcode Without Apple ID? 5 Solutions!

"Today, I found an old iPhone 7 at home. However, I can't remember either the screen passcode or Apple ID. This old iPhone 7 looks not bad. How can I unlock it without Apple ID and the screen passcode?"

If you've forgotten the passcode on an old iPhone, unlocking it is your first priority. In most cases, you can still access the device using your Apple ID through iCloud or the built-in erase feature in iOS 15.2 and later.

However, if you've lost both the passcode and Apple ID, things get more complicated. Don't worry, this guide covers 5 effective methods to unlock your iPhone without an Apple ID. Keep reading to find the solution that works for you.

Method	Ease of Use	Data Loss?	Success Rate	Requirements
1️⃣ TunesKit iPhone Unlocker	Very Easy	✅	Very High	A computer (Mac/PC) and a USB cable.
2️⃣ iTunes	Moderate	✅	Moderate	A computer, USB cable, and "Find My" must be off. Your device synced with iTunes before.
3️⃣ Recovery Mode	Moderate	✅	Moderate	A computer, USB cable, and "Find My" must be off.
4️⃣ Activation Unlocker	Easy	❌	High	A computer (Mac/PC) and a USB cable.
5️⃣ Reset Password	Very Easy	❌	High	Access to the trusted email or phone number.

Solution 1. Use an iPhone Unlock Tool [Quickest Method]

If you want a quick, hassle-free way to unlock your iPhone, a dedicated unlocking tool is your best bet. Unlike official methods, which can be complicated and unreliable, these tools focus solely on getting you back into your device, with a high success rate.

Our recommendation for this task is TunesKit iPhone Unlocker. It is designed to handle various lock-out scenarios, including forgotten Apple IDs, disabled screens, and iCloud Activation Locks. This approach is ideal if you are not comfortable with more technical processes like DFU mode or if other methods have failed.

Let's see how to unlock iPhone without Apple ID using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

Step 1Connect iPhone to a computer

Please connect your iPhone to a computer with a workable cable. Then, launch TunesKit iPhone Unlocker. When TunesKit iPhone Unlocker detects your iPhone, choose the Unlock iOS Screen option and then click on the Start button.

Step 2Put your iPhone into Recovery mode

When you see the onscreen instruction, please follow it to put your iPhone into Recovery mode. Then, click on the Next button.

Step 3Download firmware package

Confirm that the onscreen information is corresponding to your iPhone. You can correct it manually if there is something wrong. Click on the Download button to start downloading.

Step 4Unlock iPhone passcode without Apple ID

Now click the Unlock button and TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to unlock your iPhone as soon as downloading is finished. You can try to set it up again when the unlocking process is done.

Solution 2. Unlock iPhone Without Apple ID via iTunes

Using iTunes is a reliable method to unlock your iPhone if you've forgotten your passcode or Apple ID. However, your device must be synced with iTunes beforehand. Otherwise, you won't be able to connect since the screen is locked. Below are the steps to unlock your iPhone using iTunes without an Apple ID.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to a computer, then launch iTunes.
Step 2: If you see a little iPhone icon appear on the toolbar, it means that iTunes detects your iPhone successfully, and you can head for the next step.
Step 3: Click on the iPhone icon and navigate to the left toolbar. And you will see a Summary option. Click on it.
Step 4: Find the Restore iPhone option on the main interface, click on it, and follow the onscreen instruction to restore your iPhone. It will take several minutes to make it.

Solution 3. Unlock iPhone Without Apple ID via Recovery Mode

If you haven't synced your iPhone with iTunes, you can still try this method to unlock it without your Apple ID or passcode. Below are the steps to enter Recovery Mode, based on your iPhone model.

Before putting your iPhone into Recovery Mode, you should turn it off and keep it connected to a computer. Then open iTunes or Finder.

For iPhone 8 or later: Press and release the Volume Up button, then do the same to the Volume Down button. Next up, keep holding the Side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen.

For iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down and Side button concurrently until you see the Recovery Mode screen.

For iPhone 6s or earlier: Keep holding the Home and Power button until you see the Recovery Mode screen.

When you put your iPhone into Recovery Mode, an iTunes notification will pop up to ask you to Restore or Update your iPhone. Click on the Restore option to unlock your iPhone. Then, iTunes/Finder will start to download the firmware package. All your iPhone content will be erased after restoring. You can restore it from a previous backup to avoid any data loss.

Solution 4. Bypass Activation Lock on a Second-Hand iPhone [When Find My Is Enabled]

The most common reason for needing to unlock an iPhone is buying a used one. If the device boots up and asks for the previous owner's Apple ID and password, you have encountered the iCloud Activation Lock. This is an anti-theft feature, and it is very effective. You can use TunesKit Activation Unlocker to remove it without an Apple ID.

Step 1. Launch TunesKit Activation Unlocker on your Mac or Windows computer. Then, connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable. Click on the Start button.
Step 2. In order to remove the Activation Lock, you need to jailbreak your iPhone. TunesKit Activation Unlocker will download a jailbreak tool for you. Follow the instructions to do it.
Step 3. After that, TunesKit will start the unlocking process and remove the Activation lock from your iPhone.

Solution 5. Reset a Forgotten Password [Easiest Case]

Sometimes, the issue isn't a lost Apple ID but a forgotten password. If you still have access to the trusted email address or phone number associated with the account, you're in luck. This is the simplest fix of all.

Step 1. On another device, open a web browser and go to iforgot.apple.com.
Step 2. Enter the Apple ID (which is usually an email address) and follow the on-screen prompts.
Step 3. Apple will send verification instructions to your trusted email or phone number. Follow them to reset your password. Once you have the new password, you can use it to unlock the iPhone.

FAQs About Unlocking iPhone Without Apple ID

Here are some questions related to unlocking iPhone without an Apple ID from our customers. Check them out now!

The Bottom Line

Being locked out of your iPhone is stressful, but it's a solvable problem. The right method depends entirely on your situation. For the fastest and most reliable result, especially if you're not tech-savvy, a dedicated tool like TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is the clear winner.

If you want to try a free method first and are certain "Find My" is disabled, using Recovery Mode is a solid option. By following the steps in this guide, you can successfully navigate this challenge and regain full access to your device. Have other questions? Leave us a comment below and we'll be glad to help you.